Tight trio work by Kenny Drew – featuring his great group with Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums! CD

Ella Fitzgerald in Budapest – but swinging just as hard as on any of her other records from the time! The set's a later issue of an unreleased live date recorded in 1970 – a set that captures Fitzgerald right at the height of her international fame, at a time when she could captivate just about any audience with her inherent charm and amazing vocals! Backings are by a trio that features Tommy Flanagan on piano, Frank De La Rosa on bass, and Ed Thigpen on bass – and titles are a hip mix of tunes that include a funky take on "Spinning Wheel", plus "Hello Young Lovers", "The Girl From Ipanema", "You Better Love Me", "As Time Goes By", "Crazy Rhythm", "People", "Mack The Knife", "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", and "Dancing In The Dark". CD

One of the few American albums by Jutta Hipp – a key figure in the German jazz scene of the postwar years, recording here at the Hickory House in New York! The album's a trio date, but it's got more than enough modern energy to warrant inclusion in the Blue Note 1500 series of the 50s – thanks in part to Hipp's forceful, angular approach to the keys of the piano – and also to some great accompaniment from Peter Ind on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums! As usual, Thigpen takes things past any expectations you might have for the trio format – with a great lively touch on the drum kit that keeps the whole proceedings moving nicely. Tracks on this first volume include "These Foolish Things", "Mad About The Boy", "Take Me In Your Arms", "Billie's Bounce", and "Lady Bird". CD

One of the few American albums by Jutta Hipp – a key figure in the German jazz scene of the postwar years, recording here at the Hickory House in New York! The album's a trio date, but it's got more than enough modern energy to warrant inclusion in the Blue Note 1500 series of the 50s – thanks in part to Hipp's forceful, angular approach to the keys of the piano – and also to some great accompaniment from Peter Ind on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums! As usual, Thigpen takes things past any expectations you might have for the trio format – with a great lively touch on the drum kit that keeps the whole proceedings moving nicely. Tracks on this second volume include "After Hours", "Horacio", "Star Eyes", "The Squirrel", and "I Married An Angel". CD

Oscar pays tribute to Frank – but he uses his keys, not his voice – to come up with some great renditions of tunes from Sinatra's classic Capitol years! It's true that Peterson was known to vocalize on some sessions (most notably on his tribute to Nat King Cole, recorded a few years later) – but this album is straight trio grooving, with Peterson skipping soulfully over the keys of the piano, abetted by Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – in a wonderfully-crafted set of tunes that includes "Witchcraft", "Come Dance With Me", "You Make Me Feel So Young", "All Of Me", "It Happened In Monterey", and "The Tender Trap". CD

A beautiful live performance from the Oscar Peterson trio, and one that's right up there with the best Verve material of the early 60s – in part because Norman Granz presented the whole concert on the stage in The Netherlands! The group here is Peterson's second famous combo – with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – and Oscar is at that majestically fluid spot that made his 60s material even more incredible than his 50s work – served up with a fantastic command of the keyboard, and maybe even more of a soulful swing, thanks to Thigpen and Brown! Some tracks here are nice and long – and titles include "I Remember Clifford", "Where Do I Go From Here", "Band Call", "Politics & Poker", "Con Alma", "It Ain't Necessarily So", and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". CD

Milt Jackson joins the Oscar Peterson Trio – helping the group to hit some great new space with his magical work on vibes! Jackson's got an open, airy feel – an approach that almost lets Peterson punctuate the tunes a bit more with his piano – while the pair get strong rhythmic support from the bass of Ray Brown and lyrical drums of Ed Thigpen. Tunes are open and relaxed, letting Milt hit some great mellow tones – and titles include "On Green Dolphin Street", "Heartstrings", "The Work Song", "John Brown's Body", "A Wonderful Guy" and "Reunion Blues". CD

