Benny Carter - Montreux '77

Styles: Saxophone And Trumpet Jazz

Year: 1977
Time: 45:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 106,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:46) 1. Three Little Words
(8:34) 2. In A Mellow Tone
(6:20) 3. Wave
(5:42) 4. Undecided
(7:04) 5. Body And Soul
(6:28) 6. On Green Dolphin Street
(6:03) 7. Here's That Rainy Day

For this concert at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival, Benny Carter was in his musical prime, a condition he has thus far stayed at for over 65 years. Joined by the Ray Bryant Trio, the altoist romps through seven standards and plays some tasteful trumpet on "Body and Soul," proving once again that he is really is ageless; Carter was nearly 70 years old at the time. By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/benny-carter-4-montreux-1977-mw0000902087#review

Personnel: Benny Carter – alto saxophone, trumpet; Ray Bryant – piano; Niels Pedersen – bass; Jimmie Smith – drums

Montreux '77

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Oscar Peterson - Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (4-Disc Set)

Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Louis Bellson, Ray brown, Benny Carter, Martin Drew, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington, Jon Faddis, Dizzy Gillespie, Stephane Grappelli, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Hayes, Johnny Hodges, Barney Kessel, Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen, Joe Pass, Mickey Roker, Clark Terry, Toots Thieleman, Ed Thigpen, David Young, and more.

Oscar Peterson's recordings on the Pablo label span the years from the '50s to the '70s and have long needed this type of lavish anthology. Over the course of four discs, you get to hear five tunes by the classic trio matching the peerless pianist with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown. But the best of that particular band – arguably Peterson's finest – resides largely on the Verve label, so the Pablo years find Peterson interacting with a number of stars with whom he shared studio or concert stage time on an occasional, sometimes casual basis. The supporting cast on the Pablo years is dazzling, and the results are rarely less than deeply satisfying. Peterson sounds delightfully restrained during a charming piano duet with Count Basie, deliciously witty with growling trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and nearly intimidated by the virtuosity of Stephane Grappelli, but then again, "Nuages" is the tune this box showcases, and the violinist had a few decades after Django's death to stake his claim to that number.

Half of the 46 tracks here are live, and live recordings always bring out the flashy entertainer in Peterson. Yet even for those critics like myself who find Peterson more focused and inspired in the studio, there are ecstatic rewards in the live offerings here. A 1967 concert with the Ellington band finds Peterson navigating a strangely compelling blues line through a show-stopping "Take the A Train" that succeeds in spite of obvious showboating. Another live bit of Ellingtonia that succeeds, a medley of Perdido and Caravan at dizzying speed, comes from a 1986 Los Angeles concert where Peterson's telepathic empathy with guitarist Joe Pass equals in sheer majesty his interaction of the '50s with Herb Ellis.

There are a handful of regrettable clinkers: a misguided vocal that sounds like Nat King Cole recorded at the ocean floor, a quizzical number on clavichord, surely not Peterson's ideal instrument (as he was quick to recognize), and an overripe orchestrated tribute to the late Princess Di that resembles in sap content Ellington's tribute to the Queen. These gaffes aside, this is a sterling, well-programmed set certain to please fans of our forever-young, and arguably, greatest living pianist. ~Norman Weinstein

Album: Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:13
Size: 169.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2003

[4:48] 1. That Old Black Magic
[5:00] 2. Tenderly
[3:22] 3. How High The Moon
[4:40] 4. The Way You Look Tonight
[3:40] 5. You Are Too Beautiful
[4:47] 6. Smedley
[5:08] 7. Someday My Prince Will Come
[6:03] 8. Daytrain
[3:33] 9. Moonglow
[4:36] 10. Sweet Georgia Brown
[6:23] 11. C Jam Blues
[6:37] 12. Wes' Tune
[8:42] 13. Okie Blues
[6:50] 14. You Can Depend On Me

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Album:Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:59
Size: 169.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2003

[8:40] 1. You Are My Sunshine
[6:58] 2. Caravan
[7:09] 3. Stella By Starlight
[4:43] 4. Little Jazz
[5:28] 5. Soft Winds
[6:30] 6. Mean To Me
[7:52] 7. Oh, Lady Be Good
[4:20] 8. On A Slow Boat To China
[4:26] 9. Summertime
[7:18] 10. Blues For Birks
[4:54] 11. How Long Has This Been Going On
[5:34] 12. Hogtown Blues

Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (Disc 1) (Disc 2)

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Album: Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:01
Size: 174.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2003

[ 5:22] 1. Blues Etude
[ 3:37] 2. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
[ 7:18] 3. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[ 6:44] 4. Just In Time
[ 4:46] 5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
[ 6:23] 6. Goodbye
[ 6:25] 7. Falling In Love With Love
[ 7:13] 8. Nigerian Marketplace
[ 6:28] 9. Sometimes I'm Happy
[13:14] 10. Perdido
[ 8:27] 11. Cool Walk

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Album: Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (Disc 4)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:47
Size: 166.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[ 5:27] 1. Take The 'a' Train
[12:57] 2. Ballad Medley 5400 North
[ 6:14] 3. Exactly Like You
[11:17] 4. Au Privave
[10:50] 5. If I Were A Bell
[ 8:05] 6. Nuages
[ 3:46] 7. Some Of These Days
[ 4:58] 8. Lady Di's Waltz
[ 9:09] 9. Stuffy

Dimensions: A Compendium Of The Pablo Years (Disc 3)(Disc 4)

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [eight-album series]

"Benny Carter: The Princeton Concerts" is an eight-album series recorded at Carter’s request and until now, unissued. Although he received many distinguished awards (among the National Medal of the Arts, multiple Grammys, and the Kennedy Center Award), it was the doctorate bestowed by Princeton University in 1974 that he especially treasured. Invited and encouraged by Professor Morroe Berger, Carter not only grew close to the school as he led many classes and seminars, but also to the Berger family. Out of that relationship came the monumental biography and cultural history Benny Carter: A Life In American Music (written by Berger, his son Ed, and James Patrick) and the music presented here, recorded by Berger’s son, Ken.

