With Record Store Day approaching this Saturday (4/18/26), this list highlights eighteen recommended archival releases and reissues for Record Store Day in the Jazz and Blues genres.
A number of these releases—many curated by Zev Feldman—were recorded at Jazz Showcase by owner Joel Segal. The selections lean heavily toward pianists, with seven featured across the list. Most of these titles will be available on vinyl for Record Store Day, with CD and digital releases following on April 24.
Terry Callier – At the Earl of Old Town – Time Traveler – 1 LP/CD – Recorded in 1967
This also comes courtesy of Joel Segal. Callier plays alone with his acoustic guitar. He has an interesting voice and inventive phrasing, evoking Richie Havens and, somewhere between Ben Harper and Jeffrey Gaines, of today’s singer-songwriters. Liner notes from radio programmer Mark Ruffin and comments by Sunny Callier, his daughter.
Bill Evans – At the BBC – Elemental – 1 LP/CD – Recorded on 5/12 and 12/29, 1965. Evans practically invented the piano trio concept, and you’ll hear plenty from bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Larry Bunker. The program is mostly standards and Evans’s staples. The BBC broadcaster adds some information, but it becomes somewhat wearisome. Liner notes include an interview with Chuck Israels, appreciations by Jamie Cullum and James Pearson, and notes by Evans scholar Marc Myers.
Roy Hargrove – Bern – Time Traveler – 1 LP/CD – Recorded on 5/4/2000 at the Bern International Jazz Festival. Hargrove was 30 at the time, at the peak of his powers, fronting a lineup of pianist Larry Willis, altoist Sherman Irby, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Willie Jone III, his working band of three years at the time. This set both sizzles and soothes as Hargrove presents one ballad. It is an exceptional performance in every way. Liner notes by Nate Chinen.
Joe Henderson – Consonance – Live at the Jazz Showcase – Resonance – 3 LP/2 CD – Recorded in February 1978. Henderson is on fire, with his hard-edged tone, and Joanne Brackeen is a McCoy Tyner-like marvel on piano. Steve Rodby is on bass with Danny Spencer on drums. This is a hard-driving, relentless set that allows all these players to stretch out. Liner notes by John Koenig with appreciations from Joanne Brackeen, Steve Rodby, Danny Spencer, and Joel Segal’s son, Wayne Segal.
Ahmad Jamal – At the Jazz Showcase: Live in Chicago – Resonance – 2 LP/2 CD – Recorded March 20-21, 1976. This makes a great companion piece to Resonance’s Emerald City Nights as Jamal fronts a trio of John Heard on bass and Frank Gant on drums. The program ranges from standards and pop material (including “Theme from M*A*S*H” no less) to bossa nova and more modern (at the time) selections (“Swahiilland”).. Liner notes are by Jamal scholar Eugene Holley, Jr., with memories from Jamal’s daughter Sumayah and appreciations from pianists Joe Alterman and Fred Hersch.
Freddie King – Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 -Nancy Pulsations Concert – Elemental – 3-LP/2 CD
This is the bluesman at the peak of his powers, recorded just a year before his untimely death. These are mostly lengthy cover tunes and medleys that depict Freddie’s metal-edged, ferocious guitar tone and his powerful, growling vocals as he bridged both blues and rock. Freddie fronts a six-piece band of organist Alvin Hempfill, guitarist Ed Lively, pianist Lewis Stephens, bassist Benny Turner (his brother), and drummer Calep Emphrey, all of whom are given ample solo opportunities. The deluxe package features appreciations from his daughter, Wanda King, as well as ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, plus liner notes by music journalist and historian Cary Baker.
Yusef Lateef – Alight Upon the Lake: Live at the Jazz Showcase – Resonance – 3 LP/3 CD- Recorded mid- 1975. This may be as comprehensive a Lateef recording as one can find. The woodwind specialist plays tenor, flute, and oboe, with some tracks running 30 minutes as he fronts an exceptional quartet of pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Bob Cunningham, and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, all of whom shine on these live tracks. “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and the bluesy “Yusef’s Mood,” which conclude the show, are absolutely rollicking. He nods to Ben Webster and delivers great flute tracks, i.e., “Golden Goddess.” Liner notes are by Lateef biographer Herb Boyd, with interviews with Bennie Maupin and Wayne Segal.