Milt Jackson joins the Oscar Peterson Trio – helping the group to hit some great new space with his magical work on vibes! Jackson's got an open, airy feel – an approach that almost lets Peterson punctuate the tunes a bit more with his piano – while the pair get strong rhythmic support from the bass of Ray Brown and lyrical drums of Ed Thigpen. Tunes are open and relaxed, letting Milt hit some great mellow tones – and titles include "Green Dolphin Street", "Heartstrings", "The Work Song", "John Brown's Body", "A Wonderful Guy" and "Reunion Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Milt Jackson joins the Oscar Peterson Trio – helping the group to hit some great new space with his magical work on vibes! Jackson's got an open, airy feel – an approach that almost lets Peterson punctuate the tunes a bit more with his piano – while the pair get strong rhythmic support from the bass of Ray Brown and lyrical drums of Ed Thigpen. Tunes are open and relaxed, letting Milt hit some great mellow tones – and titles include "Green Dolphin Street", "Heartstrings", "The Work Song", "John Brown's Body", "A Wonderful Guy" and "Reunion Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunningly powerful batch of hardbop tracks from Mal Waldron – one that's different both from his trio material of the time, and from some of the ways that he works on the Prestige blowing sessions of the period – as Waldron is clearly the leader here, and really works magic with a group of legendary players! The lineup features two different groups – both with John Coltrane on tenor, a key force on the record – one with Sahib Shihab on alto and Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, the other with Jackie McLean on alto and Bill Hardman on drums. Both feature the more obscure Julien Euell on bass, and the Sulieman set features Ed Thigpen on drums, the other Art Taylor on the kit. The groove is incredible, and the tracks scream with a sheer raw power that is sometimes missing from these late 50's Prestige sides – as Waldron takes all of his imagination from the looser "blowing" sessions for the label, and packs it into tight arrangements and compositions that bring out the best in all soloists! Titles include "Potpourri", "JM's Dream Doll", "One By One", "From This Moment On", and "Don't Explain". LP, Vinyl record album

Strong later work from the great Ben Webster – three albums in a single set! On the first record, Ben Webster plays live in Harlem – not the uptown scene in New York, but the Dutch city that became a surprisingly strong showcase for American players overseas! The date's got that easygoing style of some of Webster's best late live performances – a laidback rhythm trio, and Ben himself blowing these raspy, blue-tinged notes that are full of feeling – even when in a familiar setting – that quality that can make even subtle handling of a standard pop out with such Webster-like charm! The group features Tete Montoliu on piano, Rob Langereis on bass, and Tony Inzalaco on drums – and titles include "Stardust", "How Long Has This Been Going On", "Sunday", "For All We Know", and "Perdido". Live In Stockholm is a posthumous release of live material recorded in Sweden, during a time when tenor genius Ben Webster was doing some of his best work overseas! The tracks here feature Ben in a few different settings – with piano from Teddy Wilson or Lasse Sjosten, bass from Red Mitchell or Sture Nordin, and drums from Ed Thigpen and Frederik Noren. But maybe best of all is the trumpet work on most tracks – played by either Arne Ryskog or Rolf Ericson, both players whose presence really brings a lot – and makes the record a bit different than some of those other "older American soloists with a European rhythm section" dates of the time. Titles include "Indiana", "C Jam Blues", "The Theme", "Satin Doll", "I Got Rhythm", and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". The last album is a late live set from Ben Webster – recorded in Norway with an unusual rhythm section that really lets Ben open up and do his thing, always with that fantastic twist on his tone he developed later in life! The group features Tore Sandnaes on piano, Bjorn Alterhaug on bass, and Kjell Johansen on drums – and titles include "In A Mllotone", "Sunday", "Satin Doll", "Perdido", "I Got Rhythm", and "Stardust". CD

Beautifully laidback blowing from the great Ben Webster – captured here in perfect late 50s formation, with wonderful rhythm support from the Oscar Peterson Trio! The tunes aren't super-long, but still have a relatively open feel – possibly improvised in the studio, with a mellow but deeply soulful sound throughout, thanks to Webster's massive tone on the tenor sax. Peterson's on piano, and other players include Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – and titles include "The Touch Of Your Lips", "When Your Lover Has Gone", "Bye Bye Blackbird", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning", "Sunday", and "This Can't Be Love". CD

