Prestige Releases Rudy Van Gelder Remasters Series

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The Rudy Van Gelder Remasters series debuted on Prestige on March 21, when 10 CDs newly remastered by original engineer Van Gelder were released.

The titles are:

  • Eric Dolphy, Out There
  • Gene Ammons, Boss Tenor
  • John Coltrane, Lush Life
  • Miles Davis, Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet
  • Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus
  • Coleman Hawkins, The Hawk Relaxes
  • Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane
  • Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny
  • Red Garland, Red Garland’s Piano
  • Modern Jazz Quartet, Django

The Dolphy, Hawkins and Dorham dates were recorded at Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs, N.J., studio, in operation since 1959, while the others were taped before in his parents’ Hackensack, N.J., living room.

“I remember the sessions well,” Van Gelder said. “I remember how the musicians wanted to sound, and I remember their reactions to the playbacks. Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.”

Ten more Rudy Van Gelder Remasters will follow this summer, and another five in the fall.



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