THAD JONES AND THE DANISH RADIO BIG BAND LIVE AT THE MONTMARTE: A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. Storyville 191 8380. A happy swinging set recorded in 1978 . Jazz Messengers will supply you.... great service, good prices.

GEORGE RUSSELL SEXTET IN K.C. A very rare LP now available on Jazz Collectors JC 422. Available from Jazz Messengers. George Russell was famous for his Third Stream explorations in the 1960's. Very advanced!! Here he is in less formal mood, providing swinging small group jazz, occasionaly with an edge but for me importantly giving a showcase for 27 year old Don Ellis showing that his jazz chops were impressive. Note the versions of Sandu, Tune Up and War Gewessen and more for examples of his impressive talent.

MAYNARD FERGUSON: A MESSAGE FROM BIRDLAND : Roulette 094639744725... available from Jazz Messengers. Again an early outing for Don Elliss . This features the other version of Three More Foxes the legendary trumpet chase, the other was on the Live At Newport LP featuring Rick Keifer, Ellis and M.F. Not too sure who the third trmpeter on this one is, but Ellis is easily identifiable producing as he did on the other version, an exciting, thoughtful and cliche free examination of the theme. 5 extra tracks..... in fact thinking about it the FOXES on this CD may be off the original NEWPORT LP. I have my doubts as I usually recognise Keifer's sound! Perhaps someone will advise me.

LES BROWN AND HIS BAND OF RENOWN: THE BEST OF THE CAPITOL YEARS. 25 tracks of lovely quality swing music played in the immaculate Les Brown way. There may be tracks that have been re-issued elsewhere, you check! I am glad to have it. Try Jazz Messengers for stock at a decent price and opt for Spanish Post!!. See BUY NOW page.

WOODY HERMAN '58 LONEHILL JAZZ LHJ10311. The complete LP on CD for the first time (51 minutes), recorded in 1957. From Jazz Messengers if you will. Check out BUY NOW above.

WESTCHESTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA: ALL IN. This album would be in my catalogue were I still in the business of retailing to collectors. I have to thank Keith Soulsby for the recommendation. The source of the music is inspiring, from Coltrane to Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver and more. The arrangements come from a pool of talent within the band including Ed Xiques, David Brandom,Tony Kadlek and the leader Mike Holober who's own big band CD created a stir a while ago. All have the knack of constructing challenging music for the musicians that is immediately accessible to just about any listener who is not immersed in the Miller Legend. Swinging, contemporary big band jazz via an imaculate set., bristling with excellent soloists. Marvin Stamm is pleased to be in the trumpet section indicating the standard in depth of the unit.Available at CD Baby, CD Universe see my BUY NOW link above and via the band's own web site.

MIKE BARONE BIG BAND: BY REQUEST. A no nonsense hardswing West Coast big band inflicts another tour de force upon us. Featuring many West Coast heavyweight session musicians and the exciting writing of Mike Barone; this is one to buy. Contact Graham Tanner (UK) for supllies, or go to BUY NOW for other options. Please Graham know I sent you! Thanks to Keith Soulsby for the ifnormation.

Canadian Band Leader/Trombone /Arranger Ian McDougall has released what I think is his first big band CD 'No Passport Required' on his own Label.You may be familiar with him via a number of small group CDs under his own name his work with Rob McConnell's late lamented Boss Brass and the superb Brass Connection CDs; the latter being among the finest trombone choirs ever.He is the arranger and principal soloist. The album has all the qualities of the Boss Brass but this time the arrangements are looser, less dense and more open to the soloists. Highly recommended.At the moment you can buy it at CD Baby: direct from Ian here and no doubt from other sources eventually.You can download it to your Ipod via I-Tunes and make your own hard copy (on CD) for about half the price.

 

 

 

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