Beautifully laidback blowing from the great Ben Webster – captured here in perfect late 50s formation, with wonderful rhythm support from the Oscar Peterson Trio! The tunes aren't super-long, but still have a relatively open feel – possibly improvised in the studio, with a mellow but deeply soulful sound throughout, thanks to Webster's massive tone on the tenor sax. Peterson's on piano, and other players include Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – and titles include "The Touch Of Your Lips", "When Your Lover Has Gone", "Bye Bye Blackbird", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning", "Sunday", and "This Can't Be Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Really great material from tenor legend Johnny Griffin – maybe one of his best records of the 70s, and certainly one that shows that his early genius was alive and well – and really able to flourish in a setting like this! The tracks are long and open – in a mode that's similar to Dexter Gordon's work on Steeplechase at the time, but maybe with a bit more of a punch – that south side soul that Griffin always had in his horn, which also seems to bring more out of the rhythm group too – a trio that features Kenny Drew on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums. Griff fills the extended space of the tunes with endless imaginative solo moments – on titles that include "That Party Upstairs", "Alone Again", and "Soft & Furry". LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar pays tribute to Frank – but he uses his keys, not his voice – to come up with some great renditions of tunes from Sinatra's classic Capitol years! It's true that Peterson was known to vocalize on some sessions (most notably on his tribute to Nat King Cole, recorded a few years later) – but this album is straight trio grooving, with Peterson skipping soulfully over the keys of the piano, abetted by Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – in a wonderfully-crafted set of tunes that includes "Witchcraft", "Come Dance With Me", "You Make Me Feel So Young", "All Of Me", "It Happened In Monterey", and "The Tender Trap". LP, Vinyl record album

A key example of the popularity of the Oscar Peterson Trio in the mid 60s – an album of tracks that listeners wanted to hear done in the group's familiar style – that wonderful way of soulful inflection that Oscar had when he shifted up the lineup of the trio at the start of the 60s! There's a lot more bounce here than back when Peterson was working without drums – although the great Ed Thigpen is also a master of subtle energy on the kit – working with bassist Ray Brown to provide the best setting for the fluid touches that Oscar brings to the keys of the piano! Titles include "The Girl From Ipanema", "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "D&E", and "Time & Again". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few American albums by Jutta Hipp – a key figure in the German jazz scene of the postwar years, recording here at the Hickory House in New York! The album's a trio date, but it's got more than enough modern energy to warrant inclusion in the Blue Note 1500 series of the 50s – thanks in part to Hipp's forceful, angular approach to the keys of the piano – and also to some great accompaniment from Peter Ind on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums! As usual, Thigpen takes things past any expectations you might have for the trio format – with a great lively touch on the drum kit that keeps the whole proceedings moving nicely. Tracks on this first volume include "These Foolish Things", "Mad About The Boy", "Take Me In Your Arms", "Billie's Bounce", and "Lady Bird". CD

One of the few American albums by Jutta Hipp – a key figure in the German jazz scene of the postwar years, recording here at the Hickory House in New York! The album's a trio date, but it's got more than enough modern energy to warrant inclusion in the Blue Note 1500 series of the 50s – thanks in part to Hipp's forceful, angular approach to the keys of the piano – and also to some great accompaniment from Peter Ind on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums! As usual, Thigpen takes things past any expectations you might have for the trio format – with a great lively touch on the drum kit that keeps the whole proceedings moving nicely. Tracks on this second volume include "After Hours", "Horacio", "Star Eyes", "The Squirrel", and "I Married An Angel". CD

The West Side Story score – but handled here by the great Oscar Peterson Trio – in ways that really push the tunes past their Broadway roots! The approach is tight, soulful, and filled with strong lines from Peterson on piano – plus bass by Ray Brown and drums from Ed Thigpen – that classic trio from the early 60s that came together in different ways than Oscar's group of the 50s. The set features an especially nice long take on "Jet Song" – plus versions of "Something's Coming", "Somewhere", "Tonight", "Maria", and "I Feel Pretty". CD

One of Oscar Peterson's most sophisticated albums of the 60s – an extended suite of tracks dedicated to the soul and spirit of Canada! The tunes are all originals, and have a really lush, vivid sort of feel – one that still has undercurrents of Peterson's usual soulful style, but which also has Oscar painting these very vivid images in sound! The material is performed by a trio with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – and although the tunes aren't familiar, we'd rank this one right up there with Peterson's most inventive material of the time. Titles include "Laurentide Waltz", "Ballad To The East", "Blues Of The Praries", and "Wheatland". LP, Vinyl record album

Collects two trio albums – both with regular bassist Ray Brown – one with drummer Ed Thigpen, the other with guitarist Barney Kessel! Tracks include "The Man I Love", "Summertime", "Foggy Day", "Love Walked In", "Oh, Lady Be Good!" and "Somebody Loves Me" – 24 tracks total. CD

