CD-Charts Position 111
Average Rating:

People Time

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Stan Getz with Kenny Barron

Release Date February 04, 1992
"The music on this recording is very special, not only because it is the last documented recording of Stan Getz, but also because the music is real, honest, pure and beautiful in spite of the pain or perhaps because of it." ~ Kenny Barron, September 1991 ~

For fans of Stan Getz who love to listen to his recorded live performances, "People Time" is the perfect double-CD to own. This is not only a remarkable offering from the legendary saxophonist, but also an essential and notable purchase considering that these tracks are his final live renditions that he recorded for four consecutive nights with jazz pianist Kenny Barron at the Café Montmarte in Copenhagen in March of 1991, three months before he died of cancer on June 6, 1991. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 112
Average Rating:

Chet Baker Live in Tokyo

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
starring: Chet Baker

Release Date February 12, 2008
Japanese television did the taping, airing it as a special. The complete concert is on the "Chet Baker in Tokyo" 2 CD set.
Of the best of Chet's years early and late (some of the in between was a few notes to buy drugs), this is my very favorite album. There are times he is as soft as a low flute, and other rifs that blaze for half or more of the head or bridge. On "Stella by Starlight" I had to transcribe the solo as it was so amazing to me, and such a different rif.
If you want the music, get the CD, but if you are really into the best of Chet, the DVD is a must too. Enjoy!

CD-Charts Position 113
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Monterey Concerts

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Cal Tjader

Release Date July 11, 1989
I wanted "Cal Tjader's Concert By the Sea" to be released on CD so badly. I have been enjoying my LP copy of this album (Fantasy 3295) for several years. We can all rejoice that some of the best Tjader Fantasy albums are now being reissued. And what a bonus that the trend seems to be putting the contents of two LP releases on one CD. If you buy Blackhawk Nights, Black Orchid, San Francisco Moods, Ritmos Calientes and Monterey Concerts(Live) you'll have the cream of the recordings of Tjader and his greatest groups. As this release of M.C.(Live) shows, Cal Tjader was one of the greates jazz musicians America produced. This is swinging, sophisticated jazz in that 1950's style. The remastered sound is excellent. Put this at ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 114
Average Rating:

The Best of Quartet West

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Charlie Haden

Release Date November 06, 2007
A good example of what this great group could produce. But, why do band leaders have to sing? A real downer of an ending for a good album.

CD-Charts Position 115
Average Rating:

The Paris Concert, Edition Two

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Bill Evans

Release Date April 03, 2001
Unlike Edition One, this CD features mostly Evans originals. The close-mic'ed piano has an up-front, bright sound that almost sounds recorded in a carpeted studio. The bass has so much tone and sustain that it nearly duplicates a fretless bass guitar. The drums have a full, but natural sound.

Evans sticks closer to the written notes on Edition Two, leaving more sonic room for the band to noodle around than in Edition One. The result approaches the "good old days" with Scott LaFaro, except that Evans' playing is busier. Even his accompaniments on bass solos do more flips and turns than they did before.

Then there's Nardis. . .Evans contorts this song well beyond recognizability in an epic piano solo, then the band ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 116
Average Rating:

Yours

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Sara Gazarek

Release Date August 23, 2005
This is an absosutely stunningly wonderful album! I can only say that these arrangements and performance are among the finest, most musically perfect I have heard in recent years. I think this young lady is really outstanding! Blackbird and The Circle Game... It doesn't come any better than this!
An outstanding set of songs!

CD-Charts Position 117
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Verve Presents: Very Best of Christmas Jazz

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 23, 2001
No Christmas should be without this CD! I had heard many of the songs before, but there were a lot of new ones on this CD that I enjoy. Every song is great!

CD-Charts Position 118
Average Rating:

Portrait in Jazz

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Bill Evans

Release Date July 01, 1991
Most of Bill Evans' work is great and timeless. Much of it, like this record, transcends jazz or any other stylistic category. It is simply gorgeous, intelligent music. As some writers have said, he seemed to distill beauty and nostalgia out of thin air.

CD-Charts Position 119
Average Rating:

Take Ten

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Paul Desmond

Release Date March 09, 1999
Other reviewers here have done a better job than I could by submitting informed and eloquent reviews of this fine album. So this isn't a review--it's a suggestion. Amazon offers this album together with Bossa Antigua for $22.97. Even less if you go for the used CD option. Both albums will satisfy those who love the marriage of Cool Jazz with Bossa Nova. Perfect book-ends.

CD-Charts Position 120
Average Rating:

Getz/Gilberto #2

CD-Charts > Music > Cool Jazz
by: Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto

Release Date October 12, 1993
The sound mix of this "Live" concert is appalling -- it's kind of like "João Gilberto, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto & Hi-Hats!" No disrespect to Joe Hunt or to Helcio Melito (the two drummers for this concert), but the playing and/or sound mix is simply too obtrusive ("undesirably noticeable" is an apt definition here), as the voice and guitar of João Gilberto, as well as the fluid tenor saxophone of Stan Getz, are consistently overshadowed by those darned hi-hats. (...rolling eyes...) Despite this annoyance, João performs at the peak of his powers, although it appears that the performances of both Astrud and Stan Getz are greatly restrained (perhaps there was some backstage (read: real life) drama going on there?). Suffice it to say, if it is great inspiration ... Read More: