The 12-track gospel-tinged record features a number of traditional songs long held sacred by Wright alongside originals by guest performers Angelique Kidjo, Me'Shell Ndegéocello, Joan as Policewoman and social activist and songwriter Dr. Bernice Reagon, among others. Produced by Brian Bacchus, Fellowship is the follow-up to Wright's 2008 record The Orchard, which "CBS News Sunday Morning" declared "one of the best albums of the year" while the Los Angeles Times called it "a creative breakthrough for Wright, whose smoldering, sensual voice now has a vision to go with it"...

What a milestone: 40 years! It seems like yesterday that "Our First Record" changed the course of events, arriving in a flash at this latest release "In Stride", with the same energy, the same desire to explore and keep in the game, consistently, and once again. «In Stride» envelopes the entire history of this band; it enhances the compositional talent of these four musicians, magnifies their voices as soloists and, above all, recalls in case you need reminding that strange and magical alchemy which transformed this quartet into Oregon.

Trumpeter Blue Mitchell and four-fifths of the Horace Silver Quintet (with Cedar Walton in Silver's place) perform a variety of superior songs on this CD reissue including Walton's "Turquoise," Tom McIntosh's "Cup Bearers," Thad Jones's "Tiger Lily" and a couple of standards. The music swings hard, mostly avoids sounding like a Horace Silver group, and has particularly strong solos from Mitchell, tenor-saxophonist Junior Cook and Walton; excellent hard bop.

Toots Thielemans - Harmonica; Ferdinand Povel - Saxophone, Flute; Francis Goya, Michel Dorenbos, Phillipe Catherine - Guitars and other...

A Tribute To Django Reinhadt is a cleverly conceptualized collection to mark the centenary of the legendary gypsy guitarist’s birth. Compiled by Suzie Reinhardt (musician, journalist, granddaughter?), she’s to be commended for taking a less obvious approach than might have been expected. What makes the music of Django Reinhardt so special? Django Reinhardt is worldwide known as one of the best guitar players, because of his virtuosity and spontaneous way of playing – the “biggest improvising guitar player in history”. An exceptional musician, born over 100 years ago, Django Reinhardt learned how to play banjo, violin and guitar (his main instrument) through copying and trying, even though he only had three fingers left on his one hand. No wonder Django Reinhardt still excites fans all over the world and inspires numerous artists of all cultures. This CD collection shows how many very different musicians Django has influenced.

Cuban Jam Sessions at it's best. Paquito's guest musicians include Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Juan Pablo Torres, Rene Toledo, Jesus Caunedo, Juanito Marquez, Pucho Escalante, Israel "Cachao" Lopez and many others.

"Violinist Regina Carter looked back to American Standards and other classic material on 2006’s I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey. For her follow-up, 2010’s Reverse Thread, Carter turns her attention to African sources, both traditional and modern, while also incorporating elements from other cultures, creating hard-to-classify music that spotlights violin and accordion. A variety of musicians make contributions here, with drummer Alvester Garnett contributing to 11 of the 12 tracks. On the opener, “Hiwumbe Awumba"" (based on a traditional song of the Ugandan Jews), Carter and guitarist Adam Rogers spin out solos, accordionist Will Holshouser riffs and comps, and Garnett and bassist Chris Lightcap drive the rhythm. “Full Time,” written and arranged by guest Senegalese bassist Mamadou Ba, has room for Yacouba Sissoko’s kora stylings, touches of reggae, and soaring violin. On the Papa Vasquez-penned “Un Aguinaldo Pa Regina” the band nods toward Puerto Rico, and Gary Versace’s accordion and Carter’s violin also bring Argentinean tango to mind."

The two bassists, possessing very different playing styles, would create a unique character for the record-a strong, rich and aggressive patina, seldom heard elsewhere. Recorded in 2009, in Athens and Connecticut, the CD brings together many of Greece's finest jazz and classical musicians-including alto saxophonist Takis Paterelis and trombonist Antonis Andreou-while starring such international heavyweights as drummer Dave Weckl, guitarist Frank Gambale, keyboardist Mitch Forman and saxophonist Tony Lakatos.

Oscar Peterson's week-long engagement at Chicago's London House was initially partially released as four LPs: The Trio, The Sound of the Trio, Put On a Happy Face and Something Warm. This five-CD set greatly expands upon the program, reissuing the four albums and 30 previously unissued selections. Peterson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen worked together quite well, with O.P. easily the dominant force, but this very extensive set is mostly for Peterson completists and his greatest fans, because a certain sameness pervades the music after awhile.

