My picks for two hours of lunchtime jazz 23 years ago:
1. Misty-Renee Rosnes Trio with string orchestra
(Has there ever been a classier instrumental rendition of this classic that Johnny Mathis made famous?)
2. You Stepped Out Of A Dream-Patricia Barber
3. Daydream-Cheryl Bentyne
(With a voice this strong, it's no wonder Bentyne has had such a long career with The Manhattan Transfer. Her solo releases deserve more airplay; the same could be said for Manhattan Transfer vocalist Janis Siegel.)
4. Dorothy-Lou Donaldson
(A smooth alto sax ballad from the excellent album, "Birdseed." Two more standouts from the album: "Walkin' Again" and "Blue Bossa.")
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5. Tudo Bem (All Is Okay)-Bobby Watson
(A fine mambo for lifting one's spirits.)
6. Jeannine-Gene Harris Quartet
(A low-key cooker of a piano melody. Other highlights from the "Like A Lover" album: "Strollin'" and the cover of "I Can't Stop Loving You.")
7. Dream Of The Blue Turtles-Bob Belden Ensemble
(Yes, it's a cover of Sting's album title track.)
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8. 63rd Street Theme-Johnny Griffin
(If you like the vibe of the jazz standard, "Moanin'," this sax-based number will likely appeal to you.)
9. Irremediablemente Solo-Danilo Perez
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10. Don't Get Around Much Anymore-Clifford Jordan Big Band
(Jordan's saxophone socks this Duke Ellington melody home, and the rhythm players have plenty of space in which to solo.)
11. Rhythm-A-Ning-"'Round Midnight" soundtrack (Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams)
(Five jazz giants cover a Thelonious Monk tune. If there were ever a situation in which quality is guaranteed...)
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12. Dewey (For Miles)-The Yellowjackets
13. If I Were A Bell-Miles Davis
(Davis and company, including John Coltrane on tenor sax, swing the rhythm in this first-rate rendition.)
14. The Slump-Tony Williams
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15. Blood Secrets-Bernie Worrell
(Worrell's haunting organ riff propels the tune.)
16. Blues For McVouty-Jay Thomas
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