Robert Hicks, piano & vocals; with Pete Rugolo and his orchestra.

It's Crazy*"Richard Diamond" Theme*The Ritz Roll & Rock*Minor Riff*Interlude*It Only Happens When I Dance With You*Bongo Fever*Firebird Jumps*Out Of The Shadows*You Stepped Out Of A Dream*That Was The End Of Me*Rika Jika Jack*The House Of Blue Lights

Vocalist Robert Hicks has collaborated with jazz legend Pete Rugolo to produce a wonderful new CD, Textures In Hi-Fi. Thirteen great tunes, hot arrangements -- this is one you won't want to miss! You can order it here.

Darrell Grant, piano, with Donald Harrison, saxophone, Joe Locke, vibes, Brian Blade, drums and Bob Stata, acoustic bass.

The highlight tune on this album is an inspired version of Michel LeGrand's gorgeous "You Must Believe in Spring," a haunting tune that jazz players, from Stan Getz to Buddy DeFranco, have tested their chops on. Grant's quartet masters the mood of this piece and makes you believe in all the seasons. The LeGrand tune effectively contrasts with the busy excitement of Little Jimmy Fiddler and the upbeat title tune, Smokin' Java, conposed by Grant. For this date, Grant hired Art Blakey-alumnus Donald Harrison, saxophone; Fantasy Records recording artist, Joe Locke, who also wrote Slander, an energetic bop number, for this album, and drummer Brian Blade, who records for Blue Note. Bassist Bob Stata completes the quartet.

Song Titles: Little Jimmy Fiddler; If I Should Lose You; You Must Believe in Spring; Spring Skylight; Goodbye; Quiet Times; Slander; Smokin' Java.

Any one who has heard Grant at the keyboard since his arrival in the Northwest is familiar with his skill, polish and versatility.

This CD compares favorably with Twilight Stories, his album released last year and reviewed with 4 1/2 stars by George Fendel in the October 1998 Jazzscene. Grant, a rising star on the international jazz scene, is well known in Europe. I was in London in early October and the Tower Records store in Piccadilly Square had four copies of Grant's Twilight Stories. We, here in Portland, are lucky he calls our city home. Lair Hill Records, 1999, Playing Time: 64:31, (Reviewed by Wayne Thompson)

TILL TOM SPECIAL (#290)

Jon Belcher & Savoy Swing, featuring Bill Ramsay, Dudley Hill & Jon Goforth

Seven Come Eleven*Till Tom Special*Moonglow*Moten's Swing*Drum Boogie*Stompin' at the Savoy*Slipped Disk*Interstate*Cottontail*Bernie's Tune*The Seventeen Special

JAZZSCENE MAGAZINE says:

"For those who aren't familiar with this group, be advised that Jon Belcher & Savoy Swing is one of the premier swing bands playing anywhere. Tasty is the word that comes to mind, and throughout the disk Belcher keeps the train on track with the kind of drumming we expect from a great swing group" -Steve Kullowatz, President, Jazz Society of Oregon.

The AMERICAN RAG says:

Although front lines traditionally draw the most ink, the Savoy Swing rhythm section deserves much more than just passing attention. Put simply, the band swings right out the front door thanks in no small part to Belcher's splendid drumming. And relying on the vibes-clarinet sound that Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton popularized during the big band era, Savoy Swing captures the blend that was the trademark of Goodman's sextet as well as the spirit of BG's group and similar combos that followed. In short, Savoy Swing's the real thing" -Cam Miller, Sept, 2000 American Rag.