JAZZ VIBES – MILESTONES OF LEGENDS (10 CDS) DOCUMENT

The first ever comprehensive box-set of the greatest Jazz vibes-players in history

– 18 original albums documenting the history of Jazz-vibes from Swing to Hard Bop and Featuring Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Ayers, Cal Tjader and more.

For an instrument that was invented in the USA as late as 1921 and only developed to its modern form in 1927, the vibraphone has become an established solo instrument in Jazz within a surprisingly short time. This is due, of course, to Lionel Hampton (1908-2002), who was asked by no less than Louis Armstrong for a recording-date in 1930 to use the vibraphone on some titles. Since Hampton could already play the drums and xylophone, it was not surprising that he preferred a percussive style. In the Benny Goodman Quartet, one of the first multi-ethnic ensembles of Jazz, the instrument was then popularized by Hampton from 1936 on. In the Forties ‘Hamp’ became an international star as the leader of his own orchestras.

What a wonderful improviser Hampton was, he also proved at a “summit” with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich in 1953, which can be witnessed on the first CD of this documentation of the greatest vibraphonists of jazz history. Red Norvo was, like Hampton, born in 1908, but preferred a pianistic approach. His trio recordings with guitarist Tal Farlow and the young Charles Mingus on bass are among the highlights of “chamber musical” jazz. Milt Jackson (1923-1999), the first bebop star of the vibraphone, changed from hot to cool and back throughout his career as a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet he had to adapt to the group discipline, but with his own bands and recording projects he could revisit his musical roots, for example with Ray Charles on the album “Soul Brothers” (featured on the wallet box “I Love New York Jazz”). Here he presents himself in top-form with the tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson and Hank Jones on piano.

Unfortunately, Lem Winchester and Eddie Costa, both great musicians, died very young. Here you can hear Costa, who was also a wonderful piano player in his own right, with the pianist Bill Evans, who also lets the sparks fly in dialogue with Dave Pike. Pike went on to great success with his European jazz rock quartet in the 70s.

Buddy Montgomery is represented on a wonderful, rare recording from Canada with the Mastersounds, a more soulful version of the MJQ, which also featured his brothers Wes and Monk. Curtis Amy, a saxophonist from California, whose wonderful records under his own name are appreciated by collectors only, but who has been heard worldwide as a soloist on records by Carole King, holds the honor of having made the first recordings with Bobby Hutcherson and Roy Ayers. Other vibes-men to establish themselves on the West Coast were Cal Tjader, the king of Latin jazz, and the British vibraphonist and pianist Victor Feldman. His countryman Tubby Hayes is primarily known as a saxophonist and flutist, however some live recordings show that he could just as well have based his too short career (1935-1973) on playing the vibraphone.

The lyrical avant-gardist Walt Dickerson (1931-2008), whose music was truly out of this world, was an absolute exception in every way and deserves to be re-discovered.

