Vadims Dmitrijevs Quintet – Integration!

Though the price is a bit steep at 17 Euros for a download, this one might be worth it.  Vadims Dmitrijevs is an up-and-coming trombonist from Latvia, and this slab of hard bop swings mightily.  Currently there are two tracks made available to sample.  The whole album will come out Continue Reading

Yuri Vikharev / Juris Āķis / Einārs Raibais – The Lost Latvian TV Studio Sessions 1967

This archival recording is a swinger released from Latvian specialty label Jersika Records.  It consists of pianist, jazz journalist and and record collector Yuri Viharev, paired with bassist Juris Āķis and drummer Einārs Raibais.  This was the cream of Latvian jazz, and it’s a massive event to see this label Continue Reading

Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen – The Bass in the Background

Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen was a phenomenal jazz bassist originally out of Roskilde, Denmark.  He was good enough to be drafted by Count Basie’s touring band but had to reject it due to age restrictions. Imagine working with pianists like Kenny Drew, Tete Montoliu, Lee Konitz, Dexter Gordon, Palle Mikkelborg, Continue Reading