Across these eight albums, Carter leads small groups and one all-star big band comprised of some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. The intensity and interaction with a live audience always brought out the best in Carter and each concert has its own unique moments of inspired improvisation. He effortlessly reveals his mastery of the alto saxophone, the elegance of compositions, and his graciousness as a bandleader in giving generous space to his compatriots.

All, save two, were recorded at Princeton between 1972 and 1983. There is a brilliant 1978 evening captured in Buffalo that features one of the only recordings of the legendary pianist Al Tinney, whose role in the creation of bebop in the early 1940s has long been heralded by historians, but who went largely unrecorded during his long career. The collection set ends chronologically with music from the 90-year-old Carter, playing with astounding freshness and creativity, backed by pianist Chris Neville and bassist Steve LaSpina, who were in Carter’s last band.

Mrs. Hilma Carter has made a gift of this music to the National Jazz Museum in Harlem to support their mission of preserving, promoting, and presenting jazz. It is her wish that the music be made available free of charge, and the museum is placing it across the world’s most popular streaming services. In addition, visitors are always welcome (by appointment) to hear the music at the museum.

https://jmih.org/collections/benny-carter-the-princeton-concerts/

 

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol.1 April 19, 1973 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz

Year: 2022
Time: 87:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 199,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:17) 1. Introduction (Live At Princeton, April, 1973)
(8:07) 2. A Night In Tunisia (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(8:28) 3. Undecided (Live At Princeton, April, 1973)
(8:36) 4. Robbins Nest (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(8:25) 5. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Live At Princeton, April, 1973)
(6:56) 6. Honeysuckle Rose (Live At Princeton, April, 1973)
(8:29) 7. In A Mellotone (Live At Princeton, April, 1973)
(6:53) 8. A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(8:31) 9. All The Things You Are (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(9:25) 10. One Good Blues (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(4:41) 11. Sweet Georgia Brown (Live At Princeton, April,1973)
(6:07) 12. How High The Moon (Live At Princeton, 1973)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol.1 April 19, 1973 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 2 October 22, 1973 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 137:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 315,5 MB
Art: Front

(03:02) 1. Introduction (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(10:35) 2. Undecided (Live At Princeton, October 1973)
(11:28) 3. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Live At Princeton, October 1973)
(11:51) 4. Satin Doll (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(08:40) 5. When Lights Are Low (Live At Princeton, October 1973)
(02:53) 6. Nuages (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Bucky Pizzarelli)
(02:43) 7. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Bucky Pizzarelli)
(02:26) 8. I'm Coming Virginia (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Bucky Pizzarelli)
(06:08) 9. She's Funny That Way (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Grady Tate)
(05:22) 10. Body And Soul (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Grady Tate)
(10:41) 11. Blues Medley: Blues / Blue Monk / My Gal (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Clark Terry)
(14:09) 12. Take The "A" Train (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(10:20) 13. Perdido (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(07:47) 14. Evening Star (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(07:30) 15. Doozy (Live At Princeton, October 1973)
(03:54) 16. Mumbles (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Clark Terry)
(09:26) 17. In A Mellotone (Live At Princeton, October 1973)
(08:16) 18. Sweet Georgia Brown (Live At Princeton, October 1973)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 2 October 22, 1973 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 3 December 3, 1973 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 132:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 303,9 MB
Art: Front

(10:06) 1. Doozy (Live At Princeton, December 1973)
(03:11) 2. Introduction (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(03:50) 3. When Lights Are Low (Live At Princeton, December 1973)
(02:54) 4. You Are (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(06:11) 5. Souvenir (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(12:51) 6. Honeysuckle Rose (Live At Princeton, December 1973)
(18:19) 7. Blues For Beginners (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Hale Smith)
(13:14) 8. Coalition (Live At Princeton, 1973) (Feat. Ray Barretto)
(09:15) 9. I Can't Get Started (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(12:06) 10. Cotton Tail (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(04:14) 11. A Kiss From You (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(09:51) 12. A Walkin' Thing (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(04:18) 13. Sleep (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(12:40) 14. Ballad Medley: These Foolish Things/ A Day In The Life Of A Fool / St. Louis Blues / The Nearness Of You (Live At Princeton, 1973)
(09:17) 15. Juke Box (Live At Princeton, 1973)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 3 December 3, 1973 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 4 March 18, 1977 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 157:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 360,8 MB
Art: Front

(04:06) 1. Introduction (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(09:42) 2. Undecided (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(10:19) 3. Easy Money (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(08:01) 4. Here's That Rainy Day (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(10:49) 5. South Side Samba (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(10:41) 6. Green Wine (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(05:23) 7. A Child Is Born (Live At Princeton, 1977) (Feat. Joe Newman)
(09:48) 8. Yesterdays (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(09:27) 9. Satin Doll (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(06:52) 10. St.thomas (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(07:45) 11. Django Medley: Nuages / Tears (Live At Princeton, 1977) (Feat. Bucky Pizzarelli)
(03:47) 12. Send In The Clowns (Live At Princeton, 1977) (Feat. Bucky Pizzarelli)
(04:20) 13. Ballad Medley: I'll Be Around / I Concentrate On You (Live At Princeton, 1977) (Feat. Bucky Pizzarelli)
(07:07) 14. Evening Star (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(09:10) 15. On Green Dolphin Street (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(06:45) 16. Summertime (Live At Princeton, 1977) (Feat. Richard Davis)
(04:17) 17. When You're Smiling (Live At Princeton, 1977) (Feat. Joe Newman)
(10:59) 18. The Courtship (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(08:26) 19. Perdido (Live At Princeton, 1977)
(09:08) 20. In A Mellotone (Live At Princeton, 1977)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 4 March 18, 1977 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 5 October 12, 1979 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 94:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 218,2 MB
Art: Front

(08:19) 1. Ain't Misbehavin' (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(11:41) 2. Straight, No Chaser (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(07:07) 3. Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(09:28) 4. Broadway (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(04:50) 5. This Is Always (Live At Princeton, 1979) (Feat. Joe Kennedy)
(00:42) 6. Introduction (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(11:38) 7. Perdido (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(11:32) 8. On Green Dolphin Street (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(08:51) 9. My Old Flame (Live At Princeton, 1979) (Feat. Stanley Jordan)
(03:25) 10. Now's The Time (Live At Princeton, 1979) (Feat. Stanley Jordan)
(10:20) 11. Caravan (Live At Princeton, 1979)
(07:00) 12. Blues (Live At Princeton, 1979)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 5 October 12, 1979 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 6 May 21, 1982 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 137:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 316,7 MB
Art: Front

