Jose J. Pena of the Dominican Republic wrote:

Way back when, I was 14 years old. a friend gave me a copy of Phil Woods' LP "Images." Songs like "The Look of Love," "We've Only Just Begun" and the title song gave me a taste of something called jazz. Some odd years later and 19,000 jazz cds later, I am looking for that title. Please help.

Jose:

The only person that I know for sure who has more than 19,000 jazz CDs is Scott Yanow, so that's quite a collection. I have 63 CDs by Woods, 15 LPs, plus some anthologies that he's a part of, but I've never run across Images. This 1975 LP has never been reissued on CD, like most of Woods' recording for RCA in the 1970s. Because it consists primarily of pops tunes with strings and an orchestra conducted by Michel Legrand, I would think it has a rather low likelihood of reappearing on CD in the near future. You might still find a used LP copy in decent shape, as reviewers and radio folks tend to get rid of such albums without playing them much (if at all).

Michael Ribas Oakland, CA wrote:

Do you know if Columbia/Legacy is going to upgrade their Essential Count Basie discs as they recently did with Billie Holiday's Quintessential series?

Michael:

It seems like a logical boxed set, but so far they've not announced any plans. You can sign up with Columbia/Legacy on their web site to be notified of upcoming reissues. Access it through the record labels section of All About Jazz.

Lou Di Cerbo Chicago, Illinois wrote:

I'm wondering whether Impulse (or any other company) re-released on CD the album "Americans in Europe", which features a trio comprised of the great Kenny Clarke on drums, Lou Bennett on Hammond B-3 and Jimmy Gourley on guitar; it was recorded live in Koblenz, Germany in 1963 or thereabouts.

I am particularly interested in the trio's version of Horace Silver's "No Smokin'". Perhaps this track appears on another CD that might still be in print (I first heard it on an Impulse collection from 25 years ago that featured various drummers called (appropirately) "The Drums"- they also did simiar series with bassists and saxophonists).

Lou:

GRP reissued a compilation of volumes 1 & 2 of this title, omitting seven tracks, but including two cuts by the trio you asked about. They perform Horace Silver's "No Smokin': and Johnny Mandel's "Low Life." Unfortunately this CD (GRP #150) seems to be out of print, but it shouldn't be too tough to find in a used CD web site or used CD store in your big city. Try Euclid Records, Papa Jazz, or Second Spin.

John Healey of Northampton, England wrote:

Has the Jazz Studio 1 LP ,which had '"Tenderly" on one side and "Let's Split" on the other, ever been released on CD? The artists featured were Joe Newman, Benny Green, Frank Foster, Paul Quinichette, Hank Jones, Sir Jonothan Gasser (Johnny Smith), Eddie Jones and Kenny Clarke.

John:

None of the Jazz Studio series put out by Decca in the 1950s has been reissued according to my research.

Rogers Mcallister of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama wrote:

I once postponed getting out of my car after a trip because somebody--possibly Gary Shivers--was playing a very unusual piece (almost like modern classical) that held me there, it was so exciting, jagged and, percussive, as I remember, although I'm not sure of the players or instruments. All these years, I have remember-possibly incorrectly, since I can find nothing about it--that it was Stan Getz (+?) and that it was called "Suite for Stan," (or possibly, a bit of wordplay, "Sweet for Stan"). Although I am not a big Getz fan, this piece sounded nothing like the various cuts on the albums of his I do have. Can you help in any way? Then I could move on to solving my next mystery.

Rogers:

There is a Getz CD "Sweet Rain" with a song of the same name, but I've never heard it, though it has been reissued. I can find no record of a "Suite for Stan."

Barbara Nankin wrote:

I have tried to buy numerous jazz recordings of various artists on the Classics label. I have tried on Amazon and am disappointed that they do not offer what I am looking for. Please suggest where else I may try.

Barbara:

Allegro is a distributor of the label in the USA so they should have a good inventory; there web site is www.allegro-music.com. Other retail possibilities include Borders. One reason you may have trouble finding certain titles is that they may be out of print. I've noticed at least one 1996 reissue of Art Tatum has been deleted and they are probably others. Another is that relatively few dealers stock this import label in this country; in fact, a lot of retail stores are shying away from jazz imports.

