With Lou Levy on piano, Monty Budwig on bass, and Donald Bailey on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Bop modes, updated strongly for the 70s – and played by a hip group of older players who really know how to cook! Supersax is led by Med Flory on alto, who also did the arrangements – and works here with great reed help from Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, Joe Lopes on alto, and Jack Nimitz on baritone – plus soaring sounds from Conte Candoli and Blue Mitchell on trumpets, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Lou Levy on piano – all of whom really help the reed players find their groove! Charts are large, as is the ensemble, but there's a nice sense of individual personalities too – even when all the saxophonists are taking a solo together at once. Titles include "Shaw Nuff", "Drifting On A Reed", "Oop Bop Sh'Bam", "Now's The Time", and "The Song Is You". LP, Vinyl record album

A stone classic from Supersax – a record with plenty of classic bop elements, despite a very 70s-styled group name and cover! The combo's a large one, and features tight horn formation deftly cutting through a host of bop classics – lots of ensemble passages at the start, then breakout solos that really get things going! Horn players include Conte Candoli on trumpet, Carl Fontana on trombone, and supersax players Med Flory and Joe Lopes on alto, Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, and Jack Nimitz on baritone. Ronnell Bright, Lou Levy, and Walter Bishop Jr handle the piano – and titles include "Confirmation", "Lover Man", "Salt Peanuts", "The Bird", "Groovin High", and "Yardbird Suite". LP, Vinyl record album

Med Flory and Lanny Morgan on alto saxophone, Jack Nimitz on baritone saxophone, Ray Reed and Jay Migliori on tenor saxophone, Conte Candoli on trumpet, Lou Levy on piano, Monty Budwig on bass, and John (Jake) Hanna and Larance Marable on drums. CD

A brilliant tribute to one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of the 50s – featuring 3 full albums of material, plus some bonus tracks as well! Conte Candoli is a name that's appeared on countless sessions as a sideman or studio player, but here, Conte really sparkles as a leader – setting fire amidst some great small group lineups that include the players Bill Holman, Lou Levy, Lawrence Marable, Leroy Vinnegar, Max Bennett, Stan Levey, and Ira Sullivan. The set features material from 2 Bethlehem albums by Conte – Sincerely Conte and Powerhouse Trumpet – plus an Atlantic album, West Coast Wailers – and a rare 78rpm session for the Chicago-based Chance label, and a few additional tunes from a New York session in 1956 with Hank Jones! Conte's never sounded better – and with all this material in one place, the 2CD set is a great bargain overall. 30 tracks in all – with titles that include "Mambo Junior", "Flamingo", "TNT", "Thank You Judge", "Comes Love", "Tune For Tex", "Fine & Dandy", "Night Flight", "Toot Sweet", "Jazz City Blues", "Four", "Groovin Higher", "Lover Man", "Pete's Alibi", "Cheremoya", and "Jordu". CD

Classic west coast recordings – Stan Getz on tenor saxophone with Leroy Vinnegar on bass, Lou Levy on piano, Conte Candoli on trumpet, and both Shelly Manne and Stan Levey on drums. CD

With work from Lionel Hampton on vibes, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, and Lou Levy on piano. Titles include "Soft Winds", "It Never Entered My Mind", "Blues For Janet", and "Cherokee". LP, Vinyl record album

Surprising 70s work from tenorist Bill Perkins – a set with a very different groove than his better-known sides from the 50s, with lots of sharp angles, modern touches, and a wonderfully rich sound overall! Perkins plays tenor, baritone sax, and flute – and he's working with some very hip players who include Pepper Adams on baritone, Gordon Goodwin on tenor and soprano sax, and Lou Levy on piano – the last of whom is most likely a key component in the sound, as Perkins' music here has some of the same fresh notes and new tones we've heard on Lou's overlooked 70s recordings. Goodwin's a player we don't know at all, but we love his work here – and he also contributed two great tunes to the set too. Titles include a killer remake of Natalie Cole's "La Costa" – plus "Confluence", "Indoor Sports", "Civilization & Its Discontents", and "Dylan's Delight". LP, Vinyl record album

A stone classic from Supersax – a record with plenty of classic bop elements, despite a very 70s-styled group name and cover! The combo's a large one, and features tight horn formation deftly cutting through a host of bop classics – lots of ensemble passages at the start, then breakout solos that really get things going! Horn players include Conte Candoli on trumpet, Carl Fontana on trombone, and supersax players Med Flory and Joe Lopes on alto, Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, and Jack Nimitz on baritone. Ronnell Bright, Lou Levy, and Walter Bishop Jr handle the piano – and titles include "Confirmation", "Lover Man", "Salt Peanuts", "The Bird", "Groovin High", and "Yardbird Suite". CD

With Joe DiOrio on guitar, Lou Levy on piano, John Dentz on drums, and Fred Atwood on bass. LP, Vinyl record album

