Jazz
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...
We Love The West Coast. What would jazz be today without the musicians and clubs of mid-20th century California? It‘s hard to imagine. Typical of the West Coast Jazz is a light, lyrical melody and a relaxed, loose rhythm, often characterized by intricate, polyrhythmic drumming. The style was a reaction to the bebop style that had emerged on the East Coast of the United States. West Coast musicians were influenced by the big bands and swing music of the 1930s and 1940s and wanted to create a...
We Love The East Coast. What would jazz be today without the musicians and clubs of mid-20th century New York and Boston? It‘s hard to imagine. Typical of East Coast Jazz is a strong emphasis on rhythm, a melodic orientation and a distinctive playing technique in harmonies and arrangements. The musicians relied on greater virtuosity and technical finesse than their predecessors in the swing era. East Coast jazz was also characterized by the use of smaller groups such as quartets or quintets,...
The Jazz and the Broadway. Popular songs have always served jazz as improvisational material. Especially the great Broadway tunes up to the 1960s were a good source and inspired the jazz musicians of that time. In addition, around Broadway jazz clubs and theaters were door to door for many years, composers and musicians appreciated each other and had friends in crossing genre boundaries. This resulted in unique jazz versions of important and timeless Broadway compositions from West Side Story,...