Dirk Ludigkeit of Augsburg, Germany wrote:

Just a comment about one of your answers in the April column concerning Carlos Pageacutes' question about Benny Golson's Just Jazz. There is a Benny Golson CD on Fresh Sound Records called "Walkin'," which features Dolphy, Evans and Shorter (FSR-CD 302). According to the liner notes, the music was recorded in November 1957. The sound quality is so bad, however, (awful reverb, wobbly stereo sound) that Carlos would be better off sticking with his old vinyl even if that CD is a reissue of the album he asked about.

Dirk:

It's hard to keep up with what Fresh Sound is doing as their CDs don't seem to stay available consistently. The Benny Golson "Just Jazz" LP session was recorded for Audiofidelity in April, 1962, not in 1957. I've heard a lot of complaints about the counterfeit reissues of long out-of-print LPs done by Fresh Sound, and I'm convinced that most of the CDs that I have from them are bootlegs because of the sound and the fact that a number of the artists involved had exclusive contracts with other labels at the times the recordings were made. Anytime you deal with a label like Fresh Sound, it's strictly "Buyer Beware." This record has a strange history as it originally featured overdubbed strings and they were later removed for a subsequent pressing. But Golson's arrangements were rather thin because of the original concept and so the session is disappointing, and the sound of the later LP isn't too great. I acquired a copy of it a few months ago to see for myself.

Tam of Virginia Beach, VA wrote:

What does "droppin' shucks" mean in Lillian Hardin and Louis Armstong's song? I have looked everywere to try to find this info.

Tam:

You've got me stumped (No, that's not the meaning!). I could tell you the joke that I believe inspired Armstrong's "Yes, I'm in the Barrel," but I'm a gentleman....

Brad Williams of Denton, TX wrote:

Woody Shaw and Sam Rivers are two of my favorite musicians. I heard of a quintet(?) in the late 1960's led by McCoy Tyner that featured Sam and Woody as the front line... this is the holy grail band for me but I've been told they never recorded. Can you confirm or deny this? Thanks.

Brad:

It sounds like it was an interesting band, but I've been unable to find evidence of a recording with all three of them present. That's not to say that unreleased recordings are sitting in a label's vault (all three were signed to Blue Note, but not all three together at the same time), or that private or broadcast tapes do not exist. After all, almost no one thought that tapes existed of Monk & Coltrane together live until a few years ago.

Wai Lam of Hong Kong wrote:

I'm looking for a song "Blue Christmas" from Miles Davis, previously released in CBS vinyl, I think is the "I Love Jazz" series. Have this song ever released in CD?

Wai:

"Blue Xmas," performed by Miles Davis with a vocal by Bob Dorough, originally appeared on an LP called Jingle Bell Jazz. It was reissued on CD under that title in 1990 by Columbia, although that reissue is actually a compilation of two separate LPs with a few tracks omitted. Holiday releases are generally only available in the USA between September and December. Several on line sites list it as something they carry.

Mary of Durham, NC wrote:

Have you ever heard of a musicians guidebook called "Swingin' Songs" published by Insanity Press? This notebook is filled with copies of music sheets of well known jazz musicians (I found it at a flea market in Florida). In it there's a sheet in someone's handwriting for the songs "Moon Glow," "Rainy Day," and "Yackety Sax". Do you know the musician that wrote these songs?

Mary:

I've never heard of the book, but here are the composers for the songs (and their correct titles):

Moonglow: Will Hudson/Eddie DeLange/Irving Mills Here's That Rainy Day: Jimmy van Heusen/Johnny Burke Yackety Sax: Randy "Boots" Randolph/James Q Rich

Alan McLachlan of London, Canada wrote:

Ken, any idea if these two works might be somewhere on CD: Monty Alexander - Love & Sunshine BASF G22620 Freddie Hubbard - Blue Note BN-LA356-H2-0798

Many thanks.

Alan:

Unless the Monty Alexander turns up as a Japanese import reissue, I doubt it will appear on CD any time in the near future.

The reissue of the 2 LP Freddie Hubbard set that you're seeking is very unlikely, as it is an anthology with tracks from some six different dates, all of which have been individually reissued as CDs (though they all may be out of print by now).

