Latest News: Jazz, Verve (label)
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Recording of the Week,
Charlie Parker - Bird in Kansas City 22nd November 2024Consisting of several rare, unheard performances, the early Bird doesn’t only catch the worm on this archive release, but flaunts it. This is Bird captured in his key years, 1941–1951, these primordial recordings serving as a timely reminder that there really is nothing new under the sun.
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Recording of the Week,
Aaron Parks & Little Big - Little Big III 25th October 2024Pianist and composer Aaron Parks returns with the third iteration of his band Little Big, marking his return to Blue Note Records. Parks continues to expand and deepen his music, describing this album as “the most focused album Little Big has recorded—the most distilled down to the essence.”
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Recording of the Week,
Immanuel Wilkins - Blues Blood 18th October 2024The talented young saxophonist’s latest Blue Note album is his first to feature vocal guests, delving into themes of identity, culture and the African-American experience.
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Recording of the Week,
Samara Joy - Portrait 11th October 2024With her most intimate collection of songs to date, the three-time Grammy Award-winning American chanteuse unveils a captivating new album that, for the first time, combines timeless standards with original songwriting.
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Artist Profile,
A “Sassy” Centenary of Sarah Vaughan 24th July 2024Get to know the Divine One and the singers bringing her legacy to life before a televised Proms celebration airs this weekend.
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Recording of the Week,
Louis Armstrong - Louis in London 11th July 2024This newly released archive of BBC recordings from 1968 is a remarkable showcase of Satchmo's enduring talent and charisma, offering a vibrant and nostalgic glimpse into the jazz legend's live performance prowess during his final years.
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Recording of the Week,
Julius Rodriguez - Evergreen 27th June 2024The versatile "jazz pop-hop" prodigy's new album reflects his desire to remain dynamic and adaptable, much like the verdant plant that inspired its name.
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Recording of the Week,
Arooj Aftab - Night Reign 7th June 2024The bewitching new album from the Pakistani-American vocalist merges boundaries between traditional folk, jazz and other global sounds, resulting in an embalming and all-encompassing musical canvas.
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Recording of the Week,
Nina Simone - You've Got To Learn 21st July 2023To celebrate the 90th anniversary of her birth, this newly-discovered recording of the High Priestess of Soul's performance at the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival encapsulates the essence of Simone's unparalleled abilities and world-class talent.
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Classic Recordings,
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book 27th July 2020Ella Fitzgerald’s take on classic Cole Porter tunes served not only as the beginning of the now-legendary Verve Records, but a springboard for the singer that reinvigorated her mid-career.
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Classic Recordings,
Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown 29th June 2020Josh appreciates the brilliant chemistry between vocalist Sarah Vaughan and trumpeter Clifford Brown on the singer’s eponymous record.
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Recording of the Week,
GoGo Penguin 12th June 2020Josh enjoys GoGo Penguin's latest, eponymous album, marvelling at how the small details make for such a rewarding listening experience.
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Recording of the Week,
Jon Batiste - Anatomy of Angels 7th August 2019Anyone who has seen 'The Late Show' will recognise Jon Batiste, but there is much more to him than being Stephen Colbert's musical side-kick, as he proves on the engrossing live set from New York's Village Vanguard.
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Classic Recordings,
Stan Getz - Focus 31st May 2019Stan Getz's Focus gets a reappraisal, that rare thing, a jazz with strings album that challenges, thanks to Eddie Sauter's sophisticated arrangements.