Jazz Friends. You're here because you saw the link on my FB page. Welcome
My parents were massive jazz aficionados their entire lives and their passion was at it's peak when I was growing up. There was always jazz on the stereo (early mono rig that played during many parties) with jazz big bands, vocalists and instrumentalists. My mom's fav's were Erroll Garner (pno) and Tony Bennett. My dad loved the big bands particularly Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (Click here) and the trombone. He was the main reason why my first instrument choice was NOT the bassoon (UGH)
The gas station he went to on the way to and from work in East Hartford (I think it was Dave's Sunoco) was always offering special deals on things if you got a fill up. For a while, they offered a "club" membership in getting The RCA Victor Encyclopedia of Recorded Jazz. A 33 1/3rd / 10" vinal collection of the greats, but not just the big bands, also a lot of early jazz pioneers. I believe it lasted 1 year with a new album each month. These albums were curated for "A Jazz Club Of America® Presentation" Bill Grover Jr & Orrin Keepnews, Leading Jazz Authorities, Producers
I've had these records since my dad passed in 1986 and have cherished them. I believe the tracks on these 12+ abums are almost unheard of (at least somewhat hard to find) older performances and have extensive liner notes about each artist. Obviously being an "encyclopedia" the aritsts where alphabetical, typically featuring a solo artist, but with a who's who line-up of side men.
Now that we've finally gotten our full studio back up in our new house, I'm able to do a lot of things with our rig. Go to the homepage of this site to learn more about what we have done over the years. In this case, I have a very nice direct-drive turntable with a high end Pioneer cartridge that signal paths to my stereo tube preamp and running into the studio computer. I am not doing any editing, enhancing, cleaning up...nothing...just raw sound from the vinal.
I invite you to look at the albums below. I'll include a single clip from each album for demo purposes. Upon request, I will scan in the liner notes from the back. I will also transfer any track you request, only for personal use or educational purposes. There is no charge. Send your requests or other chats to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. So enjoy and let me know your thoughts on my FB page.
Tom
The RCA Victor Encyclopedia of Recorded Jazz
All 12 Albums plus a few extra with samples will be posted over the next month 1/2025
(Click on album image to see larger version)
Album 1 Features: Red Allen "Pleasin Paul", Albert Ammons "Boogie Woogie Jump", Louis Armstrong "High Society & Rockin' Chair", Buster Bailey "Night Whispers (with John Kirby Orch.), Mildred Bailey aka Rockin Chair Lady "Georgia On My Mind", Charlie Barnet "Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut St.", Count Basie "South & Money Is Honey", Sidney Bechet "Nobody Knows The Way I Feel Dis Mornin"
Demo from this Album: Charlie Barnet "Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut St." feat. Mary Ann McCall / Voc
Album 1 Back with extensive track notes. (Sorry for the missing piece...)
Note: Albums 2-12 will be posted right here in the next month or 2