1 1 2020 has been an unusual year to say the least, but we’re all coming through it and I think the music has helped us to stay sane! We have some great New Releases for you this year featuring some of the British ‘greats’ - Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttelton and Ken Colyer – alongside some International super stars – Lil Armstrong, King Oliver and Fletcher Henderson – plus a sprinkling of interesting rarities – Bill Brunskill & Sweet Mary Cat! While you will notice that some of the other labels are no 2021 longer featured in this catalogue, as they are no longer releasing new titles, their back catalogue is still available on our website, and we will try to keep it updated so you know which titles are in stock and which will be a ‘special order’ item. The full Jazz Oracle catalogue is now re-pressed and raring to go, so here’s to happier days in 2021 and another great year of jazz!! Liz Biddle NEW! CHRIS BARBER in Retrospect with Ottilie Patterson – A Life on the Road URCD302 1 CD £12.99 Mike Pointon has compiled a wonderful CD of Chris Barber. His unmatched musical career spanned 65 years. Chris Barber retired from bandleading in August 2019 and this CD is released as a tribute to his stature within the jazz world. This album is a must for fans of 1950s and 60s jazz and fans of Chris Barber. The selection also features Ken Colyer, Monty Sunshine, Lonnie Donegan, Joe Harriott, Pat Halcox, Ian Wheeler and Ottilie Patterson. NEW! LIL ARMSTRONG – Hot Miss Lil – Born To Swing! URCD301 1 CD £12.99 Lil Hardin Armstrong was a jazz pianist, the first major female jazz instrumentalist, who played with the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band and Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven bands. She also wrote or co-wrote many jazz songs and fronted several of her own bands in the 1920s and 1930s. While Lil Hardin Armstrong’s career was nowhere near as successful as her husband’s, she was the first major woman jazz instrumentalist whose career had any significant duration. This is terrific jazz! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! CONWAY HALL REVISITED - KEN COLYER’S JAZZMEN – VINTAGE JAZZ RARITIES Whatever Happened to Bill THE FRENCH PRESERVATION Humphrey Lyttelton and his Live At The Manchester Free 1924-1936 from the John R T Brunskill? BILL BRUNSKILL’S NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND Traditional Jazz Band 1969 Trade Hall 1959 Davies Archives JAZZMEN at The 100 Club – Alive and Kicking in Europe URCD305 1 CD £12.99 URCD306 1 CD £12.99 URCD304 1 CD £12.99 URCD307 1 CD £12.99 URCD299D 2 CDs £14.99 The first time ever on CD, this Recorded at Manchester Free This special album commemorates This is the first CD to be released The band here is a veritable United session from 1969 is a forgotten Trade Hall on 31st January 1959 one of the British jazz scene’s most as a tribute to one of the pioneers Nations of talent. Recorded in gem and finds Humph on and featuring the classic line-up of unforgettable figures: of authentic New Orleans jazz December 2004 in Irigny, France, scintillating form revisiting numbers this legendary band - Ken Colyer, John R T Davies. in Britain. East London-born the tunes were originally released he’d recorded with his earlier Mac Duncan, Ian Wheeler, Ray Bands include: Fletcher Henderson trumpeter Brunskill, who died in on 2 Jazz Crusade CDs under the band. It features him with his old Foxley, John Bastable, Ron Ward and His Orchestra, Wingie Malone 2002, was praised by Ken Colyer title Jumpin’ in Irigny. This is their friend Wally Fawkes, who’d been and Colin Bowden. A must for all and His San Sue Strutters, Duke for `his tremendous tone and first release on double CD which on his popular 1954 Humph LP At Colyer fans. Colyer on amazing Ellington and His Orchestra, King attack’. Over a career lasting more has been reissued on the Upbeat The Conway . We can enjoy them form. Originally issued on the Oliver and His Orchestra, Coleman than half a century he played label at the request of Jean-Pierre duetting together when Humph Dinamite label as DJCD001. Hawkins and His Orchestra to a major part in encouraging Alessi. Personnel are Jean-Pierre picks up his clarinet instead of mention a few. Excellent sound many younger musicians. Alessi tenor and alto saxophone, playing trumpet. Lyttelton’s former quality and a CD not to be missed. Brunskill earned the respect of Fred Vigorito clarinet, Big Bill trombonist Keith Christie is also the European jazz scene for his Bissonnette trombone, Henry featured to great effect on what enduring contribution to the music Lemaire banjo, Joel Gregoriades was clearly a joyous reunion. he loved. Apart from his passionate string bass, Clody Gratiot drums. Humph had by