Solo, Vol. 1
Artist: John Bunch

John Bunch has long been one of the top swing-oriented pianists (along with Johnny Varro and Ray Sherman) and is greatly in demand for mainstream dates. On what was only his second set of accompanied piano solos (there was a date of Kurt Weill tunes for Chiaroscuro in the 1970s), Bunch's relaxed melodic approach often brings to mind Teddy... Read More

Let Me Off Uptown
Artist: Anita O'Day

The 1999 reissue of this title (CK 65625) is a major addition to Anita O'Day's catalog and, secondarily, to Roy Eldridge's and Gene Krupa's CD profile. Anyone who has heard the previous releases of Krupa's music from the early '40s on Columbia and OKeh knows how problematic they are -- the masters sound rough, and the band wasn't half as good as... Read More

Django and His American Friends, Vol. 1 & 2
Artist: Django Reinhardt
Flamingo
Artist: Stéphane Grappelli

This CD features a logical combination of two talented Frenchmen, violinist Stéphane Grappelli and pianist Michel Petrucciani, who had never recorded together before. With the assistance of bassist George Mraz and drummer Roy Haynes, the co-leaders romp on a variety of standards. Petrucciani was 32 at the time of this June 1995 set, a mere child... Read More

A Swingin' Christmas
Artist: Big Rhythm Band

Swingin' Christmas is the work of guitarist James Holihan, Jr., who is best known as the producer of the Russ Taff album A Christmas Song and Under Their Influence. Holihan turns in a swinging set of classic Christmas carols, all arranged as if they were bluesy, jazzy dance numbers from the '40s and '50s. It's entertaining and relaxed, full of... Read More

Cookin'
Artist: Butch Miles

Drummer Butch Miles leads a first-class mainstream jazz group on this live set put out by the German Nagel-Heyer label. With trumpeter Randy Sandke, tenor-saxophonist Harry Allen, guitarist Howard Alden and bassist Frank Tate completing the pianoless quartet, the high-quality swing that results is not unexpected. Terrie Richards helps out with a... Read More

Talk to Me Baby
Artist: Warren Vaché

This Warren Vache CD is a bit unusual, for it features the trumpeter, best known for his work in the mainstream and small-group swing field, playing quite a few selections that fall stylistically into bop and hard bop. Joined by tenor saxophonist Bill Easley, trombonist Joel Helleny, guitarist Howard Alden, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist... Read More

Cookin' with Frank & Sam
Artist: Travelin' Light
The Count Basie Remembered, Vol. 1
Artist: New York Allstars

Count Basie's small group dates of the 1940s are saluted on this delightful set from a strong octet comprised of leader/trumpeter Randy Sandke, trombonist Dan Barrett, Brian Oglivie (on clarinet, alto and tenor), Basie alumnus Billy Mitchell on tenor, pianist Mark Shane, guitarist James Chirillo, bassist Bob Haggart and drummer Joe Ascione. It... Read More