(12:14) 1. Opening Remarks (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(01:23) 2. Introduction (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(09:41) 3. Easy Money (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(10:27) 4. Autumn Leaves (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(09:50) 5. The Courtship (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(08:10) 6. Love For Sale (Live At Princeton, 1982) (Feat. Derek Smith)
(10:30) 7. In A Mellotone (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(07:11) 8. Ain't Misbehavin' (Live At Princeton, 1982) (Feat. Harry "Sweets" Edison)
(06:16) 9. Basically The Blues (Live At Princeton, 1982) (Feat. George Duvivier)
(10:51) 10. Southside Samba (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(08:47) 11. Undecided (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(06:46) 12. Souvenir (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(01:33) 13. Introduction 2 (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(05:09) 14. Misty (Live At Princeton, 1982) (Feat. Stanley Jordan)
(12:08) 15. Perdido (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(09:44) 16. Cotton Tail (Live At Princeton, 1982)
(07:03) 17. Blues (Live At Princeton, 1982)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 6 May 21, 1982 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol 7. September 13, 1997 Live at Princeton]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 55:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:01) 1. Introduction (Live At Princeton, 1997)
(6:28) 2. Just Friends (Live At Princeton, 1997)
(6:40) 3. My One And Only Love (Live At Princeton, 1997) (Feat. Steve Laspina)
(7:49) 4. Another Time, Another Place (Live At Princeton, 1997)
(9:58) 5. Lover Man (Live At Princeton, 1997)
(4:55) 6. You, Only You (Live At Princeton, 1997) (Feat. Chris Neville)
(8:00) 7. What Is This Thing Called Love (Live At Princeton, 1997)
(9:09) 8. Perdido (Live At Princeton, 1997)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol 7. September 13, 1997 Live at Princeton]

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Benny Carter - Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 8 October 28, 1978 Live in Buffalo]

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2022
Time: 139:56
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 321,5 MB
Art: Front

(05:41) 1. There Will Never Be Another You (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(07:53) 2. In A Mellotone (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(05:07) 3. What's New (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(07:43) 4. On Green Dolphin Street (Live In Buffalo 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(06:07) 5. 12 Bar Blues (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(08:25) 6. Undecided (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(04:56) 7. Take The "A" Train (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(05:11) 8. When Lights Are Low (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. University Of Buffalo Jazz Ensemble)
(04:29) 9. A Walkin' Thing (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. University Of Buffalo Jazz Ensemble)
(10:25) 10. Blues For Beginners (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. University Of Buffalo Jazz Ensemble)
(05:15) 11. I Can't Get Started (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. University Of Buffalo Jazz Ensemble)
(07:59) 12. Honeysuckle Rose (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. University Of Buffalo Jazz Ensemble)
(09:06) 13. In A Mellotone, Pt. 2 (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(08:08) 14. On Green Dolphin Street, Pt. 2 (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(09:17) 15. Lover Man (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(09:05) 16. Perdido (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(08:50) 17. Body And Soul (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(07:58) 18. Cherokee (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)
(08:11) 19. All The Things You Are (Live In Buffalo, 1978) (Feat. Al Tinney)

Princeton Concerts (And Beyond) [Vol. 8 October 28, 1978 Live in Buffalo]

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Oscar Peterson, Benny Carter, Ray Brown, Clark Terry - The More I See You

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:30
Size: 143,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. In A Mellow Tone
(4:42)  2. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You
(7:00)  3. On the Trail
(8:16)  4. When My Dream Boat Comes Home
(8:04)  5. Ron's Blues
(8:37)  6. For All We Know
(9:14)  7. Blues For Lisa
(5:39)  8. Squatty Roo
(6:02)  9. More I See You

After Oscar Peterson suffered a severe stroke in the spring of 1993, it was feared that he would never again play on a professional level, but two years of intense therapy resulted in the masterful pianist returning to what sounds, on this Telarc CD, like near-prime form. For the all-star date, The More I See You, Peterson tears into seven standards and two blues and outswings all potential competitors. Altoist Benny Carter at 87 sounds like he is 47 (if Carter had retired back in 1940 he would still be a legend), and flugelhornist Clark Terry (here 74) proves to be not only (along with the remarkable 90-year-old Doc Cheatham) the finest trumpeter over 70 but one of the top brassmen of any age. 

The cool-toned guitarist Lorne Lofsky and drummer Lewis Nash are also strong assets while bassist Ray Brown (a year younger than Peterson at a mere 68) displays his typical limitless energy on appealing tunes such as "In a Mellow Tone," "When My Dream Boat Comes Home," and a medium/up-tempo version of "For All We Know." The musicians all play up to their usual high level, making this a joyous comeback album for the great Oscar Peterson. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-more-i-see-you-mw0000174149

Personnel: Oscar Peterson (piano); Benny Carter (alto saxophone); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Lorne Lofsky (guitar); Ray Brown (bass); Lewis Nash (drums).