Oscar pays tribute to Frank – but he uses his keys, not his voice – to come up with some great renditions of tunes from Sinatra's classic Capitol years! It's true that Peterson was known to vocalize on some sessions (most notably on his tribute to Nat King Cole, recorded a few years later) – but this album is straight trio grooving, with Peterson skipping soulfully over the keys of the piano, abetted by Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – in a wonderfully-crafted set of tunes that includes "Witchcraft", "Come Dance With Me", "You Make Me Feel So Young", "All Of Me", "It Happened In Monterey", and "The Tender Trap". CD

Milt Jackson joins the Oscar Peterson Trio – helping the group to hit some great new space with his magical work on vibes! Jackson's got an open, airy feel – an approach that almost lets Peterson punctuate the tunes a bit more with his piano – while the pair get strong rhythmic support from the bass of Ray Brown and lyrical drums of Ed Thigpen. Tunes are open and relaxed, letting Milt hit some great mellow tones – and titles include "Green Dolphin Street", "Heartstrings", "The Work Song", "John Brown's Body", "A Wonderful Guy" and "Reunion Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Zoot Sims blows it nicely on this open-ended live set recorded in Copenhagen – a batch of tracks with the same sort of long, free space for solos as other dates done on that scene by American tenor stars! No surprise, Kenny Drew's backing Zoot up with some tremendous rhythm accompaniment – working here with a trio that includes Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – just about the best backing a player like Sims could have hoped for on the date! All the tracks here move well past the 5 minute mark – with most approaching 10 – and Zoot's ability to solo strongly in an extended fashion is very firmly in place. Titles include "Groovin High", "Too Close For Comfort", "Blue Hodge", "Morning Fun", "All The Things You Are", "It's All Right With Me", and "In The Middle Of A Kiss". CD

A beautiful live performance from the Oscar Peterson trio, and one that's right up there with the best Verve material of the early 60s – in part because Norman Granz presented the whole concert on the stage in The Netherlands! The group here is Peterson's second famous combo – with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – and Oscar is at that majestically fluid spot that made his 60s material even more incredible than his 50s work – served up with a fantastic command of the keyboard, and maybe even more of a soulful swing, thanks to Thigpen and Brown! Some tracks here are nice and long – and titles include "I Remember Clifford", "Where Do I Go From Here", "Band Call", "Politics & Poker", "Con Alma", "It Ain't Necessarily So", and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar Peterson works his magic on the score to My Fair Lady – giving the whole set of tunes a personal, intimate feel that takes them way past their Broadway roots – yet which also avoids sounding too much like Shelly Manne's session of the same name! The group here features Ray Brown on bass and Gene Gammage on drums – playing with a touch on the kit that's perhaps a bit harder than that of Ed Thigpen in the Peterson trio, but in a way that lets some tunes groove along nicely too. Titles include "Get Me To The Church On Time", "Show Me", "The Rain In Spain", "On The Street Where You Live", and "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face". LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar Peterson takes on two famous scores – back to back on a single CD! West Side Story features music from the famous musical – but handled here by the great Oscar Peterson Trio – in ways that really push the tunes past their Broadway roots! The approach is tight, soulful, and filled with strong lines from Peterson on piano – plus bass by Ray Brown and drums from Ed Thigpen – that classic trio from the early 60s that came together in different ways than Oscar's group of the 50s. The set features an especially nice long take on "Jet Song" – plus versions of "Something's Coming", "Somewhere", "Tonight", "Maria", and "I Feel Pretty". Porgy & Bess is less an interpretation of Porgy & Bess than an extrapolation of its themes – one that lets the Peterson trio recraft the music into their own! Given that the Porgy & Bess theme had been explored heavily by many other jazz albums of the late 50s – due to the release of the film at the time – Peterson clearly knows he's got to take a different approach here, and manages to dissect the tunes in really unique ways – bringing in gentleness where it wasn't before, and finding space for new music between notes that are already familiar. Of course, it helps a lot that he's got Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – as the album's almost a three-pronged melodic attack – with great versions of titles that include "Summertime", "I Got Plenty O Nuttin", "I Wants To Stay Here", "Oh Lawd I'm On My Way", "Bess You Is My Woman Now", and "Bess Oh Where's My Bess". CD