A great Japanese issue of this early material from trumpet genius Chet Baker – mostly featuring his quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, Carson Smith on bass, and Larry Bunker on drums! The set features titles that include "Batter Up", "Pavane For A Dead Princess", "Maid In Mexico", "Russ Job", and "No Ties" – and a few alternate takes. LP, Vinyl record album

The last in a series of rare 50s live material from Chet Baker – featuring a near-lost performance from the Tiffany Club in LA, recorded in 1954 with a group that includes Russ Freeman on piano, Carson Smith on bass, and Bob Neel on drums. The tracks are presented in crystal-clear long versions – really sparkling with a sound that's tremendous for a live set at the time – and which is even more amazing, considering that most of the tracks hadn't been issued before. A few numbers were issued in edited form on an Italian label, and later briefly on one of the out of print Mosaic box sets – but the CD features the full performance – 12 tracks in all, all in unedited takes. Titles include "Lullaby Of the Leaves", "Russ Job", "The Wind", "Frenesi", "Carson City Stage", and "A Dandy Line". CD

Seminal west coast recordings by Clifford Brown – recorded in LA in 1954, with a mixture of hard bop and lyricism, in that sparkling mode that Brownie left as his indelible imprint on the west coast scene of the 50s! Players include Bob Gordon on baritone, Stu Williamson on trombone, Zoot Sims on tenor, and Russ Freeman on piano – and Jack Montrose arranged the set. Titles include "Tiny Capers", "Bones For Jones", "Joy Spring", "Finders Keepers", and "Daahoud". CD

Notable sidemen include Wardell Gray, Howard McGhee, Dodo Marmarosa, Russ Freeman, and Barney Kessel. CD

A stunning roster of players made up the house band at Hermosa Beach, CA's legendary Lighthouse Cafe – an outfit accompanied on these early-to-mid 50s dates by tenor sax giant Stan Getz – with work that's as much an aural snapshot of the sound of place and time as it is a piece of the players' pedigrees! The 2CDs in this set is made up of work captured on a few dates in 1953 and 1955 – some of it laidback and charming, and some of it with more than a little bit of heat and heaviness – with lots of players that include Russ Freeman on piano, Shelly Manne on drums, Jimmy Guiffre on baritone, Teddy Charles on vibes, Howard Rumsey on bass, Shorty Rogers and Maynard Ferguson on trumpets, Milt Bernhart on trombone, and others! Disc 1 titles include "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Jive At Five", "Moonlight In Vermont", Topsy", "Bernie's Tune", "Solitaire" and more. Disc 2 includes "Morgan Davis", "La Soncailli", "The Big Top", "The Duke You Say!", "Mood For Lighthouse", "Casa De Luz" and more. CD

A full length album that brings together 2 different earlier 10" sessions by Manne – groundbreaking work in a freer mode than most of what was going on in LA during the mid 50s! Side one features material from The Three – a 10" session that featured Manne on drums, Shorty Rogers on trumpet, and Jimmy Giuffre on tenor, clarinet, and baritone. The trio work their way – bass and piano-less – through tunes that include "Pas De Trois", "Flip", "Abstract No 1", and "Steeplechase". Side two features material from The Two – an even freer session, with Manne on drums and Russ Freeman on piano – no other accompaniment, and sounding quite revolutionary for the time! Titles include "Billie's Bounce", "The Sound Effects Manne", "Everything Happens To Me", and "Speak Easy". CD

