Harry James a long way from the swing years – and sounding pretty darn great overall! First up is the album Today – a hip 1960 swinger that features the trumpet of Harry James in front of some tight arrangements from Ernie Wilkins and Bob Florence, both talents who know how to update ... read moreCD
Stafford James Project —
Le Gecko ... CD Staja, 2001. Used ...
$6.99
Stafford James on bass, Emil Spanyi on keyboards, Gene Jackson on drums, and Don Alias on percussion. CD
(Out of print.)
David Janeway —
Interchange ... CD Steeplechase (Denmark), 1993. New Copy ...
$16.9919.99
An unissued session from pianist David Janeway, done at a time when he was really hitting his stride – moving across the keys of the piano with this intuitive sense of feeling that makes for a very special record! The quality is a bit hard to describe, but if you've heard other Janeway ... read moreCD
Janssen/Glerum/Janssen —
Zwik ... CD Geestgronden (Netherlands), 1997. Used ...
Just Sold Out!
Guus Janssen on piano, Ernst Glerum on bass, and Wim Janssen on drums. CD
A fantastic side of the many talents of Joseph Jarman – best known as a key member of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, and a saxophonist whose talents were crucial to the formation of the AACM – but also a very strong writer, as you'll discover in this book! This version is the full 1977 ... (Books, Jazz)read moreBook
Beautiful work from that legendary trio that featured Keith Jarrett on piano, Gary Peacock on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – the group that was sometimes known as Jarrett's "Standards" trio, but which could do so much more than such a name might imply! The songs are familar, ... read moreCD
A record that offers up one slice of a key live moment in the career of Keith Jarrett – his return to work in a New York club after the space of more than a decade! The group here is Jarrett's fantastic Standards trio – Gary Peacock on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums – working ... read moreCD
A record that offers up one slice of a key live moment in the career of Keith Jarrett – his return to work in a New York club after the space of more than a decade! The group here is Jarrett's fantastic Standards trio – Gary Peacock on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums – working ... read moreCD
A collection of 70s work on Impulse by Keith Jarrett, with Dewey Redman on tenor, Charlie Haden on bass, Paul Motian on drums, Donny Johnson and Guilherme Franco on percussion, and Sam Brown on guitar. LP, Vinyl record album
(Yellow label pressing. Cover has a promo stamp and some sticker remnants at the top right corner.)
Magical solo work from pianist Keith Jarrett – a set that's comprised almost entirely of standards, similar to some of the better-known trio recordings in this format by the artist – and which has Jarrett playing in this really evocative way that definitely lives up to the title! The ... read moreCD
(Slipcase has light wear. Mark through barcode.)
Keith Jarrett —
My Song ... LP ECM, 1978. Near Mint- ...
$19.99
A really beautiful album – quite different than the solo or trio material by Keith Jarrett for ECM in the 70s – as the group is a quartet, with Jan Garbarek on soprano and tenor sax, Palle Danielsen on bass, and Jon Christensen on drums. LP, Vinyl record album
(German pressing. Cover has a Jem import sticker and some wear at the bottom seam.)
Keith Jarrett —
Silence ... CD Impulse/GRP, 1977. Used ...
$4.99
Features Keith Jarrett on piano and soprano sax, Dewey Redman on tenor, Charlie Haden on bass, and Paul Motian on drums. CD
Sublime solo piano – from that early 70s moment when Keith Jarrett was not only finding a whole new voice for himself, but also creating a whole new format in music! The tracks here are all long, live, solo improvisations – played by Jarrett at a level that's unbridled, but never ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Box looks nice, with minimal wear.)
Keith Jarrett —
Staircase ... LP ECM, 1977. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ...
$11.99
Four beautiful side-long solo piano pieces from Keith Jarrett – "Staircase", "Hourglass", "Sundial", and "Sand". LP, Vinyl record album
(US pressing. Includes an ECM catalog insert, with bent corner. Cover has light wear and some yellowing from age.)
Keith Jarrett Trio —
Somewhere ... CD ECM (Germany), 2013. Used ...
