LEE KONITZ - Round & Round (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The most unusual aspect to this outing by altoist Lee Konitz is that all nine selections are performed in 3/4 time. "Someday My Prince Will Come" and Sonny Rollins's "Valse Hot" were originally waltzes but "Lover Man," "Bluesette" and particularly "Giant Steps" were never recorded in that time signature before. With the assistance of pianist Fred Hersch, bassist Mike Richmond and drummer Adam Nussbaum, Konitz manages to uplift this session above the level of a potential gimmick and finds unexpected beauty in these standards and originals. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Round and Round and Round 7:25
Lee Konitz
2     Someday My Prince Will Come 5:04
Frank Churchill / Larry Morey
3     Luv 6:10
Teo Macero
4     Nancy (With the Laughing Face) 4:43
James Van Heusen / Phil Silvers
5     Boo Doo 5:26
Lee Konitz    
6     Valse Hot 6:22
Sonny Rollins
7     Lover Man 4:28
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
8     Blusette 6:48
Norman Gimbel / Toots Thielemans
9     Giant Steps 7:00
John Coltrane
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Mike Richmond
Drums – Adam Nussbaum
Piano – Fred Hersch

LEE KONITZ & THE BRAZILIAN BAND - Brazilian Rhapsody (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD focuses primarily on Brazilian standards performed by the Konitz sextet, except for the Brazilian-flavored "Lunasea," written by Peggy Stern, which features her high school choir. "Berimbau" is swinging and percussive, while the well-known "Insensatez" takes many unexpected turns. "Triste" is also a familiar theme played with relish. Vocalist Adela Dalto makes a strong impression with her guest spot on "A Felicidade." Konitz's duet with the phenomenal acoustic guitarist Romero Lubambo on "Manha De Carnaval" is breathtaking. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Samba Triste 7:28
Billy Blanco / Baden Powell
2     Berimbau 7:27
Ray Gilbert / Vinícius de Moraes / Baden Powell
3     Menina Moca 6:10
Luiz Antonio
4     Triste 6:32
Antônio Carlos Jobim
5     Felicidade 6:27
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
6     Lunasea 5:59
Peggy Stern
7     Manha de Carnaval 4:07
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
8     Insensatez 6:14
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Dave Fink
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Percussion – Waltinho Anastacio
Piano – Peggy Stern
Vocals – Adela Dalto (pistas: 3)

BENNY CARTER - In the Mood for Swing (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

All 11 of the songs are somewhat obscure and therefore fresh Carter compositions ("Summer Serenade" is perhaps the best-known) and Dizzy Gillespie sits in with the group for three songs. But even with Gillespie, guitarist Howard Alden and pianist Roland Hanna, the solo star throughout is the ageless Benny Carter, who at the age of 80 still seemed to be improving. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I'm in the Mood for Swing 6:48
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams
2     Another Time, Another Place 6:18
Benny Carter    
3     The Courtship 4:33
Benny Carter    
4     Rock Me to Sleep 5:12
Benny Carter
5     Janel 5:25
Benny Carter    
6     The Romp 5:46
Benny Carter
7     Summer Serenade 4:55
Benny Carter
8     Not So Blue 7:21
Benny Carter
9     You, Only You 6:39
Benny Carter
10     Blue Moonlight 6:06
Benny Carter
11     South Side Samba 6:43
Benny Carter
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Louis Bellson
Guitar – Howard Alden (pistas: 1, 3, 5 to 8, 11)
Piano – Roland Hanna
Saxophone, Composed By – Benny Carter
Trumpet [Special Guest] – Dizzy Gillespie (pistas: 2, 8, 11)

BENNY CARTER - New York Nights (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

