Naturally
Artist: John Pizzarelli

John Pizzarelli's second Novus CD features the singer/guitarist with his regular trio (which also has pianist Ken Levinsky and brother Martin Pizzarelli on bass), an expanded rhythm section (including father Bucky Pizzarelli on rhythm guitar) and as many as 15 horns. Among the other soloists are tenors Scott Robinson, Harry Allen and Frank Wess,... Read More

The Art of Django/Django -- The Unforgettable
Artist: Django Reinhardt

In 1994, BGO released Art of Django/Django -- The Unforgettable, which contained two complete albums -- Art of Django and Django -- The Unforgettable -- by gypsy guitar great Django Reinhardt on one compact disc. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide Read More

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 2
Artist: Harry Allen

On the second of two volumes, Harry Allen plays not at New York's Birdland but a club with the same name in Hamburg. A talented young tenor whose swing style and hard tone make for an appealing mix, Harry Allen swings through 11 standards with the assistance of trumpeter Randy Sandke, pianist Brian Dee, bassist Len Skeat and drummer Oliver... Read More

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1
Artist: Harry Allen

A glance at this CD's cover might cause collectors to have a double take for it looks similar to the original A Night at Birdland album by Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers from the mid-'50s. The Birdland in this case is a jazz club from Hamburg, Germany and the music is not hard bop but hard-driving swing. The excellent young tenor Harry... Read More

Big Sweet N' Blue
Artist: Norris Turney

Since there are not that many alumni of Duke Ellington's orchestra active, it is surprising that altoist Norris Turney (who was with Ellington from 1969-1973 and eventually replaced the unreplaceable Johnny Hodges) has not been recorded all that extensively during the 20 years since. In fact, his Mapleshade debut is the 72-year-old's first... Read More

Controlled Nonchalance at the Regattabar, Vol. 1
Artist: Ruby Braff

Cornetist Ruby Braff has teamed up with tenor-saxophonist Scott Hamilton on several occasions and the combination always proves to be exciting. This live sextet session, which also features the great swing pianist Dave McKenna and guitarist Gray Sargent, finds the classic players bringing new life to eight veteran standards including "Rosetta,"... Read More

After Awhile
Artist: Dick Sudhalter

Dick Sudhalter, best known as one of the three writers responsible for one of the great jazz biographies (Bix - Man and Legend), is also a fine trumpeter who has the influence of Bix Beiderbecke fairly well-buried in his own lyrical style. Sudhalter had lived in England during the 1965-75 period, making this get-together (subtitled "& His London... Read More

Live at Ambassador Auditorium
Artist: Ken Peplowski Quintet

Ken Peplowski led a fine quintet during this 1994 concert at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena; the clarinetist and tenor saxophonist is joined by some of his favorite collaborators: guitarist Howard Alden, pianist Ben Aronov, bassist Murray Wall, and drummer Tom Melito. Peplowski starts off on his big-toned tenor by leading a simmering take of... Read More

The Port of Harlem Jazzmen
Artist: Port of Harlem Jazzmen

The Port of Harlem Jazzmen were a tremendous all-star ensemble that recorded for Alfred Lion's label in 1939 and 1940. The earliest sessions featured trumpeter Frankie Newton and trombonist J.C. Higginbotham as the horn stars; virtuoso soprano saxophonist and clarinetist Sidney Bechet joined the group for its second recording session in 1939 and... Read More

Get Happy
Artist: Randy Sandke

For the second straight CD, trumpeter Randy Sandke was teamed up with tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski, who switches to clarinet on three songs. Although best known for his playing in trad and swing settings, Sandke goes out of his way to show off his versatility on this sextet date, which also features trombonist Robert Trowers, pianist Kenny... Read More

Steppin' with Peps
Artist: Ken Peplowski

Ken Peplowski is in top form on this consistently exciting swing-based release. Whether playing clarinet (where his Benny Goodman influence is touched by the coolness of Tony Scott) or romping on tenor (mixing together Don Byas with touches of Paul Gonsalves), Peplowski excels throughout this well-planned yet spontaneous session. The dozen... Read More

16 Most Requested Songs
Artist: Benny Goodman

16 Most Requested Songs is a midline-priced collection that spotlights many of Goodman's best-known and most popular performances for Columbia Records, including "Let's Dance," "Avalon," "Somebody Stole My Gal," "Why Don't You Do Right," "After You've Gone," "Stompin' at the Savoy," "How Am I to Know?" and "Sing Sing Sing." Although it's far... Read More

The Indispensable 1928-1957 - GERMANY
Artist: Jack Teagarden

Much more complete than the Bluebird CD, this two CD set has trombonist Jack Teagarden featured with Roger Wolfe Kahn's orchestra (two takes of "She's a Great, Great Girl"), Eddie Condon's Hot Shots, the Mound City Blue Blowers, eight numbers with Ben Pollack, his better recordings with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra and a complete session under his... Read More