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| Acrobat Music Launches New Reissue Series Acrobat Music announces the launch of its Premier Collection reissue series, covering jazz, rock, blues, country, and other genres. Their initial release, set for October 21, features never-before-released radio broadcasts and transcriptions as well as rare, out-of-print LP’s. All of the Premier Collection titles are showcased in “deluxe packaging” with a unique consistent look, including o-cards, extensive liner notes and either a large number of tracks or lengthy play time. The jazz releases include some real finds: Miles Davis (from his classic 1958 period), Dave Brubeck (1956-57), Carmen McRae (her 1962 Ember Records LP), Frank Sinatra (1949-50 radio broadcasts), Rosemary Clooney (early ‘50s), Glenn Miller with The Andrews Sisters (1939 radio broadcasts), and Benny Goodman (a compilation taken from 1935-46 recordings). Another CD, featuring Sarah Vaughan’s only recordings with Woody Herman & His Orchestra (from 1963), comes out November 11. THE MILES DAVIS ALL-STARS FEATURING JOHN COLTRANE BROADCAST SESSIONS 1958-59 These rare Miles Davis sessions were recorded ‘live’ at New York clubs for radio and TV broadcasts in 1958-59. The tracks on this collection were recorded at four separate performances at venues in and around New York in 1958-59 – three for the “Bandstand” program (Mutual Radio Network) at Birdland, The Spotlight and Caf Bohemia, and one for Art Ford’s “Jazz Party” TV show in Newark. This is an essential collector’s item containing extended tracks that feature Davis with his quintet/sextet: John Coltrane (tenor sax), Cannonball Adderley (alto sax), Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). Bill Evans was on piano for the Caf Bohemia quintet gig, with Jimmy Cobb on drums for the Spotlite and Birdland dates. The TV show featured an expanded line-up including Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax) and Nat Adderley (cornet). THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET FEATURING PAUL DESMOND ON THE RADIO LIVE 56-57 Dave Brubeck is legendary figures of post-war modern jazz, and a leading figure in the so-called “West Coast Jazz” style. These ‘live’ broadcasts from club performances in 1956-7 capture the group in a key period in the evolution of the classic Brubeck Quartet, all with Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond at the core. Twelve tracks come from two gigs at the Basin Street Jazz Club in New York City in February 1956, and a further three tracks were recorded at The Blue Note, Chicago in March 1957. • CARMEN McRAE — LIVE AT THE FLAMINGO There can be no disputing that Carmen McRae was one of the world’s finest singers. In a career spanning over 50 years, she recorded for a multitude of labels and performed at prestigious jazz clubs and festivals worldwide. This 1961 London show was her first live appearance outside of the USA and was originally released on Ember Records in 1962. Her voice shines as she seamlessly performs an array of classic songs from the American Songbook, including “Moonlight In Vermont” and “Stardust,” with the Don Abney Trio. FRANK SINATRA ON THE RADIO: THE LUCKY STRIKE “LITE-UP TIME" SHOWS 1949-1950 In 1949, Frank Sinatra worked a grueling schedule that included daily radio shows and several ‘live’ sets each night in clubs, on top of his recording commitments. One of his regular radio dates was for Lucky Strike cigarettes, the “Lite-Up Time” show, which aired from 7.00-7.15pm every Monday to Friday from September 1949 to June 1950. There were those who thought his voice was beginning to suffer from the stress and over-work. If it was, you could not tell from these recordings, topped and tailed with intro and closing sequences, where he sounds relaxed and on top of his game. ROSEMARY CLOONEY — ON THE AIR Vocalist Rosemary Clooney was the archetypal 50s showbiz personality. Rosie’s rise to fame was built on her skill as a big band and jazz singer, allied with some inspired song selections. Her talent as a lyric interpreter, with effortless timing and phrasing, and an ability to give her performances the dramatic quality that all great singers have, ensured she had a string of hits right through the decade. Indeed, Clooney had 13 Top 40 hits in the early '50s, validating her reputation as one of the finest jazz-based vocalists in American music. These recordings were made for radio transcriptions and represent unique performances of these songs. This 18-track CD – which includes 2 bonus tracks from 1959 as well as extensive and informative liner notes -- captures Rosemary as her star is rising. GLENN MILLER & HIS ORCHESTRA WITH THE ANDREWS SISTERS ON THE RADIO: THE CHESTERFIELD SHOWS 1939-40 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra are best remembered as one of the most famous big bands of the Swing Era – but they were also as one of the central elements of the musical landscape and iconography of World War II. In 1939, Miller was invited to take over the popular Chesterfield-sponsored radio shows. The sponsors hedged their bets and hired The Andrews Sisters, then the hottest girl group around, to ensure big audiences. The resulting 3-month series produced some rousing performances represented for first time on this disc. BENNY GOODMAN — GIANTS OF THE BIG BAND ERA Chicago-born Benny Goodman formed his own large dance band in 1934, and their hard-driving sound & style, fuelled by Fletcher Henderson’s arrangements, soon established them as the most popular dance band in America. In 1938 Goodman was officially acknowledged as “The King Of Swing.” This single disc collection covers his ‘Golden Era’ of 1935-46, with classic, celebrated band performances including “One O’clock Jump” and “Sing Sing Sing” and the #1 hits “You Turned The Tables On Me”, “And The Angels Sing”, “Jersey Bounce” and “Taking A Chance On Love”. The ideal introduction to the vast Benny Goodman catalog. SARAH VAUGHAN and WOODY HERMAN & HIS ORCHESTRA ON THE RADIO: THE 1963 ‘LIVE’ GUARD SESSIONS Sarah Vaughan and Woody Herman, two of the biggest names in jazz and big band music in the post-war era, never actually made a commercial recording together, which is one reason why this album is something of a collector’s item. It brings together recordings made in 1963 as part a long-running public service series of radio transcriptions called “The Guard Sessions,” sponsored by the US National Guard. This CD features a combination of wonderful Sarah Vaughan performances backed by the Herman Orchestra, plus instrumental tracks by the Orchestra – and one song featuring a Herman vocal. Acrobat is a record label specializing in collectors-item quality re-issues CDs across just about every genre of music. In 2007 Acrobat Music Group purchased The Kruger Organization catalogue, a library of over 22,000 original artist titles including Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone spanning genres from jazz to blues to country to rock ‘n’ roll. Launching its US label out of NYC in October in 2008, Acrobat will be establishing its presence as a premier independent re-issue label through its distribution deal with The Orchard-owned TVT Distribution. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |