monterey jazz

Sometimes lost in the constant electronic and indie rock talk on 17 Dots is the awesome jazz collection that eMusic has. This week, our catalogue got a nice little injection with the arrival of the Monterey Jazz Festival imprint.

This year the festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the good people at Concord are helping them out by putting out never-before-released material from the likes of Miles, Monk and more.

A quick rundown of what we got this week (with Concord’s notes on players and dates below each):

Miles Davis – Live at the 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival

This previously unreleased live album features Miles Davis on trumpet, George Coleman playing the tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter playing bass and Tony Williams on drums. Produced by Jimmy Lyons, this album was recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 22, 1963.

Sarah Vaughan – Live At The 1971 Monterey Jazz Festival

This previously unreleased live album features Sarah Vaughan in vocals, Billy Mays playing piano, Bob Magnusson groovin’ the bass and Jimmy Cobbs on drums. Also features The Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars (#10 and 11): Bill Harris—trombone; Roy Eldridge—trumpet; Clark Terry—trumpet, vocals (#10 only); Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Zoot Sims-tenor saxophones; Benny Carter—alto saxophone; Mundell Lowe—guitar; John Lewis—piano; Louie Bellson—drums. Produced by Jimmy Lyons, this album was recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 19, 1971.

Thelonious Monk – Live at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival

This previously unreleased live album features Thelonious Monk on piano, Charlie Rose groovin’ the alto sax, Steve Swallow, playin’ bass, and Ben Riley on drums. Also features The Monterey Jazz Festival Workshop: Buddy Collette—director, saxophone, flute; Lou Blackburn—trombone; Jack Nimitz—baritone saxophone; Bobby Bryant, Melvin Moore—trumpets. Produced by Jimmy Lyons, this album was recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 20, 1964.

Dizzy Gillespie – Live at The 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival

This previously unreleased live album features Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, James Moody playing flute & tenor saxophone, Kenny Barron on piano, Christopher White groovin’ the bass, Rudy Collins playing drums and Big Black jammin’ on congas. Produced by Jimmy Lyons, this album was recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 19, 1965.

Louis Armstrong – Live at the 1958 Monterey Jazz Festival

This previously unreleased live album features Louis Armstrong on trumpet & vocals, Trummy Young on the trombone & vocals (tracks 6 thru 8), Mort Herbert on bass, Billy Kyle playing piano, Peanuts Hucko jammin’ on clarinet, Danny Barcelona on drums, and Velma Middleton on vocals. Produced by Jimmy Lyons, this album was recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival on October 3, 1958 (opening night).