A 12" LP that brings together 2 different earlier 10" sessions by Manne – groundbreaking work in a freer mode than most of what was going on in LA during the mid 50s! Side one features material from The Three – a 10" session that featured Manne on drums, Shorty Rogers on trumpet, and Jimmy Giuffre on tenor, clarinet, and baritone. The trio work their way – bass and piano-less – through tunes that include "Pas De Trois", "Flip", "Abstract No 1", and "Steeplechase". Side two features material from The Two – an even freer session, with Manne on drums and Russ Freeman on piano – no other accompaniment, and sounding quite revolutionary for the time! Titles include "Billie's Bounce", "The Sound Effects Manne", "Everything Happens To Me", and "Speak Easy". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from alto genius Art Pepper – one of our favorite albums ever by the saxophonist – and a set that we actually love even more than his classic albums for the Contemporary label! Art's in a setting here that really lets him put a lot of edginess on his horn – demonstrating that sharper tone he brought to the alto, with a lot of bite in the best sort of setting – of which this album is one! The group is nicely focused – and includes Russ Freeman on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Gary Frommer on drums – working with Art to give the album a very urgent, upfront sort of vibe. The set's comprised of nearly all original tracks – and titles include "Arts Opus", "Pepper Pot", "Val's Pal", and "Diane". CD's also got 5 bonus tracks, which are alternate takes of tracks on the album. Great stuff, and one to buy if you've ever wondered why you should think Pepper is so great! CD

Some of our favorite work ever by altoist Art Pepper – material recorded in the mid 50s in small group mode, and issued over a variety of labels that include Intro, Jazz West, Pacific Jazz, and Omegatape! The Pepper heard here is different than the Art you might catch on some of the better-known sides for Contemporary from the same stretch – because the setting's a bit more relaxed, and Pepper really hits some tremendous tones on his solos – playing with a sound that's crisp and modern, yet also surprisingly soulful too – a new deepening of his style as the 50s moved on, and an aspect of his work that we've always loved tremendously. The settings here vary – with shifting lineups of players that include Jack Sheldon, Russ Freeman, Gerald Wiggins, Red Norvo, Ben Tucker, Bill Perkins, and Carl Perkins – but there's a really unified feeling to the recordings, partly through this new sense of spirit that Pepper was bringing to his work. The package brings together both original tracks from the albums, plus bonus material from now-deleted CD reissues from years back – all done with the usual high level of Mosaic liner notes and session details! 45 tracks in all – all of them great! CD

Given that Pepper was on and off the LA scene a fair bit in the 50s – due to personal trouble and legal battles – this album's not so much "the return", as it is one of Pepper's many strong steps back into the studio, a place in which he demonstrated an uncanny ability to craft brilliant work, despite the turmoil going on around him. The set's as classic as you can get for Pepper – right down to the classic William Claxton photo on the cover (which has a chilling story that you'll find in Art's autobiography). Players include Jack Sheldon, Russ Freeman, Leroy Vinnegar, and Shelly Manne – and titles include "Pepper Returns", "Funny Blues", "Angel Wings", "Walkin Out Blues", "Five More", "Minority", and "Mambo De La Pinta". CD

Great early work from Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse group – working here at a level that's almost more freewheeling than on some of their later Contemporary albums! The format's still very much in place here – a host of key All Stars who include Milt Bernhart on trombone, Russ Freeman on piano, Jimmy Giuffre and Bob Cooper on tenors, and Shelly Manne on drums – but there's almost a more "live" sort of energy overall – a bit more boppish and open, with each new player leaping freely into the fray. Titles include "Luau", "The Duke You Say", "The Big Top", "Sunset Eyes", "Comin' Thru The Rye Bread" and "Taking A Chance On Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Three broadcast sessions from the historic Storyville Club in Boston! The group here includes Russ Freeman on piano, Carson Smith on bass, Bob Neel on drums, and Baker on trumpet. Tracks include "Maid In Mexico", "Long Ago & Far Away", "My Funny Valentine", and "The Wind" – 19 tracks including intermissions. CD

A really unusual album in the Chet Baker catalog – a bit of a mystery from top to bottom, but with a classic vibe nonetheless! First off, the album's got Chet with guitar on the cover – odd, as he never plays the instrument – then the back lists Joe Pass on guitar as being on the record – but there doesn't seem to be any guitar at all! Instead, these appear to be mostly the older 50s Chet Baker vocal recordings for Pacific Jazz, with Russ Freeman on piano – but presented in a way that has the echo turned up, which actually sounds pretty darn cool. Titles include "That Old Feeling", "Look For The Silver Lining", "There Will Be Another You", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "My Buddy", "My Funny Valentine", and "I Get Along Without You Very Well". LP, Vinyl record album

