Jazz & Cool Legends
The King Of Cool. On a warm night in 1950s Las Vegas, neon lights shimmered across the desert sky as a man took the stage with effortless grace. Cigarette in hand, smile easy, voice smooth as velvet — Dean Martin sang as if the music were part of a conversation, as if every listener were an old friend. Born Dino Paul Crocetti in 1917 in Steubenville, Ohio, he was the son of Italian immigrants who dreamed beyond their steel-town life. He boxed under the name Kid Crochet, worked as a card...
The Art Of Crooning. On a cool evening in mid-century America, neon lights shimmered across the night, orchestras tuned their instruments, and a single voice rose beneath the spotlight — smooth, close, and unforced. This was the sound of the crooners: singers who turned intimacy into an art form. They didn’t command audiences with volume; they drew them in, as if every song were a private conversation between friends. Romance, polish, and elegance were their language, and their music became...
The Quiet Milestone. A summer day in June 1961, New York’s Village Vanguard: Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro, and Paul Motian step onto the small stage – and create music that endures. From these concerts came two albums that shaped jazz history: Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby. The latter, named after Evans’s niece, is regarded as one of the most tender and moving recordings in the genre. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1929, Evans was a quiet revolutionary. Classically...
The Night is Long, Go On! Our first compilation, Midnight Jazz, is one of the most successful releases in the Magic Of Vinyl series. We are delighted that we have been able to inspire jazz fans as well as introduce night owls to jazz with our hand-picked compilation. The night is long - and that's exactly why it needs more: More Midnight Jazz. As with the first edition, much time and attention to detail have been invested in this vinyl to curate additional masterpieces of the genre that...
King Of The Swing. Frank Sinatra, "The Voice," became one of the most influential figures in American entertainment during the swing era. His rise began in the 1940s with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, where he refined his vocal techniques and captured the hearts of a nation during World War II. In 1943, Sinatra signed with Columbia Records, launching his solo career. His early recordings, known for lush string arrangements, earned him the nickname "The Sultan Of Swoon," making...
The Sentimental Sinatra. Frank Sinatra is not only convincing as the King Of The Swing, he also touches you in a unique way with his ballads. His impeccable phrasing and warm voice create a strong connection with the audience. Sinatra's collaboration with Capitol Records was pivotal. His 1955 album "In The Wee Small Hours," with tracks like “Mood Indigo” and “What Is This Thing Called Love?”, showcases his emotional depth, complemented by Nelson Riddle's orchestration, making it a...
The Ladies. The world of jazz is characterized by fascinating and unique voices that have not only written music history, but have also shaped and changed the genre itself. Female jazz singers in particular have made a decisive contribution to giving the genre emotional depth, versatility and an unmistakable personality. Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Dinah Washington, Abbey Lincoln, Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae, Peggy Lee, Blossom Dearie, Helen Humes,...
Maestro of Swing. Count Basie is considered an outstanding figure in the world of jazz. Born William James Basie in New Jersey in 1904, he rose to become a titan of the genre. His legendary Count Basie Orchestra, with its incisive rhythm section and minimalist piano style, set new standards. He led the group for almost 50 years and created innovations such as the use of two "split" tenor saxophones, the emphasis on the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, the use of arrangers, always to...
The Duke. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz, transcended the boundaries of time with his incomparable contributions to music. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he not only left a lasting mark on jazz, but also became a cultural icon. As a pianist, he was one of the most important inventors of the stride piano. As a composer, he wrote almost 2000 compositions (songs and suites), 100 of which soon became jazz...
This Night Belongs To Jazz. The virtuoso instrumentalists and the great voices light up the dark night with a piece of genius and jazz. Like stars in the night sky, they make the essentials of jazz music shine. One side is devoted exclusively to instrumental arrangements featuring Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Miles Davis and James Clay. The other side sparkles with sung standards by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Doris Day, Rosemary...