Jazz at Midnight, Vol. 2

Read About This Recording

Jazz is so diverse and versatile that it can express many moods, from explosive to lyrical, from ecstatic to peaceful. When the music is played with warmth at slow tempos, it can be very romantic and sensual, working perfectly for those special moments.

The two CDs in the Jazz At Midnight series feature some of the top jazz musicians of all time performing highly expressive renditions of classic ballads. There is an impressive amount of variety on these samplers, both in the instrumentation and the lead voices.

Jazz At Midnight, Vol. 2 features Rollins (Where Are You and My Ship), Hawkins, Mulligan (My Funny Valentine), Gillespie, Desmond, Laine and Hill make return appearances. There are also features for pianist Marcus Roberts, singer Carmen McRae, vibraphonist Gary Burton, altoist Johnny Hodges with Duke Ellington (Isfahan), keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith and trumpeter Roy Eldridge (Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams). Dating from 1949-94, Vol. 2, along with the first volume, not only provides romantic backgrounds but serves as a fine introduction for listeners to some of the finest players in jazz history.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Where Are You?; Solitude; I Surrender, Dear; My Funny Valentine; How I Wish; So Many Things; She's Funny That Way; I Should Care; Isfahan; Sunset; My Ship; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams; Dreamsville; It's Always Been You.

Hubert Fol, Paul Desmond, Johnny Hodges, Alto Saxes; Carmen McRae, Cleo Laine, Vocals; Clifford Jordan, Soprano Sax; Gary Burton, Vibes; Dizzy Gillespie, Cootie Williams, William Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Roy Eldridge, Trumpets; Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown, Bill Tamper, Bob Brookmeyer, Trombones; Harry Carney, Gerry Mulligan, Baritone Saxes; Mike Renzi, Dick Hyman, Herbie Hancock, Raymond Fol, Eric Gunnison, Jean-Paul Mengein, Marcus Roberts, Pianos; Peter Bunetta, Rick Chudacoff, Keith Copeland, Ed Shaughnessy, Roy McCurdy, Wilby Fletcher, Art Gore, Rufus Jones, Pierre Lemarchand, Joe Morello, Al Foster, Frank Isola, Kenny Clarke, Ben Riley, Drums; Michael Eckert, Dan Noel, Jay Leonhart, Ron Carter, Greg Maker, John Lamb, Milt Hinton, Gene Cherico, George Mraz, Red Mitchell, Pierre Michelot, Bob Cranshaw, Basses; Dan Huff, Jim Hall, Guitars; Don Byas, Zoot Sims, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Rollins, Tenor Saxes; Russell Procope, John Dankworth, Warren Hill, Alto Saxes; Albert Richman, French Horn; Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque, Woodwinds; Gloria Agostini, Harp; Robert Thomas, Ray Armando, Michael Cavin, Percussion; Lonnie Liston Smith, Keyboards; Donald Smith, Flute; Dave Hubbard, Horn; Anel Allende, Bongos; Lawrence Killian, Congas; Larry Dunlap, Synthesizer; Jimmy Hamilton, Clarinet/Tenor Sax; Gerry Mulligan Quartet; Sonny Rollins Quartet; Coleman Hawkins & His Rhythm; Sonny Rollins & Company.