$9.99
Exactly the sort of recording to remind us why the Keith Jarrett Trio has been such an important force in jazz during the past few decades – a popular group, yet one that still retains all its heart and edge as well! The lineup is way more than the piano of the leader – as bassist Gary ... read moreCD
A fond farewell to Miles Davis – played here by a hip trio that features Keith Jarrett on piano, Gary Pecock on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums! A few of the numbers are ones that Davis recorded famously in years past, and a few others are originals – played by the trio in ways that ... read moreCD
A mighty nice trio, and one with a lot darker sound than you might expect from the "casual jazz" reference in the title! The group features keyboards, bass, and drums – all used in ways that draw on older fusion modes, but which have a more laidback, 21st Century vibe – an ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A nice mid 70s 2LP set – one that features the complete first Jazz At The Philharmonic concert – with performances by Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, Billie Holiday, Les Paul, and JJ Johnson. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has ring and edge wear, worn corners, and some small marks and remnants from price sticker removal.)
Part of a 4 volume set, all recorded on one night in Denmark. The set is a Norm Granz JATP transplantation to the European stage, and features the sort of group you'd imagine, with stars like Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Benny Carter & Roy Eldridge. Unlike the other volumes in the set, where ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono MGM pressing. Back cover has a few ink stamps.)
With Charlie Parker and Willie Smith on alto; Charlie Ventura and Lester Young on tenor; Al Killian, Dizzy Gillespie, and Howard McGhee on trumpet; Arnold Ross and Mel Powell on piano, Billy Hadnott on bass, and Lee Young on drum. (Funky 45's, Jazz)7-inch, Vinyl record
(Sleeve has some ring and edge wear, minor surface wrinkles, smal split in the top seam, and is bumped at the bottom right corner.)
Heavy swinging material from Krupa – working here in a loud and frenetic trio format, with Teddy Napoleon on piano and Charlie Ventura on tenor. Gene's working all the bass himself on the drums, and the album's got that pyrotechnic feel of the best JATP sets. Titles include "Dark ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing with trumpeter logo & deep groove. Cover has light edge wear, aging.)
A well-done set, and one that stretches from the pre-Verve years of these groupings, to the big run when they were starting to really shine on record! The first half features mid 40s material – with performances from Illinois Jacquet, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Flip Phillips, and Jack ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes insert. Box has light wear on the spine, with a spot of clear tape.)
Jazz Doctors (Billy Bang/Frank Lowe) —
Intensive Care ... LP Cadillac (UK), 1984. New Copy (reissue)...
$26.9932.99
Forget the hokey pun in the title, as the album's a sharp-edged set that has way more going on than that bad wit might imply – a brilliant record that has the same sort of post-loft vibe as some of the best Black Saint/Soul Note sessions from the time! The group here features players who ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we'v ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
One of the hippest jazz groups going in Czechoslovakia during the 70s – the mighty Jazz Q, a cool fusion combo who really knew how to groove! The group's lineup includes a lot of electric keyboards and guitars – and while some tracks have them jamming out in a really rock-inspired way, ... read moreCD
(2020 pressing – includes obi!)
Jazz Tribe (Bobby Watson & Ray Mantilla) —
Next Step ... CD Red (Italy), 1999. New Copy ...
Just Sold Out!
A great collaboration from two fantastic players – alto genius Bobby Watson and percussionist Ray Mantilla – both coming together here in a style that's even more than the sum of their mighty parts! The group has lots of Watson elements at the core – bass from Curtis Lundy, drums ... read moreCD
Jazz Tribe (Bobby Watson) —
Everlasting ... CD Red (Italy), 2009. New Copy ...
Just Sold Out!
Bold, beautiful music from the Jazz Tribe of Bobby Watson and Ray Mantilla – proof that the partnership first forged years back can still be the source of some wonderfully soulful music! The album's one of the best we've heard from Bobby in years – almost a return to the simple, ... read moreCD
A great all-star international group – with Arne Domnerus and Herb Geller on alto, Hans Koller on tenor, Ronnie Ross on baritone, Bengt Arne Wallin and Rob Pronk on trumpet, Toots Thielemans on guitar and harmonica, Freidrich Gulda on piano, and Rolf Ericson on trumpet. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has some surface wear, yellowing from age, slightly wavy panels, center split in the top seam held with clear tape, Columbia Stereo sticker at the spine, and some stains at the bottom edge. Labels have Odeon stickers.)
An incredible tribute to the legendary Strata Records in Detroit – performed by Jazzanova with a host of other guests – and at a level that's maybe the greatest thing the group has ever given us on record! The vibe here is a lot more Strata and spiritual than the style you'd expect ... (New Grooves, Jazz)read moreCD
Excellent funky jazz from Czechoslovakia – served up in a blistering mix of big band arrangements and electric rock elements! The group's a jazz-rock orchestra – with a hard wailing instrumental sound that's sort of like the Clarke Boland Big Band, mixed with fuzzed-out guitars – ... read moreCD
Seminal work from one of the hippest jazz singers ever – a session that showed the world that Eddie Jefferson was firmly back in business during the 60s! The set's got a really rollicking feel, and a bit more influence from soul than the bop of Eddie's roots – with elements of gospel ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
(OJC pressing.)
