Duke Jordan Trio - Flight to Denmark (1973)

Upon Duke Jordan's initial visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, followed by his decision to make the move as an expatriate permanent, he was tempted to stay by playing with some extraordinary Scandinavian rhythm sections. Bassist Mads Vinding, one of many skilled Danish jazz bassists, is here on the date performing in fine style. Drummer Ed Thigpen, who left the U.S. to take up permanent residence in Europe, was an even bigger influence in making Jordan's decision a good one, and is an equally skillful musical partner on this date. This is an expanded edition from the previous original issue on the Steeplechase label; a Japanese import with several alternate takes. It's an understated session for the most part, equal parts melancholy and hopeful, as one might expect with the trepidation of leaving home for new, unknown horizons to be discovered in a foreign land. The upbeat songs, as the modal, popping, tom-tom driven "No Problem" (from the movie soundtrack Les Liason Dangereuses) and the famous bop flag-waver "Jordu," bookend the CD. The bulk of the recording showcases the softer side of Jordan, with takes of the somber ballad "Here's That Rainy Day," the slightly brighter "Everything Happens to Me," and two versions of the polite waltz "Glad I Met Pat," dedicated to a nine-year-old girl Jordan knew in New York City prior to her being kidnapped. The pianist employs chiming piano chords for "How Deep Is the Ocean?," is lighthearted in his slight interpretation of the well worn "On Green Dolphin Street," does two takes on the light, bluesy swinger "If I Did, Would You?," and ramps up to midtempo the bluesy original "Flight to Denmark," reflective of the insecurity and consequential optimism that followed his leaving the States. This is Duke Jordan at his most magnificent, with the ever-able Vinding and expert Thigpen playing their professional roles perfectly, producing perhaps the second best effort (next to Flight to Jordan from 13 years hence) from the famed bop pianist. [Originally released in 1973, Flight to Denmark was reissued as an import-only Japanese CD in 2002.] ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

track listing

No Problem (6:46)
Here's That Rainy Day (7:27)
Everything Happens to Me (5:44)
Glad I Met Pat [Take 3] (5:45)
Glad I Met Pat [Take 4] (5:29)
How Deep Is the Ocean? (7:25)
On Green Dolphin Street (8:24)
If I Did - Would You? [Take 1] (3:43)
If I Did - Would You? [Take 2] (3:52)
Flight to Denmark (5:48)
No Problem [Take 2] (7:14)
Jordu [Take 1] (4:54)

personnel

Duke Jordan
Mads Vinding
Ed Thigpen

Jazz on a Summer's Day (1960)

Hailed by critics to be the best jazz film ever, famous photographer's Bert Stern's Jazz On A Summer's Day lives up to its reputation today.

Shot in Newport, RI during the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and the America's Cup trials of the same year, initially intended as a full length motion picture, it was downsized to a concert documentary due to lack of funds. We have to thank our good luck for this, as this film broke new ground on how a live music performance should be captured. It literally wrote the book.

Shot in lush color instead of the grim black and white used until then, including scenes in broad daylight, interleaving performances with the sailing races going on simultaneously, it made people look at jazz from an entirely different perspective.

This was half a century ago and it really shows. People hit it off very differently back then, as the amazing crowd scenes attest to. With rock 'n roll just around the corner ready to take the popular music scene by storm, these were merrier, more innocent times.

Cast (in credits order)

Jimmy Giuffre ... Himself
Thelonious Monk ... Himself
Henry Grimes ... Himself
Sonny Stitt ... Himself
Sal Salvador ... Himself
Anita O'Day ... Herself
George Shearing ... Himself
Dinah Washington ... Herself
Gerry Mulligan ... Himself
Big Maybelle ... Herself
Chuck Berry ... Himself
Chico Hamilton ... Himself

Louis Armstrong ... Himself
Jack Teagarden ... Himself
Mahalia Jackson ... Herself

rest of cast (listed alphabetically):

David Baily ... Himself
Danny Barcelona ... Himself
Bob Brookmeyer ... Himself
Buck Clayton ... Himself
Willis Conover ... Interviewer
Gergory Corso ... Himself
Bill Crow ... Himself
Eric Dolphy ... Himself
Eli's Chosen Six ... Themselves
Art Farmer ... Himself
Harold Gaylon ... Himself
Nathan Gershman ... Himself
Terry Gibbs ... Himself
Urbie Green ... Himself
Jim Hall ... Himself
Peanuts Hucko ... Himself
Jo Jones ... Himself
Ray Mosca ... Himself
Armando Peraza ... Himself
Max Roach ... Himself
Rudy Rutherford ... Himself
Martin Williams ... Jazz Critic in Audience
Patricia Bosworth... Disgruntled redhead in audience (uncredited)

