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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Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Jim Timmens and His Jazz All-Stars - Gilbert and Sullivan Revisited


The comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan might seem an odd choice for a jazz interpretation, but arranger Jim Timmens made it work on this 1959 Warner Bros. release.

Of course having the cream of the New York session players on board helped immeasurably -- people like Hal McKusick and Walt Levinsky on alto sax and clarinet, Al Klink on tenor sax and trumpeters Donald Byrd and Joe Wilder. Guitarists Kenny Burrell and Mundell Lowe are on board as well.

Timmens was also a composer, with his most famous song being the standard Aren't You Glad You're You, and served as musical director for New York's Radio City Music Hall. His recorded output under his own name appears to consist of Gilbert and Sullivan Revisited and a followup for Warner Bros., Showboat Revisited, also released in '59.

Below is a link to a sample track from Gilbert and Sullivan Revisited.

We Sail the Ocean Blue

Amazingly Gilbert and Sullivan Revisited is available as a download from most of the major sources. However, it's another release from Hallmark, which often uses vinyl as its source. Listen before buying.

Used copies of the LP turn up frequently on the auction sites, with quality and prices varying widely.

In 1957, Jim Timmens provided the arrangements for an album by actress Tina Louise, It's Time for Tina. Heard on this selection from YouTube are Tyree Glenn on trombone, Coleman Hawkins tenor sax and Hilton Jefferson alto sax, with the orchestra led by pianist Buddy Weed.


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