The More I See You

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Ray Brown - Some of My Best Friends Are Sax Players

Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:28
Size: 171,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:27) 1. How High the Moon
(4:42) 2. Love Walked In
(6:36) 3. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
(3:48) 4. Crazeology
(6:18) 5. Port of Rico (Stanley Turrentine)
(5:23) 6. Moose the Mooche (Jesse Davis)
(6:14) 7. Easy Living
(4:09) 8. Just You, Just Me (Joshua Redman)
(5:31) 9. Fly Me to the Moon
(7:08) 10. (When it's) Sleepytime Down So
(5:59) 11. These Foolish Things
(6:59) 12. God Bless the Child (Stanley Turrentine)
(0:54) 13. In Conversation with Joe Lovano
(1:05) 14. In Conversation with Benny Carter
(0:31) 15. In Conversation with Stanley Turrentine
(0:27) 16. In Conversation with Jesse Davis
(0:28) 17. In Conversation with Joshua Redman
(0:43) 18. In Conversation with Ralph Moore

As a follow-up to bassist Ray Brown's previous record in which he collaborated with several of his favorite pianists, Some of My Best Friends Are...The Sax Players features six major saxophonists (tenors Joe Lovano, Ralph Moore, Joshua Redman and Stanley Turrentine plus altoists Benny Carter and Jesse Davis) on two songs apiece with his regular trio. Although more than 60 years separate the ageless Carter from Redman, each of the saxes originally developed their own voice in the straight-ahead jazz tradition. Highlights of the colorful set include Benny Carter's playful rendition of "Love Walked In," Moore's cooking solo on "Crazeology" (a Benny Harris bop classic which the record mistakenly lists as written by Bud Freeman), Davis ripping through "Moose the Mooche" and Turrentine's romp on the blues "Port of Rico."

Pianist Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson provide suitable accompaniment (Green's solos are consistently excellent) and all dozen of the songs are successful and swinging. As an extra bonus, on the latter part of the CD each of the saxophonists has a brief chat (between 26 seconds and a minute apiece) with Brown about their early influences. There is so much good feeling and obvious mutual respect shown that one wishes these talks were at least twice as long; the Benny Carter segment is most memorable.~Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/some-of-my-best-friends-arethe-sax-players-mw0000184898

PERSONNEL: RAY BROWN, bass; BENNY GREEN, piano; GREGORY HUTCHINSON, drums

With: BENNY CARTER & JESSE DAVIS, alto sax; JOE LOVANO, RALPH MOORE, JOSHUA REDMAN & STANLEY TURRENTINE, tenor sax

Some of My Best Friends Are Sax Players

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Benny Carter - Benny Carter Songbook Vol II

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:04
Size: 174,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:26)  1. My Mind Is Still On You - Joe Williams
(5:10)  2. Echo Of My Dream - Dianna Krall
(6:00)  3. Rock Me To Sleep - Ruth Brown
(4:04)  4. Stop Me Before I Fall In Love Again - Billy Stritch
(8:33)  5. He Doesn't Need Me Now - Nancy Marano
(6:05)  6. Doozy - Jon Hendricks
(5:10)  7. Nevermore - Billy Stritch
(7:05)  8. Malibu - Lainie Kazan
(5:53)  9. Blue Moonlight - Marlena Shaw
(5:30) 10. Evening Star - Kenny Rankin
(4:46) 11. Slow Carousel - Nancy Marano
(4:05) 12. Whisper To One - Barbara Lea
(5:56) 13. I'm The Caring Kind - Weslia Whitfield
(4:16) 14. When Hilma Smiles

The 1997 release of this CD helped Benny Carter celebrate his 90th birthday, featuring 14 of his original ballads by a dozen guests, in addition to a warm tribute to his wife of many years, "When Hilma Smiles," sung by Carter himself in a friendly, unpretentious manner. His smooth alto sax hasn't lost anything over the decades, and the top-notch cornet of Warren Vaché is also a nice touch. 

The highlights among the guest vocalists' contributions include Nancy Marano's emotional version of "He Doesn't Need Me Now" and Wesla Whitfield's sassy take of "I'm the Caring Kind." ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/songbook-vol-2-mw0000028108

Personnel: Benny Carter (vocals, alto saxophone); Joe Williams, Weslia Whitfield, Ruth Brown, Billy Stritch, Nancy Marano, Jon Hendricks, Lainie Kazan, Marlena Shaw, Kenny Rankin, Barbara Lea, Diana Krall (vocals); Warren Vache (cornet); Chris Neville (piano); Steve LaSpina (bass); Sherman Ferguson, Roy McCurdy (drums)

Benny Carter Songbook Vol II

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Sammy Davis Jr.- A Man Called Adam

Styles: Soundtracks, Jazz 
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:56
Size: 105,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. Main Title - All That Jazz
(3:22)  2. I Want To Be Wanted (Song)
(2:06)  3. Go Now
(3:09)  4. Someday Sweetheart (Song)
(3:17)  5. Ain't I
(3:55)  6. Soft Touch
(2:57)  7. Claudia
(3:06)  8. All That Jazz (Song)
(5:09)  9. Back Of Town Blues (Song)
(3:57) 10. Night Walk
(3:16) 11. Whisper To One (Song)
(3:55) 12. Claudia
(2:54) 13. Crack Up (Playboy Theme)
(1:46) 14. All That Jazz (Song)

FSM revives the "Retrograde Records" label for its first new release since 1998: A Man Called Adam, a classic jazz album as well as movie soundtrack. A Man Called Adam (1966) was an independent production starring Sammy Davis Jr. as a troubled jazz trumpet player, costarring Cicely Tyson, Ossie Davis and ratpacker Peter Lawford. Louis Armstrong and Mel Torme appear in the film and on the soundtrack album as does the famously versatile Davis. Adam was notable for its prominence of African Americans both in front of and behind the camera (it was produced by Ike Jones, an associate of Nat "King" Cole). The film's composer was Benny Carter (1907-2003), who may be little-known to soundtrack collectors, but was a hugely respected jazz artist as well as a pioneering figure for African Americans in fact, the first black composer to receive screen credit for an original score for television (on M Squad). Carter worked on numerous classic musicals of the 1940s and '50s and became, on A Man Called Adam, one of only a small number of African Americans to score a motion picture.

