Search - Various Artists, Art Tatum, Erroll Garner :: Esquire's All-American Hot Jazz Sessions

HOT JAZZ! Esquire Jazz Poll Winners of the 40s.

08/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Esquire's All-American Hot Jazz SessionsThe Esquire jazz project was born one night in 1943 at the Hurricane, a large NYC club where Duke Ellington was playing. Legendary jazz critic & producer Leonard Feather was in the audience, seated with Esquire Magazine editor Arnold Gingrich, and Robert Goffin (Belgian critic).By the end of the evening, the three jazz fans agreed to put together a panel of experts to create the Esquire Jazz Poll--the first time a mainstream American magazine had paid regular attention to jazz. The Esquire polls continued for four years, through 1947, and were accompanied by concerts featuring the winners. Leonard Feather also set up special recording sessions featuring winners, many of which appear on this CD.A partial listing of artists includes Louis Armstrong, Neal Hefti, Jack Teagarden, JJ Johnson, Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, Don Byas, Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Teddy Willson, Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, REd Norvo, Barney Kessel Red Callender, Shelly Manne and Mildred Bailey.Some of the sessions were reissued on LP in 1967. This CD expands that collection, but has unfortunately gone out of print."