Play It Again: Reissues Flood the Racks

As those holiday shopping hours rapidly fade away, gifts that keep on giving may be hard to find. But jazz CD reissues are in great quantity now and make quick, relatively inexpensive purchases.

Here are our Top 10 reissues (in alphabetical order) for 1994, most of which can be readily found in any major chain store--Tower, Wherehouse--or independents--Poo-Bah’s in Pasadena, Aron’s in Los Angeles, Rhino in Westwood and the recently expanded selection at Dutton’s Books in Brentwood.

* LOUIS ARMSTRONG, “Highlights From His Decca Years,” (Decca). This is a virtual recorded history of the first great jazzman and jazz singer. You hear intimations of modernism in the trumpeter’s “Wild Man Blues” from 1927, and by 1935’s “Struttin’ With Some Barbeque,” his horn is regally soaring. Classic vocals from the late ‘40s include “Black and Blue,” “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” (with Billie Holiday) and “That Lucky Old Sun.”

* ART BLAKEY, “At the Jazz Corner of the World,” (Blue Note). These “live” 1959 sessions are choice examples of the genre known as hard bop, where blues, be-bop and gospel elements shook hands. With Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Lee Morgan (trumpet) and Bobby Timmons (piano), Blakey had three crack soloists and composers, and the fare is sometimes relaxed and funky, sometimes edgy and driving, but always rhythmically supple and melodically winsome.

* BILLY ECKSTINE, “Everything I Have Is Yours,” (Verve). Subtitled “The Best of the MGM Years,” this two-CD package from 1947-57 finds the magnificent baritone in various orchestral settings, exploring ballads (“I Apologize,” “My Foolish Heart”), blues and a few uptempos, among them “How High the Moon” with the Metronome All-Stars. For sheer vocal splendor, Eckstine was hard to beat.

* DUKE ELLINGTON, “Live at the Blue Note,” (Roulette). Ellington’s orchestra was definitely in a prime period when it was captured in 1959 in this Chicago nightspot. The recording is precise and clear, due to extensive overhead miking and the performances by Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Clark Terry and other Ducal favorites on everything from “Sophisticated Lady” to “C Jam Blues” manage to mix passion and verve without being florid.

* HERBIE HANCOCK, “Mwandishi: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings,” (Warner Bros.). In the early to mid-’70s, keyboardist Hancock fronted a sextet that was one of the most interesting and enterprising bands of the fusion era. Two of the three albums reissued here present that ensemble, where Hancock juggled atmospheric moods with charged rhythm; the other is a make-you-smile, funk-based session known as “Fat Albert Rotunda.”

* JOE HENDERSON, “Four!,” (Verve). The sublime rhythm section of Wynton Kelly (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and Jimmy Cobb (drums) enhanced many giants, among them Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery. Here, the fellows surround tenorist Henderson with easy-chair support, and he wails on “Four,” “Green Dolphin Street” and others. Kelly’s solos are full of melodic gems.

* MILT JACKSON, JOE PASS, RAY BROWN “The Big 3,” (Pablo). The vibist, guitarist and bassist freely roam this intimate setting, investigating such fare as “Nuages,” “Wave” and “Blue Bossa” with a luxurious elan. The virtuosos switch seamlessly between background and foreground roles, and their ordered, inventive solos serve as paradigms of jazz performance.

* BUD POWELL, “The Best of Bud Powell on Verve,” (Verve). These 17 tracks are an ideal introduction to the be-bop master pianist. All selections, recorded between 1949 and 1955 when Powell was at, or close to, his peak, are exemplary. Most, like “Lady Bird” and “Celia,” are at easily digested medium tempos and there are some lovely, serene ballads, such as “It Never Entered My Mind.”

* JOHN SCOFIELD, “Life Fire,” (Gramavision). Here you can hear Scofield evolve from a B.B. King/Hendrix/Jim Hall-influenced, jazz-rock-bluesnik into a commanding individualist with a gritty, wires-sparking sound. This collection sports two cuts each from six Gramavision albums recorded between 1984 and 1988, all marked by the guitarist’s vigor and attitude.

* SARAH VAUGHAN, “The Benny Carter Sessions,” (Roulette). Her voice at peak power, her delivery sure and to the point, Vaughan goes with both heated numbers--”Honeysuckle Rose,” “The Trolly Song”--and emotional, slower songs--”If I Had You,” “Solitude”--on these two early 1960s session. Carter’s arrangements fit perfectly and Vaughan makes the numbers live and breathe.

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What to Do New Year’s?: For those who still haven’t decided how to celebrate New Year’s Eve, here are a few more possibilities: At Legends of Hollywood in Studio City, it’s drummer Frank Capp’s quartet with saxman Pete Christlieb, special dinner menu, $65, (818) 760-6631, while at nearby La Ve Lee, Brazilian songstress Eliane Estavao holds forth. There are two seatings at 9:30 and 11:30 p.m., $20 cover, prix fixe dinner, $19.95. Information: (818) 980-8158.

The Baked Potato in North Hollywood presents the club’s owner, pianist Don Randi and Quest. Special dinner menu, two drinks included, $50, (818) 980-1615. The room’s sister club in Pasadena sports ace saxman Justo Almario and fine bassist Abraham Laboreil, $65, with dinner. Information: (818) 564-1122.

At Lunaria in Los Angeles, singer-drummer David Basse is on tap from 9 p.m., $65, three-course dinner, dancing. Information: (310) 282-8870.

Dancers may also enjoy Del Simmons swing-styled band at Pasion in Studio City, $75, (818) 752-7333, or Johnny Crawford’s 1928 Society Dance orchestra at Atlas Bar & Grill in Los Angeles, $85. Information: (213) 380-8400.