3, 4, 5: The Verve Small Group Sessions
Artist: Benny Carter

Has there ever been a more consistent performer in jazz history over a longer period of time than Benny Carter? The classic altoist, who had fully formed his sound by the early '30s (he first recorded in 1927), has not altered his style much in the past 65 (and counting) years. The music on this Verve reissue CD features Carter in three... Read More

Ella in Rome: The Birthday Concert
Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

This concert performance finds Ella Fitzgerald celebrating her 40th birthday. A top singer for 23 years at that point, she was at the peak of her powers. Backed by her regular rhythm section (with pianist Lou Levy, bassist Max Bennett and drummer Gus Johnson), she puts on her usual show of the period, uplifting the ballads and swinging the... Read More

Bennie Green Blows His Horn
Artist: Bennie Green

Bennie Green, one of the few trombonists of the 1950s not to sound somewhat like a J.J. Johnson clone, always had a likable and humorous style. He blends in well with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse on these standards, blues, and jump tunes, two of which have group vocals. With a fine rhythm section (pianist Cliff Smalls, bassist Paul Chambers,... Read More

20th Century Piano Genius
Artist: Art Tatum

This double album was taped at a private party in 1956, featuring the amazing Art Tatum on solo piano. Tatum, who died the following year, never did decline, and he is in prime form throughout this highly enjoyable and frequently exciting set of standards. There are no real romps a la "Tiger Rag" but the 27 performances contain plenty of... Read More

The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 8
Artist: Art Tatum

The final volume of this eight-CD (and originally 12-LP) series is similar to the first seven in that Tatum melodically improvises on a variety of standards, in this case such tunes as "She's Funny That Way," "I Won't Dance," "Begin the Beguine" and "Humoresque." Few revelations occur (most of the interpretations are in the same relaxed medium... Read More

Cootie Williams in Hi Fi
Artist: Cootie Williams

With the possible exception of cornball trumpeter Clyde McCoy, nobody could impart humanistic sounds to a plunger mute like Cootie Williams. Certainly nobody could make a trumpet growl like he did, full of feral shrieks and blasts and vocal tones galore. As a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra during its heyday, Williams was big enough... Read More

Roy Eldridge in Paris
Artist: Roy Eldridge

In 1950, trumpeter Roy Eldridge was having a bit of an identity crisis. Once considered one of the pacesetters, the emergence of Dizzy Gillespie and the bop stylists left Eldridge unsure what to do. But that year, when he travelled to France with Benny Goodman, the future seemed clearer. The Parisian audiences demanded that Eldridge play himself... Read More

Dr. Jazz Series, Vol. 3
Artist: Buck Clayton

Storyville has released a series of CDs taken from the legendary Dr. Jazz radio series of 1951-52, a program which each week featured some of the top Dixieland bands then currently playing in New York clubs. Trumpeter Buck Clayton was a swing rather than a Dixieland player but during this era he decided to increase his versatility (and potential... Read More

The Complete Verve Recordings of the Teddy Wilson Trio
Artist: Teddy Wilson