ZOOT SIMS - Bohemia After Dark (1994) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    9:20 Special 4:52
Written-By – Warren, Engvick
2    The Man I Love 5:12
Written-By – Gershwin
3    55th And State 4:40
Written-By – Sims
4    The Blue Room 5:07
Written-By – Rodgers/Hart
5    Gus's Blues 4:16
Written-By – Gus Johnson
6    That Old Feeling 5:31
Written-By – Brown, Fain
7    Bohemia After Dark 3:33
Written-By – Oscar Pettiford
8    Woody 'N You 5:19
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
9    I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You 6:43
Written-By – Crosby, Washington, Young
10    September In The Rain 5:12
Written-By – Dubin, Warren
11    The Nearness Of You 3:30
Written-By – Carmichael, Washington
12    Skylark 4:03
Written-By – Carmichael, Mercer
13    Two Sleepy People 4:14
Written-By – Loesser, Carmichael
Notas.
Tracks 1-10 recorded New York City, 1956.
Tracks 11-13 recorded New York City, 1957.
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 1-10)
Baritone Saxophone – Al Cohn (pistas: 11-13)
Bass – Milt Hinton (pistas: 9-13), Knobby Totah (pistas: 1-8)
Drums – Gus Johnson
Piano – Elliot Lawrence (pistas: 11-13)
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer (pistas: 9-10), Jimmy Cleveland (pistas: 11-13)
Trumpet – Nick Travis (pistas: 11-13)

ZOOT SIMS QUINTET - Zoot! (1957-1991) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

For a little while in the mid-'50s, Zoot Sims occasionally doubled on alto although he soon switched back exclusively to tenor where he had a stronger musical personality. On the CD reissue of Riverside's 1956 Zoot!, Sims plays alto on two of the seven tracks and works well with trumpeter Nick Travis. Actually, pianist George Handy, who contributed four originals (two standards and drummer Osie Johnson's "Osmosis" complete the program) and did all of the arranging, comes across as the key supporting player; bassist Wilbur Ware and Johnson are fine in quiet support. Although Handy's arrangements are a bit modern, this is still a typically hard-swinging and melodic Zoot Sims date. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Why Cry? 5:54
George Handy    
2     Echoes of You 7:12
George Handy    
3     Swim, Jim 7:07
George Handy    
4     Here and Now 4:55
George Handy    
5     Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread) 4:30
Rube Bloom / Johnny Mercer
6     Osmosis 4:44
Osie Johnson    
7     Taking a Chance on Love 6:01
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jack "Zoot" Sims (pistas: 3, 6)
Bass – Wilbur Ware
Drums – Osie Johnson
Piano, Arranged By – George Handy
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Jack "Zoot" Sims
Trumpet – Nick Travis

THE ZOOT SIMS, AL COHN SEPTET | CHARLIE SHAVERS, URBIE GREEN - Happy Over Hoagy + We Dig Cole (1988) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Happy Over Hoagy    
1    The Nearness Of You    3:28
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
2    I Get Along Without You Very Well    4:07
Hoagy Carmichael
3    Skylark    4:03
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
4    Up A Lazy River    4:09
Sidney Arodin / Hoagy Carmichael
5    Stardust    2:57
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
6    Old Rockin' Chair    3:16
Hoagy Carmichael
7    Georgia On My Mind    3:21
Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell
8    Two Sleepy People    4:14
Hoagy Carmichael / Frank Loesser
Arranged By – Bill Elton
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland
Piano – Elliot Lawrence
Trumpet – Nick Travis
Drums – Osie Johnson
Baritone Saxophone – Al Cohn
Double Bass – Milt Hinton
We Dig Cole    
9    What Is This Thing Called Love    3:00
Cole Porter
10    It's Delovely    4:02
Cole Porter
11    Begin The Beguine    3:07
Cole Porter
12    It's All Right With Us    3:33
Cole Porter
13    I Love Paris    3:28
Cole Porter
14    My Heart Belongs To Daddy    3:48
Cole Porter
15    Night And Day    4:01
Cole Porter
16    Just One Of Those Things    3:51
Cole Porter
Arranged By – Larry Clinton
Clarinet – Sol Yaged
Drums – Cozy Cole
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano – Buddy Weed
Tenor Saxophone – Sam "The Man" Taylor
Trombone – Urbie Green
Trumpet – Charlie Shavers