Eddie Jefferson —
Body & Soul ... LP Prestige, 1968. Very Good+ ...
$9.99
Seminal work from one of the hippest jazz singers ever – a session that showed the world that Eddie Jefferson was firmly back in business during the 60s! The set's got a really rollicking feel, and a bit more influence from soul than the bop of Eddie's roots – with elements of gospel ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Blue label pressing – nice and clean! Vinyl has a mark that clicks on the title track, but is great overall.)
One of the weirdest, wildest albums ever from Eddie Jefferson – a real standout classic that shows him retooling his sound for the 70s! After years of writing lyrics to James Moody and Charlie Parker tunes, Eddie lays out some crazy lyrics for modern jazz standards like "Freedom Jazz ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
An amazing record that predates many ideas in soul jazz by a decade! Drummer Ron Jefferson was a lesser-known member of the LA bebop scene of the late 50s and early 60s, but by the time he cut this album for French Polygram in the mid 60s, he'd been to Africa, and had discovered a whole new set of ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Limited edition! Beautiful pressing – 180 gram vinyl, pressed at Pallas, in a flipback cover, with insert!)
A killer set from drummer George Jenkins – with a hard-wailing Central Ave groove, augmented by some killer tenor work by Plas Johnson! This is one of the best albums ever to hear Johnson blowing in a jazz mode – and his tenor skills put him right up there with Willis Jackson or Gene ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing with deep groove on red vinyl. Cover has bent corners, some splitting in the seams and spine, and some wear and yellowing from age in back.)
John Jenkins, Clifford Jordan, & Bobby Timmons —
Jenkins, Jordan, & Timmons ... CD Prestige/New Jazz/OJC, 1957. Used ...
Just Sold Out!
About as hip as you can get for a hardbop session – a real cooker from the left end of the spectrum, filled with great work from all three players in the title! The pairing of Clifford Jordan's tenor and John Jenkins' alto is especially nice – as Jordan seems to bring out a bit of a ... read moreCD
Saxophonist Gisle Roen Johansen's been working on the Norwegian scene since the mid 90s, but this is his first set as a leader – a really well-crafted, large-format record that shows that he was clearly brewing up plenty of new ideas before stepping into the studio at the head of his own ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Nils Olav Johansen —
My Deal ... CD Jazzaway (Norway), 2007. Used ...
$1.99
A compelling chapter in the long and wonderful career of reedman Per Texas Johansson – a set that features a larger ensemble interpreting his ideas, and working with a really incredible combination of horns! The group perform three longer compositions under the direction of Johan Siberg, and ... read moreCD
A wonderfully ambitious project from these two legendary improvising musicians – a larger project for stage that was created by both pianist Alexander Von Schlippenbach and drummer Sven Ake Johansson – the latter of whom here is very much into his later life role as a composer! The set ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Limited edition box set – with 2LPs, large book, libretto, and DVD!)
Most people know Albert Oehlen as an artist, yet he's also one with a very sensitive ear for music as well – one that comes in pretty darn handy in this set of duets with legendary drummer Sven Ake Johansson! The recording grew out of a meeting in Oehlen's studio, which includes his ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes poster and download – in a beautiful hand-pressed cover!)
James P Johnson plays "Sweet Lorraine", "Aunt Hagar's Blues", "The Dream", "Keep Movin", "St. Louis Blues", "Euphonic Sounds", "Blue Moods, Sex", and "Blues For Jimmy". CD
A great set that brings together early material that trombone giant JJ Johnson cut for Blue Note as a leader – sides that already mark his approach to the instrument as one of the most distinct of the time, and which pave the way for all the greatness that Johnson would bring to jazz in years ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
JJ Johnson's always a cooker, but during the late 50s he cut some incredible records for the Columbia label – tight bop sessions that still stand as some of his best work! This album's one of them – a real smoker of a set that features Johnson's trombone as the only lead horn in a cool ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 Eye pressing with deep groove. Cover has a half split top seam, some surface wear.)
JJ Johnson —
Heroes ... CD Verve, 1998. Used ...