Kenny Drew Trio - Dark Beauty (1974)

Dark Beauty, recorded in 1974 with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Albert "Tootie" Heath, became a break-out hit that helped advance Drew's acclaim. On this album he displays tremendous pianistic skills, intelligent and advanced harmonic sensibilities and driving sense of swing. Pedersen is featured throughout, and his solos demonstrate awe-inspiring technique and imagination. This CD edition contains three bonus tracks which did not appear in the original LP ("A Felicidade," "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "A Stranger In Paradise"). ”


Track listing:

1. Run Away
2. Dark Beauty
3. Summer Night
4. All Blues
5. A Felicidade
6. It Could Happen To You
7. Love Letters
8. Silk Bossa
9. Blues Inn
10. In Your Own Sweet Way
11. Stranger In Paradise

Personnel

Kenny Drew (piano)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass)
Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums)

Recorded in Copenhagen, May 21 & 22, 1974. Originally released by SteepleChase Records in 1974. This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan on March 19, 2008.

Nikos Skalkottas - Mayday Spell, Concerto for Double Bass & Orchestra, 3 Greek Dances

Nikos Skalkottas (1904-1949) was versatile, inventive and prolific. To that effect, this CD works as a nice sampler of the composer's qualities. Two of the works (Mayday spell and the three Greek dances) are tonal, both employ Greek folk music motives, arranged in a neo-classical form and orchestrated in Skalkottas' unique manner. Christodoulou's interpretation is somewhat technical, yet still captures the magic of Skalkottas writing. The Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra is atonal and will most certainly appeal to hardened/converted fans. Expertly crafted music from an obscure genius deserving wider recognition.

Track listing

Mayday Spell - A Fairy Drama, Symphonic Suite (1944-49)
1. I. Overture 8'08
2. II. Fairy Tale 7'14
3. III. Ballet - Dance of the Faires 3'29
4. IV. Love scene 1'19
5. V. Argyro´s Song 0'59
6. VI. Little Dance Song 0'55
7. VII. Folk-song 4'29
8. VIII. Short folk dance 0'43
9. IX. Prelude 0'58
10. X. The mother´s lament 4'27

Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra (1942)
11. I. Andante - Allegro 7'32
12. II. Andantino 4'30
13. III. Allegro vivo e molto ritmato 5'21

Three Greek Dances for strings (1936)
14. Nissiotikos 4'57
15. Tsamikos 2'10
16. Mazochtos 1'54

personnel

Þóra Einarsdóttir, soprano
Vassilis Papavassiliou, double bass
Iceland Symphony Orchestra, orchestra
Nikos Christodoulou, conductor

Tete Montoliu - Boston Concert Vol.2 (1980)

Second volume of legendary solo piano recording of the blind Catalan pianist Tete Montoliu recorded on March 17, 1980, at the Alfred Morse Auditorium on the Boston University campus in Boston, Massachusetts. The late Montoliu demonstrates what separates the men from the boys as far as jazz piano is concerned.

Track listing
1. Airegin
2. Lush Life
3. Giant Steps
4. When I Fall In Love
5. A Child Is Born
6. Confirmation
7. Apartment 512
8. Oleo/Come Sunday/Oleo

Personnel: Tete Montoliu, piano

Tete Montoliu - Boston Concert Vol.1 (1980)

First volume of legendary solo piano recording of the blind Catalan pianist Tete Montoliu recorded on March 17, 1980, at the Alfred Morse Auditorium on the Boston University campus in Boston, Massachusetts. The late Montoliu demonstrates what separates the men from the boys as far as jazz piano is concerned. Unmissable.

Track listing
1. Introduction
2. New England Blues
3. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
4. Have You Met Miss Jones?
5. Catalan Suite
6. Hot House

Personnel: Tete Montoliu, piano

Gary Burton - Next Generation (2005)