Early material from trumpet genius Chet Baker – mostly featuring his quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, Carson Smith on bass, and Larry Bunker on drums! CD

Features Bud Shank on flute and saxophone, Russ Freeman and Pete Jolly on piano, Shelly Manne on drums, and others. Tracks include "Someone To Watch Over Me", "This Is Always", "Let's Get Lost", "Moon Love", "Sweet Lorraine", and "I Fall In Love Too Easily". CD

One of Chet's rarer albums from the Pacific Jazz years – a late 50s set that compiles earlier recordings, making for a whopping 14 tracks in all from Chet's glory days! The core of the album features Chet fronting the original quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, plus some occasional guest guitar work – but a number of tracks also feature appearances by Bill Perkins and Jimmy Guiffre. Tracks are short and very to the point – in that early Baker mode – and titles include "Look For The Silver Lining", "Band Aid", "Pavane", "Winter Wonderland", "Batter Up", "Long Ago & Far Away", "Carson City Stage", "But Not For Me", and "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

June's got rhythm, sure, but the real thing that makes her great is her dark and moody sense of melody! This album's one of June's late 50s efforts done with husband/arranger Bob Cooper – not as arch modern as some of her recordings with arranger Pete Rugolo, but still in a style that's definitely inspired by the classic work of albums like Something Cool and Off Beat. Backing is by a small group of LA jazzers – including Shelly Manne, Russ Freeman, Laurindo Almeida, Frank Rosolino, and Cooper – and titles include "My One & Only Love", "Blue Moon", "I Can Make You Love Me", "When Lights Are Low", and "Gypsy In My Soul". CD also features 4 tracks from the rare Cool School album – "Small Fry", "Looking For A Boy", "Aren't You Glad You're You", and "Baubles Bangles & Beads". CD

An excellent document of two key players on the west coast scene of the late 50s – both of whom passed away at too far young an age! Trumpeter Joe Gordon was one of the most soulful players on the LA scene of the period – almost a Lee Morgan in his sense of timing and space – and Scott LaFaro was hailed by many as one of the most revolutionary talents on the bass at the time, and had a huge influence on the scenes on both coasts, despite his few short years in the jazz business. The set features LaFaro working with Shelly Manne's group that included Joe Gordon, Richie Kamuca, and Russ Freeman – in a long, open, and exploratory approach to jazz – one that's very similar to the excellent live recordings made by the Manne group at The Blackhawk. Kamuca's tenor work is extremely imaginative on the album's longer tracks – at a level that's far far different than most of his LA work of the 50s – and Gordon's solos are a delight throughout, with a voice that is heard here as strongly as on any of his few recordings. The set features 3 long tracks – "Summertime", "Poinciana", and "Our Delight", which is offered in an incomplete take. Plus, the session also features a quartet recording of "It Could Happen To You" by a group with Kamuca, LaFaro, Victor Feldman, and Stan Levey – from 1958. CD

One of the rarest albums ever recorded by the hiply swinging vocal trio of Jon Hendricks, Dave Lambert, and Annie Ross – a live session from 1958, with backing by a group that includes Zoot Sims, Russ Freeman, and Jim Hall. The feel here is really wonderful – a lot less hokey than on some of the group's Basie-oriented sides, with a style that's perhaps closest to their superb work on the album High Flying for Columbia. Tracks are angular, dynamic, and very swinging – with great lyrics by Hendricks, and titles that include "Four", "Airegin", "Little Niles", "Babe's Blues", "Now's The Time", and "Jackie". CD

One of Shelly Manne's best records of the 60s – largely because the group's so great! Altoist Frank Strozier was playing with Shelly at the time, and his rich talents on the alto make the record almost worth seeking out for him alone – because here, Strozier's opening up his sound a lot more than in the early days – and going for strange phrasings, sharp edges, and other unusual twists that really add a lot more spice to the set than you might expect! The rest of the group features Conte Candoli, Russ Freeman, and Monty Budwig – and in a way, the record takes off from the energy of Shelly's classic Blackhawk sessions, but with even a bit more tightly dynamic sound. Titles include "Frank's Tune", "You Name It", "Margie", and "Idle One". LP, Vinyl record album