To say that Benny Carter is a marvel is to make an obvious understatement. 87 at the time of this live quartet set (which also includes pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Sherman Ferguson), Carter could easily pass for 47, playing without any hesitant or faltering moments in a timeless swing style that he largely invented. There are no surprises to the repertoire other than the fact that Carter's perennial set opener "On Green Dolphin Street" (which is to him what "Indiana" was to Louis Armstrong in the 1950s) is programmed sixth. Two of the songs ("Easy Money" and "When Lights are Low") are Carter's, while the other pieces have been performed by him hundreds of times through the years. No matter; Benny Carter comes up with fresh variations during his enthusiastic solos, including a classic statement on "Secret Love." His logical and thoughtful improvisations manage to be unpredictable, except in their consistent excellence. An easily recommended set from an apparently ageless master. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     What Is This Thing Called Love? 6:56
Cole Porter   
2     Easy Money 8:44
Benny Carter   
3     The Shadow of Your Smile 6:38
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster   
4     Secret Love 8:47
Sammy Fain / Paul Francis Webster   
5     When Lights Are Low 5:23
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams   
6     On Green Dolphin Street 7:45
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington   
7     But Beautiful 7:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen   
8     Just in Time 6:54
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne   
9     Perdido 7:57
Ervin Drake / Hans Lengsfelder / Juan Tizol
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Sherman Ferguson
Piano – Chris Neville

BENNY CARTER - Harlem Renaissance (1992) 2CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter is a true marvel. At the time of this recording (a double CD), the classic altoist was already age 84, yet showed no signs of slowing down either his playing or his writing schedule. For his specially assembled big band and The Rutgers University Orchestra (which includes a full string section), Carter wrote entirely new arrangements that demonstrate that his talents have not diminished with age. While the first disc mostly sticks to older material, the second disc is comprised of two new suites "Tales of the Rising Sun" and "Harlem Renaissance." In addition, Carter's alto is often the solo star although he does not hog the spotlight; it just naturally drifts back to him. Scott Yanow
The Benny Carter Big Band    47:24
1    Vine Street Rumble 11:21
Written-By – Benny Carter
2    Sao Paolo 5:05
Written-By – Benny Carter
3    I Can't Get Started 5:42
Written-By – Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke
4    Stockholm Sweetnin' 5:34
Written-By – Quincy Jones
5    Evening Star 8:31
Written-By – Benny Carter
6    How High The Moon 11:02
Written-By – William M. Lewis, Jr., Nancy Hamilton
The Benny Carter Big Band And The Rutgers University Orchestra    52:58
Tales Of The Rising Sun Suite    25:49
1    August Moon    4:26
2    Teatime    3:51
3    Song Of Long Ago    5:06
4    SamuraI Song    3:07
5    Chow Chow    9:19
Harlem Renaissance Suite    26:29
6    Lament For Langston    5:05
7    Sugar Hill Slow Drag    5:04
8    Happy Feet    6:54
9    Sunday Morning    4:15
10    Happy Feet-Reprise    5:11
All Credits

BENNY CARTER - Elegy in Blue (1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter, 87 at the time of this recording, could pass musically for 57. His alto playing is as flawless as ever but 79-year-old trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison very much sounds his age and falters constantly throughout the date. Pianist Cedar Walton (who sounds for probably the only time in his career like Oscar Peterson), guitarist Mundell Lowe, bassst Ray Brown and drummer Jeff Hamilton make up a strong rhythm section but Edison and the so-so material cause this session to fall far short of its potential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Did You Call Her Today? 6:24
Written-By – Ben Webster
2    Ceora 7:53
Written-By – Lee Morgan
3    Good Queen Bess 6:46
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
4    Prelude To A Kiss 6:25
Written-By – Ellington, Gordon, Mills
5    Little Jazz 6:18
Written-By – Roy Eldridge
6    Blue Monk 6:02
Written-By – Thelonious Monk
7    Someday You'll Be Sorry 4:54
Vocals – Harry "Sweets" Edison
Written-By – Louis Armstrong
8    Nuages 8:35
Written By – Day / Reinhardt / Ageron
9    Undecided 6:30
Written-By – Shavers, Robin
10    Elegy In Blue 9:11
Written-By – Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Jeff Hamilton
Guitar – Mundell Lowe
Piano – Cedar Walton
Trumpet, Vocal, Percussion (pistas: 7) – Harry "Sweets" Edison

