Disney Jazz Do you know if there is a CD of the best of jazz music of Walt Disney movies? There are no Disney Jazz compilations currently in print but several CDs by jazz musicians feature Disney songs exclusively. "Disney Songs the Satchmo Way" showcases the incomparable Louis Armstrong in a program of Disney standards, including "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," "The Ballad of Davey Crockett" and "Whistle While You Work." On this 1968 release, Pops offers a truly transcendental performance on "Chim Chim Cheree," a modal-like, minor key melody also covered by by John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery. "Dave Digs Disney" is Dave Brubeck's 1957 tribute to the cartoon king. Along with Paul Desmond and Joe Morello, the pianist adds the Brubeck touch to such favorites as "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Heigh-Ho! (The Dwarfs' Marching Song)." Sadly, Duke Ellington's 1964 Reprise recording of the Mary Poppins soundtrack has yet to be released on CD.

Serentiy in Jazz I've recently found my serenity in jazz. I would love some suggestions of great jazz albums/artists/songs that would help me define what jazz is. Thanks in advance! Congratulations on finding your serenity. The state of clearness and calmness, free from stress or emotion is something we all seek. Volumes have already been written trying to define what jazz is including our own Jazz 101 feature. Rather than add to the clutter, TJM recommends these jazz recordings to accompany and enhance your serenity. Keith Jarrett Facing You ECM Keith Jarrett's first solo acoustic piano, from 1971, remains one of his best. The music on these eight improvisations is melodic, very rhythmic and bluesy, foreshadowing Jarrett's dazzling career. Stan Getz Jazz Samba Verve Stan Getz 1962 classic was the first full-fledged bossa nova album ever recorded by American jazz musicians, a glistening, graceful collection that's as subtly sophisticated - in harmony and rhythm - as it is hauntingly beautiful. Billy Strayhorn The Peaceful Side Capitol/Blue Note The focus on this rare and rather melancholy set is composer Billy Strayhorn's piano. His well known compositions are the springboard for his melodic and concise piano, which is peaceful yet filled with inner tension. Jazz 'Round Midnight Series CDs by Ella Fitzgerald, Ben Webster, Bill Evans, Sarah Vaughn, etc. Verve The nearly fifty compilations that comprise this series feature ballads and slower songs by the major Jazz artists of the 20th century. Taken from the Verve archives, the recordings set the perfect atmosphere for the wee small hours, when the hustle and bustle of day gives away to the calmness and serenity of the night.

Hammond B3 Organ I am trying to find out all I can about the great Hammond B3 organists such as Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff, Charles Earland, and others you might suggest. What genre has the Hammond been placed? Chitlin'-circuit grits and gravy organ-guitar-drum trio Jazz is one of the real musical joys on this planet. Although today's synthesizers can do everything except a make you breakfast, the Hammond B-3 remains one of the most expressive and versatile musical instruments. It can go from a whisper to a scream, be soulful or ethereal, yet percussive and bell-like as a vibraphone, as well. And, under the feet of a skillful player, make thunderous bass sounds or add a walking line. With its added Leslie speaker cabinet (an amplified speaker with a rotating horn that can be sped up or slowed down to vary the vibrato) the Hammond can send chills up your spine. Fats Waller was the first jazz organist but the real pioneer of the modern jazz organ was William Strethen Davis (1918-1995), better known as "Wild" Bill Davis. One of his first recordings at the Hammond Organ was "Tambouritza Boogie" with Louis Jordan in 1945. It was Davis, playing his own bass line, who created the first organ, guitar, drum trio, a powerful and greatly swinging vehicle. Jimmy Smith ruled the Hammond organ in the '50s and '60s, popularizing it in the process. His Blue Note sessions were extremely influential. Smith provided swinging walking bass lines and lush left hand chords, while soloing with his right, exuding a booming, funky presence. His music was a such a jubilant fusion of R&B, blues, and gospel influences with bebop references that others "heard" the call and followed in his footsteps, including Brother Jack McDuff, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Charles Earland, Jimmy McGriff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Today, the tradition is in the capable hands of such musicians as Larry Goldings, Joey DeFrancesco, Tony Monaco and John Medeski.

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