Lee Anne Rye of Harpers Ferry, WV wrote:

Hi Ken, I was ever so happy to read the article about you in All About Jazz. My father loves the old jazz and has been looking for Jelly Roll Morton (Swaggie) Library of Congress Volume 1. I have spent (it seems) hundreds of hours searching on here to find it for him. He has Vol 2 though 8 and really wants Vol 1 in the worst way. He is just interested in the content. I understand Jelly Roll talks of his life on this and Dad likes this. The CD's they have come out with aren't what he's looking for. They have put the eight volumes on four CD's and that doesn't have the talking. Like I said he doesn't care what form he gets it i just the content, Even a cassette would do. After reading about your searches and successes I have great faith now that I have finally found the right person. If you have this recording and could tape it for me I would more than happy to pay you. Not to mention I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much for your time.

Lee Anne:

I remember seeing all of those Jelly Roll Morton LPs in the 1970s and never got around to buying them. Long out of print, they might turn up at one of the following used record dealers: www.euclidrecords.com www.redtrumpet.com www.papajazz.com

I have been very satisfied with the pricing and condition of the LPs I've purchased through each of these businesses. I'm sure that there are other good ones out there as well. Stay away from malls and web sites that focus on new releases, as only a used records specialist will be likely to have the LP you're seeking from time to time.

Dr. Julio Lax wrote:

My collection is practically complete except some of the following CDs:

George Duke: Feel MPS Santana Oneness CBS Empire Jazz (with Billy Cobham-Jon Faddis- Ron Carter, etc) RSO Gato Barbieri Euphoria A&M

Julio:

The reason that you're having trouble finding most of these releases on CD is that none of them have been reissued in that format. George Duke's first two releases for BASF/MPS, Faces in Reflection and Feel, are long out of print, although his next three LPs for the label were combined on the CD reissue Three Originals. The 1979 Barberi LP Euphoria is still out of print, and the other release you're seeking, Empire Jazz, with jazz treatments of five songs from the movie Star Wars (with Cobham and Faddis), was release in 1980 on RSO and seems to be an unlikely candidate to be reissued on CD.

If you are a fan of Star Wars music, and also Star Trek, you might check out the wailing treatment of the "Theme from Star Trek" on the live Phil Woods CD "Bouquet" (on Concord Jazz), which is in print.

However Santana's Openess was reissued as a Sony CD (#87235) in 1998, so it shouldn't be too hard to find on-line.

Wayne of Ojai, CA wrote:

I am looking for two Enoch Light recordings on cd in new condition:

Provocative Percussion Persuasive Percussion

I find on most outlets they are out of print. any suggestions?

Wayne:

As far as I know all Enoch Light LPs are long out of print and have never been reissued on CD. Unless someone purchases the old Project 3 and Command labels, it seems unlikely that they or most titles by any other arists on those labels will be reissued.

Lorraine Barrett of Navarre, FL wrote:

What does TOBA circuit mean.?

Lorraine:

It stood for the Theatre Owner's Booking Association, but it was given the nicknames "Tough on Black Acts" and "Tough on Black Asses" because of their poor treatment of the African-American music groups that toured under its auspices. I think it was in existence in the 1920s and 1930s, but I am not sure about the exact dates. Eubie Blake mentioned T.O.B.A. in several interviews.

Glen Brown of Kansas City, Mo wrote:

I'm looking for the following CDs: Mads Vinding Trio: Six Hands Three Minds One Heart. Ruby Braff:Music For The Still Of The Night. Jim Burke Trio:Hands On Wynton Kelly: Blues On Purpose.

Glen:

The Mads Vinding title is a Danish release. You can get it directly from the label at www.sundance.dk.

Ruby Braff's CD should be readily available from any decent jazz web site, since it was released earlier this year. If you still have trouble finding it, buy it from the label at www.arborsjazz.com.

I had never heard of Jim Burke, but you can buy his CD from wwww.musicinthevines.com/cd_htmls/burke.html.

The Wynton Kelly CD will be tougher to find since Xanadu has ceased operations. Your best bet would be www.euclidrecords.com or any jazz site specializing in used CDs. It may be possible to still find a new copy but it will be a lot tougher.

Anthony of Miami, FL wrote:

I saw this young jazz musician performing in a movie titled "Love Jones." His name is Teodross Avery and the song he performed is called "My Generation". I can't find music by this artist anywhere, I checked every record store in town and came up empty. Do you know where I can find any jazz CDs by Teodross Avery? Please Help!!!!!

