Record Store Day 2024 Jazz Releases

Every year, Record Store Day (RSD) promises limited edition vinyl releases for all tastes in music. From the latest popular artists to the most obscure archival releases, RSD drops try to cover a lot of musical territory. Practically all genres of music are represented and, of course, jazz is no exception. Fortunately, the April 2024 drop promises plenty of jazz offerings, so the most difficult part for most jazz collectors might easily be deciding what not to buy.

There are some things to keep in mind if you are new to Record Store Day. This is an event designed to support independent record stores, so you probably won't find these titles at chain stores. Also, each of the titles is released on a first-come, first-served basis, so it always pays to arrive at your favorite store early. One final reminder is that there are often titles that get added or deleted as the actual day approaches, so it never hurts to visit the RSD website to look over the list. And with that, here are some of the jazz albums coming out.

One of the highlights of the 2019 record store day releases was Cannonball Adderley's Swingin' in Seattle (Reel to Real). As many fans of this recording could attest, Adderley and his band were in top form, and the sound quality on that release was exceptional. Cannonball Adderley always gave the audience an impressive performance. As drummer Roy McCurdy mentioned in an interview, "There was a big rapport between him and the audience, and the people loved that just as much as they loved hearing him play."

Adderley fans are in for a treat because the 2024 RSD drop features two releases, and the quality and performances should be equally impressive. Although the recordings are only three years apart, they represent two distinct stages in Adderley's career.

Cannonball Adderley
Burnin' In Bordeaux: Live In France 1969
Elemental
Quantity: 2950 copies

Burnin' In Bordeaux: Live In France 1969 features Adderley on saxophone along with his brother Nat Adderley on cornet, Joe Zawinul on piano, bassist Victor Gaskin, and Roy McCurdy on drums. The audio is transferred from the original tape reels and is being released as a two-album set. The package includes an extensive insert with rare photos, liner notes by acclaimed author and historian Bob Blumenthal, and interviews and statements from Quincy Jones, Charles Lloyd, Hal Galper, and Roy McCurdy. It is mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl.

Cannonball Adderley
Poppin' in Paris: Live at L'Olympia 1972
Elemental
Quantity: 2950 copies

Poppin' In Paris: Live At L'Olympia 1972 showcases a different lineup for Adderley's band. While Nat Adderley and Roy McCurdy remain from the previous lineup, the personnel changes include George Duke on piano and Walter Booker on bass. Transferred from the original tape reels, Poppon In Paris is being released as a double album in cooperation with the Cannonball Adderly Estate. The quality of this, as with Burnin' In Bourdeaux, will no doubt be excellent.

Monty Alexander
Montreaux Alexander: Live! At the Montreux Festival
MPS
Quantity 1000 copies

By the mid-1970s, Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander was making a name for himself on the world stage. Right after Alexander completed an engagement at London's prestigious Ronnie Scott's Club, he received an invitation to play at the Montreaux festival. At this point, Alexander and his band were in top form and energetic. With Alexander on piano, John Clayton on bass, and drummer Jeff Hamilton, the Montreaux appearance along with the subsequent album release made this a performance to remember.

This reissue of the classic 1976 album captures a transitional point in Alexander's career. He quickly became a pianist to note, often compared to Oscar Peterson. Alexander, however, should not be pigeonholed as a Peterson wannabe. His unique style blends other influences such as Ahmad Jamal and Ray Charles, along with his Jamaican roots. Whether he is playing a standard like "Satin Doll" or a popular song like Morris Albert's "Feelings" (RCA 1974) Alexander's performances here are impressive, to say the least. This reissue will be pressed on mint green vinyl.

Chet Baker and Jack Sheldon
In Perfect Harmony: The Lost Album
The Jazz Detective
Quantity: 1500 copies

Zev Feldman's label, Jazz Detective lives up to its name with this release. This album which was recorded in 1972 has never been released. The tape was hidden away in guitarist, Jack Marshall's garage until his son, film producer Frank Marshall discovered it. He was going through some boxes in storage and found the tapes. In an interview, Marshall discussed the recordings. "The sessions went well, and, when they finished mixing, Dad took the tapes to L.A. to shop them." several labels were interested, but, unfortunately, Jack Marshall died from a heart attack before the project could be completed. After his death, the tapes got packed away and were never released.

In Perfect Harmony: The Lost Album features West Coast trumpet legends Chet Baker and Jack Sheldon on a recording from 1972 with pianist David Frishberg, bassist Joe Mondragon, drummer Nick Ceroli, and guitarist Jack Marshall. The recording is taken from the original master tape reel and manufactured at Memphis Record Pressing. This album includes an extensive insert with photographs, liner notes, and interviews.

