New releases from Paul Desmond and others
When things get difficult, there’s always solace in retreating to the past. There are numerous box sets and historic packages out for gift- giving this season. Here are a few of the most notable:
The mail- order- only Mosaic Records has always done an astounding job of resurrecting lasting statements from the masters, and this year the label has assembled “The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings” from saxophonist Paul Desmond. Desmond will forever be associated with the popular piano man Dave Brubeck and “Take Five,” and while the albums from that group are classics, Desmond made numerous wonderful dates on his own as well.
These recordings — spread out over seven CDs and featuring five hours of previously unreleased performances — spotlight Desmond’s effervescent alto bouncing off of the underrated Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert and rhythm section. What’s remarkable about this set, in addition to the sonic benefits of Desmond’s ingenuity, is how the intimacy of Toronto’s Bourbon Street Jazz Club is captured. This is a major addition to Desmond’s celebrated discography. Get it at mosaicrecords.
com.
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Bassist- bandleader Charles Mingus didn’t live to 60, but it’s becoming apparent that there was a microphone recording everything he played publicly until his untimely death in 1979. This month brings the release of “Charles Mingus @ Bremen
1964 & 1975” ( Sunnyside Communications). As always, Mingus served as a tempestuous force on these two German appearances, running through his famed compositions “Fables Of Faubus,” “Sue’s Changes” and more.
Mingus is always worth experiencing, and the lineup of heroic sidemen is epic: pianists Jaki Byard and Don Pullen; saxophonists Eric Dolphy and George Adams ( Denver- area comedian Sam Adams is the tenor player’s nephew!); and drummer Dannie Richmond all participate in the excitement. There’s never been a personality in music like Mingus; this release
proves it.
Is there enough Sonny Rollins music in the universe? I don’t think so. The endlessly inventive tenor colossus is happily still with us at age 90, and there’s a set of rare 1967 performances on the way Nov. 27. “Rollins In Holland” ( Resonance Records) rounds up three LPs ( or two CDs) of 1967 trio dates recorded in the studio and in various clubs. These tapes are significant because they capture Rollins’ charismatic energy at a time when the saxophonist simply wasn’t releasing any new music. Thankfully, we finally get to hear what he was up to during these missing years. Spoiler alert: He was brilliant.
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Can’t decide what to get for that jazz enthusiast for the holidays? You can’t lose with a gift card from Colorado’s Vinyl Me, Please, an organization dedicated to issuing multiple styles of music on high- quality vinyl. It recently released “The Story Of Herbie Hancock” and offers numerous historic ( and obscure) titles. Find out more at vinylmeplease. com.
Live music? There’s some, often simultaneously streaming. Denver’s inventive pianist Purnell Steen brings his quartet to Dazzle Nov. 4. ... The 101st Army Jazz Band travels to Greeley’s Moxi Theater on Nov. 7. ... Dotsero appears at the Buffalo Rose Nov. 8. ... Bassist Matt Skellenger’s group plays Dazzle on Nov. 11. ... And the Derek Branch Quintet plays the music of Wayne Shorter at Nocturne every Saturday in November.
Bret Saunders ( bretsaunders @ kbco. com) can be heard from 5 to 10 a. m. weekdays at KBCO 97.3 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @ Bretontheradio.