The musical requirements of A Man Called Adam called almost entirely for jazz source music, particularly that for the lead character's band (the reason we are issuing it on our Retrograde label). Carter composed and arranged a variety of small band numbers, taking care to achieve not only musical excellence but story appropriateness in reflecting the on-screen performers. ("Night Walk," track 10, is the only score cue on the CD.) The studio musicians include Nat Adderley (who "ghosted" Davis's trumpet performances), Bill Berry, Kai Winding, Tyree Glenn, Junior Mance, Billy Kyle, Buster Bailey, Danny Barcelona and Jo Jones. Original lyrics are by Al Stillman. Unavailable since the Reprise Records LP in 1966, A Man Called Adam is a jazz classic soundtrack with historical significance, and has been remixed here from the three and four-track master tapes for excellent stereo sound. Liner notes are by Jon Burlingame, documenting the film, Carter's importance, and the various selections. https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/cds/detail.cfm/CDID/382/Man-Called-Adam-A/

A Man Called Adam

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Benny Carter - Skyline Drive and Towards

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:53
Size: 170,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:04)  1. Doozy
(4:35)  2. I'm The Caring Kind
(7:03)  3. Easy Money
(4:21)  4. Gorgeous! Georg!
(4:34)  5. Stompin' At The Savoy
(6:05)  6. I Want To Be Happy
(6:00)  7. Love For Sale
(8:10)  8. When Lights Are Low
(3:29)  9. I'd Love It
(3:10) 10. I Never Knew
(3:07) 11. Symphony In Riffs
(2:47) 12. Some Of These Days
(2:48) 13. Gloaming
(2:50) 14. My Buddy
(3:04) 15. I'm Coming Virginia
(2:50) 16. I'm In The Mood For Swing
(2:47) 17. Sugar

The bulk of this CD reissues a brilliant 1982 session featuring altoist Benny Carter with the tenors of Plas Johnson and Jerome Richardson, plus a variety of top European mainstream players including altoist Arne Domnerus, clarinetist Putte Wickman, trumpeter Jan Allen, and pianist Bengt Hallberg. Some of the music is reminiscent of Carter's famous European four-saxophone session of 1937, and these renditions of "Doozy" and "Easy Money" are quite definitive and exciting. In addition to the eight original selections on the LP, eight other numbers from the 1929-1939 period have been added to the set to double its length. 

These include examples of Carter's work on both alto and trumpet with McKinney's Cotton Pickers, the Chocolate Dandies, and Lionel Hampton in Europe in the 1930s, and with Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday ("Sugar"). All in all, this CD acts both as a reminder of how strong Carter's 1982 date was, when he was a mere 75, and as a retrospective of his musical legacy. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/skyline-drive-and-towards-mw0001011137

Skyline Drive and Towards

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Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - The Drum Battle

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:47
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(0:42)  1. Introduction
(6:46)  2. Idaho
(4:39)  3. Sophisticated Lady
(5:56)  4. Flying Home
(9:04)  5. Drum Boogie
(3:36)  6. The Drum Battle
(5:01)  7. Perdido

This set was initially issued as the 15th instalment in Norman Grantz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series of LPs, EPs, and 45s. As that highly collectible compilation of performances has been out of print since the 1960s, many of the volumes were later issued under the respective artists' name. As the title would imply, Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic features the artistry of the Gene Krupa Trio with Buddy Rich (drums) sitting in on a few numbers as well as the inimitable jazz scat vocalizations of Ella Fitzgerald on a hot steppin' and definitive "Perdido." Opening the disc is Krupa's trio with Willie Smith (alto sax) and Hank Jones (piano) providing a solid and singularly swinging rhythm section. While Smith drives the band, Krupa is front and center with his antagonistic percussive prodding. "Idaho" is marked with Jones' rollicking post-bop mastery as he trades solos with Smith and can be heard quoting lines from Monk before yielding to Smith. The cover of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" sparkles from beginning to end. Jones' opening flourish sets the tenure as Smith settles into a smoky lead, containing some nice syncopation and regal augmentation from Jones. Krupa primarily provides ample rhythm work on the emotive ballad. Smith's diversion into "Stormy Weather" is notable for exemplifying the lyrically improvisational nature of this combo. The tempo is significantly stepped up on a cover of Benny Goodman's "Flying Home," which is full of high-spirited playing and garners a sizable reaction from the audience. 

The lengthy "Drum Boogie" is one of Krupa's signature pieces and is greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Buddy Rich climbs on board for a one-on-one duel with Krupa, whose styles mesh into a mile-a-minute wash of profound percussion. The duet segues into an inspired and free-form jam on "Perdido," with Fitzgerald belting out her lines with authority, class, and most of all, soul. ~ Lindsay Planer https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-drum-battle-mw0000318913

Personnel:  Gene Krupa – drums; Buddy Rich – drums; Roy Eldridge – trumpet; Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Benny Carter – alto saxophone; Flip Phillips – tenor saxophone; Lester Young – tenor saxophone; Hank Jones – piano; Oscar Peterson – piano; Willie Smith – piano; Barney Kessel – guitar; Ray Brown – double bass; Ella Fitzgerald – vocals

The Drum Battle

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Benny Carter - Aspects

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:19
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:13)  1. June In January
(1:56)  2. February Fiesta
(3:18)  3. March Wind
(3:22)  4. I'll Remenber April
(2:51)  5. One Morning In May
(3:01)  6. June Is Busting Out All Over
(2:52)  7. Sleigh Ride In July
(3:42)  8. August Moon
(2:41)  9. September Song
(2:55) 10. Something For October
(3:03) 11. Swingin In November
(2:38) 12. Roses In December
(1:57) 13. February Fiesta (Mono Take)
(3:01) 14. June Is Busting Out All Over (Mono Take)
(3:36) 15. August Moon (Mono Take)
(3:05) 16. Swingin In November (Mono Take)

This CD reissues an enjoyable obscurity. Although originally associated with big bands, the set has what was Benny Carter's only big-band recording as a playing leader during 1947-86. While the song titles are a bit gimmicky, saluting the 12 months of the year (including "June in January," "I'll Remember April," "June Is Busting Out All Over," etc.), the music (which includes four alternate takes) is solid, mainstream big-band swing. The less familiar titles include four Carter originals written for the date, plus Hal Schaefer's "February Fiesta." 

