Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen Live - Rediscovered Treasures From The Classic Years

CD Number: URCD257

Upbeat now present a welcome addition to their acclaimed Ken Colyer series. This new CD contains over an hour of previously unheard, digitally remastered tracks from what was considered to be Colyer’s ‘classic’ line-up from the late 50s playing standards, blues, spirituals and rags in their relaxed and inspired way.
Four songs feature the rarely-recorded vocalist Rosina Scudder, one of the few female singers to guest regularly with the Jazzmen.
All the exciting ambience of Colyer’s Studio ‘51 basement club is recaptured here including a bonus number from Ken’s pioneering skiffle group.

JASS AT THE OHIO UNION - The Historic George Lewis 1954 Concert - Double CD

CD Number: URCD244D

Available by mail order only NOW! Watch this space for news of shop release...
This historic concert has been treasured by George Lewis for many years, and now we here at Upbeat are proud to announce the first UK release of this landmark recording of the Lewis band at its exciting digitally remastered best! An essential double-album for all lovers of authentic New Orleans music.
By the mid-50s the band often performed on the college concert circuit for their developing fan base of young, mainly white, jazz enthusiasts for whom genuine New Orleans music was a revelation and we can feel the warm rapport they had with their new audience. That evening Nick Gagliano (the band’s manager) introduced them and to our surprise we learned that the concert was being recorded. The concert was a great success.
We’ve used the artwork and extracts from the original sleeve notes of the first release LP, but for the sake of accuracy have corrected some mis-titled tunes in our updated running order.
Personnel: George Lewis clarinet leader, Avery ‘Kid’ Howard trumpet, Jim Robinson trombone, Lawrence Marrero banjo, Alton Purnell piano vocals, Alcide ‘Slow-Drag’ Parvageau string bass, Joe Watkins drums vocals.

SING, SING, SING - Prime Louis Prima

CD Number: URCD243

In all of jazz’s turbulent history there have been few instrumentalist / performers who personified showmanship more than Louis Prima. In a positive way he brought many essential elements of New Orleans music to a wider public long before the roots of the so-called ‘Revival’ ever took shape. This CD traces the evolution of his charismatic talent, covering the years 1933 –1955, and includes rare tracks that have not been heard for many years.

Louis' award winning composition Sing Sing Sing – the title track of this compilation - was placed into the Grammy Hall of Fame, while another track Buona Sera was featured during the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics! In 2010 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

To younger audiences, Louis Prima will forever be the voice of King Louis in the 1966 Disney classic animation The Jungle Book – and he received a gold disc for the million selling soundtrack recording.

KENNY BALL AT THE BBC 1957-1962 - THE AIRSHOTS

CD Number: URCD157

These recordings comprise broadcasts mostly for BBC Jazz Club and run from 1957-1962. They include some tunes that had not appeared on studio commercial recordings. They complement the sessions from our series of BBC Jazz Club and our special issues of Colyer and Barber from the same time. The personnel are Kenny Ball trumpet and vocals, John Bennett trombone, Charlie Galbraith trombone, Dave Jones clarinet, John Potter banjo, Dick Bishop banjo and vocals, Diz Disley banjo and guitar, Paddy Lightfoot banjo, Pat Mason piano, Colin Bates piano, Ron Weatherburn, piano, Vic Pitt, bass, Jack Fallon bass, Ron Bowden drums and John Welling drums (in varying combinations listed inside!)

Cliff 'Ukulele Ike' Edwards - I Did It With My Little Ukulele

CD Number: URCD254

Re-engineered version now in the shops and available by Mail Order!

This CD celebrates the unique talent of Cliff 'Ukulele Ike' Edwards, pioneer of an instrument once again in fashion, the ukulele, and one of the first true crooners. ‘Ukulele Ike’, as Edwards became known, was an entertainer whose inimitable style exuded a quality rare in today’s jaundiced world: charm. Edwards was a prolific recording artist in the 20s and 30s - by some accounts selling around three-quarters of a million 78s - and his vaudeville background made him an ideal performer for the early ‘talkies’. He appeared in over 100 'talkies', but today he is perhaps best remembered for his wistful vocalising of When You Wish Upon A Star as Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney’s classic Pinocchio from 1940. This collection admirably showcases his innovative talent, his scat singing underlining his jazz credentials alongside the distinctive interpretations of his movie songs, and of course the sound of the uke. He sold in excess of three quarters of a million 78s, including the title track of this CD 'I Did It With My Little Ukulele'.
Cliff Edwards was inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum in 2000 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.

THE MAGIC OF A THOUSAND STRINGS - FARYL SMITH with The International Harp Ensemble

CD Number: URCD250S

THE INTERNATIONAL HARP ENSEMBLE is unique in the Europe and was originally formed to provide professional training and introduce the full range of the harp to the general public. However its sound has resonated around concert halls across Europe and has left audiences clamouring for more ! Founded by award-winning solo harpist Luisa-Maria Cordell in 2002, The International Harp Ensemble is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and now numbers 33 harpists of all ages, all of whom are dedicated to bringing ‘the magic of a thousand strings’ to a wider general public. The sound of one harp is beautiful, but together the Ensemble has a depth and excitement that is truly amazing. The Ensemble’s unique style and rich repertoire are perfectly showcased on this CD – The Magic of a Thousand Strings – which is also the title of their current touring show.
The Harps are joined on both this CD and the touring show by special guest singer FARYL SMITH. Her youth and vocal timbre are the perfect complement to the Orchestra’s young talent and haunting sound. Faryl was a finalist in the 2009 Britain's Got Talent and her debut album was the fastest selling debut album EVER! It was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in the Best Album category, and Faryl herself was nominated as Best Young Performer. Now 16, Faryl is singing better than ever, and her haunting tone is wonderfully enhanced by the Harp Ensemble. This is truly a matching made in Heaven!

For a short snippet of the CD and the artists in rehearsal, click on the YouTube button in the left hand column below and follow the link.....

GRAHAM DALBY and THE LONDON SWING ORCHESTRA - The Roaring Twenties

CD Number: URCD249

2012 marks the release of the first of four albums spanning the 1920’s to the 1960’s - a really comprehensive anthology of pre-electric music, starting with THE ROARING TWENTIES. Graham Dalby and the London Swing Orchestra (formerly the Grahamaphones) celebrate their 25th anniversary in style! The album reflects an era of great change - of millionaires like Gatsby and murderous thugs like Dutch Schultz and how the music transcended Prohimition, the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression. The London Swing Orchestra continues to bring the spirit and fizz of The Jazz Age to a recession hit world just as the bands did in the Twenties.The CD has 20 tracks and runs over 60 minutes.

BARBER, BALL and BILK AT THE BBC - Re-issue

CD Number: URCD230

The three Bs all together on one album - recorded by the BBC at their famous JAZZ BAND BALL sessions. Re-issued and re-packaged by popular demand. (Formerly URCD166). Full personnel details listed inside.