Lionel Hampton Quartet – The Nearness Of You
Lionel Hampton Quartet – Stompin’ At The Savoy
Lionel Hampton Quartet – S Wonderful
Lionel Hampton Quartet – Always
Lionel Hampton Quartet – Air Mail Special
Lionel Hampton Quartet – Soft Winds
Milt Jackson – Now’s The Time
Milt Jackson – In A Sentimental Mood /Mood Indigo/Azur
Milt Jackson – Minor Conception
Milt Jackson – Soul In 3/4
Red Norvo Trio – Little White Lies
Red Norvo Trio – I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Red Norvo Trio – I Get A Kick Out Of You
Red Norvo Trio – Move
Red Norvo Trio – I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me
Red Norvo Trio – I’ll Remember April
Red Norvo Trio – Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart
Red Norvo Trio – September Song
Red Norvo Trio – This Can’t Be Love
Red Norvo Trio – If I Had You
Red Norvo Trio – Cheek To Cheek
Red Norvo Trio – Time And Tide
Terry Gibbs – Rockin’ In Rhythm
Terry Gibbs – I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
Terry Gibbs – Caravan
Terry Gibbs – Solitude
Terry Gibbs – Take the “A” Train
Terry Gibbs – Sophisticated Lady
Terry Gibbs – Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
Terry Gibbs – Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Terry Gibbs – Johnny Come Lately
Terry Gibbs – Duke’s Place
Lem Winchester – Eddy’s Dilemma
Lem Winchester – Lem & Aide
Lem Winchester – Friendly Persuasion
Lem Winchester – Your Last Chance
Lem Winchester – Lady Day
Lem Winchester – Just Friends
The Mastersounds – Golden Earrings
The Mastersounds – People Will Say We’re In Love
The Mastersounds – There No Greater Love
The Mastersounds – West Coast Blues
The Mastersounds – I’ve Never Been In Love Before/ Don’t Blame Me
The Mastersounds – I Could Write A Book
Walt Dickerson – Time
Walt Dickerson – Elizabeth
Walt Dickerson – The Cry
Walt Dickerson – Death And Taxes
Walt Dickerson – Evelyn
Walt Dickerson – Infinite You
The Montgomery Brothers – Jeanie
The Montgomery Brothers – Snowfall
The Montgomery Brothers – Angel Eyes
The Montgomery Brothers – Barbados
The Montgomery Brothers – This Love Of Mine
The Montgomery Brothers – Green Dolphin Street
The Montgomery Brothers – You Don’t Know What Love Is
The Montgomery Brothers – Beaux Arts
Curtis Amy, Frank Butler – Groovin’ Blue
Curtis Amy, Frank Butler – Beautiful You
Curtis Amy, Frank Butler – Very Frank
Curtis Amy, Frank Butler – Gone Into It
Curtis Amy, Frank Butler – Annsome
Curtis Amy, Frank Butler – Bobblin’
Teddy Charles – Word From Bird
Teddy Charles – Laura
Teddy Charles – Show Tim
Teddy Charles – When Your Lover Has Gone
Teddy Charles – Just One Of Those Things
Teddy Charles – Blue Greens
The Eddie Costa Quartet – Guys And Doll
The Eddie Costa Quartet – Adelaide
The Eddie Costa Quartet – If I Were A Bell
The Eddie Costa Quartet – Luck Be A Lady
The Eddie Costa Quartet – I’ve Never Been In Love Before
The Eddie Costa Quartet – I’ll Know
The Dave Pike Quartet – Why Not
The Dave Pike Quartet – In A Sentimental Mood
The Dave Pike Quartet – Vierd Blues
The Dave Pike Quartet – Besame Mucho
The Dave Pike Quartet – Wild Is The Wind
Johnny Lytle Trio – Blue Vibes
Johnny Lytle Trio – Over The Rainbo
Johnny Lytle Trio – For Heaven’s Sake
Johnny Lytle Trio – Movin’ Nicely
Johnny Lytle Trio – Autumn Leaves
Johnny Lytle Trio – Mister Strudel
Johnny Lytle Trio – Canadian Sunset
Johnny Lytle – Lela
Johnny Lytle – Secret Love
Johnny Lytle – When I Fall In Love
Johnny Lytle – Tag Along
Johnny Lytle – It’s All Right with Me
Johnny Lytle – Happy Ground
Johnny Lytle – My Funny Valentine
Johnny Lytle – Take the “A” Train
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – Way Down
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – Liberia
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – 24 Hour Blues
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – Lisa
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – A Soulful Bee, A Soulful Rose
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – All My Life
Curtis Amy feat. Victor Feldman – Bells And Horns
Tuby Hayes – But Beautiful
Tuby Hayes – Down In The Village
Victor Feldman – Serpent Tooth
Victor Feldman – Waltz
Victor Feldman – Chasing Shadows
Victor Feldman – Flamingo
Victor Feldman – S’ Posin
Victor Feldman – Bebop
Victor Feldman – There Is No Greater Love
Victor Feldman – Too Blue
Victor Feldman – Minor Lament
Victor Feldman – Satin Doll
Cal Tjader – Mambo Terrifico
Cal Tjader – A Night In Tunisia
Cal Tjader – The Continental
Cal Tjader – Afro Blue
Cal Tjader – Cuban Fantasy
Cal Tjader – Rezo