Introducing Verve Jazz Masters

Introducing Verve Jazz Masters

Introducing Verve Jazz Masters is a superb 16-track introduction to the legendary Verve Records jazz catalogue, bringing together major figures from bebop, swing, vocal jazz, cool jazz, Latin jazz and jazz fusion. Released in 1994 as Verve Jazz Masters 20, the compilation showcases recordings made between approximately 1950 and 1972, making it an excellent overview of the label's extraordinary breadth. The European CD was issued as Verve 519 853-2.

The collection opens with Louis Armstrong's “Just One Of Those Things”, followed by Oscar Peterson's “Woody 'N' You” and Sarah Vaughan's “Lullaby Of Birdland”, immediately establishing the combination of legendary musicianship and classic standards that runs throughout the album. Dizzy Gillespie's “Tour De Force” brings the energy of bebop and modern jazz, while Stan Getz's “The Girl From Ipanema” introduces the Brazilian influence that became such an important part of the Verve sound.

There is plenty here for fans of jazz history. Duke Ellington's “Diminuendo In Blue & Blow By Blow” comes from his celebrated 1966 live performances on the French Riviera, while Chick Corea's “Captain Marvel” represents the more contemporary, fusion-oriented end of the compilation's musical timeline. Ella Fitzgerald's “Ev'rything I've Got” provides another superb example of Verve's vocal-jazz heritage, followed by Wes Montgomery's “Impressions”, recorded live at the Half Note in 1965.

The second half moves effortlessly between styles and personalities. Nina Simone's “Love Me Or Leave Me”, Charlie Parker's “Star Eyes” and Bill Evans' “Here's That Rainy Day” highlight very different approaches to jazz piano, improvisation and interpretation, while Dinah Washington's “What A Diff'rence A Day Made” and Billie Holiday's “A Fine Romance” demonstrate the extraordinary depth of Verve's vocal catalogue. Erroll Garner's “Misty” and Count Basie's “April In Paris” provide two suitably iconic closing selections.

With Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Duke Ellington, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Wes Montgomery, Nina Simone, Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, Dinah Washington, Erroll Garner, Billie Holiday and Count Basie, this is effectively a who's-who of twentieth-century jazz. For anyone discovering Verve Records, it offers an accessible route into the label's catalogue; for established jazz listeners, it is an attractive cross-section of classic recordings from some of the most influential artists in jazz history.

Tracklist

1. Louis Armstrong – Just One Of Those Things – 4:02
2. Oscar Peterson – Woody 'N' You – 3:47
3. Sarah Vaughan – Lullaby Of Birdland – 3:58
4. Dizzy Gillespie – Tour De Force – 5:02
5. Stan Getz – The Girl From Ipanema – 5:21
6. Duke Ellington – Diminuendo In Blue & Blow By Blow – 7:40
7. Chick Corea – Captain Marvel – 4:52
8. Ella Fitzgerald – Ev'rything I've Got – 3:20
9. Wes Montgomery – Impressions – 5:03
10. Nina Simone – Love Me Or Leave Me – 4:04
11. Charlie Parker – Star Eyes – 3:27
12. Bill Evans – Here's That Rainy Day – 5:19
13. Dinah Washington – What A Diff'rence A Day Made – 2:28
14. Erroll Garner – Misty – 2:50
15. Billie Holiday – A Fine Romance – 3:31
16. Count Basie – April In Paris – 3:46