Anthony:

Teodross Avery has three CDs out: In Other Words GRP 9788 My Generation Impulse! 181 New Day New Groove Orchard 7914

The first two are out of print, but In Other Words seems to be currently available from www.euclidrecords.com and My Generation from www.secondspin.com. The newest CD should be available through any site with a decent jazz selection.

Patrice of France wrote:

j'ai un 33t de J.Coltrane acheté début années 70 qui s'appelle: DIAL AFRICA. IL JOUE AVEC/ Harden, Fuller?Flanagan,Jackson et Taylor. les titres: Dial Africa, Oomba et Gold Coast. Peut-on trouver maintenat en CD ce 33t et comment, ou bien ces 3 titres sont ils sur d'autres album CD? Thanks a lot...

Patrice:

I don't understand French and studied German (Deutsch) many years ago, but I hope I have deciphered your question.

The LPs "Dial Africa" and "Gold Coast" featuring John Coltrane with Wilbur Harden, were reissued as the 2 CD set Wilbur Harden/John Coltrane, The Complete Savoy Sessions, in 1999 by Savoy Jazz (#92858). It is currently in print and should be available through any significant jazz CD site (CDNOW, Amazon, etc.)

Note to writers outside the U.S.A.: Writing your letters in English is greatly appreciated as it saves me time and allows me to answer a question much more quickly. I got lucky this time!

Brian of Michigan wrote:

Who wrote the song "At Last"? I've come across an excellent version of Ella and Joe Pass doing it and I'm curious to who wrote it.

Brian:

Harry Warren & Mack Gordon co-wrote "At Last." It appears on the Ella Fitzgerald/Joe Pass CD "Fitzgerald & Pass Again..."

Dudley Kiester of San Jose, CA wrote:

Ken, I have been looking for the CD version of an outstanding big band recording made by Johnny Richards in 1956 for Bethlehem Records, entitled "Something Else". Can you tell me if it even exists?

Dudley:

Johnnie Richards' Bethlehem LP hasn't been reissued on CD as far as I can tell. However, Avenue Jazz has announced that it is in the process of reissuing several hundred Bethlehem titles, so keep your fingers crossed and an eye on their catalog.

Gloria of West Palm Beach, FL wrote:

Hi, Ken; I wanted to know did Etta James die today, or is there a jazz singer name Etta Jones? I heard something like that on my radio this morning and we have been looking on-line and do not see anything about it on-line so if you could clear this up for us big Etta James fans, the radio said that this paticular Jazz singer was 75 years old.

Gloria:

Etta Jones died in October, 2001 of cancer. According to the radio report I heard on NPR's Morning Edition, she was 72, which is also the age based on her birth date in the biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Usually information about deaths take a day or two to make it on-line, though and All About Jazz (the host of this column) get the information up fairly quickly. Etta James is still very much alive.

Ruminator of Paris wrote:

I'm looking for a cti record's album, it's a California Concert performing between 1971 and 1972. The performers are George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Cobham and Ron Carter. I have a lot of time to find this CD; could you tell me if it is still available.

Ruminator:

A CD reissue of the CTI double LP was out on CBS for a time, but it is evidently now out of print. Try for a used copy from www.euclidrecords.com, www.secondspin.com, or a similar site dealing in used CDs.

Alfonso Claps of La Serena, Chile wrote:

Where can I get a copy of the following CDs:

Miles Davis: Black Devil. Label: Beech Marten 053/2, Bootleg Recorded Live at "Grande Halle de la Villette", Paris, July 10th, 1991

Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Dave Holland: Parallel Realities Live

Stanley Clarke: Children of Forever

Alfonso:

I know that the Miles Davis bootleg Black Devil exists, but finding a copy will be time consuming. You're likely going to have to try ebay and various sites selling used CDs.

Parallel Realities Live seems to be available as a video, but it evidently hasn't been legitimately issued on CD, except for possibly as a bootleg on Jazz Door. The video may have been issued under Pat Metheny's name, but I don't have a definitive answer.

Children of Forever, a 1994 reissue on One Way of Stanley Clarke's 1973 LP, is evidently out of print, and you're going to have to stick to sites selling used CDs to find it.

None of the regular dealers I checked had any of these titles in stock.