There isn’t a single “must-give” or “must-have” for the passionate jazz follower in your life this season, but there are some eclectic choices, ranging from traditional performances on DVD to some far-out funky rarities. You’ll find something below to meet their needs.
What it Is!
Funky Soul and Rare Grooves From the Vaults of Atlantic, Atco and Warner Bros. Records
What a quirky, overwhelming blast of left-field entertainment. The word “jazz” may not come to mind when scanning this box set’s title, but these obscurities from 1967-77 feature solid, vintage improv-funk from Brother Jack McDuff, Eddie Harris, Junior Mance, Shirley Scott and the sadly faded Grassella Oliphant, a drummer who released a pair of soul- jazz album gems in the ’60s. A smart choice for the self-anointed music expert in your life who thought he’d heard everything. $64.98
Fearless Leader
John Coltrane
Chronicling roughly a year and a half from his development into the most celebrated tenor saxophonist ever, these late- ’50s dates track Trane’s early investigations of sound and harmonic possibilities. There would be a good deal of explosive music to come after these sessions, but much of what is here is warm and thoroughly accessible. It’s where his exploratory journey began, and it’s a fine place for the listener to start as well. $59.98
Vegas
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra’s sound really was one of the natural wonders of the 20th century. Beginning at the long-gone Sands (which he owned a piece of) 45 years ago and ending up in a smaller room at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas a quarter of a century later, he could always mesmerize an audience. He was never as casual (or funny) as contemporary Dean Martin, to cite but one example. But the evidence presented in this affectionate package proves that all he needed was that emotionally charged voice. Here are hours of previously unreleased performances. $79.98
Jazz Icons DVDs
Unless someone perfects time travel, we can’t attend a concert from pianist Thelonious Monk, who, judging by two 1966 performances collected on his DVD, could really work up a sweat and sported far-out hats. All nine of the Jazz Icons DVDs feature rare footage of important artists. In addition to the Monk quartet with jousting tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, the best excavations in the series include Ella Fitzgerald singing in front of an appreciative 1957 audience in Belgium and a prime quintet date from drummer Art Blakey. These aren’t flashy documents; just well-filmed and -recorded performances from heroic figures. $207.98 for the set; jazzicons.com
Dizzy Gillespie
The Verve/Phillips Dizzy Gillespie Small Group Sessions
One of the consistent joys of the output on the Mosiac label, which must be the greatest jazz reissue company in the world, is the label’s ability to surprise by unearthing obscurities. Dizzy Gillespie was one of the flashiest trumpeters and most inspired bandleaders, but the lion’s share of his 1954-63 dates have been neglected or simply forgotten. If you only know his collaborations with Charlie Parker or his extroverted big bands, these restless and often humorous adventures, collected on seven CDs, will keep you entertained long after the season has passed. $119; mosaicrecords.com
