Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Theo Croker’s Dream … Manifested!
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
The Concord Music Group released Tuesday the second part of its reissue series, Keepnews Collection, which spotlights classic albums originally produced by the legendary jazz producer Orrin Keepnews.
The collection, remastered in 24-bit from the original master tapes, spotlights pianist Bill Evans’ Everybody Digs Bill Evans (originally recorded on Riverside Records, 1958), trumpeter Chet Baker’s Chet (Riverside, 1958-1959), saxophonist Jimmy Heath Orchestra’s Really Big (Riverside, 1960), drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ Caravan (Riverside, 1962) and vocalist Flora Purim’s Butterfly Dreams (Milestone Records, 1973).
In his written introduction to the series, Keepnews notes, “Each [album] is of special importance to me—some because of the initial impact they made, others because they have particular personal meaning or may present a performer whose value has not been fully appreciated.”
Each reissue includes the original liner notes, as well as new commentaries from Keepnews. In addition, all the discs, with the exception of Purim’s, feature bonus tracks.
For more information, visit concordmusicgroup.com.
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…