The leader/altoist solos on every selection, and among the other top West Coast studio players featured are trumpeters Shorty Sherock, Pete Candoli and Joe Gordon, trombonists Frank Rosolino and Herbie Harper, vibraphonist Larry Bunker, pianists Arnold Ross and Gerry Wiggins, and guitarist Barney Kessel. Two overlapping big bands were utilized, and the music alternates between being forceful and lyrical. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/aspects-mw0000613039

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter;  Bass – Joe Comfort;  Drums – Shelly Manne;  Guitar – Barney Kessel, Bobby Gibbons Leader – Benny Carter;  Piano – Arnold Ross, Gerry Wiggins;  Saxophone – Buddy Collette, Chuck Gentry, Jewell Grant, Justin Gordon, Plas Johnson, Bill Green;  Trombone – Frank Rosolino, George Roberts, Herbie Harper, Russ Brown), Tommy Pederson;  Trumpet – Al Porcino, Conrad Gozzo, Joe Gordon, Pete Candoli, Ray Triscari, Shorty Sherock, Stu Williamson, Uan Rasey;  Vibraphone [Vibes] – Larry Bunker 

Aspects

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Benny Carter - Benny Carter With Strings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:24
Size: 110.8 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1956/2006
Art: Front

[3:40] 1. Isn't It Romantic
[3:46] 2. Some Other Spring
[3:40] 3. These Things You Left Me
[3:17] 4. 'round Midnight
[2:39] 5. Alone Together
[3:14] 6. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered
[2:59] 7. Cocktails For Two
[3:07] 8. Key Largo
[2:34] 9. I'll Be Around
[2:51] 10. Beautiful Love
[3:10] 11. Blue Star
[2:50] 12. Flamingo
[2:33] 13. With A Song In My Heart
[2:40] 14. Can't We Be Friends
[2:15] 15. Symphony
[3:03] 16. I'm Sorry

Benny Carter, alto saxophone ; with The Oscar Peterson Quartet, strings and horns, Joe Oliver, conductor (1st-8th selections) ; with assisting instrumentalists, Joe Glover, conductor (9th-16th selections).

Previously released on 2 separate discs: Alone together; Cosmopolite. Jazz quintets supplemented with strings and horns (1st-8th selections), and jazz quartets supplemented with strings (9th-16th selections).

Benny Carter With Strings mc
Benny Carter With Strings zippy

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Benny Carter - Songbook

Styles: Vocal, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:37
Size: 179,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. Only Trust Your Heart (Feat. Dianne Reeves)
(4:55)  2. All That Jazz (Feat. Carmen Bradford & Kenny Rankin)
(4:23)  3. I Was Wrong (Feat. Joe Williams)
(4:59)  4. Rain (Feat. Marlena Shaw)
(5:34)  5. Cow-Cow Boogie (Feat. Jon Hendricks)
(5:36)  6. Fresh Out Of Love (Feat. Diana Krall)
(4:57)  7. Speak Now (Feat. Billy Stritch)
(5:27)  8. A Kiss From You (Feat. Shirley Horn)
(4:17)  9. You Bring Out The Best In Me (Feat. Bobby Short)
(5:45) 10. My Kind Of Trouble Is You (Feat. Ruth Brown)
(4:06) 11. When Lights Are Low (Feat. Weslia Whitfield)
(6:35) 12. Lonely Woman (Feat. Nancy Marano)
(4:33) 13. Key Largo (Feat. Carmen Bradford)
(6:03) 14. We Were In Love (Feat. Dianne Reeves & Joe Williams)
(4:48) 15. I See You (Feat. Peggy Lee)

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). ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/songbook-mw0000180497

Personnel:  Benny Carter - alto saxophone;  Warren Vache - cornet;  Chris Neville, Gene DiNovi (#15) - piano;  Steve LaSpina, John Heard (#15) - bass;  Sherman Ferguson, Roy McCurdy (#2,6,13) - drums

Thank You Dave!

Songbook

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Benny Carter - Jazz Giant (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:09
Size: 89.6 MB
Styles: Bop, Swing, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1957/1987
Art: Front

[7:50] 1. Old Fashioned Love
[5:48] 2. I'm Coming Virginia
[6:00] 3. A Walkin' Thing
[4:58] 4. Blue Lou
[3:40] 5. Ain't She Sweet
[6:13] 6. How Can You Lose
[4:38] 7. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me

Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 1, 3 to 7); Bass – Leroy Vinnegar; Drums – Shelly Manne; Guitar – Barney Kessel; Piano – André Previn (tracks: 1, 4 to 7), Jimmy Rowles (tracks: 2, 3); Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: 1 to 4, 6); Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 1 to 4, 6); Trumpet – Benny Carter (tracks: 2, 6). Recorded at Contemporary's Studio in Los Angeles; June 11 (#1, 4), July 22 (#2, 3), October 7, 1957 (#6) and April 21, 1958 (#5, 7).

Benny Carter was one of the top-admired original major alto saxophonists and perhaps one of the top world class jazz ensemble leaders up until the late-1950’s, where he was undoubtfully, as the title of this album suggests, a “Jazz Giant”, but this time this landmark project sounds even better in it’s own digitally-remastered complete format. Released in 1958 to critical success, Jazz Giant presents an all star session where it gradually showcase a lyrical and original form of fresh music that is unpretentious: bright, relaxed and buoyant placed along with a full dash of of infectious swing as each musician on the album get a chance to show off there worthy solos while Carter played with characteristic lyricism, technical faculty and a bounty of sounds on alto and- and on two tracks- flawlessly on trumpet, his first love. The track set proceed with exclusive style on other memorable reinditions of classic standards including Old-Fashioned Love, Blue Lou, A Walkin’ Thing, How Could You Lose?, Ain’t She Sweet, for whom Carter and the all-stars performs quintessential style and exquisite integrity. The last two tracks even comes to life in a fortuitous manner where Carter had been set out on the session, but became ill towards the last minute, and with noted jazz guitarist Barney Kessel taking over the musicians had decided to use some of there congenial informal playing where included some of the finest work recorded in the saxophone section. Remastered in its proud complete edition, what made Jazz Giant a time-honoured success can be owed to the band members who gratefully participated where they consisted of Kessel on the guitar, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, both Andre Previn or Jimmy Knowles at the piano, session trombonist Frank Roselino and Shelly Manne at the drums, who help made this one of Carter’s finest and most beloved masterpieces. ~RH