$2.99
JJ Johnson on trombone, Don Sickler on flugelhorn, Dan Faulk on soprano and tenor saxophone, Reneee Rosenes on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. CD
Seminal 50s work from the team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – two of the greatest trombonists to ever play in one group together, and masters of a uniquely-crafted approach to their instrument! The first six tracks on the CD are from the 1954 RCA album Afternoon At Birdland – one of ... read moreCD
JJ Johnson and Kai Winding at the height of their dual powers – working together here beautifully at a level that both embraces the modern sound of the trombone in larger 50s ensembles, but also offers up the more fluid personality of the instrument in the smaller combo scene! The pair have ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 Eye pressing with deep groove – 1C/2F. Cover has surface wear, splitting on the seams, and aging.)
JJ Johnson & Kai Winding —
Jay & Kai + 6 ... LP Columbia, Mid 50s. Very Good+ ...
$11.99
One of the flashiest Columbia sessions from the team of Kai Winding and JJ Johnson – but also one of the best! The record almost borders on gimmicky – with an 8-piece trombone section, and use of the unusual trombonium instrument – but thanks to some deft arranging, the sound is ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 eye pressing with deep groove, matrix ending in 1B/1A. Cover has a small split on the top seam and light surface wear.)
JJ Johnson & Kai Winding —
Nuf Said ... LP Bethlehem, 1955. Very Good+ ...
$24.99
A great mid 50s recording by one of the greatest pairings in popular jazz of the time – the twin-trombone lead work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, both players who'd come from differing backgrounds, but who created a wonderful new sound together! The interplay between the trombones on ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Red label pressing with deep groove. Cover has a touch of aging, but is nice overall.)
JJ Johnson & Nat Adderley —
Yokohama Concert ... LP Pablo, 1977. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ...
$9.99
A really great set – with a feel that's better than most other work from the time by the players! JJ and Nat team up for a Japanese concert – with help from Billy Childs on keyboards, Tony Dumas on bass, and Kevin Johnson on drums. Childs is the real star here, as he plays electric ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner, light ring impressions, some edge wear, bent corners, and some peeling and remnants from index label removal at the top right corner.)
The overdue debut as a leader for reedman Josh Johnson – once part of our scene here in Chicago, but also a musician with a wide range of experience that includes work with Leon Bridges, Jeff Parker, and Marquis Hill! Yet despite those ties, Josh breaks out here as a musician with a vibe ... read moreCD
Includes a side's worth of piano solos recorded in 1944, plus a collection of tracks from the mid to late 40s with his All Stars that include Hot Lips Page and Budd Johnson, a trio session with Bill Cooper on bass and Al Wichard on drums, and a live performance at the Blues Jubilee Concert with ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(70s issue. Cover has a small peeled spot from price sticker removal, and some light wear and aging in back.)
Tracks include "Angel Eyes", "Little Girl Blue", "Mean To Me", "Cheek To Cheek", and "Take The A Train". CD
(Out of print, booklet has two slight cut corners.)
Plas Johnson —
Positively ... LP Concord, 1976. Very Good+ ...
$3.99
With Ray Brown on bass, Herb Ellis on guitar, Bobbye Hall on congas, Jake Hanna and Jimmie Smith on drums, and Mike Melvoin on keyboards. LP, Vinyl record album
Rudolph Johnson —
Second Coming ... CD Black Jazz/Real Gone, 1973. New Copy ...
$6.9913.99
A brilliant album from the overlooked reedman Rudolph Johnson – his second session for the Black Jazz label, and even better than the first! There's a soaring, searching quality to the record that Johnson never had before – a way of handling his tenor with a tone that Coltrane would ... read moreCD
Rudolph Johnson —
Spring Rain ... LP Black Jazz/Real Gone, 1971. New Copy (reissue)...
$12.9923.99
One of the few albums ever cut by reedman Rudolph Johnson – a hell of a saxophonist, and one with a great ability to combine the spiritual with the searing – a bit like Joe Farrell at his CTI best, but not as freewheeling – nicely focused, and a little bit funky in all the right ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A series of live recordings done by pianist Pete Jolly at The Red Chimney and Sherry's Bar in LA during the early 60s – all of which feature him in a harder tone and freer setting than any of his studio work from the time! The first thing that strikes us about these sides is the way that ... read moreCD
One of our favorite-ever keyboard albums – a rare lost session from pianist Pete Jolly – one of his only electric dates, and a completely improvised set of grooves! Pete plays electric piano, organ, and even a bit of musette – jamming in the studio with help from Chuck Berghofer ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(A beautiful clear amber vinyl pressing – remastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes!)
