Although this Blue Note session (reissued on CD in 1996) is led by trumpeter Johnny Coles, pianist Duke Pearson (who contributed the arrangements and five of the six compositions) really functioned as leader. The typically impressive Blue Note lineup (which includes Leo Wright on alto and flute, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and either Walter Perkins or Pete LaRoca on drums, in addition to Coles and Pearson) handles the obscure material with creativ...   [ read more ]

CD $43.68

The import anthology The Greatest Johnny Otis Show overlaps considerably with Collectables' domestic disc, The Capitol Years, but is has a little more material, and a slightly different track listing. The Johnny Otis Show was a touring ensemble headed up by Otis, so many of the cuts feature the artists from his troupe: Marie Adams & the Three Tons of Joy, Mel Williams, Jeannie Sterling, and the lovely Marci Lee. The various incarnations run through big band rock & roll, and...   [ read more ]

CD $21.83

Johnny Dunn, whose staccato phrasing, use of the wah-wah mute, and fondness of bugle calls were part of a distinctive if dated style in the early '20s, is heard on his finest recordings on this Austrian RST CD, the second of two reissues. Edith Wilson has vocals on the first two numbers, and there are eight pieces from Johnny Dunn's Original Jazz Hounds (including early renditions of "Sugar Blues" and "Jazzin' Babies Blues"), a pair of atmospheric duets with pianist Leroy Tibbs, and fo...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13