Gary Burton spent a great deal of his professional life juggling his duo careers as a bandleader and jazz educator. So it came as no surprise to see him form a brand new group of talented up and coming players in 2004, the eighth such new unit by his count. Burton's skill on vibes is a given, but his ability to find four impressive young men able to jump right in and perform at a high level also deserves kudos. The leader first heard guitarist Julian Lage on the 2000 Grammy Awards at the tender age of 12; he was just 16 at the time of these sessions and had already appeared with Burton on the earlier CD Generations. Lage, who shows incredible chops without overdoing it, also contributed the easygoing, infectious strut "Walkin' in Music" and "Clarity," a playful duet with Burton. Vadim Neselovskyi not only is a surprising pianist but a thoughtful composer whose works (including the intricate "Prelude for Vibes" and the tense, rapid fire "Get Up and Go") belie his age. Bassist Luques Curtis, in addition to solidly anchoring the rhythm section with the gifted drummer James Williams, penned the funky Latin "Ques Sez." The leader's liner notes don't specifically credit anyone with the wild arrangement of 20th century composer Samuel Barber's Fuga or the jaunty, somewhat angular rendition of the standard "My Romance" (possibly because they were a group effort), but they also merit high praise. This meeting of a jazz master and four prodigies is well worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden

Track listing
1.Prelude for Vibes
2.My Romance
3.'Ques Sez
4.Get Up and Go
5.B & G
6.A Dance for Most of You
7.Walkin' In Music
8.Summer Band Camp
9.Fuga
10.Clarity

Personnel: Gary Burton: vibraphone; Julian Lage: guitar; Vadim Neselovski: piano; Luques Curtis: double-bass; James Williams: drums.


Recording information: Fantasy Studios, Studio D, Berkeley, CA (11/08/2004/11/10/2004).

Tete Montoliu Trio - Tête à Tete (1976)

Tete Montoliu's fourth LP for SteepleChase is primarily a fun-filled trio date with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, frequent collaborators with the blind pianist. The influence of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson is evident in his rollicking take of "What's New?", "We'll be Together Again" follows with some tour de force solo features for the great pianist and finally the 20-minute "Catalan Suite", a medley of five traditional folk songs from Montoliu's homeland, giving ample space to the trio to stretch out; it's a shame one can't hear the words that accompany these joyous melodies. This is essential listening for fans of this late genius of contemporary jazz piano. ”


Track Listing
A1 What's New (Haggart - Burke) 11:08
A2 We'll Be Together Again (Fischer-Lane) 09:10
B1 Catalan Suite (T. Montoliu) 20:01

Personnel:
Tete Montoliu (p)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (b)
Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d)

Date: February 16, 1976
Location: Weesp, Netherlands

(marvelous sounding) SteepleChase SCS-1054 24bit-96khz LP rip

Dexter Gordon Quartet (feat. Tete Montoliu) - Bouncin' with Dex (1975)

It is well known that jazz giant Dexter Gordon spent 15 years in Europe, between 1962 and 1977, mostly in Paris and Copenhagen. In the early 1960s Gordon played often in the famed Jazzhus Montmartre with Catalonian pianist Tete Montoliu and local bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. In addition, superbly talented drummer Billy Higgins happened to be in town and was available for this legendary recording. Throughout this one day session, this international all-star group was totally inspired. While the main attraction here is clearly Gordon whose tenor sax sounds as good as ever, the fiery solos by Montoliu, the lithe and limber drumming by Higgins and the authentic bass played by Pedersen contribute to elevate their collective performance to a higher plane. There is not a single weak moment in this exciting record. Recorded in Copenhagen on September 14, 1975. Originally released in 1976 by SteepleChase Records. This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan by Videoarts Music on March 19, 2008. ”


Track Listing
1. Billie's Bounce
2. Easy Living
3. Benji's Bounce
4. Catalonian Nights
5. Four
6. Easy Living [take 1]

Personnel
Dexter Gordon (tenor sax)
Tete Montoliu (piano)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass)
Billy Higgins (drums)

Recorded in Copenhagen on September 14, 1975. Originally released in 1976 by SteepleChase Records. This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan in 2008.

Kenny Drew - New Faces, New Sounds (1953)

Kenny Drew's debut as a leader in the more than able company of Messrs. Curly Russel on bass and Ard Blakey on drums, where we get to hear what a great pianist Drew was from the very beginning and the influence Bud Powell had on him. Other than his "Gloria" and the basic "Drew's Blues," all of the music is standards including "Be My Love," "Yesterdays" and a surprisingly heated rendition of "It Might As Well Be Spring. Sparkling mono sound from this mint 1999 reissue limited edition lovingly pressed by Toshiba EMI Japan in 1999.

Track listing
A1 Yesterdays
A2 Stella By Starlight
A3 Gloria
A4 Be My Love
B1 Lover, Come Back To Me
B2 Everything Happens To Me
B3 Spring Will Be A Little Late
B4 Drew's Blues

Personnel
Kenny Drew (p) Curly Russell (b) Art Blakey (d)

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, April 16, 1953