EKE BBB

Even for a mobster.

This is a good taster of Paul Whiteman's production in the 1920-1927 period:

Prompted by the Paul Whiteman thread:

Jazz Oracle catalogue was taken over by Upbeat. Their last release (West Coast Jazz 1922-1927) dates from 2016. Frog Records website is alive, but the last release I have been able to identify dates from 2022 (Various – The Frog Blues & Jazz Annual No 6). Retrieval is now part of the Challenge Records emporium, and their latest CD, to my knowledge, was issued in 2018 (Irving Mills And His Hotsy Totsy Gang – 1930). Not a good time for this sort of "boutique labels" in the early jazz niche. On the contrary, it looks like Archeophone Records is alive and well...

Well, nobody can deny Whiteman's was one of most (if not the most) popular orchestras during the 20s. He hired some of the most relevant musicians and vocalists of that time (among them Bix, Trumbauer, the Dorseys, Red Nichols, Bing Crosby, Bill Rank, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang...), as well as probably the two most outstanding arrangers, Bill Challis and Ferde Grofé). As mentioned before, in small doses, and picking up here and there, I would say the around 10 CDs I own are "not essential" in my shelves -except for a few sides with Bix-, but "nice to have". Then, you have "Rhapsody In Blue"... the initial acoustic recording recording is a delight. The "King of Jazz" was a star back then...

In memoriam, Rafael Amador. R.I.P.

… plus Retrieval https://www.challengerecords.com/catalogue/13/Retrieval

Does Mosaic qualify as ‘boutique label’? 😉

According to one person with access to “inside information”: ”Understand that the eventual release in September will not include all the Tiberi recordings. I was told by someone that some of the recordings are technically not of the best quality. Some are just excerpts, for example.” BTW: here's the expected cover for the "April teaser":

Allegedly, this is just a teaser for the September 2026 release of the complete (?) tapes.

JOHN COLTRANE The Tiberi Tapes: A Preview of the Mythic Recordings Event: RECORD STORE DAY 2026 Release Date: 4/18/2026 Format: LP Label: Verve/Impulse! Quantity: 6000 Release type: RSD Exclusive Release Among the most fabled and mythologized recordings of the last 65 years, the private recordings of John Coltrane’s group made by musician Frank Tiberi in the early 1960s have long been the subject of jazz world rumor and intense speculation. Tiberi followed Coltrane and his Classic Quartet into clubs in New York and Philadelphia, capturing the otherworldly music being created nightly on his portable tape recorder. For the first time ever, these recordings will be made available in September 2026 as part of John Coltrane’s Centennial celebrations. For Record Store Day 2026, we’re offering a single LP preview of these historic recordings—a project that will undoubtedly grow and enhance the legend of John Coltrane. Tracklist SIDE A: 1. Giant Steps (13:51) SIDE B: 2. Satellite (11:44) https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/19994

Sure! He will be up there with his admired Pee Wee Russell, with whom he shared that way of playing and improvising without safety net (in Whitney Balliett's words) over quite traditional/mainstream material.

In memoriam, Ken Peplowski. 😔

Several realiable sources report that American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski passed away on February 2, 2026. He was 66 years old.

My thoughts exactly, although with the distance inherent to being on the other side of the ocean. And with the caveat that I am a big fan of Bruce Springsteen.

and

During the weekend: and

Fascinating discovery, Dan. Simmen was a well reputed promoter of stride piano.

Excellent song, timely lyrics. The boss being the boss.