Stanley Jordan: The Best Of Stanley Jordan (1995)

Jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan is truly one of a kind. Influenced by the virtuosic splendor of Art Tatum, Jordan set out as a youngster to create a completely new technique for the guitar. Eventually, he worked out a system for playing his instrument that incorporated both hands in a totally new way, using his fingers like hammers on a piano. By doing this, Jordan extends the harmonic possibilities of his guitar.

On this Blue Note best-of collection, listeners are treated to a set of 1980s/early-'90s tunes by the guitar innovator. Jordan's eclectic tastes are captured here. For example, he cleverly interprets the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven." He also performs a number of jazz standards, including "Impressions" and "My Favorite Things." Jordan also displays wonderful compositional skill on the elegant ballad "All the Children," the Robert Johnson-influenced "Still Got the Blues," and others.

Recorded between 1984 and 1990.
Personnel: Stanley Jordan (guitar); Kenny Kirkland (piano); Onaje Allan Gumbs, Preston Glass, Bernard Wright (keyboards); Cody Moffett, J.T. Lewis, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Omar Hakim (drums); Sammy Figueroa (percussion).

Tracklist:

1. Jumpin' Jack (6:32)
2. Eleanor Rigby (7:01)
3. The Lady in My Life (6:26)
4. All the Children (5:00)
5. Impressions (7:18)
6. My Favorite Things (3:54)
7. Georgia on My Mind (6:06)
8. Stairway to Heaven (6:17)
9. Flying Home (4:02)
10. Still Got the Blues (5:06)

Best of

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Terence Blanchard: Jazz In Film (1999)

Terence Blanchard covers classic motion picture scores with an expressive jazz trumpet and approach to straight-ahead jazz on the 1998 Sony Classical release Jazz In Film. Scores by Duke Ellington (Anatomy of a Murder), Quincy Jones (The Pawn Broker) and Jerry Goldsmith (Chinatown) are immersed in the world of jazz and resurface complete with Blanchard's imprint and eloquent style that is reminiscent of mid-'60s Miles Davis. Accompanied by contemporary jazz masters such as Kenny Kirkland, Joe Henderson and Donald Harrison, the set features the precision and emotional flair Blanchard is known for. His interpretations of Goldsmith's score from Chinatown and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver remain true to the original compositions. However, Blanchard's jazz execution develops and adds another dimension to the psychological turmoil their themes explore. His masterful use of a jazz ensemble with an orchestra to exemplify the music of such great composers as Elmer Bernstein (Man with the Golden Arm) exudes maturity and surpasses the excellence of his previous scoring efforts on the jazz-flavored score for Eve's Bayou. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Tracklist
1 A Streetcar Named Desire 7:55
2 Chinatown 8:23
3 The Subterraneans 9:08
4 Anatomy Of A Murder 8:25
5 The Pawnbroker 7:03
6 Taxi Driver 7:13
7 Degas' Racing World 7:57
8 Man With The Golden Arm 4:14
9 Clockers 8:01
Jazz In Film (Film Score Anthology)
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