BENNY CARTER - Songbook (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Due to his being such a talented altoist, arranger and occasional trumpeter for seven decades, it is often forgotten that Benny Carter wrote some worthy songs along the way. "When Lights Are Low" and "Blues in My Heart" are standards while "Only Trust Your Heart," "Key Largo" and the novelty hit "Cow-Cow Boogie" are close. For this unusual set, 14 different singers had opportunities to interpret one or two Carter compositions while joined by a fine quintet consisting of cornetist Warren Vache, pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina, drummer Sherman Ferguson and Carter himself (88 at the time!) on alto. The ambitious program includes five Carter songs that were receiving their world premiere; in addition Carter also wrote or co-wrote the lyrics to nine of the pieces. The singers all show respect for the melody and words with Jon Hendricks being playful on "Cow-Cow Boogie," Joe Williams quite touching on "I Was Wrong" and a weakened Peggy Lee making a memorable cameo on "I See You." The vocalists consistently seem quite inspired by the unique project. There are many short Carter and Warren Vache solos and, even with the emphasis on ballads, there is more variety than one might expect. The well-conceived tribute (which also has fine appearances by Dianne Reeves, Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin, Marlena Shaw, Diana Krall, Billy Stritch, Shirley Horn, Bobby Short, Ruth Brown, Weslia Whitfield and Nancy Marano) is easily recommended. Scott Yanow   
Tracklist :
1 Only Trust Your Heart 5:28
Sammy Cahn / Benny Carter
Vocals – Dianne Reeves
2 All That Jazz 4:53
Benny Carter / Al Stillman
Vocals – Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin
3 I Was Wrong 4:21
Benny Carter
Vocals – Joe Williams
4 Rain 4:58
Benny Carter
Vocals – Marlena Shaw
5 Cow Cow Boogie 5:32
Benny Carter / Gene DePaul / Don Raye
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
6 Fresh Out of Love 5:37
Benny Carter
Vocals – Diana Krall
7 Speak Now 4:54
Benny Carter
Vocals – Billy Stritch
8 A Kiss from You 5:27
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer
Vocals – Shirley Horn
9 You Bring Out the Best in Me 4:15
Benny Carter
Vocals – Bobby Short
10 My Kind of Trouble Is You 5:46
Benny Carter / Paul Vandervoort II
Vocals – Ruth Brown
11 When Lights Are Low 4:05
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams
Vocals – Weslia Whitfield
12 Lonely Woman 6:33
Benny Carter / Ray Sonin
Vocals – Nancy Marano
13 Key Largo 4:32
Benny Carter / Karl Suessdorf / Leah Worth
Vocals – Carmen Bradford
14 We Were in Love 6:00
Benny Carter
Vocals – Dianne Reeves, Joe Williams
15 I See You 4:48
Benny Carter
Vocals – Peggy Lee
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – John Heard (tracks: 15), Steve LaSpina (tracks: 1 to 14)
Cornet – Warren Vaché (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 11, 13, 14)
Drums – Roy McCurdy (tracks: 2, 10, 13), Sherman Ferguson (tracks: 1, 3 to 9, 11, 12, 14, 15)
Piano – Chris Neville (tracks: 1 to 14), Gene DiNovi (tracks: 15)

BENNY CARTER - Songbook, Vol. 2 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    My Mind Is Still On You 3'22
Vocals – Joe Williams
Words By – John Moen, Leonard Feather
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
2    Echo Of My Dream 5'07
Vocals – Diana Krall
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
3    Rock Me To Sleep 5'58
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Vocals – Ruth Brown
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter, Paul Vandervoort II
4    Stop Me Before I Fall In Love Again 4'01
Vocals – Billy Stritch
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
5    He Doesn't Need Me Now 8'31
Vocals – Nancy Marano
Words By – Paul Vandervoort II
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
6    Doozy 6'02
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
7    Nevermore 5'07
Vocals – Billy Stritch
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
8    Malibu 7'04
Vocals – Lainie Kazan
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
9    Blue Moonlight 5'50
Vocals – Marlena Shaw
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
10    Evening Star 5'27
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Vocals – Kenny Rankin
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
11    Slow Carousel 4'44
Vocals – Nancy Marano
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
12    Whisper To One 4'02
Music By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Barbara Lea
Words By – Al Stillman
13    I'm The Caring Kind 5'52
Music By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Weslia Whitfield
Words By – Irving Gordon
14    When Hilma Smiles 4'15
Vocals, Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Liner Notes – Benny Carter
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Cornet – Warren Vaché (pistas: 1 to 11, 13, 14)
Drums – Sherman Ferguson (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 9, 11 to 14)
Piano, Producer [Production Assistance] – Chris Neville