Various Artists: Telarc Jazz-- Celebrating 25 Years

A solid track record...

Telarc International ( Telarc.com ) is celebrating its Silver Anniversary. Originally founded in 1977 and centered in Cleveland, Telarc began its life as a classical music recording company. In the past 25 years, the label has recorded a bountiful number of American and Foreign artists and orchestras. Not surprisingly, Christoph von Dohnanyi and the Cleveland Symphony are well represented in Telarc's catalog. This same catalog sports the likes of Martin Pearlman and the Boston Baroque, one of the United State's premier period instrument orchestras, and the irrepressible Benjamin Zander with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Choral leader Robert Shaw spent the majority of his recording career with Telarc.

Also present in the Telarc classical catalog is Andre Previn, pianist and conductor extraordinaire. In the late 1980s, Telarc turned its attention to jazz and spotted Previn to produce the first Telarc Jazz recording and produce it he did. The result was After Hours (83302, 1989). Since that time, Telarc has had an impressive Jazz run, one that is amply displayed on the new twofer Telarc Jazz— Celebrating 25 Years. Compilations like this are a bit of a dicey affair as poor track choice or time use can sink an otherwise successful recording. Telarc packs two discs full of the best they have to offer and that benefits them in two ways. One, it offers the public a sampler of what the label has to offer regarding jazz. Two, it provides Jazz a greater exposure, which benefits everyone in the industry. Most of all, it benefits the listener who things of jazz in smatterings, wanting not a recording of a single artist, but one that approximates jazz radio station airplay. The same idea as the Now That's What I Call Music ... series, except with real music.

The collection is very up-to-date including music from the recently recorded pieces from The Rare Delight of You with John Pizzarelli and George Shearing (83546, 2002) and Kevin Mahogany's Pride and Joy (83542, 2002). Ray Brown is in wide supply, as well as Dave Brubeck and Stephane Grappelli. Compilations like this are always worth a turn under the laser. Come and see what Telarc Jazz has to offer.

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