This album was the 7th in the Contemporary series of "Shelly Manne & His Men", but it's also easily the best, and features some of the most exciting playing of any of Manne's groups. The success of the whole album comes down to Charlie Mariano, who wrote a large number of the tracks, and who's at the height of his powers on alto here – hitting a beautiful mix of icy modernism and Boston soul, in the tradition of some of his best Bethlehem recordings. Side one features an extended work called "The Gambit", which has a nice blend of far-reaching soloing and tight jazzy rhythm. Other titles include "Blue Gnu", "Hugo Hurwhey", and "Tom Brown's Buddy" – and players include Stu Williamson and Russ Freeman. LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible record from Shelly Manne – one of his only dates recorded at The Manne Hole, even though it was his own club – and a killer live recording that was issued in a rare 2LP format for the time! The style here is similar to Manne's excellent recordings at the Blackhawk – open-ended, stretched out, and more freely expressive hardbop than on his 50s sides – played by a group that features plenty of excellent tenor from the great Richie Kamuca, plus trumpet from Conte Cantoli, piano from Russ Freeman, bass from Chuck Berghofer, and drums from Manne himself. As with the Blackhawk date, many of the tunes are familiar, but open up mostly as longer solo vehicles – completely transformed by the efforts of the group and their freewheeling lines. Titles on this second volume include "Love For Sale", "The Champ", "How Could It Happy To A Dream", and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". CD

One of the few great records that alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano cut with Shelly Manne – and a heck of a wonderful record that really set a new tone for Shelly's groove at the time! Things here are a bit looser and freer than before – longer tracks with more room for solos to really take flight – yet still a sense of modern arrangement that marked the Manne sound from its inception. The group's a quintet with Stu Williamson on trumpet, Russ Freeman on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Mariano on some especially nice alto solos – and the interplay between Charlie and Stu easily rivals the best Bethlehem recordings by the pair at the time. Titles include the excellent 10 minute "Pint Of Blues", an original by Charlie – plus Bill Holman's extended "Quartet", and versions of "The Wind", "Moose The Mooche", and "Tommyhawk". LP, Vinyl record album

A mid-60s collection of late 50s recordings featuring Gerry Mulligan – from 1958 with Stan Getz on tenor, Harry Edison on trumpet, Herb Ellis on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown pm bass, and Louis Bellson on drums, and in 1959 with Art Farmer on trmpet, Art Pepper on alto, Bill Perkins on tenor, Russ Freeman on piano, Buddy Clark on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic 50s album on Savoy – a set that's almost as memorable for its cartoony cover as it is for the great Art Pepper material on the record! Pepper's tone here is wonderful – that sharper-edged, more soulful approach that you often get in his smaller label 50s work – a nice contrast to some of the smoother sides of Art, and the part of his sound we really love. The album's got three different west coast groups working with Pepper – with players who include Russ Freeman or Hampton Hawes on piano, Jack Montrose on tenor, Joe Mondragon or Monte Budwig on bass, and Larry Bunker or Bobby White on drums. But Art's the main star of the set – blowing beautifully throughout, with both jaw-dropping precision and a tremendous sense of sound! Titles include "Tickle Toe", "Chili Pepper", "Susie The Poodle", "Brown Gold", "Holiday Flight", "Surf Ride", "Straight Life", "Cinnamon", and "Thyme Time". CD

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

An excellent bit of early 60s soulbop – and one of two rare albums ever cut by the obscure female alto player Vi Redd, one of the few women sax players of her generation to get recorded! The album's got an easygoing groove that's mighty nice – a touch of R&B at times, but not nearly as much as you'd hear on Redd's other record for Atlantic – thanks to a sensitive jazz-based presentation by a group that also features a young Roy Ayers on vibes, making his first-ever appearance on record! Other players include Herb Ellis on guitar and Russ Freeman on piano – plus Kansas Lawrence on trumpet, who's clearly a bigger-name player working under another name. Vi sings on the record, in addition to playing alto sax – in this laidback way that's a bit like Trudy Pitts – and although the record's billed as a tribute to Charlie Parker, it's got a lot more going on than that! Tracks include "Summertime", "Old Folks", "Just Friends", "Now's The Time", "Anthropology", and "Cool Blues Perhaps". LP, Vinyl record album

