VA - Putumayo Presents Jazz (2011)

This exceptional recording features such legendary jazz artists as Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans, Louis Armstrong & Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker, Anita O Day, Billie Holiday, The Nat King Cole Trio and many other wonderful artists singing some of your favorite songs. Most of the songs were recorded in the 1950s and as a result, 21st century technology (re-mixing and re-mastering) has benefited the original sound quality. My Baby Just Cares For Me sung by Nina Simone opens the program. Her instantly recognizable vocals and her piano playing are a sure reminder of what this inimitable singer brought to the jazz genre. Nat King Cole s trio follows with Deed I Do, a song that he sang during his early days as leader of the Trio. Among the stellar highlights on this great compilation, (and there are many), is the accompaniment of piano virtuoso Oscar Peterson to the legendary singer/trumpeter Louis Armstrong as they perform I Was Doing All Right. Armstrong s ability to tell a story in his charismatic voice and Peterson s delicate complements makes this pairing one that should be in your collection of great jazz duets. Billie Holiday delivers a sultry performance of Lover Come Back To Me to close the program. Overall, the new technology of this century paired with these golden age of jazz hits from the 1950s makes a great way to get introduced or reminded of what these legendary singers have brought to American jazz history. Putumayo Presents Jazz is highly recommended for educators and music supervisors who want a compilation of songs from the 1950s all on one disc. Buy it today. –Sounds of Timeless Jazz

Product Description
The 1950s was a golden age for jazz and three-quarters of this collection was recorded during this era. Many of these recordings have been remixed and remastered, providing a level of sound quality not available until recent years. A wonderful introduction to the genre and a worthy addition to any aficionado s collection, Jazz demonstrates the enduring, universal appeal of this homegrown American musical style. The liner notes of the CD were written by noted jazz scholar and WWOZ New Orleans radio host Joel Dinerstein, whose in-depth commentary is accompanied by rare archival photos.

In recent years, Putumayo has explored the diverse sounds of this venerable genre on the critically-acclaimed collections Women of Jazz, Latin Jazz, Jazz Around the World and New Orleans. Putumayo s founder, Dan Storper, comments on his increased exposure to jazz since moving to New Orleans: :Over the past few years, I've heard jazz virtually seeping from the pores of this city, the birthplace of jazz. Listening to Joel Dinerstein on WWOZ reminded me of how much I still loved the songs of my parents generation and that selecting exceptional, relatively obscure songs by many of their favorites would help introduce many of these great artists to a new generation.

TRACKLIST
1. My Baby Just Cares For Me
2. 'Deed I Do
3. 'Tain't No Use
4. I Was Doing All Right
5. Someone To Watch Over Me
6. There Will Never Be Another You
7. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
8. The Sermon
9. They Say It's Spring
10. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
11. Waltz for Debby
12. Lover Come Back To Me