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Art Tatum - The Best Of The Pablo Group Masterpieces (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:57
Size: 160.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2003/2006
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Perdido
[7:07] 2. Memories Of You
[3:34] 3. You Took Advantage Of Me
[7:12] 4. All The Things You Are
[5:22] 5. Body And Soul
[6:13] 6. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[4:11] 7. The Moon Is Low
[7:11] 8. Just One Of Those Things
[3:49] 9. Street Of Dreams
[7:11] 10. Somebody Loves Me
[7:14] 11. My Ideal
[5:45] 12. Deep Night

Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 6, 9); Bass – John Simmons (tracks: 3, 7), Red Callender (tracks: 2, 4, 8, 11, 12); Drums – Alvin Stoller (tracks: 3, 7), Bill Douglass (2) (tracks: 2, 4, 11, 12), Buddy Rich (tracks: 1, 5, 10), Jo Jones (tracks: 8), Louis Bellson (tracks: 6, 9); Guitar – Barney Kessel (tracks: 10); Piano – Art Tatum; Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: 4, 11); Trumpet – Harry "Sweets" Edison (tracks: 10), Roy Eldridge (tracks: 3, 7); Vibraphone [Vibes] – Lionel Hampton (tracks: 1, 5, 10).

A rich and rewarding core sample, selected from one of Norman Granz's deepest gold mines. The full set of Tatum ensemble master takes was released on eight vinyl records in 1975, appearing with alternate takes as a box of seven compact discs in 1990. Since then, each separate session has been issued on a single, affordable CD. With the release of this best-of, the only remaining untried reissue format stratagem could almost be conducted according to the laws of chance. If someone were to divide up the existing 59 master takes (saving the alternate takes for a "Best of the Tatum Alternates" compilation), the entire body of work could be issued as a numbered best-of series, the titles carefully shuffled at random. But each volume would possibly still omit something that could be considered essential. This is the insoluble problem with anything calling itself a best-of. Fortunately, the Tatum group recordings produced by Norman Granz during the years 1954, 1955, and 1956 actually deserve the word "masterpieces." While Tatum himself is honored as one of the very most gifted and influential of all jazz musicians, without exception every musician who participated in these sessions was adept, inspired, and, in many cases, masterful. (There are those who would suggest that the Art Tatum/Ben Webster date could stand by itself as the best of the group masterpieces.) Here, for once, is a package worthy of its title. A bit of the best of some of the very best jazz ever recorded. ~arwulf arwulf

The Best Of The Pablo Group Masterpieces (Remastered) mc
The Best Of The Pablo Group Masterpieces (Remastered) zippy

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Benny Carter, Phil Woods - Another Time, Another Place

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 137:15
Size: 314.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[ 8:56] 1. Sometimes I'm Happy
[ 6:32] 2. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
[ 8:33] 3. Rock Me To Sleep
[ 8:33] 4. Another Time, Another Place
[ 7:37] 5. Willow Weep For Me
[10:01] 6. Shiny Stockings
[10:41] 7. The Courtship
[11:12] 8. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
[ 9:15] 9. On Green Dolphin Street
[ 8:51] 10. A Walkin' Thing
[ 5:45] 11. Janel
[ 8:54] 12. Speak Low
[ 7:29] 13. Petite Chanson
[ 9:05] 14. Just Squeeze Me
[ 9:33] 15. Mood Indigo
[ 6:12] 16. How High The Moon

Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Phil Woods; Bass – John Lockwood; Drums – Sherman Ferguson; Piano – Chris Neville. Recorded live at the Regattabar, Cambridge, MA March 15, 16, 17, 1996.

Alto saxophonists Benny Carter and Phil Woods were great friends and enjoyed playing together on a number of record dates, though this double-CD live recording from a 1996 extended gig at the Regattabar proved to be the former's final release before he retired from active performing a few years afterward. A few months shy of 89 years old at the time, Carter still gives his all on his instrument and sounds like someone decades younger, while Woods' naturally more outgoing style proves complementary to the senior musician. Backed by a strong rhythm section, including Carter's long-time pianist Chris Neville, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Sherman Ferguson, the two saxophonists have a ball as they play favorite standards, several Carter compositions, and gems penned by other jazz musicians. While fans of Carter and Woods will be delighted with this entire release, there are a few surprises. Carter's bluesy feature of "Willow Weep for Me" marks the only time he ever recorded it. The duo's robust, swinging setting of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is a gem, as is Carter's swaggering "A Walkin' Thing." Beautifully recorded, this final meeting between Benny Carter and Phil Woods is one for the ages. ~Ken Dryden

Another Time, Another Place mc
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Benny Carter Quartet - Sax A La Carter

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:22
Size: 106.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[2:56] 1. And The Angels Sing
[3:34] 2. Everything I Have Is Yours
[3:04] 3. I Understand
[3:15] 4. All Or Nothing At All
[2:21] 5. I'll Never Smile Again
[3:43] 6. If I Loved You
[3:22] 7. Far Away Places
[3:57] 8. I Should Care
[2:59] 9. For All We Know
[2:47] 10. (I Don't Stand A) Ghost Of A Chance With You
[3:04] 11. The One I Love (Belongs To Someone Else)
[2:42] 12. Moon Of Manakoora
[2:19] 13. Ennui
[3:01] 14. Friendly Islands
[3:10] 15. Friendly Islands

Benny Carter - sax, Jimmy Rowles - piano, Leroy Vinnegar - bass, Mel Lewis - drums. Recorded at Radio Recorders in Los Angeles on February 5, 1960.

This is the great American alto saxist and composer Benny Carter, who died last year (2004) at 95, breezing along with a fine quartet in LA in 1960 - with that genius of piano accompaniment, Jimmy Rowles. Carter's sound seems to embody the pragmatically sensual, life-embracing ease that characterises the jazz of the pre-bop era - though as an immensely sophisticated musician, Carter's improvising was full of modern audacities.

