Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue (1959)

Jun 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau Abbey Lincoln, one of the legends of vocal jazz, evokes Billie Holiday in this beautiful, bluesy set of standards from 1959. Her vocal power is on full display here, with the help of a fantastic rhythm section and Kenny Dorham on trumpet. The emotional richness in her music is […]

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)

Jun 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau John Coltrane leads a quartet of stars in this four-part jazz suite that displays an emotional depth, improvisational mastery, and technical facility that could not be described with any word short of perfect. Every note by every musician is a revelation. This spectacular record belongs in everyone’s music collection. […]

Joe Pass – Virtuoso (1973)

May 29, 2007 by Mr. Nau Joe Pass unleashes his mind-blowing technique, meticulous improvisation, harmonic counterpoint, and beautifully sensitive phrasing on the world in this set of standards unaccompanied on acoustic guitar. Aptly named, this incredibly musical and very accessible album provides interesting interpretations of familiar old tunes. Every tune on this classic satisfies completely. […]

Clifford Brown – Clifford Brown Memorial Album (1953)

May 16, 2007 by Mr. Nau If there was ever a testament to the talent of a young musician, this album is it. With a stunning group of bebop stars beside him, Clifford Brown throws down the gauntlet with a virtuosic set of standards and originals, full of unforgettable and stunning improvisation and absolute musical […]

Ken Peplowski – It’s A Lonesome Old Town (1995)

May 16, 2007 by Mr. Nau Ken Peplowski is a talented reed player, doubling on clarinet and tenor saxophone. With a smoking rhythm section and guest stars like Marian McPartland, Charlie Byrd, and Tom Harrell, he struts his stuff on a wide variety of tunes. This nice, easy-going set is easily accessible for any listener. […]

Buddy DeFranco meets the Oscar Peterson Quartet – Hark (1985)

Apr 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau Buddy DeFranco teams up with the Oscar Peterson Quartet on this beautiful set of tunes that include standards and originals. Most of the songs here are relatively unknown, but it’s still a satisfying and wonderfully listenable outing. Peterson, DeFranco, and guitarist Joe Pass draw consistenly brilliant performances from each […]

Buddy DeFranco – Lush Life (2005)

Apr 22, 2007 by Mr. Nau Buddy DeFranco joins forces with jazz accordionist, Gordie Fleming, on this unusual set of songs that mainly features the compositions of producers Rob Adams and Alan Baculis. The songs are interesting, the playing is solid (especially the surprise of uptempo solos on the accordion), and the composition is quite […]

Marian McPartland – Just Friends (1998)

Apr 12, 2007 by Mr. Nau Marian McPartland is famous for her long-standing NPR radio show, Piano Jazz. On this beautiful date, she plays timeless standards and original compositions with six piano legends, including Dave Brubeck, who plays with her on his composition named after her, and George Shearing, who joins her on Just Friends. […]

Dave Valentin – Come Fly With Me (2006)

Apr 10, 2007 by Mr. Nau Dave Valentin has a stupefying range, superb tone, and technique on the flute that warrants study and emulation. Unfortunately, on this outing, he seems to be phoning it in. The solos are uninspired and his piano player, Bill O’Connell, seems to be the best musician on this unexpectedly disappointing […]

Herbie Mann – Great Ideas of Western Mann (1957)

Apr 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau Herbie Mann was the first significant jazz artist to use the flute as his primary instrument. He also played reeds (clarinets and saxophones) as well. In this set, Herbie plays the bass clarinet, displaying the potential of this unique instrument in a magnificent way, with memorable performances on unforgettable […]

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