April Concord Release Schedule Update

Lots of great music coming your way over the next couple of months, including the latest project from legendary Chick Corea. Due out April 22nd, this live 2-CD set was recorded during Chick's 60th birthday celebrations at the Blue Note in NYC. Check out guest appearances from Bobby McFerrin, John Patitucci, Josh Redman, Dave Weckl, Terence Blanchard and more. For those of you with SACD players, the sound quality will blow you away.

But even before Chick swings in the Big Apple with his friends, we have another 2-CD set coming on the Playboy Jazz label that is jam packed with even more jazz legends. Where else could you find Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington on the same disc as Tony Bennett, Billie Holliday and Diana Krall? Appropriately for the Playboy moniker, this is definitely a “mood-setting" CD, perfect for any late night rendezvous!

And then as May approaches, we have the ideal companion for Cinco de Mayo. Pete Escovedo is joined by Sheila E and his all-star ensemble for his first live recording in over 15 years. The CD is the perfect anthology to Pete's career and features Escovedo classics as well as some new tunes.

Here's the schedule for the next couple of months. Note the new releases from The Rippingtons, Diane Schuur, Joey DeFrancesco and more:

4/8:
Various - Playboy Jazz After Dark (Playboy Jazz)

4/22:
Chick Corea - Rendezvous in New York (Stretch) (SACD)
Art Blakey - Keystone 3 (SACD)
Stan Getz - Pure Getz (SACD)
Tania Maria - Come With Me (SACD)
Jim Hall - All Across the City (SACD)
Paul Taylor - Steppin' Out (Peak)

5/6:
The Rippingtons - Let It Ripp (Peak)
Pete Escovedo w/Sheila E - Live! (Concord Picante)

6/10:
Eddie Palmieri - Ritmo Caliente (Concord Picante)
Marian McPartland - Contrasts (TJA) (2/1)
LA Four - Two By Four (Concord Jazz) (2/1)
O'2L - O'2L (Peak)
Tony Bennett - Life Is Beautiful (Concord Catalog only)

6/24: Various - Concord Records 30th Anniversary Box Set (6-CD set)

Rosemary Clooney - Girl Singer (Concord Jazz) (SACD)
Charlie Byrd - The Bossa Nova Years (Concord Picante) (SACD)
Gene Harris - Listen Here (Concord Jazz) (SACD)
Carmen McRae - Fine and Mellow (Concord Jazz) (SACD)
George Shearing / Hank Jones - The Spirit of 176 (Concord Jazz) (SACD)

7/8:
Diane Schuur - Midnight (Concord Jazz) (produced by Barry Manilow; duets with Brian McKnight and Karrin Allyson)
Joey DeFrancesco and Joe Doggs - Falling in Love Again (Concord Jazz)
Kenny Burrell - Blue Muse (Concord Jazz)

7/22:
Michael Feinstein - With the IPO (SACD)
Nnenna Freelon - Shaking Free (SACD)
Poncho Sanchez with Mongo Santamaria - Conga Blues (SACD)
Rosemary Clooney - White Christmas (SACD)
Phil Norman - TBD (Concord Jazz)
Gary Lemel - TBD (Concord Jazz)
Cassandra Reed - Cassandra Reed (Peak)