• DELUXE 6-CD SET
• CONTAINS 88 COMPOSITION

When Mosaic started out to re-examine the Vanguard Jazz Showcase series they knew it would take more than one set to do justice to the best recordings of the series from 1953-1958.

The “contagious joy” of this music, has been compiled in the CD era in a small part and much of which had been buried in the vaults since the original 10-inch vinyl discs were issued as long as 70 years ago.

This Mosaic box set presents their second collection featuring pianists in solo dates, as leaders, or as prime contributors.

As was the case with the first Vanguard box, each track in this Mosaic’s six-CD “Classic Vanguard Jazz Piano Sessions” set was recorded under the exacting eye of legendary producer John Hammond. Sometimes criticized for micro-managing sessions he supervised, Hammond allowed musicians on these sets to take advantage of newer recording technology that permitted up to 15 minutes of music on a 10-inch side, giving them free-rein to express themselves. Many of the songs in the repertoire were well-known favorites, finally recorded the way they might have been heard live.

It didn’t hurt that Vanguard was using the Brooklyn Masonic Temple (and sometimes the Pythian Temple in Manhattan) as its studio. An historic structure dating back to 1907, still intact today and in use as a vibrant event space, the Temple featured a 35-foot ceiling, wooden floors, and wooden walls, creating an unmatchable natural reverb. In its day, the sound was glorious. Newly-remastered by Mosaic, these recordings have never sounded better.

For the Vanguard recordings Hammond assembled musicians who, at the time, were “caught in a no-man’s-land,” according to critic Nat Hentoff (who also had a hand in bringing this music to life). With post-War tastes leading to a flurry of enthusiasm for bebop, followed by cool jazz and hard bop, Hammond used musicians who may have evolved with the times but could still strike fire in a mainstream jazz setting. This new set focuses on pianists who could swing with the best of them — included Ray Bryant with the Jo Jones Trio, Sir Charles Thompson, Bobby Henderson, Mel Powell, and Ellis Larkins.

The Vanguard Jazz Showcase operated from 1953 to 1958. The 13 CDs of music in Mosaic’s two box sets represent the highlights of the series. Vanguard never reissued, unlike other record companies of the time, this music and expand the albums when 12″ LPs became the standard.

These recordings are all the more precious because of their long absences from the catalog. In their day, these recordings, along with Norman Granz’s productions on Clef, Norgran and Verve, sparked a revival for mainstream jazz artists. Now that all of the musicians have passed on, these boxes act as a joyous celebration of their legacies.

CD ONE:
JO JONES TRIO
01. Satin Doll
02. Little Susie
03. Spider Kelly’s Blues
04. Cubano Chant
05. Splittin’
06. Sweet Lorraine
07. Bicycle For Two
08. Ol’ Man River
09. Sometimes I’m Happy
SIR CHARLES THOMPSON QUARTET
10. Swingtime In The Rockies
11. Honeysuckle Rose
12. These Foolish Things
13. Sweet Georgia Brown

CD TWO:
SIR CHARLES THOMPSON QUARTET
01. Sonny Howard’s Blues
02. Best By Test
03. Hey There
04. Love For Sale
05. Stompin’ At The Savoy
06. Mr. Sandman
BOBBY HENDERSON
07. Keepin’ Out Of Mischief Now
08. Jitterbug Waltz
09. Squeeze Me
10. Blue Turning Grey Over You
11. Ain’t Misbehavin’
12. Handful Of Keys
13. Blues For Fats
14. Sugar
15. Sweet Lorraine
16. Twelfth Street Rag

CD THREE
MEL POWELL
01. ‘S Wonderful
02. It’s Been So Long
03. I Must Have That Man
04. You’re Lucky To Me
05. Sonatina For Piano (Vivace)
06. Sonatina For Piano (Chorale Variations)
07. Sonatina For Piano (Largo Assai-Allegro)
08. Borderline
09. Makin’ Whoopee
10. What’s New?
11. Quin And Sonic
12. If Dreams Come True
13. Cross Your Heart
14. Avalon

CD FOUR
MEL POWELL
01. Thigamagig
02. You’re My Thrill
03. Button Up Your Overcoat
04. Don-Que-Dee
05. Bouquet
06. Ain’t She Sweet
07. Take Me In Your Arms
08. California, Here I Come
09. Gone With The Wind
10. Bunny Hug
11. Pennies From Heaven
12. Stompin’ At The Savoy
13. When Your Lover Has Gone
14. Cooch
15. Beale Street Blues
16. Three Little Words
17. You’re Lucky To Me
18. Liza
19. The Best Thing For You (Would Be Me)
20. Rosetta

CD FIVE
RUBY BRAFF / ELLIS LARKINS
01. Love For Sale
02. I’ve Got A Pocketful Of Dreams
03. Blues For Ruby
04. I’ve Got The World On A String
05. Please
06. Old Folks
07. Blues For Ellis
08. A City Called Heaven
09. What Is There To Say?
10. When A Woman Loves A Man
11. Sailboat In The Moonlight
12. You Are Too Beautiful
13. Skylark

CD SIX
RUBY BRAFF / ELLIS LARKINS
01. My Funny Valentin
02. Mountain Greenery
03. Where Or When
04. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was
05. Blue Moon
06. I Could Write A Book0
07. Thou Swell
08. My Romance
09. You Took Advantage Of Me
10. Little Girl Blue
11. I Married An Angel
12. The Girl Friend