Listen To:


Selected MP3s of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, and classic easy listening from the original vinyl.

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Guitars & All That Jazz was a radio station that webcast via Live365 for 11 years, ending in June 2011. The playlist consisted of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, early rock 'n' roll, lounge music and classic easy listening.

I hope to share some of this music with you via this blog. Most of it will be taken from the original vinyl (LPs and 45s) , cassettes and the occasional commercially unavailable CD.

Here's hoping you'll find something to enjoy. Please note files are available only for a limited time.

I urge you to purchase the digital version of the albums featured, either on CD or via download, wherever possible.

Listen to the Music
There are now two music streams. Click the appropriate player to the right.
1. Guitars & All That Jazz: Five hours of the best in jazz, guitars and other instrumental gems. New songs are added weekly.
2. Tiki Shores: Music to sweep you away to a tropical isle, a South American dance floor or a bossa nova on the beach at Rio. About 4.5 hours of classic exotica music, Latin rhythms and bossa nova.
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Marty Napoleon - Marty Napoleon & His Music



Here's an early (1958) stereo disc from jazz pianist Marty Napoleon, best known for his work with Louis Armstrong. Napoleon apparently was the leader on only four dates: this one, for a label called Stere-o-craft, one three years earlier for Bethlehem and two late 1950s sessions for Everest.

Stere-o-craft, one of a bevy of labels owned by New York-based orchestra leader Morty Craft, lasted for only a couple of years and issued less than two dozen albums. Almost all of the LPs were jazz, including the debut album of vocalist Shirley Horn, Embers and Ashes, in 1960.

The stereo and musical quality of the several Stere-o-craft albums I've heard have been excellent, including this one, Marty Napoleon & His Music. There's a kind of funky feel to this LP, thanks to Napoleon's use of organ on some tracks, the guitar work of Joe Puma and the tenor sax of Carmen Leggio. Also along on the date were bassist Chubby Jackson and drummer Mickey Sheen.

Below you can listen to and download the Napoleon group's version of the Harry James hit You Made Me Love You.

You Made Me Love You

As shown in this YouTube video, the album was also released as a 45 EP, in stereo. This probably was designed mainly for use in jukeboxes. There likely also was a reel-to-reel tape version as most Stere-o-craft releases were available in this format.





Marty Napoleon's two sessions for Everest are available as downloads from iTunes, Amazon and eMusic, among others. The Stere-o-craft session, unfortunately, is not.

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