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 … 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 … 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 … Read More “Hank Crawford: After Dark”

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 … 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 … 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 … Read More “Charles Mingus: Mingus Three”

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 … Read More “Donald Byrd: At the Half Note Café, Volumes 1 & 2”

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 … 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 … Read More “Gene Harris: In His Hands”