AL GREY — The New Al Grey Quintet (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Veteran trombonist Al Grey leads an unusual quintet on this set from 1988 that, in addition to drummer Bobby Durham, features the sons of Al Cohn (guitarist Joe Cohn), Gerald Wiggins (bassist J.J. Wiggins), and his own Mike Grey on second trombone. The two trombonists have similar sounds, with the elder Grey getting the bulk of the solos. The repertoire mixes together swing standards with lesser-known jazz tunes by Thad Jones, Sonny Stitt, Hank Mobley, Al Cohn, Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, and Al Grey himself. The relaxed straight-ahead music flows nicely and all of the musicians (other than Durham) have their opportunities to be featured. Worth searching for. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Bluish Grey 5:00
Written-By – Jones
2    Sonny's Tune 4:56
Written-By – Stitt
3    Don't Blame Me 6:03
Written-By – Fields, McHugh
4    Syrup And Biscuits 5:43
Written-By – Mobley
5    Taint No Use 5:19
Written-By – Cohn
6    Al's Rosé 3:04
Written By – Schumacher
7    Night And Day 2:19
Written-By – Porter
8    Call It Whatchawanna 5:42
Written-By – Griffin
9    Underdog 5:43
Written-By – Cohn
10    Stompin' At The Savoy 3:20
Written-By – Razaf, Goodman, Webb, Sampson
11    Al's Blues 4:15
Written-By – Grey
12    Rue Prevail 6:32
Written-By – Farmer
13    Soap Gets In Your Eyes 3:24
Written By – Friedman
Credits :
Bass – J. J. Wiggins
Drums – Bobby Durham
Engineer [Recording] – Rudy Van Gelder
Guitar, Trumpet – Joe Cohn
Trombone – Al Grey, Mike Grey

LEE KONITZ - The Lee Konitz Nonet (1977-1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Lee Konitz Nonet never really prospered, but they recorded several excellent albums. With such top players as flügelhornist John Eckert, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and baritonist Ronnie Cuber in the group, and colorful arrangements provided by Sy Johnson, this band's repertoire was as wide as one would expect from a Konitz band. Whether it be the Louis Armstrong-associated "Struttin' with Some Barbeque," a Lester Young-inspired "Sometimes I'm Happy," Charlie Parker's "Chi-Chi," "Giant Steps," or some newer originals, the results are frequently superb. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Fanfare 0:40
Lee Konitz
2     Chi-Chi 10:56
Charlie Parker
3     If You Could See Me Now 5:04
Tadd Dameron / Carl Sigman
4     Sometimes I'm Happy 3:20
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
5     Giant Steps 5:27
John Coltrane
6     April/April Too 4:48
Eckert / Lennie Tristano
7     Who You 7:25
Jimmy Knepper
8     Stryker's Dues 5:00
Sievert
9     Fourth Dimension 3:44
Lee Konitz
10     Struttin' with Some Barbecue 4:44
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Louis Armstrong / Lil Hardin / Don Raye
11     Hymn Too 0:55
Lee Konitz
12     Jazzspeak 9:35
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber
Bass – Knobby Totah
Bass Trombone – Sam Burtis
Drums – Kenny Washington
Flugelhorn – John Eckert
Piano – Ben Aronov
Piccolo Trumpet, Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Burt Collins
Trombone – Jimmy Knepper

DAVE McKENNA QUARTET - Dave McKenna Quartet featuring Zoot Sims (1994) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

This CD reissues a rare Zoot Sims set originally made for the defunct Famous Door label. Accompanied by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Milt Hinton and either Louie Bellson or Grady Tate on drums, Zoot (who doubles on tenor and soprano) is in typically swinging form. In addition to a few standards, Sims explores some obscurities (including "Alabamy Home" and "In The Middle Of A Kiss") and even turns the theme of "Rosemary's Baby" into jazz. A slightly above-average set from a saxophonist who always sounded inspired. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Limehouse Blues 5:57
Philip Braham / Douglas Furber    
2     I Cover the Waterfront 6:00
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman    
3     'Deed I Do 3:07
Walter Hirsch / Fred Rose    
4     Grooveyard 5:13
Carl Perkins    
5     One Good Turn 3:30
Erroll Garner    
6     Dave's Tune 2:45
Dave McKenna    
7     Linger Awhile 4:22
Harry Owens / Vincent Rose    
8     There'll Be Some Changes Made 5:17
Billy Higgins / W. Benton Overstreet    
9     Wherever There's Love 4:35
Eddie Condon / John DeVries    
10     I Cover the Waterfront 7:40
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman    
11     Grooveyard 4:53
Carl Perkins    
12     One Good Turn 5:06
Erroll Garner    
13     Wherever There's Love 4:41
Eddie Condon / John DeVries
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Major Holley (pistas: 1, 3 to 13)
Drums – Ray Mosca (pistas: 1, 3 to 13)
Piano – Dave McKenna
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Zoot Sims

JOE VENUTI | ZOOT SIMS - Joe Venuti and Zoot Sims (1975-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Violinist Joe Venuti's three recordings with tenorman Zoot Sims are all quite joyful and exciting. This Chiaroscuro recording matches the pair with pianist John Bunch, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Bobby Rosengarden and, on "Don't Take Your Love from Me," trombonist Spiegel Willcox who was then 73. The small-group swing performances have plenty of life and more often than not are hard-swinging. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     My Honey's Lovin' Arms 3:43
Joseph Meyer / Herman Ruby   
2     Deep Night 3:50
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée   
3     Remember 5:03
Irving Berlin   
4     I Got Rhythm 3:36
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin   
5     Avalon 3:43
Buddy DeSylva / Al Jolson / Vincent Rose   
6     I Surrender, Dear 5:08
Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford   
7     Wait Till You See Her 4:29
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers   
8     Russian Lullaby 4:23
Irving Berlin   
9     Lady of the Evening 3:58
Irving Berlin   
10     Where or When 4:23
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers   
11     Lover, Come Back to Me 6:37
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg   
12     I'll See You in My Dreams 4:42
Isham Jones / Gus Kahn   
13     Don't Take Your Love from Me 3:04
Henry Nemo   
14     Shine 3:19
Lew Brown / Ford Dabney / Cecil Mack
Credits :
Bass – Milt Hinton (pistas: 5 to 14)
Drums – Bobby Rosengarden (pistas: 5 to 14), Cliff Leeman (pistas: 1 to 4)
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (pistas: 1 to 4)
Piano – Dick Hyman (pistas: 1 to 4), John Bunch (pistas: 5 to 14)
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 1 to 8, 10 to 14)
Trombone – Spiegle Wilcox (pistas: 13)
Violin – Joe Venuti