Bid On Vol. III Of The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings LP Set!

Here is a rare chance to acquire Volume Three of The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings, a Mosaic Records 20-LP boxed set representing 246 recordings. This set, a collector’s item, has been long out-of-print and here is an opportunity to acquire it for your collection. The Commodore Records label was founded in 1938 by Milt Gabler who wanted to record his favorite musicians (that the major labels were ignoring) primarily in small group sessions (to counteract the plethora of big band recordings). Volume Three in Mosaic Records unprecedented limited-edition release of the The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings, includes the last 78s, the 10-inch and 12-inch LPs, important addenda to both prior volumes, plus a wealth of previously unissued material by Billie Holiday, Bud Freeman, Jonah Jones, Ralph Sutton, Frank Wess, Mel Powell, Wild Bill Davison, Peck Kelley, Eddie Edwards and His Original Dixieland Jazz Band and several others. Highlights for the set include:

Newly Discovered Takes By Bud Freeman: One full LP of Volume III is devoted to recordings that were uncovered after the other two volumes were released. In the case of Bud Freeman, one track corrects an error in Volume I, and three more were discovered too late to be included in that set. All are prime takes featuring Bobby Hackett, Pee Wee Russell, Dave Matthews, Eddie Condon and Jess Stacy.

The real Chu Berry master takes: Due to a 38-year-old bookkeeping era, all post-'61 releases of "Blowing Up a Breeze" and "Monday at Minton's," from Chu Berry's 1941 session have used alternate takes. The legitimate master takes are, at long last, presented here.

Jonah Jones: On July 31, 1945 Jones took a fine group into the Commodore studios consisting of fellow members of the Cab Calloway Orchestra, including Ike Quebec, Tyree Glenn, Hilton Jefferson, Milt Hinton and J.C. Heard.

Bob Wilber and His Wild Cats: Revivalist Bob Wilber was just out of high school when Commodore gave him his first chance to record. These first recordings, from February 1947, demonstrate the affection Wilber had for early jazz in general, and Sidney Bechet in particular.

Sidney Bechet and His New Orleans Feetwarmers: These April 27, 1950 sides represent some of Bechet's last U.S. recordings, with a pure Commodore backup group consisting of Wild Bill Davison, Wilbur DeParis, Ralph Sutton, Jack Lesberg and George Wettling.

Commodore mainstay Wild Bill Davison with his Commodores, with George Brunies, with The Original Dixieland Jazz Band, and with Sidney Bechet: Trumpeter Davison is an important thread that runs through all three volumes. Here he's heard leading various "Commodores" including Eddie Condon, Joe Marsala, Albert Nicholas, George Brunis and His Jazz Band, and finally with the great Sidney Bechet (1950's Feetwarmer's session).

Mel Powell and His Orchestra: Recorded in 1946 this 17-piece orchestra featured Neal Hefti, Bernie Privin, Cutty Cutshall, Big Sid Catlett and Mitch Miller (who was a pretty good oboe player).

Frank Wess Quintet and Sextet sessions: Both sessions marked Commodore's excursion into modern jazz. They were also Frank Wess's first recordings as a leader. Sidemen for the two sessions included Joe Wilder, Henry Coker, Jimmy Jones, Oscar Pettiford, Osie Johnson ad Urbie Green. These sessions were produced in 1954 by Leonard Feather and Danny Gabler (Milt's brother).

Peck Kelley's private recordings: This legendary Texas pianist was considered by many great jazz musicians to be one of the greatest keyboard players ever. Since he refused to record professionally, the only evidence of Kelley's art are privately made recordings. The ones issued here were purchased by Milt Gabler and released on Commodore through CBS Special Products.

The 1945 Town Hall Concert: The five original Commodore 10-inch LPs released from Timme Rosenkrantz's legendary 1945 Town Hall concert might equal the price of all three volumes of The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings. Historically important, musically stunning, they've never sounded better than they do here. For your added listening enjoyment, the concert is presented in order of performance. Red Norvo and His Orchestra start the place jumpin' with a lineup that includes Shorty Rogers, Flip Phillips, Eddie Bert, Teddy Wilson, Remo Palmier (then known as Palmieri), Slam Stewart and Specs Powell. Next up is a quartet led by Bill Coleman, featuring Billy Taylor on piano. Then, a fortuitous surprise. When several of the scheduled stars of the concert didn't show, concert producer Rosenkrantz called upon his friend, Gene Krupa, who did show and did make jazz history with his red hot trio featuring Charlie Ventura. The rest of the concert features great performances by the Stuff Smith Trio, with Billy Taylor and Ted Sturgis; Teddy Wilson fronting members of the Red Norvo ensemble; and closing things out on an unforgettable note, the innovative saxophone/bass interplay of Don Byas and Slam Stewart.

With the Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings, Volume Three you get every last Commodore jazz recording from June 1945 through 1957. All of this great music has been transferred from the best possible sound sources and remastered to Mosaic’s highly acclaimed standards for sound quality on mint LPs. Many never-before-released alternative takes and newly discovered tracks. A lavish 48-page booklet containing:

• Extensive session-by-session notes by Dan Morgenstern
• Part three of the Commodore Story by Milt Gabler
• Rare photos

Also included with this volume is a comprehensive discography (the first of its kind) of all the jazz recordings made by the Commodore label (as of 1990), compiled by Vincent Pelote.

This is a very heavy set (approx. 10 lbs.) so I have no idea what the shipping costs will be. I will contact the winner of the auction with shipping options once I know where the set will be going. Please do not ask me to figure out shipping before the auction ends.

Please do not email me inquiring about the reserve price. I will not answer!