Mack Avenue

McBride Christian Big Band: Without Further Ado [CD]

Iconic bassist Christian McBride has been doing what the title of his upcoming big band album implores for years: Bringin' It. This highly anticipated release, which follows the Christian McBride Big Band's 2011 Grammy(c) Award-winning debut, The Good Feeling, puts his status and skills as an all-around entertainer on full display. With a list of growing accolades including his recent appointment as Artistic Director at the Newport Jazz Festival, hosting shows on SiriusXM ("The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian") and NPR ("Jazz Night in America," as well as frequent online contributions to various programs including "All Things Considered"), speaking engagements, and occasional DJ performances under the alias DJ Brother Mister, he's more than just a bandleader: Christian McBride is transcending that title to something more complete.

Alexander Joey: Celestial Keeper [Vinyl LP]

The Erroll Garner Octave Remastered Series represents the heart of Erroll Garner's recorded catalog. Spanning 12 albums and the last 18 years of Garner's career, this collection of music is among the most important in the history of jazz. It represents an artist in his prime, with full creative and commercial control of his output following his break with Columbia Records. Find out more about the eleventh album in the series below. Erroll Garner | Magician | 11 of 12 The selections Garner committed to tape in the fall of 1973 include what may be some of his best original compositions, alongside a series of timeless contemporary takes on American Songbook classics. Though it would turn out to be the final studio album of his life, it makes clear that Garner was continuing to innovate on his distinctly individualistic style, and surely would have for decades to come.

Aimee Cyrille: It's A Good Day [CD]

Two of the most highly respected figures in the world of jazz - Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap -- document their critically acclaimed, sold out live concerts on their first and ONLY album, Elemental. Created because of the relentless demands of their massive fan base, Bridgewater and Charlap curate a repertoire that only they can present: at once exploring the deep understanding of jazz tradition alongside impeccable phrasing and a once-in-a-generation dynamic range, bringing a level of sophistication that is sure to be documented in the books of history.

Recorded in 1959, the Dreamstreet tapes sat unreleased while Garner fought for control over his catalog. Finally issued in 1961 as the first product of his newly formed Octave Records, it heralded Garner's return with a set of performances worthy of the wait. A new Garner original, "By Chance," has been added to the remastered release, restored from the original session reels. The Erroll Garner Octave Remastered Series represents the heart of Erroll Garner's recorded catalog. Spanning 12 albums and last 18 years of Garner's career, this collection of music is among the most important in the history of jazz. It represents an artist in his prime, with full creative and commercial control of his output following his break with Columbia Records.