AL COHN - Al Cohn's Tones (1950-1992) MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Cohn stretches out here for a program heavy with up-tempo swingers. Cut in two sessions during 1950 and 1953, Cohn's Tones finds the usually more mellow tenor great feeding off the driving drum work of both Tiny Kahn and Max Roach. Besides the ballad evergreen "How Long Has This Been Going On" and a bluesy "Ah-Moore," the eight-track set is all Cohn originals done in a Lester Young-on-the-West Coast style. Also featuring the talents of pianist Horace Silver, this early Cohn release is at once hot and cool, vigorous and lithe. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1     I'm Tellin' Ya 5:58
Al Cohn
2     Jane Street 4:37
Al Cohn
3     Infinity 2:57
Al Cohn
4     How Long Has This Been Going On? 3:13
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
5     That's What You Think 4:50
Al Cohn
6     Ah Moore 4:57
Al Cohn
7     Groovin' With Gus 2:36
Al Cohn
8     Let's Get Away from It All 3:10
Matt Dennis
Credits :    
Bass – Curly Russell (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6), Tommy Potter (tracks: 3, 4, 7, 8)
Drums – Max Roach (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6), Tiny Kahn (tracks: 3, 4, 7, 8)
Piano – George Wallington (tracks: 3, 4, 7, 8), Horace Silver (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6)
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn
Trumpet – Nick Travis (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6)

AL COHN - The Progressive Al Cohn (1953-1994) RM | SJL Collection | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD (reissued by Savoy in 1994) has tenor saxophonist Al Cohn's first two sessions as a leader. Cohn, who was very influenced during the era by Lester Young, is in fine early form with a 1950 quartet that also includes pianist George Wallington, bassist Tommy Potter and drummer Tiny Kahn, and with a 1953 quintet that has trumpeter Nick Travis, pianist Horace Silver, bassist Curley Russell and drummer Max Roach. All but two numbers ("How Long Has This Been Going On" and an excellent version of "Let's Get Away Ffrom It All") are Cohn's inventive originals; best are "Infinity," "That's What You Think" (heard in two versions) and "Ah-Moore."  Scott Yanow

Tracklist :
1 Infinity 2:53
Al Cohn
2 Groovin' With Gus 2:31
Al Cohn / Dizzy Gillespie
3 How Long Has This Been Going On 3:10
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Let's Get Away From It All 3:05
Al Cohn / Matt Dennis
5 That's What You Think (Take 1) 4:46
Al Cohn / Margaret Whitfield
6 I'm Tellin' Ya 5:57
Al Cohn
7 Jane Street 4:30
Al Cohn
8 Ah-Moore 4:51
Al Cohn
9 That's What You Think (Master) 4:44
Al Cohn / Margaret Whitfield 

Credits :
Bass – Curly Russell (tracks: 5 to 8), Tommy Potter (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Max Roach (tracks: 5 to 8), Tiny Kahn (tracks: 1 to 4)
Piano – George Wallington (tracks: 1 to 4), Horace Silver (tracks: 5 to 8)
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn
Trumpet – Nick Travis (tracks: 5 to 8)

ZOOT SIMS | AL COHN - The Hoagy Carmichael Sessions And More (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     The Nearness of You 3:34
Hoagy Carmichael    
2     I Get Along Without You Very Well 4:11
Hoagy Carmichael    
3     Skylark 4:07
Hoagy Carmichael    
4     Up a Lazy River 4:07
Hoagy Carmichael    
5     Stardust 3:00
Hoagy Carmichael    
6     Old Rockin' Chair 3:20
Hoagy Carmichael    
7     Georgia on My Mind 3:24
Hoagy Carmichael    
8     Two Sleepy People 4:22
Hoagy Carmichael    
- BONUS TRACKS -
9     P-Town 5:12
Al Cohn    
10     Autumn Leaves 4:43
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer    
11     The Thing 4:55
Al Cooper    
12     I'm Tellin' Ya 4:47
Al Cohn    
13     Morning Fun 6:15
Al Cohn / Zoot Sims
14     I Like It Like That 2:26
Max Collie    
15     Sweet Lorraine 3:21
Clifford R. Burwell / Mitchell Parish    
16     Nagasaki 2:32
Mort Dixon / Harry Warren
Notas.
Recorded in New York, 1957-1961
Credits :
Featuring – Jimmy Cleveland, Milt Hinton, Mose Allison, Nick Travis, Osie Johnson

GERRY MULLIGAN - Mulligan Plays Mulligan (1951-1982) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gerry Mulligan's first session as a leader and one of the first to showcase his baritone was recorded in New York shortly before he relocated to Los Angeles and formed his famous pianoless quartet with Chet Baker. There is a piano on this set (George Wallington) but Mulligan's writing (all seven selections are his) for a two-baritone nonet that also features trumpeter Nick Travis and tenor-saxophonist Allan Eager is already in his influential "cool style"; best-known among the originals is "Bweebida Bwobbida." Two numbers on the CD reissue feature a smaller unit out of the group with "Mulligan's Too" being an extended workout for the leader and Eager. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Funhouse 3:12
Gerry Mulligan
2     Ide's Side 3:19
Gerry Mulligan
3     Roundhouse 3:22
Gerry Mulligan
4     Kaper 3:09
Gerry Mulligan
5     Bweebida Bobbida 2:59
Gerry Mulligan
6     Mullenium 4:04
Gerry Mulligan
7     Mulligan's Too 17:36
Gerry Mulligan
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan, Max McElroy (faixas: 1 to 6)
Bass – Phil Leshin
Drums – Walter Bolden
Maracas – Gail Madden
Piano – George Wallington
Tenor Saxophone – Allen Eager
Trombone – Ollie Wilson (faixas: 1 to 6)
Trumpet – Jerry Hurwitz (faixas: 1 to 6), Nick Travis (faixas: 1 to 6)

