Miles Jordan

When Stanley Dance coined the phrase “mainstream jazz” some 40 years ago, he described it as music that emphasizes “the twin virtues of communicable emotional expression and swing,” which is perfectly typified by the robust music here. Trumpeter Thomas (ex-Henderson and Benny Carter) and trombonist Dickenson each lead groups loaded with big band vets playing … Read More “Vic Dickenson/Joe Thomas: Mainstream”

After the 1962 breakup of the Jazztet that he’d co-founded with Benny Golson, flugelhornist Farmer formed a pianoless quartet with Jim Hall that made three LPs for Atlantic before disbanding in 1964. Recorded in Sweden with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Pete La Roca, this inventive group rises to the challenge of playing a program … Read More “Art Farmer: To Sweden With Love”

Willie Dixon, the bass-playing bluesman whose “My Babe” opens this disc, was fond of saying that “blues is a feeling.” That feeling is very much present on this blues-saturated disc which features altoist Crawford with a terrific combo: guitarist Melvin Sparks; Danny Mixon, piano, organ and Bernard Purdie on drums with Stanley Banks and Wilbur … Read More “Hank Crawford: After Dark”

Long before trumpeter Donald Byrd was known as Professor Byrd he could be found playing jazz in clubs with groups like the one here. These two CDs capture his quintet-Pepper Adams, baritone sax; Duke Pearson, piano; Laymon Jackson, bass and Lex Humphries, drums-on a Friday night in November 1960 gigging at New York City’s Half … Read More “Donald Byrd: At the Half Note Café, Volumes 1 & 2”

Jimmy Smith has been on the scene for so long it may be difficult to imagine now what the Hammond B-3 sounded like before he got his hands (and feet) on it. This two-CD set marks his 1956 debut on disc in company with guitarist Thornel Schwartz (misspelled as “Scwartz”) and drummers Bay Perry (Disc … Read More “Jimmy Smith: Jimmy Smith at the Organ Volumes 1 & 3”

Blue Note sessions are legendary for producing results that far exceed expectations and this collection of guitarist Green’s 1960s dates with pianist Sonny Clark is just such a paradigm. During 1961-65 Green was Blue Note’s most prolific artist which probably accounts for the fact that this material wasn’t released until nearly 20 years after it … Read More “Grant Green: The Complete Quartets with Sonny Clark”

This rare trio date with pianist Hampton Hawes and longtime cohort Danny [sic] Richmond on drums is as much a showcase for Mingus as it is Hawes. In his autobiography, Hawes describes standing on 45th and Broadway looking to score when Mingus walked up, asked if he needed money then offered him this record date. … Read More “Charles Mingus: Mingus Three”

During his 40-something years as a musician, pianist Weston has incorporated various influences in his playing-primarily elements of African music he studied and later acquired during his lengthy stay in Tangier, where he ran the Africans Rhythm Club for five years about 30 years ago. He also came under the sway of Thelonious Monk or, … Read More “Randy Weston: Earth Birth”

Joined by his daughter, Niki, and a few fellow Boise residents, pianist Harris gives us one of his most soulful recordings yet in this program of gospel songs. Long noted for his funkiness, Harris dedicates himself to this, his “dream” project, with his not inconsiderable powers of pianistic persuasion and the results are exceedingly joyous. … Read More “Gene Harris: In His Hands”