Recording News

Bob Brookmeyer: The '54 Quartets

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
May 6, 2009

In 1952, Bob Brookmeyer wasn't yet quite the aggressive valve trombonist and dynamic arranger who would emerge in the mid-1950s. Prior to 1952, Brookmeyer played piano in Tex Beneke's band, played some slide trombone, and by his own admission had very little contact with jazz musicians. Brookmeyer at the time had plans to spend his life as a composer and music teacher. [Photo: William Claxton]

The turning point came during an audition in 1952 for Claude Thornhill's [pictured] band, when ...

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Pete Seeger: Folkways Comp

Source: JamBase
May 6, 2009

SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS RELEASES PETE SEEGER'S AMERICAN FAVORITE BALLADS BOX-SET THE 5-VOL. SERIES IS AVAILABLE IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ONE GORGEOUS PACKAGE

Pete Seeger by Anthony Pepitone On April 21, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released Pete Seeger's American Favorite Ballads, a five-CD box-set featuring the time-honored classics Pete Seeger recorded with Moses Asch between 1957 and 1962. All five volumes of Seeger's landmark recordings, instrumental in sparking the folk revival of the 1960s, are presented ...

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Sinatra: Top 10 Rock Swingers

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
May 5, 2009

On May 16, 1966, Frank Sinatra took his first stab at the modern rock idiom. Based on my research, the singer took the plunge with Downtown, the song that Petula Clark had made a hit a year earlier. Recorded by Sinatra at the tail end of the Strangers in the Night session, his reading was painfully stiff. Even with Clark perched on a stool at the date, Sinatra seems bewildered by the lyrics in some places, fed up in others. ...

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"Giant Steps" at 50

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
May 5, 2009

John Coltrane's Giant Steps is the harmonic steeplechase generally regarded as the most significant--at least the most prominent--milestone on the tenor saxophonist's path out of bebop on his way to what he called a universal sound. Difficult as the fact may be to absorb for those still bowled over by the freshness and complexity of what Coltrane did with the piece, he made his stunning recording of Giant Steps 50 years ago today.

The Budos Band EP

Source: JamBase
May 5, 2009

Budos Band to Release The Budos Band EP on June 23 (digital and vinyl only)

The Budos Band From the vaults of Daptone Records comes a collection of unreleased tracks from the infamous Budos Band. Recorded after The Budos Band I sessions, but before those for the second full-length, The Budos Band EP is a fascinating glimpse into the group's evolution as musicians and recording artists.

Listeners may be familiar with two songs previously released and universally recognized as “Budos ...

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Gary Burton & Pat Metheny to Release "Quartet Live!"

Source: On Target Media Group
May 5, 2009

Concord Jazz will release a live Gary Burton Quartet album, Quartet Live!, on May 26th. The album features three original members and jazz legends Gary Burton, Pat Metheny and Steve Swallow along with another new member, and perhaps one of the most prominent jazz drummers of his generation, Antonio Sanchez. The 11-song album was recorded live at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland, CA. Quartet Live! starts off with Chick Corea’s “Sea Journey,” one of many songs Corea wrote for the ...

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Peter Hand Big Band Debuts on Savant Records with Tribute to Harold Arlen

Source: All About Jazz
May 5, 2009

Composer, arranger and guitarist Peter Hand leads the Peter Hand Big Band featuring saxophonist Houston Person on the new release The Wizard of Jazz-A Tribute to Harold Arlen on Savant/HighNote Records. Recorded live in 2005 during Arlen's centenary celebration, this special concert has been newly remixed and mastered to capture all the swinging sounds from a historic and memorable music event.

Peter Hand has been on the New York jazz scene for many years and is one of those rare ...

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Reel Recordings Presents "Splinters" - Long Lost Britjazz Supersession

Source: All About Jazz
May 5, 2009

Reel Recordings is honored to present legendary British saxophonist Trevor Watts with his recording of the all-star collective SPLINTERS. Assembled by drummers John Stevens and Phil Seamen in 1972, SPLINTERS united Stevens and Seamen with tenor giant Tubby Hayes, altoist Trevor Watts, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, pianist Stan Tracey, and bassist Jeff Clyne. Here is our first opportunity to experience this leaderless ensemble of British jazz greats, with their special musical personalities summoned to create group music with robust ...

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