GERRY MULLIGAN AND THE CONCERT JAZZ BAND - At the Village Vanguard (1961-2002) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Of all the recordings made by Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band in the 1960s, this is the definitive one. There are many high points, including "Body and Soul" (which has fine solos from the baritone/leader and valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer), "Come Rain or Come Shine," and the swinging "Let My People Be," but "Blueport" takes honors. On the latter, after hot solos by Mulligan, trombonist Willie Dennis, and Jim Reider on tenor, Mulligan and trumpeter Clark Terry have a lengthy trade-off that is quite hilarious with a countless number of quotes from different songs; at one point they trade off cities. This music is essential. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Blueport 11:07
William Crow / Art Farmer
2     Body and Soul 5:45
Frank Eyton / John W. Green / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
3     Black Nightgown 4:10
Johnny Mandel
4     Come Rain or Come Shine 5:35
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
5     Lady Chatterley's Mother 6:14
Al Cohn
6     Let My People Be 8:00
Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Gerry Mulligan
Credits :
Alto Clarinet – Gene Quill
Alto Saxophone – Bob Donovan
Baritone Saxophone – Gene Allen, Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Bill Crow
Bass Clarinet – Gene Allen
Clarinet – Gene Quill
Drums – Mel Lewis
Tenor Saxophone – Jim Reider
Trombone – Alan Ralph, Bob Brookmeyer, Willie Dennis
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Don Ferrara, Nick Travis

BEVERLY KENNEY - Come Swing with Me (1956-2003) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Though a singer of uncommon emotional depth, Beverly Kenney could also cut loose with the best of them, and Come Swing with Me captures an effervescence and playfulness often absent from her later, more renowned sessions. Paired with arranger Ralph Burns, who likewise sidesteps his usual subtle refinement for a lighter, more lively approach, Kenney retains the thoughtful phrasing and sultry demeanor that are her signatures, but it's a pleasure to hear her tackle material like "You Make Me Feel So Young" and "You Go to My Head". by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
1    Give Me The Simple Life 2:19
Written By – Bloom-Ruby
2    I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry 2:58
Written By – Cahn-Styne
3    The Trolley Song 1:52
Written By – Martin-Blane
4    Violets For My Furs 2:53
Written By – Adair-Dennis
5    This Can't Be Love 1:46
Written By – Rodgers-Hart
6    Scarlet Ribbons 1:57
Written By – Segal-Danzig
7    If I Were A Bell 2:07
Written By – F.Loesser
8    Why Try To Change Me Now 3:33
Written By – Coleman-McCarthy
9    Swinging On A Star 3:00
Written By – Burke-Van Heusen
10    You Go To My Head 2:37
Written By – Gillespie-Coots
11    It Ain't Necessarily So 1:31
Written By – I.Gershwin-G.Gershwin
12    You Make Me Feel So Young 2:09
Written By – Gordon-Myrow
Credits :
Bass – Milt Hinton
Clarinet – Al Epstein
Drums – Don Lamond, Teddy Sommer
French Horn – Julius Watkins
Guitar – Barry Galbraith, Billy Bauer
Harp – Janet Putnam
Piano – Moe Wechsler
Saxophone – Danny Banks, George Berg, Sam Marowitz
Trombone – Urbie Green
Trumpet – Nick Travis