Jack McDuff
Ain't No Sunshine
Reel To Real
Quantity: 1500 copies

When it comes to jazz organ, Brother Jack McDuff ranks at the top. Throughout his career, McDuff has produced several essential jazz blues recordings. His funky and soulful approach to the Hammond B3 makes him one of the most respected figures in the genre. Ain't No Sunshine was recorded at The Gallery in Seattle on September 13, 1972. The album features his band at the time, including Leo Johnson and Dave Young on saxophone, guitarist Vinnie Corrao, and drummer Ron Davis. This will be a hand-numbered, limited-edition double album set, which includes an extensive booklet with essays, photos, and memorabilia, along with commentary from Hammond organists such as Delvon Lamarr, Larry Goldings, and Brian Charette.

Nat King Cole
Live At The Blue Note Chicago
Iconic Artists Group
Quantity: 4000 copies

Nat King Cole is one of the best-loved performers in jazz music. This 1953 live recording from the Blue Note in Chicago features Cole on piano and vocals along with John Collins on guitar, Charlie Harris on bass, and Lee Young on drums. The audio is sourced from the original tapes, and mastered by Kevin Gray. The double album includes extensive liner notes, a six-page booklet with rare photos of Cole and his trio, and a copy of the original Blue Note Chicago newsletter.

Manu Dibango
Manu '76
Soul Makossa
Quantity: 1000 copues

Manu Dibango made a name for himself by blending jazz with traditional Cameroonian music. His recordings and performances established him as one of Africa's most influential musicians. During his career, he collaborated with an impressive list of influential musicians, including Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell, Don Cherry, and King Sunny Ade.

Bill Evans
Everybody Digs Bill Evans
Craft Recordings
Quantity: 4500 copies

What would Record Store Day be without a Bill Evans release? During the past few years, numerous concert recordings from the legendary pianist have surfaced. 2024, however, sees a reissue of an Evans classic, the 1959 album, Everybody Digs Bill Evans. This is Evans's second release as a leader, and it is a landmark jazz recording. It features Evans on piano along with Sam Jones on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Of course, this album has had many different vinyl reissues, so what makes this one different? Two things make this release unique from others. First, it is being reissued by Craft Recordings, who have an excellent track record for high-quality reissues. Many of the versions available online are lesser-quality versions, and sometimes the music is taken from digital sources. Second, and probably most important, this Record Store Day release is on mono rather than stereo. Why is this important? Albums from this period were almost always mixed in mono, and they frequently sound better. Stereo versions were often mono reprocessed for stereo, and the overall sound was not as dynamic. Keep in mind that stereo mixes did not become the norm until 1967, which is one reason collectors are drawn to the mono mixes. The RSD version features a mix cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray.

Kenny Garrett and Svoy
Who Killed AI?
Mack Avenue Records
Quantity 1500 copies

Saxophonist Kenny Garrett has performed with some of the greatest performers in jazz. His work with artists such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, and Freddie Hubbard laid the groundwork for a promising solo career, featuring impressive albums such as Songs From The Ancestors (Mack Avenue 2021) and the previous Record Store Day release, Sketches of MD: Live at the Iridium (Mack Avenue 2022). With Who Killed AI?M Garrett presents an electronic album in collaboration with keyboard player Svoy. Despite the new direction, this album should be a worthwhile addition to Garrett's catalog.

Vince Guaraldi
It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording
Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc.
Quantity: 1200

Although Vince Guaraldi had an impressive career as a jazz pianist, he will always be associated with Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang. Many of the Charlie Brown soundtracks have seen numerous reissues, but It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown is getting its first release on RSD 2024. The television special originally aired in 1969, and the recordings are taken from the original tapes.

The recording features Guaraldi on piano along with an impressive lineup of jazz greats, including Monty Budwig on bass, drummer Jack Sperling, Conte Candoli and Pete Candoli on trumpet, trombonist Frank Rosolino, Victor Feldman on percussion, and Herb Ellis on guitar. The soundtrack was produced by Sean and Jason Mendelson and restored and re-mastered by Vinson Hudson. This exclusive Record Store Day 2024 release is pressed on green vinyl and includes liner notes and a track-by-track analysis of the songs.

Yusef Lateef
Atlantis Lullaby: The Concert From Avignon
Elemental Music
Quantity: 1500 copies

The advance buzz on this release has been very high, and as to be expected with Zev Feldman's other productions, Atlantis Lullaby should be a worthwhile find. Atlantis Lullaby presents a 1972 concert from Avignon, France, featuring Yusef Lateef on woodwinds with Kenny Barron on piano, Bob Cunningham on bass, and Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums. This double album set includes a comprehensive booklet with exclusive interviews, essays, and rare photos.