An overstuffed package of work from Annie Ross – one that features a few key albums, plus some rare bonus tracks too! First up is A Handful Of Songs – which has Ross recording as a solo act back in England after leaving her famous group with Dave Lambert and John Hendricks! The style here is a bit like some of the solo work that Ross cut in the US at the end of the 50s – particularly her sides for Pacific Jazz – not as vocalese and solo-oriented as the sort of recordings that first got her noticed, but still a lot more dynamic than most straighter jazz singers of the time! Arrangements are pretty groovy overall – nicely jazzy, and penned by Johnnie Spence – also produced by John Barry, who really helps keep the right sort of "punch" in the set. Titles include "Fly Me To The Moon", "Nature Boy", "A Lot Of Livin To Do", "Like Someone In Love", "A Handful Of Songs", and "All Of You". Next is A Gasser – one of Annie Ross' rare albums as a solo act away from her trio with Jon Hendricks and Dave Lambert – and a great little session cut with small combo jazz backing, which gives the song a nice swinging edge! Zoot Sims is the main soloist on the tunes, Russ Freeman lays down piano tracks to set the mood – and other players include Jim Hall, Monte Budwig, Mel Lewis, and Bill Perkins – all of whom contribute wonderfully to the album, and give it a nicely grooving west coast finish. Titles include "I Was Doing Alright", "You Took Advantage Of Me", "Lucky Day", "Lucky So & So", and "Nobody's Baby". 2CD set also features material from the London cast recording of Cranks – which features Ross with Anthony Newley – plus some songs with Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross – and the tune "Let's Fly" by Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers, which was written by Ross. CD

Chet Baker and Rolf Ericson on trumpet, Bud Shank on alto and baritone saxophone, Bob Cooper and Jimmy Giuffre on tenor saxophone, Claude Williamson and Russ Freeman on piano, Howard Rumsey on bass, and Max Roach and Shelly Manne on drums. CD

June's got rhythm, sure, but the real thing that makes her great is her dark and moody sense of melody! This album's one of June's late 50s efforts done with husband/arranger Bob Cooper – not as arch modern as some of her work with Pete Rugolo, but still in a style that's definitely inspired by that classic work. Backing is by a small group of LA jazzers – including Shelly Manne, Russ Freeman, Laurindo Almeida, Frank Rosolino, and Cooper – and titles include "My One & Only Love", "Blue Moon", "I Can Make You Love Me", "When Lights Are Low", and "Gypsy In My Soul". LP, Vinyl record album

Great stuff – one of Annie Ross' rare albums as a solo act away from her trio with Jon Hendricks and Dave Lambert – and a great little session cut with small combo jazz backing, which gives the song a nice swinging edge! Zoot Sims is the main soloist on the tunes, Russ Freeman lays down piano tracks to set the mood – and other players include Jim Hall, Monte Budwig, Mel Lewis, and Bill Perkins – all of whom contribute wonderfully to the album, and give it a nicely grooving west coast finish. Titles include "I Was Doing Alright", "You Took Advantage Of Me", "Lucky Day", "Lucky So & So", and "Nobody's Baby". CD

A seminal bit of west coast cool jazz from the mid 50s – a session led by Cy Touff, a lesser-remembered player from the LA scene, and an instrumentalist who used a bass trumpet! Cy's working here in the company of a host of more familiar names – including Richie Kamuca, Russ Freeman, Johnny Mandel, Leroy Vinnegar, and Pete Jolly – on a set of tightly arranged tunes that have a swinging ensemble feel that reminds us a bit of Bob Cooper's work from the time. The CD features the 8 original tracks from the album, plus 2 bonus cuts – and titles include "It's Sand Man", "Primitive Cats", "A Smooth One", "TNT", "Groover Wailin", and "Prez-ence". CD