1931-1933
Artist: Don Redman & His Orchestra

The first of three Don Redman Classics CDs consists of his orchestra's earliest sessions. Although Redman's big band never hit it as big as his former employers' (Fletcher Henderson and McKinney's Cotton Pickers), it was an impressive outfit, thanks to the leader's advanced arrangements. Among the key sidemen on these performances are trumpeters... Read More

A Perfect Match: A Tribute to Hodges & Wild Bill Davis
Artist: Bob Wilber

In the 1960s altoist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis recorded eight albums together, several of which included trombonist Lawrence Brown. This 1997 set sounds very similar to that band and would probably confuse listeners in a blindfold test. Bob Wilber, normally a soprano saxophonist and clarinetist, always did sound a bit like... 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

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

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

1924-1926
Artist: Clarence Williams' Blue Five

The second CD in the Classics label's "complete" Clarence Williams series traces the pianist/bandleader's recordings during a 14-month period. The first six titles feature soprano great Sidney Bechet (who has a unique sarrusophone solo on "Mandy Make up Your Mind") while the first 13 also have Louis Armstrong. The pairing of these two classic... 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