then led a band You will find more playing, Brunskill’s characteristic for 21 years. To celebrate the cockney vocals helped gain him occasion he assembled this special New Releases from a loyal following over the years line-up, also including younger Upbeat Jazz and are well-represented on this musicians. The dynamic chemistry rumbustious live session. he achieved can be felt by the on the back page! audience’s enthusiastic reaction. Order by phone 0843Order 658 by phone0856 0843or online 658 0856www.upbeatmailorder.co.uk or online www.upbeatmailorder.co.uk 2 RELEASES AND BEST SELLERS NEW! SIDNEY BECHET – Petite Fleur – His 48 Finest 1923-1953 NEW! BUSTER BAILEY – Memphis Blues – His 47 Finest 1924-1958 RTS4372 2 CDs £14.99 RTS4356 2 CDs £14.99 It was Duke Ellington who said: ‘Bechet to me was the very epitome Jazz history has produced few masters to rival the phenomenal of jazz’. Indeed he was one of the supreme talents of jazz history as technical mastery of William C. ‘Buster’ Bailey. Given different a soloist rivalled only by Louis Armstrong, and the creator of a jazz social conditions he might have forged a career as a classical language for his favoured instrument, the soprano saxophone (as soloist, but it was as a superlative jazz performer that his long 46 well as being an unsurpassed clarinettist). Retrospective’s Petite Fleur year career almost traced the development of the form, from its offers a unique 2 CD survey of an extraordinary career, from his very earliest days right through to the Sixties. Memphis Blues presents first issued record,Wild Cat Blues of 1923, through to highlights of NEW! 47 remarkable examples of his artistry. From a 1924 track with NEW! his later years in Paris. In between is a sequence of unsurpassed jazz Louis Armstrong and the Red Onion Jazz Babies, Bailey’s story is followed masterpieces Really The Blues, Summertime, Indian Summer, Blues In Thirds, Egyptian through his landmark tenures with Fletcher Henderson, Hocus Pocus, and John Fantasy, Blue Horizon and so many more. Kirby, St. Louis Blues, interspersed with his outstanding contributions to many other bands, including Clarence Williams, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton and Red Allen. NEW! WILLIE SMITH – Alto Sax All-Time Great – His 48 Finest 1934-1956 RTS4368 2 CDs £14.99 BESTSELLER! IRVING FAZOLA – My Inspiration - His 26 Finest 1936-1946 RTR4337 1 CD £12.99 JAZZ RAG TOP 20 ENTRY! Willie Smith stands alongside Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter as one Here is the only CD available spotlighting the artistry of one of the of the three great alto saxophone players of the pre-Charlie Parker greatest of all jazz clarinettists, Irving Fazola - the best white clarinet generation – yet this is the first double CD devoted to his formidable player from New Orleans. The great clarinettist Irving Prestopnick (1912- artistry. Retrospective’s tribute to this towering figure in jazz history 1949) became Fazola (from the tonic sol-fah: Fah-Soh-Lah) or simply ‘Faz’. presents a 48-track survey that tracks his extraordinary career from With his phrasing and warm, liquid tone, he could only have come from sax-section leader in the 30s to high-flying soloist in the 50s. Classic New Orleans. This huge man, with his essentially melodic style owing sides from his years with The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, Harry James’ NEW! something to Jimmie Noone, was the last in the line of New Orleans Band and latterly with Duke Ellington. Plus exciting extracts from his many famous clarinet players. live performances with Jazz At The Philharmonic and in quartet with Nat King Cole as The Keynoters. Here is an album that demands a place in every jazz lover’s collection. BESTSELLER! BILL COLEMAN – An American in Paris – His 47 Finest NEW! HUTCH! – Society’s Favourite Gigolo – His 50 Finest 1929-1947 1934-1960 RTS4350 2 CDs £14.99 RTS4166 2 CDs £14.99 Uniquely among the great American jazz trumpeters, Bill Coleman Here is a tribute to one of the best-loved of all 20th century (1904-1981) spent the major part of his career in Paris. Two generously entertainers, Hutch, with his inimitable artistry displayed in the filled CDs present the cream of Bill Coleman’s artistry from his finest available collection of his always suavely elegant work. Leslie remarkable first sessions under his own name in 1936 and his classic A. Hutchinson (1900-1969), known simply as ‘Hutch’, had one of dates with Fats Waller, through 24 years of memorable performances the most famous and best-loved voices of the late 30s and 40s. to the late 50s, still playing with the same relaxed strength and creative With his charming and debonair personality, his skilful piano playing ingenuity which marked his entire career.