This is a conventional and easy-swinging set - but the pleading romantic tremor in the ballad playing, the suggestively swivelling slurs and the almost Bird-like brittleness on For All We Know all testify to a master in his prime. ~John Fordham

Sax A La Carter mc
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Benny Carter - Further Definitions

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:32
Size: 161.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 1966/1997
Art: Front

[3:50] 1. Honeysuckle Rose
[3:57] 2. That Midnight Sun Will Never Set
[3:23] 3. Crazy Rhythm
[5:19] 4. Blue Star
[4:28] 5. Cotton Tail
[4:14] 6. Body And Soul
[4:57] 7. Cherry
[3:32] 8. Doozy
[6:11] 9. Fantastic, That's You
[4:13] 10. Come On Back
[4:27] 11. We Were In Love
[5:48] 12. If Dreams Come True
[3:20] 13. Prohibido
[5:32] 14. Doozy
[4:14] 15. Rock Bottom
[3:01] 16. Titmouse

Altoist/arranger Benny Carter's classic Further Definitions is a revisiting, instrumentation-wise, to the famous 1937 session that Carter and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins made in France with two top European saxophonists (Andre Ekyan and Alix Combelle) and guitarist Django Reinhardt. The all-star group (which also includes Hawkins, altoist Phil Woods, Charlie Rouse on second tenor, pianist Dick Katz, guitarist John Collins, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Jo Jones) performs a particularly inspired repertoire. Carter's charts, which allow Hawkins to stretch out on "Body and Soul," give everyone a chance to shine. "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Crazy Rhythm" hold their own with the 1937 versions, and "Blue Star" and "Doozy" prove to be two of Carter's finest originals. Although Benny Carter was not actively playing much at the time (this was his only small-group recording during 1963-1975), he is heard in typically prime form. Very highly recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Further Definitions

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The Benny Carter Quartet - Swingin' The 20s

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:24
Size: 104.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1958/1988
Art: Front

[2:50] 1. Thou Swell
[3:18] 2. My Blue Heaven
[2:32] 3. Just Imagine
[2:40] 4. If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)
[5:00] 5. Sweet Lorraine
[2:23] 6. Who's Sorry Now
[2:24] 7. Who's Sorry Now (Alternate Take)
[3:20] 8. Laugh! Clown! Laugh!
[2:51] 9. Laugh! Clown! Laugh! (Alternate Take)
[3:13] 10. All Alone
[3:10] 11. All Alone (Alternate Take)
[3:06] 12. Mary Lou
[2:44] 13. In A Little Spanish Town
[2:37] 14. Someone To Watch Over Me
[3:09] 15. A Monday Date

Combining altoist Benny Carter with pianist Earl Hines in a quartet is an idea with plenty of potential, but the results of this 1958 session are relaxed rather than explosive. Carter and Hines explore a dozen tunes (standards as well as forgotten songs like "All Alone" and "Mary Lou") with respect and light swing, but one wishes that there were a bit more competitiveness to replace some of the mutual respect. [Originally released in 1958, Swingin' the Twenties was digitally remastered on CD in 1988 and includes bonus tracks.] ~Scott Yanow

Swingin' The 20s

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Benny Carter - All Of Me

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet And Trumpet Jazz 
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:16
Size: 147,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:22)  1. All Of Me
(2:46)  2. Cuddle Up
(3:16)  3. Ev'ry Goodbye Ain't Gone
(3:09)  4. Babalu
(3:20)  5. Midnight
(3:08)  6. My Favorite Blues
(3:10)  7. Lullaby To A Dream
(3:04)  8. What A Difference A Day Made
(2:47)  9. Sunday
(3:05) 10. Ill Wind [alt. take]
(2:56) 11. Back Bay Boogie
(2:51) 12. Tree Of Hope
(2:52) 13. 35th And Calumet
(2:56) 14. The Sheik Of Araby
(2:46) 15. Push Out
(3:22) 16. Confessin'
(3:17) 17. Boulevard Bounce
(3:40) 18. The Lonely Beat
(2:05) 19. The Mugger
(2:28) 20. The Jukebox
(2:46) 21. Phantom Raiders

A strong sampling of Benny Carter's music is heard in this hodgepodge CD reissue. Twelve of the altoist's 16 Bluebird big-band recordings of 1940-41 (including a previously unissued version of "Ill Wind") precede nine titles gathered from a wide variety of sessions with one song apiece taken from dates led by Mezz Mezzrow, Willie Bryant, Ethel Waters, Artie Shaw and Lucky Thompson and four performances reissued from Carter's soundtrack album of his score for the M Squad in 1959. Obviously not a set recommended to completists (the European Classics series is much preferred), the high quality of the music ("All of Me" has a classic Carter arrangement) makes this a worthwhile purchase for more casual collectors. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-of-me-mw0000674400

Personnel: Benny Carter (alto saxophone, clarinet, trumpet), Ethel Waters (vocals), Bud Freeman, Ben Webster, Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone), Doc Cheatham, Henry "Red" Allen (trumpet), Teddy Wilson (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Red Callender, Milt Hinton (bass), Chick Webb (drums).

All Of Me

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Ben Webster - King Of The Tenors

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1954
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:48
Size: 90,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. Tenderly
(4:10)  2. Jive At Six
(3:05)  3. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(3:47)  4. That's All
(4:31)  5. Bounce Blues
(2:48)  6. Pennies From Heaven
(3:20)  7. Cotton Tail
(3:36)  8. Danny Boy
(3:55)  9. Poutin'
(3:35) 10. Bounce Blues
(2:54) 11. That's All

This 1953 date matched Webster with such peers as alto saxophonist Benny Carter, trumpeter Harry Edison, and pianist Oscar Peterson for a series of elegant yet soulful and exuberant small group dates. With no cut longer than four and a half minutes, the players didn't have time for excess statements or overkill; they had to quickly get to the heart of the matter in their solos, make their points, and return to the head. The original session has been enlarged by the addition of two previously unissued tracks, plus an alternate version of "That's All" that was later issued as a single. Label head Norman Granz excelled in producing swing-oriented, crisply played mainstream dates. Although this date is more than four decades old, Ben Webster's solos have a freshness and vitality that make them quite relevant to contemporary events. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/king-of-the-tenors-mw0000308183

Personnel:  Ben Webster - tenor saxophone;  Benny Carter - alto saxophone;   Harry "Sweets" Edison – trumpet;  Oscar Peterson – piano;  Herb Ellis;   Barney Kessel  – guitar;  Ray Brown – double bass;  Alvin Stoller, J. C. Heard – drums.

King Of The Tenors

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