One of our favorite-ever keyboard albums – a rare lost session from pianist Pete Jolly – one of his only electric dates, and a completely improvised set of grooves! Pete plays electric piano, organ, and even a bit of musette – jamming in the studio with help from Chuck Berghofer ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(A beautiful clear green vinyl pressing – remastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes!)
2 of Boogaloo Joe's best and rarest albums on one CD – guitar jazz funk at its best! First up is Boogaloo Joe – a killer session of funky guitar jazz, and the record that gave Ivan "Boogaloo" Joe Jones his nickname! The set's a full-on wailer that really blows away Joe's ... read moreCD
Remarkable Carmell Jones, indeed – and one of the few albums ever cut as a leader by this up-and-coming force on the LA scene at the start of the 60s! Jones was a player who really showcased something new on the west at the time – a move away from cool jazz, and the start of a deeper, ... read moreCD
Some of the most intense work we've ever heard from composer/reedman Darius Jones – a set of longer works, recorded live in Vancouver – with a style that mixes core jazz instrumentation with some added string elements that really send things over the top! There's plenty of free ... read moreCD
Some of the most intense work we've ever heard from composer/reedman Darius Jones – a set of longer works, recorded live in Vancouver – with a style that mixes core jazz instrumentation with some added string elements that really send things over the top! There's plenty of free ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
One of the more unusual albums on Impulse – and a beautiful session that's filled with surprises you wouldn't expect! Elvin Jones leads a group of well-chosen bandmates in a hip set of tracks that's sort of a "letter" to Coltrane – with groupings that include either Roland ... read moreCD
(1993 pressing.)
Elvin Jones —
Genesis ... LP Blue Note, 1971. Near Mint- ...
Just Sold Out!
Elvin Jones rose to fame in the company of one of the greatest saxophone players ever – the mighty John Coltrane – and his post-Coltrane work like this really continues a keen respect for the role of the reeds in jazz – and really does a lot to push it forward as well! There's a ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Liberty/UA pressing, with Van Gelder stamp. Cover has a tiny bump in one corner – but this is a great copy!)
Elvin Jones rose to fame in the company of one of the greatest saxophone players ever – the mighty John Coltrane – and his post-Coltrane work like this really continues a keen respect for the role of the reeds in jazz – and really does a lot to push it forward as well! There's a ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Easily the most hard-hitting of Blue Note's 2LP Lighthouse Live series from the early 70s – and a record that really lets Elvin Jones and his group stretch out and play! The setting is a perfect one for Jones – given the boundless energy already present on his studio sessions for Blue ... read moreCD
The title's a great one for this post-Coltrane cooker from Elvin Jones – as the set really has Elvin exploring some really fresh currents in jazz, with a range of complicated rhythms that really pull the whole session along strongly! Rhythm is really set free on the record – as Elvin ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Part of the Blue Note Tone Poet series – heavy cover and vinyl!)
Proof that Elvin Jones wasn't just riding on the laurels of the Great One during his years with John Coltrane – as the album's a breakout date that has Jones firmly establishing his own voice in jazz! There's an explosive power here that makes us think that Elvin must have really just been ... read moreCD
A beautiful album of heartfelt vocal tracks by a young Etta Jones – featuring arrangements by Oliver Nelson that rank among the best sort that he was penning for vocalists of this sort during the 60s. Etta's got a nice mix of material here, and although some of the tracks are a bit well-known ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Black and silver label stereo pressing with deep groove and Van Gelder stamp. Cover has light wear & aging.)
A nice back to basics session from jazz singer Etta Jones – recorded with backing by a small combo that includes Houston Person on tenor – and done in the laidback style that always seems to bring out the best in her singing. Other players include Idris Muhammad, Jimmy Ponder, and ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
One of Hank Jones' key mid 50s sides for the Savoy label – and quite possibly the hippest of the bunch, thanks to the presence of a young Donald Byrd on trumpet! The core trio here is Hank's group with Eddie Jones on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – but it's Donald Byrd's trumpet that ... read moreCD
A beautiful trio set – one that seems to resonate as strongly with the bass work of George Mraz as it does with the lyrical genius of the great Hank Jones! The recording quality is superb, and all the elements of the group's performance seem to hang in air at a level that's even more ... read moreCD
A set of standards, but swung in a very inventive way by the Great Jazz Trio – a lineup here that features Hank Jones on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Billy Hart on drums! Both Vinding and Hart find a way to make the genius of Hank Jones sound even fresher than ever – not stale at ... read moreCD