Remarkable work from Jane Fielding – a little-known west coast singer from the 50s, one who cut a handful of great rare albums! This set's a stone winner all the way through – stripped down backing by a small combo that includes Lou Levy and Red Mitchell – and a set of songs that includes some familiar numbers, but done in an easily swinging style that captures all the warmth of an intimate live show. Titles include "One Song", "Stars Didn't Fall", "A Summer Day", "I'll Remember April", and "Long Ago & Far Away". (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

50s material – with a variety of groups, and players who include Herb Ellis on guitar, Lionel Hampton on vibes, Jimmy Rowles or Lou Levy on piano, and Roy Eldridge on trumpet. Also features a long ballad medley – which takes up all of side two. LP, Vinyl record album

Two fantastic albums – the amazing Dolphin, with Lou Levy on piano – plus Spring Is Here, also with Levy – plus Monty Budwig on bass and Victor Lewis on drums! CD

The title may be a bit strangely put – as "Steamer" isn't a word that we'd necessarily think to use with the gently flowing tenor tone of Stan Getz – but that doesn't stop the album from being a great one, and perhaps in Getz-like terms, it might well have a bit more steam than usual! The album features Getz in a quartet with a nicely flowing groove – nicely vamping piano from Lou Levy in the background on most numbers, and a definite edge in the lead tenor solos – still blown with the warmth of earlier Getz recordings, but perhaps showing some of the modern flourishes to come. Bass is by Leroy Vinnegar and drums are by Stan Levey – and titles include "Blues For Mary Jane", "There'll Never Be Another You", and "You're Blase". LP, Vinyl record album

The title may be a bit strangely put – as "Steamer" isn't a word that we'd necessarily think to use with the gently flowing tenor tone of Stan Getz – but that doesn't stop the album from being a great one, and perhaps in Getz-like terms, it might well have a bit more steam than usual! The album features Getz in a quartet with a nicely flowing groove – nicely vamping piano from Lou Levy in the background on most numbers, and a definite edge in the lead tenor solos – still blown with the warmth of earlier Getz recordings, but perhaps showing some of the modern flourishes to come. Bass is by Leroy Vinnegar and drums are by Stan Levey – and titles include "Blues For Mary Jane", "There'll Never Be Another You", and "You're Blase". The CD includes a complete alternate take of "How About You?", and incomplete and false start takes "There Will Never Be Another You", "You're Blase", "Like Someone In Love", and "How About You?". CD

With Leroy Vinnegar on bass, Lawrence Marable & Stan Levey on drums, Kenny Drew & Lou Levy on piano, Dextor Gordon on tenor saxophone & Frank Rosolino on trombone. CD

A gem of a set from drummer Stan Levey – one that features some incredible tenor work from Richie Kamuca! The album's got a relaxed feel that's different than a lot of Stan's other sets – not nearly so tightly arranged as before, and with room for Kamuca to open up on tenor in that magnificent tone of his, with some additional strong work in the frontline from trumpeter Conte Candoli – and some inventive piano work from Lou Levy, who manages to give the record a real sense of depth with his phrasing. Levey's leadership is wonderful on the set – very much in the background, but with a warmth that's clear in the playing of all the members of the group – and a clear inspiration to make the record more than just another "players you know from larger groups heard in a quickly done small group session". Tracks are longish, and titles include 2 great Kamuca originals – "Stan Still" and "One For Joan" – plus "Ole Man Rebop", "What Can I Say", and "Old Folks". CD

A nice little bit of bop from LA – a tightly-crafted mid 50s date for the Bethlehem label – featuring drummer Stan Levey at the head of a great group of horn players! The album features some standout work from Dexter Gordon on tenor – making a rare appearance here as a sideman – and the frontline of the sextet also features Conte Candoli on trumpet and Frank Rosolino on trombone – both well-matched players, especially at this point in their careers. The group's completed by Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Lou Levy on piano – and there's a bit more bite on some tracks than the usual Bethlehem set. Titles include "Diggin For Diz", "Ruby My Dear", "Tune Up", "Stanley The Steamer", and "This Time The Drum's On Me". LP, Vinyl record album

The tenor of Stan Getz meets the baritone sax of Gerry Mulligan – and then they switch things around for half of the record, as Stan picks up the baritone and Mulligan takes on tenor! Gerry always seems to open up whole new sides of his playing when sharing the leader spotlight with another star – and here, in the company of Getz, he hits a shimmering, sparkling sound that's really great, and filled with feeling. Stan's wonderful too – very much in his best mid 50s Verve period – working in a groove that's deep and laidback, with a strong undercurrent of warmth – thanks to familiar rhythm backing from the trio of Lou Levy on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Stan Levey on drums. Titles include "Anything Goes", "Ballad", and "That Old Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