FREDA PAYNE - After The Lights Go Down Low (1963-2005) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By the year 2000, the golden oldie rotation of "Band of Gold" was the main thing keeping the memory of this singer alive. Yet, deep in the catalog of this classic jazz label lies this ambitious, largely successful recording which shows just how diverse and indeed brilliant Freda Payne can be. The album is divided half into big band tracks, half into small combo. The main presence in both cases is alto saxophonist Phil Woods, and this is one of the few recordings he doesn't turn into a football scrimmage for bebop yardage. There is an incredible wealth of material here, and it is definitely impressive to consider that Duke Ellington wrote a song specifically for the session. It is the singer's confidence and marvelous vocal abilities that steal the show at every turn, but that is not to demean the contributions of top-drawer jazz musicians such as pianist Walter Perkins and guitarist Jim Hall. The record is dominated by Tin Pan Alley material, to be sure, but on the second side some serious jazz is attempted, including a beautiful "Round Midnight" and a version of "Lonely Woman" by Ornette Coleman. When it comes to the latter tune, the author of the liner note seems to be straining to hide his contempt, referring to the song as a "composition" in italics, as if it was too touchy to print such a thing in a regular font. It is hoped that an Impulse re-issue will see the light of day in this case so that the line "all that's left is a band of gold" will no longer be true in the case of this virtuoso songstress. by Eugene Chadbourne  
Tracklist :
1. After the Lights Go Down Low 3:23
L.C. Lovett / A. White
2. Sweet Pumpkin 2:56
Ronnell Bright
3. Blue Piano 2:48
Duke Ellington / Bill Katz / Ruth Roberts / Bob Thiele
4. The Things We Love To Do 2:32
Stanley Clayton / Clara Ward
5. Awaken My Lonely One 2:07
Philip Moody / Doris Pony Sherrell
6. Sweet September 2:33
Bill McGuffie
7. I Cried for You 3:58
Gus Arnheim / Arthur Freed / Abe Lyman
8. 'Round Midnight 4:20
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
9. Out of This World 3:10
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
10. Lonely Woman 3:53
Ornette Coleman / Margo Guryan 
11. I Wish I Knew 3:50
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
12. It's Time 1:53
Pauline Rivelli / Ruth Roberts
Credits :
Freda Payne - Vocals
Al DeRisi - Trumpet
Jimmy Nottingham - Trumpet
Ernie Royal - Trumpet
Nick Travis - Trumpet
Quentin Jackson - Trombone
Alan Raph - Trombone
Bob Brookmeyer - Valve Trombone
Phil Woods - Alto Saxophone
Seldon Powell - Tenor Saxphone
Zoot Sims - Tenor Saxphone
Sol Schlinger - Baritone Saxophone
Hank Jones - Piano
Art Davis - Bass
Gus Johnson - Drums
Manny Albam - Arranger, Conductor
Recorded September 1963
at RCA Studios, New York City
Tracks 1 and 2 on September 17
Tracks 3-6 on September 18
Tracks 7-12
Phil Woods - Alto Saxophone
Hank Jones - Piano
Jim Hall - Guitar
Art Davis - Bass
Walter Perkins - Drums

CHARLIE BYRD ft. THE WOODY HERMAN BIG BAND - Bamba-Samba Bossa Nova (1959-2005) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

For this unusual set, guitarist Charlie Byrd is accompanied by what is billed as the Woody Herman Big Band, although it is mostly a studio orchestra sprinkled with a few of Herman's associates. The first four selections are Byrd originals that almost sound like bossa nova in spots, even though the style had not solidified and been named yet. Byrd's classical training and interest in Brazilian music are very much in evidence. The final selections are a re-creation of Ralph Burns' four-part "Summer Sequence," which at the time was over a decade old. The main difference between this and the original Herman recording is that Byrd is the main soloist throughout much of the extensive work. Although not quite essential, Bamba-Samba Bossa Nova (which has often been reissued under Woody Herman's name) has its moments of interest and shows how Charlie Byrd sounded before bossa nova took off. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1    Bamba Samba (Bossa Nova) 3:08
Charlie Byrd
2    Original #2 3:05
Charlie Byrd
3    Love Song Ballad 4:05
Charlie Byrd
4    Prelude a La Cha Cha 4:00
Charlie Byrd
5    Summer Sequence, Pt. 1 3:55
Ralph Burns
6    Summer Sequence, Pt. 2 2:11
Ralph Burns
7    Summer Sequence, Pt. 3 3:44
Ralph Burns
8    Summer Sequence, Pt. 4 4:08
Ralph Burns
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Charlie Byrd
Alto Saxophone – Sam Marowitz (faixas: 1 to 4)
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Soldo (faixas: 1 to 4)
Arranged By – Ralph Burns (faixas: 5 to 8), Sid Feller (faixas: 1 to 4)
Baritone Saxophone – Bill Slapin
Bass – Bill Betts
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Woody Herman
Drums – Jimmy Campbell
Mastered By – Rick Pantoja
Piano, Vibraphone – Eddie Costa
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Hafer (faixas: 5 to 8), Jerry Sanfino (faixas: 5 to 8), Harold Feldman (faixas: 1 to 4), Mike Tinnes (faixas: 1 to 4)
Trombone – Billy Byers (faixas: 5 to 8), Dick Lieb (faixas: 5 to 8), Ed Price (faixas: 1 to 4), Frank Rehak, Jim Dahl (faixas: 1 to 4)
Trumpet – Al Derisi (faixas: 5 to 8), Charlie Shavers (faixas: 1 to 4), Ernie Royal, Jimmy Maxwell (faixas: 5 to 8), Irving Markowitz (faixas: 5 to 8), Nat Adderley, Nick Travis (faixas: 1 to 4), Paul Cohen (faixas: 1 to 4)