1926-1927
Artist: Clarence Williams

The third CD in the Classics label's Clarence Williams program reissues all of the pianist/bandleader's dates from a ten-month period, 23 selections in all. Such groups as Joe Jordan's Ten Sharps and Flats (performing a memorable version of "Morocco Blues"), The Dixie Washboard Band, The Blue Grass Foot Warmers and Clarence Williams's Stompers... Read More

With His American Friends
Artist: Django Reinhardt

The brilliant gypsy swing guitarist Django Reinhardt is most famous for his work with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, an all-string group also including violinist Stephane Grappelli, two rhythm guitarists, and a bassist. However, through the years he also had opportunities to record with American stars. In some cases, they were added to a... Read More

Legendary New Orleans Trumpet Story 1923-1939
Artist: Tommy Ladnier
Dr. Jazz Series, Vol. 13
Artist: Jimmy Archey

Trombonist Jimmy Archey spent most of his career as a sideman, but he had an opportunity in the early 50s to lead the remnants of a unit formerly headed by Bob Wilber. The performances on this 1997 CD are taken from the Dr. Jazz radio series of 1952. In addition to Archey and trumpeter Henry Goodwin (who was rarely featured at greater length... Read More

The Chapter 2: Plot Thickens
Artist: Jon-Erik Kellso

The modern swing revival, launched by Scott Hamilton and Warren Vache in the late 1970s (and preceding the Wynton Marsalis-led Young Lions by a few years), continues 20 years later. While guitarist Howard Alden (heard on this disc) came up in the second wave (along with Dan Barrett and Ken Peplowski), cornetist Jon-Erik Kellso and his main... Read More

Jazz Original
Artist: Pee Wee Russell

Clarinetist Pee Wee Russell was certainly an original, squawking his way quite expressively in an unpredictable fashion, carving out his own distinctive voice. This 1997 CD is meant to augment the two-CD set called The Commodore Story, for it includes some alternate takes whose master versions are on the former release or on another CD... Read More

1927-1928
Artist: Clarence Williams

The fifth CD in Classics' "complete" Clarence Williams program (all are highly recommended to collectors of 1920s jazz) has 22 selections from 11 separate recording sessions, all of the pianist/bandleader's dates for a ten-month period. There are a pair of piano solos, two numbers in which Williams's vocals (including an eccentric "Farm Hand... Read More

1928-1929
Artist: Clarence Williams

The sixth volume in the very valuable Classics Clarence Williams reissue program contains 22 numbers in its attractive CD, mostly from a four-month period. There is a lot of variety on these sessions with many of the best tracks featuring both King Oliver and Ed Allen on cornets along with tenorman Benny Waters. There are also numbers by... Read More

You Can Depend on Me
Artist: Ruby Braff

At 69 years old, cornetist Ruby Braff is heard throughout this 1998 CD still in prime form. His tone remains distinctive, his ideas full of surprising subtleties, and his approach quite melodic, influenced more in his later years by Lester Young than by any specific trumpeter. Braff is joined by guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, pianist Johnny Varro,... Read More