Michel Petrucciani – Kuumbwa – Elemental – 2 LP/2 CD – Recorded at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA in 1987. The 24-year-old French pianist had just signed with Blue Note. He suffered from a debilitating bone disease that often required that he be carried to the stage. Here, he plays in a trio with Dave Holland and his longtime drummer, Eliot Zigmund. Petruccuiani was well-grounded in the blues and played with indefatigable energy. The speed of his right hand is amazing, as is his whole attack. Holland solos on every piece, and Zigmund on half of them, many of which are standards. Petrucciani worked with Charles Lloyd but has long been overlooked, which is why this is worth checking out. Liners include a reflection by the pianist’s son, Alexandre, Zigmung, Italian pianist Enrico Pierannunzi, journalist Thierry Peremarti, and Kuumbwa co-founder Tim Jackson.
Cecil Taylor – Fragments: The Complete 1969 Salle Plevel Concerts – Elemental – 3 LP/2 CD – Recorded in Paris, France. Taylor and his Unit, altoist Jimmy Lyons, saxophonist/flutist Sam Rivers, and drummer Andrew Cyrille perform two marathon concerts that can be described as explosive, intense, fierce, chaotic, or any similar term. This is one of Taylor’s best bands, though undocumented. Having Rivers aboard is special. This is avant-garde at its most blistering, not for the faint of heart, but a ‘must’ for Taylor fans. Letting go of any inhibitions might mean you will find it exhilarating. Liner notes are by Taylor’s biographer Phil Freeman. Memories and appreciations are from Karen Borca, Matthew Shipp, Jack DeJohnette, and more.
Mal Waldon – Stardust & Starlight: At the Jazz Showcase – Resonance – 2 LP/1 CD. Recorded in 1979. This marks pianist Waldron’s first appearance at the Jazz Showcase at a time when he was reviving his career. As the title suggests, you’ll hear “Stella by Starlight,” Stardust, and several other standards alongside his originals, “All Alone and “Fire Waltz,” much rendered solo on the piano and some with the house trio. The mood changes dramatically when saxophonist Sonny Stitt joins for two exploratory, hard-driving tracks that close the set. Liner notes are by Howard Mandel with interviews with pianist Lafayette Gilchrist, bassist Steve Rodby, Wayne Segal, and more.
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These Should Also Be Checked Out
Ray Charles – Ray Charles Live In Concert – Tangerine – Expanded reissue of 1965 album
The John Coltrane Quartet – France 1965: The Complete Concerts – Charly – 4-LP featuring McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones
Miles Davis – The New Sounds (Mono 10”) – Craft – Miles’ first release as a bandleader in 1951 with Jackie McLean (alto), Sonny Rollins (tenor), Walter Bishop Jr. (piano), Tommy Potter (bass), and Art Blakey (drums).
Abbey Lincoln – That’s Him – Craft – Reissue of 1957 Riverside album in mono. Lineup includes Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Sonny Rollins (tenor), Wynton Kelly (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Art Blakey (drums).
Gil Scott-Heron – Reflections – Culture Factory- Reissue of 1981 album, backed by the Midnight Band and featuring one of his most lauded tracks, “B’Movie.”
Charles Tolliver All Stars – Right Now…And Then – Strata East – This is a newly remixed version of Tolliver’s debut album by Tolliver himself. The lineup features Gary Bartz (alto), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Joe Chambers (drums).
McCoy Tyner – The Seeker – Red – 2 LP This is a previously unreleased live recording from Perugia with bassist Avery Sharpe and drummer Aaron Scott, joined by vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. They blend Tyner originals with those from Hutcherson, along with a few standards.
Buster Williams – Pinnacle – Time Traveler – Reissue of 197 recording with Woody Shaw (trumpet), Sonny Fortune (saxophones), Onaje Allan Gumbs (piano), and Billy Hart (drums). The bassist blended straight-ahead, post-bop, and fusion, an offshoot of his work with Hancock’s Mwandishi group.
Bonus
Little Jimmy Scott – Falling in Love Is Wonderful – Tangerine – Reissue of original 1963 release with supervision and piano from Ray Charles and arrangements by the Marty Paich Orchestra. Available on 4-17, and this ballads album is perfect for a romantic evening.
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