Two albums with a very unusual pedigree – both recorded for the Japanese Yupiteru/Atlas Records label – both as Art Pepper sessions, but with Sonny Stitt in the lead – because Pepper was then under contract to Fantasy Records! Both albums are great, and have Art in some of the sharpest settings of his later years – as Sonny Stit's alto sax seems to bring out an even bolder tone in Pepper's horn – as does the approach of the record label, with is maybe a bit more focused than some of the freewheeling tracks from the Fantasy/Galaxy years. The groups feature Lou Levy or Russ Freeman on piano, John Heard or Chuck DeMonico on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums – and titles include "Walkin", "Wee", "Bernie's Tune", "Atlas Blues", "Lester Leaps In", "Imagination", "Autumn In New York", "My Funny Valentine", and "Lover Man". Also features four bonus alternate takes from the first album! CD

There's no argument from us – because Sonny Stitt really does swing the most – but even more than that, what really matters to us is his amazing sense of tone, timing, and execution! The album's a near perfect example of a saxophone master at his height – a set that features Sonny blowing alongside the LA trio of Mel Lewis on drums, Lou Levy on piano, and Leroy Vinnegar on bass – but hitting all the tunes with a powerful, professional approach that makes us know he'd sound this great, no matter what the setting. The tunes are wonderfully understated, but offer up a casebook example of just how great jazz soloing can be when it's handled this well – never overdone or overblown, with notes that are improvised, but fall into place magically – as if they always knew where to belong in the first place! Titles include "Jaunty", "The Lonesome Road", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Blue Sunday", and "That's The Way To Be", with a tiny bit of vocal by Stitt! CD

A previously-unknown recording of two giant Verve Records stars of the 50s – captured here in a European performance, but not as part of the regular Jazz At The Philharmonic touring package! The set begins with two long tracks that are a superb showcase for the trumpet of Roy Eldridge – as Roy blows with a crisp muted style that has plenty of room to open up – with backing from the quartet of Herb Ellis on guitar, Lou Levy on piano, Wilfred Middlebrooks on bass, and Gus Johnson on drums – players who continue to then back up Ella Fitzgerald for the remaining nine tracks on the album! There's a nicely intimate, less iconic presentation of Fitzgerald here – still as great as her famous Verve dates, but maybe slightly more relaxed too. Eldridge blows "Soft Winds" and "Roy's Riff" – and Ella's tracks include "Whatever Lola Wants", "All I Need Is You", "I Loves You Porgy", "Lady Be Good", "How High The Moon", and a nice take on "Alright Okay You Win". CD

With Remo Palmier on guitar, Lou Levy on keys, Ray Brown on bass, and Jake Hanna on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Shorty Rogers is definitely way up there with this classic album for Atlantic Records – hitting heights that even go beyond his more famous sides for RCA! The groove here is sharp, but also has room for lots of individual flavors too – thanks to different groupings of west coast players who include Bud Shank on alto, Jimmy Giuffre on baritone and tenor, Lou Levy on piano, Shelly Manne on drums, Barney Kessel on guitar, and Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Harry Edison, and Don Fagerquist on trumpets! Shorty himself wrote nearly all the tracks on the set – at a point at which he was really hitting his stride as a composer, doing an incredible job of mixing modern ideas and swinging jazz – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Pixieland", "Solarization", "Baklava Bridge", "March Of The Martians", "Moten Swing", and "Wail Of Two Cities". LP, Vinyl record album

Two MPS gems from this unusual 70s ensemble – back to back on the same CD! Chasin The Bird features classic bop modes, updated strongly for the 70s – and played by a hip group of older players who really know how to cook! Supersax is led by Med Flory on alto, who also did the arrangements – and works here with great reed help from Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, Joe Lopes on alto, and Jack Nimitz on baritone – plus soaring sounds from Conte Candoli and Blue Mitchell on trumpets, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Lou Levy on piano – all of whom really help the reed players find their groove! Charts are large, as is the ensemble, but there's a nice sense of individual personalities too – even when all the saxophonists are taking a solo together at once. Titles include "Shaw Nuff", "Drifting On A Reed", "Oop Bop Sh'Bam", "Now's The Time", and "The Song Is You". Dynamite is a looser, more free-swinging album than usual for Supersax – one that still has the group working with some key contributions from west coast jazz luminaries, but in a vibe that's almost more small combo than larger ensemble! The tracks here include a fair bit of Bud Powell and Charlie Parker numbers, but the arrangements are mighty fresh – open, and swinging with some hipper 70s touches, thanks to rhythms from a trio that features Lou Levy on piano, Fred Atwood on bass, and John Dentz on drums – players that are never locked into a strict bop mode. As with other Supersax albums, there's a brace of reed players working together at the front – Lanny Morgan on alto, Jack Nimitz on baritone, and both Jay Migliori and Don Menza on tenors – coming together as one voice on the solos, and getting some key help from Conte Candoli on trumpet and Frank Rosolino on trombone. Titles include "The Fruit", "Bambu", "Blues For Alice", "Tempus Fugit", "Parker's Mood", and a surprising, but great take on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave". CD