"I wanted to return "Home" to doing what I love best," says Jane, "Getting back to my roots. For me, there's nothing like singing a jazz standard and giving it new life through one's own interpretation; bringing it to a new audience in a whole new and different light." "Home," Jane Monheit's eagerly anticipated new CD, is set for release by Emarcy/Universal Records on September 21st, 2010. An ode to the golden age of the jazz standard - the genre which Jane identifies with most - "Home" celebrates the treasured tracks of songwriters and lyricists past and present whom Monheit greatly admires including Rodgers and Hart and Schwartz & Dietz. A sumptuously sung passionate song cycle of 12 tunes self-produced by the modern-day jazz diva, "Home" is Monheit's tenth CD and will be accompanied by a world tour beginning in the Fall.

The NGBB stands for "The New Generation Big Band" of the Netherlands that consist's mainly of young enthousiastic musicians who have graduated at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. The NGBB brings a new initiave: Bigbandmusic with nowadays music styles. Funky, groovy beats with great hornsections is the distinguishing mark from the New Generation Big Band. The NGBB has done some great projects like a double bigband concert together with the Jazzorchestra of the Concertgebouw (NL) and a couple of concerts with the very talented young hiphopformation Pete Philly & Perquisite. Also the band played with various guest soloists like Bob & Chuck Findley, David Berkman, Benjamin Herman, Jesse van Ruller, Ack van Rooijen, Peter Beets and many others. With an energetic presentation, funky grooves, overwhelming hornsections and great soloists, the NGBB always stands for a unforgettable experience!

Stephane Grappelli Live at the Blue Note with Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli and Jon Burr. "Stephane Grappelli was one of the masters of the jazz violin. In this wonderful Telarc recording one can witness the master's playfulness, charm and talent as he plays before an appreciative and polite audience. I was surprised at the recording quality of the CD - the warmth of reproducing string usually requires vinyl, a VPI turntable and a Jadis tube amp - however this reproduction has a less digital and more natural sound. An enjoyable CD - highly recommended in terms of Grappelli's talent as well as it's engineering." ~ Michael Schelb.

Arturo Sandoval is a true maestro: despite his reputation as a bop-based trumpeter who plays jazz inspired by his native Cuban tradition, he has delved deeply into tango, swing, and electric jazz in his long career. He is also a fine pianist and percussionist. That said, the notion of him recording a collection of classical pieces, standards, and ballads with a trio and a string orchestra as backing is more than a bit of a surprise. Nonetheless, that†s what A Time for Love basically is. Sandoval claims that this is the realization of a 20-year dream. He wanted it bad enough to make and release the record himself, but fate stepped in. Pianist Shelly Berg heard the demos and brought him to Concord's Greg Field, who in turn brought in Grammy-winning arranger Jorge Calandrelli. They co-produced while Calandrelli arranged eight of the nine string charts - Berg arranged the other and brought in his trio to back up Sandoval...

The collaboration heard on 54 had its origins back in the 90's when Vince Mendoza asked John Scofield to play on his first album. John has since been featured on two of Vince’s records and his guitar sound and improvisational skills work well within Vince’s concept. When Mendoza assumed directorship of The Metropole Orchestra, he and Scofield decided to collaborate again with a primary focus on Mendoza’s arrangements of Scofield compositions as performed with The Metropole Orchestra. "Vince is one of the most creative arrangers today and his sensibilities are perfect for my compositions," says Scofield. ''in addition to Vince’s arrangements, 54 features another pair of Scofield tunes transformed by likeminded arrangers Jim McNeely and Florian Ross. Two classic Mendoza compositions are included to complete the repertoire. ''I love playing in this lush setting. This orchestra is unique to any other I know of in its ability to play with a natural jazz feeling," says Scofield. "It’s a thrill to hear my tunes expanded by the orchestral arrangements and Vince’s tunes are modern masterpieces that I truly enjoy interpreting. The other soloists in the Orchestra are excellent as well."

This fine CD includes performances from many of the most popular small jazz groups that played in New York's 52nd Street during the swing era. There are two hot numbers by The Delta Four (featuring trumpeter Roy Eldridge and clarinetist Joe Marsala), three from the goodtime ensemble The Spirits of Rhythm, a trio from violinist Stuff Smith's Onyx Club Band (which co-starred trumpeter Jonah Jones, three others from John Kirby's sextet, four numbers by Leonard Feather's All-Star Jam Band (with altoists Benny Carter and Pete Brown, cornetist Bobby Hackett and clarinetist Joe Marsala), three from trumpeter/vocalist Hot Lips Page and a pair of selections by pianist Sam Price's Texas Bluesicians including "Just Jivin' Around" which has a particularly rare solo from the great tenor Lester Young. Veteran collectors will have most of these performances in more complete fashion elsewhere but this is an excellent sampler for fans of small-group swing.