Laufey
A Night At TheSymphony
AWAL Records
Quantity: 4200

Icelandic singer and multi-instrumentalist Laufey has become something of a household name among music listeners since her debut album Everything I Know About Love came out in 2022. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, her music quickly gained notice among both jazz and pop audiences. A Night At TheSymphony
features her original compositions along with beautiful arrangements of jazz standards. For those who love standards but may not be familiar with her work, this double album would be a good introduction.

Lettuce
Vibe
Lettuce Records
Quantity: 900 copies

While predominately known as a jam band, Lettuce Vibe presents 48 minutes of continuous improvisation. The jam features a blend of funk, jazz, hip-hop, and psychedelia. The result is a very listenable reverb-drenched groove that always gives the listener something new. This recording has been released on vinyl previously, but this will be a limited edition picture disc with a gatefold jacket.

Shelly Manne
Jazz From The Pacific Northwest
Reel to Real
Quantity: 1500 copies

Jazz from The Pacific Northwest presents legendary drummer Shelly Manne in two settings. First at the Monterey Jazz Festival on October 4, 1958, with Monty Budwig on bass, Russ Freeman on piano, Stu Williamson on trumpet, and Herb Geller on flute and alto saxophone. The second session was recorded at the Penthouse jazz club in Seattle on September 7 and 15, 1966, featuring Manne along with Hampton Hawes on piano, Frank Strozier on flute and alto saxophone, Conte Candoli on trumpet, and Ruth Price on vocals.

This album will be a hand-numbered, limited-edition, double LP set that was transferred from the original tape reels. The package includes a booklet with essays, interviews, and rare photos and memorabilia. The album is mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.

Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer
But Who's Gonna Play The Melody?
Mack Avenue Records
Quantity: 1500 copies

At first glance, this album might seem unusual. After all, how could you have a double album featuring two bass players? Keep in mind, however, that these are two of the most innovative bassists in music today. Christian McBride is not only one of the finest bass players in jazz, but he is also something of a jazz ambassador as well. His love of music and joie de vivre permeates everything he does, whether he's serving as a jazz performer, educator, or radio host. With But Who's Gonna Play The Melody?, he presents a collaboration with bassist Edgar Meyer, who has performed in a variety of musical genres, from classical to world music. Between these two players, this recording should highlight the possibilities of the double bass.

Dave Pike
The Doors Of Perception
Nature Sounds
Quantity: 2000 copies

Besides being a noteworthy jazz vibraphonist, Dave Pike was not one to shy away from experimentation. This aspect of his playing was certainly evident in his 1966 album Jazz For The Jet Set (Atlantic), which was featured in the 2020 RSD drop, but it comes to fruition with The Doors of Perception. As the press release states, this album "is among the most experimental and innovative releases by famed jazz vibraphonist Dave Pike." While it was recorded in 1966, it wasn't released until 1970.

As evidenced by the title and cover art, this album takes listeners on a journey into the trippy world of psychedelia. The result is an intoxicating blend of reverb, echoes, sound effects, fuzz distortion, and other assorted weirdness to provide listeners with a delicious blend of jazz chops and hippie cheesiness. The recording includes Eddie Daniels on saxophone and clarinet, Lee Konitz on saxophone, Don Friedman on piano, and Chuck Israels on bass. The result sounds something like Ornette Coleman playing with The Mothers of Invention. The Doors Of Perception is pressed on blue swirl-colored vinyl, so get ready to turn on, tune in, and drop the needle.

Sonny Rollins
Freedom Weaver: The 1959 European Tour Recordings
Resonance
Quantity: 2500 copies

Freedom Weaver is the first official release of Rollins's recordings from the European tour in 1959. The ensemble includes Rollins on saxophone along with bassist Henry Grimes, and drummers Pete La Roca, Kenny Clarke, and Joe Harris. These recordings have been released previously as bootlegs, but this is the first official release, which is done in cooperation with Sonny Rollins. This four-album set includes a booklet with rare photos and extensive liners by jazz scholar Bob Blumenthal, Branford Marsalis, James Carter, Joe Lovano, and new interviews with Rollins himself, The mastering on the set is by Bernie Grundman.

Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Winter in America
Culture Factory USA
Quantity: 4000 copies

This is a reissue of a 1974 album by American Jazz vocalist Gil Scott-Heron and keyboardist Brian Jackson. As the press release states, "The album is produced in a stripped-down fashion, relying on traditional African and R&B sounds." This version includes an OBI side strip, gatefold album jacket, original album artwork, and original record labels. It will be released on colored vinyl.

