Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
Kandace Springs Sings Billie Holiday
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
Mosaic Records has made its name releasing comprehensive multi-disc box sets of jazz musicians, but the label is now trying out a new idea. The company says that since some historically valuable LPs do not fit into a box-set concept, it is releasing them individually as a new series called Mosaic Singles.
The series so far comprises six discs. These titles include Duke Ellington’s Spacemen – The Cosmic Scene, a 1958 small-group session of standards and some of the bandleader’s lesser-known gems. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ Hard Bop from 1956 features the late Jackie McLean. Other Mosaic Singles include J. J. Johnson’s J.J.! (1964), Charles Lloyd’s Of Course, Of Course (1965), Bud Freeman’s Chicago/Austin High School Jazz In Hi-Fi (1957) and a tenor saxophone-led triumverate of Al Cohn, Bill Perkins and Richie Kamuca, The Brothers! (1955).
Along with the Mosaic Singles series, the company intends to continue releasing its box sets. In June, it will release a seven-CD collection of Dizzy Gillespie’s small group sessions on Verve and Philips from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
For more information go to mosaicrecords.com.
“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…
“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
Jul 8, 2025 7:30 AM
At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally…