Snarky Puppy
Live At The Band On The Wall
GroundUP Music
Quantity: 2000 copies

This album, which was recorded in 2014, includes selections from their sold-out concerts at Manchester's Band on the Wall. This album shows Snarky Puppy at their most interactive and engaging level. The band consists of Michael League on bass, Robert Searight on drums, Nate Werth on percussion, Bob Lanzetti on guitar, Bill Laurance and Cory Henry on keyboards, Justin Stanton and Mike Maher on trumpet, and Chris Bullock on saxophone.

Omar Sosa
Omar Sosa's 88 Well-Tuned Drums
OTA Records
Quantity: 750

Many musicians begin their musical education by learning one instrument and later switching to another. Such is the case with Cuban pianist Omar Sosa who started his musical life as a percussionist but later discovered the piano. Although a well-respected jazz pianist, his percussive approach to piano has become something of a trademark. His musical journey was recently documented in critically-acclaimed film, Omar Sosa's 88 Well-Tuned Drums. This Record Store Day release is the soundtrack to this film, and it offers an excellent overview of Sosa's innovative sound. As the press release describes it, "While Sosa's globetrotting sound defies easy genre categorization, fans of ambient, fusion, Latin jazz, salsa and world music will discover both freshness and familiarity in Omar Sosa's 88 Well-Tuned Drums. This limited-edition album will be released on red vinyl.

Sun Ra
Pink Elephants on Parade
Modern Harmonic
Quantity: 1800

The 2024 Record Store Day drop features two vinyl releases by Sun Ra, a musician known for his eccentricity. The first release, Pink Elephants on Parade presents a somewhat unlikely pairing of Sun Ra's Arkestra performing Disney songs. The otherworldly treatment of songs frequently categorized as children's music might seem odd, but the approach here works. As the press release observes, " Pink Elephants on Parade takes nine songs from Disney's storied catalog and recontextualizes them as beautiful, fun, and sometimes terrifying pieces of Afrofuturist jazz." The performances certainly have the Sun Ra sound, but they also remain true overall to the originals. While this is a tribute, "you will likely never look at the Disney music the same way ever again."

Sun Ra
Sun Ra At The Showcase: Live In Chicago 1976-1977
Jazz Detective
Quantity: 3000

Sun Ra At The Showcase: Live In Chicago 1976-1977 features previously unreleased performances of this legendary artist recorded in an ideal venue for live music. Jazz Detective is Zev Feldman's label, and as is the case with his previous releases, the sound quality on this double album is excellent. The package includes an insert with photographs from the performances along with extensive liner notes, and interviews from a variety of musicians including Marshall Allen, David Murray, Reggie Workman, Jack DeJohnette, and Thurston Moore.


Art Tatum
Jewels In The Treasure Box: The 1953 Chicago Blue Note Jazz Club Recordings
Resonance
Quantity: 2000 copies

This is a previously unissued three-album set of Tatum recordings of recordings taken during his performances at the Blue Note jazz club in Chicago in 1953. Tatum is joined by guitarist Everett Barksdale and bassist Slam Stewart. Taken from the original tapes and mastered by engineer Matthew Lutthans, this should be an important addition for Tatum enthusiasts. There's plenty of material here with almost three hours of music.

The album includes rare photos and memorabilia along with liner notes from Columbia University professor and author, Brent Hayes Edwards. Also included are reminiscences from Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Rollins, Monty Alexander, and Terry Gibbs.

Mal Waldron and Steve Lacy
The Mighty Warriors: Live in Antwerp
Elemental Music
Quantity: 1500 copies

Mal Waldron and Steve Lacey began performing together during the 1950s. They took a hiatus but reunited after both men moved to Europe during the sixties. This double album is from a 1995 concert in Antwerp, featuring Lacey on soprano saxophone, Waldron on piano Reggie Workman on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums. All the performances have been transferred from the original tapes, and the set includes an extensive booklet with contributions by producer Zev Feldman and jazz writer Adam Shatz, as well as interviews with Workman and Cyrille.

Charles Mingus
Reincarnations
Candid
Quantity: 3400 copies

Reincarnations is a follow-up to the 2023 Record Store Day release, Incarnations. As with the previous album, this features Mingus tracks unavailable on vinyl for decades. The tracks were remastered by Bernie Grundman. This should prove to be a worthwhile addition for Mingus collectors.


Charlie Parker
Norman Granz' Jazz At The Philharmonic
Verve
Quantity: 3500 copies

This Record Store Day reissue celebrates the 75th anniversary of this landmark album. Recorded in 1949, this performance brings Parker together with other legends such as Roy Eldridge, Lester Young, Ray Brown, and Buddy Rich. This version will be released on yellow vinyl.

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