ARKADIA JAZZ... IN THE BEGINNING Click on any track title to hear RealAudio sample. 1. New Vista (5:05) David Liebman — Larador Music/Liebstone Music (BMI) 2. Beauty and the Beast (5:29) Howard Ashman & Allan Menken — Walt Disney Music, Wonderland Music Company (BMI) DAVID LIEBMAN GROUP: New Vista Soprano sax innovator Dave Liebman, together with his group and the great Brazilian percussionist Café, breaks new ground in this inspired recording. Mixing Brazilian rhythms with penetrating ballads, this album is, in Liebman’s words, his most upbeat release to date. David Liebman, soprano and tenor saxophones; Vic Juris, guitar; Phil Markowitz, piano; Tony Marino, bass; Jamey Haddad, drums; Café, percussion.. "I’ve been associated with more record companies in 25 years than I care to remember… This time, I think, is different. And this is primarily due to Bob Karcy’s vision for Arkadia. Much like some of the legendary jazz producers such as Francis Wolff (Blue Note) or Orin Keepnews (Riverside/Fantasy), Bob looks at the work of an artist as representative of that person’s entire being, his vibration. He views the musician as a whole. Bob is an experienced listener to all kinds of music and a devotee of the Arts in general. He understands that the essence of great music is its truthfulness and conviction, expressed within the aesthetic definitions imposed by the artist’s choice of materials. He believes that given a fair chance, the work will be understood and wanted. "It is a great pleasure to find some long-term support for my work. I expect the relationship between Arkadia and myself to produce a lasting legacy." —Dave Liebman, March 1997 Top of page 3. Caravan (4:50) Edward Ellington, Sam Irvin & Juan Tizol — Famous Music Corp., EMI Mills Music & Duke Ellington Music (ASCAP) 4. Naima (5:40) John Coltrane — Jowcol Music (BMI) BILLY TAYLOR TRIO: Music Keeps Us Young Piano virtuoso Billy Taylor has stood at the forefront of the jazz world for almost half a century. Now at the peak of his powers, he brings matchless grace and authority to these robust interpretations of originals and old favorites. With Chip Jackson on bass and Steve Johns on drums. "Bob Karcy is a man who loves music, so he wants to present the music he loves and the artists who create it in the most complete way possible. I am delighted to be a part of the debut of what promises to be a great new experience for artists and listeners alike." —Billy Taylor, March 1997 Click on any track title to hear RealAudio sample. 5. Jazz Influence (6:00) Carlos Lyra — Matador Music (BMI) 6. Convite (Invitation) (4:56) Guilherme Franco — Larador Music/Alpha Capela (BMI) NOVA BOSSA NOVA: Jazz Influence Nova Bossa Nova is a potent mix of powerful American jazz horns driven by a hard core Brazilian rhythm section… A unique blend of two musical traditions… A sensual and sizzling septet with a new voice and a new vision, featuring, Bob Mintzer on tenor sax, Claudio Roditi on trumpet, Joe Ford on alto and soprano sax, Eddie Monteiro on accordion and vocals, Atsushi Inoue on piano, and led by Guilherme Franco on drums and Alberto Beserra on bass. "Arkadia and Nova Bossa Nova—I think we can help each other. For us and for Bob Karcy the important thing is good music. Like Thelonious Monk said, `Good music is immortal.’ We hope Bob Karcy continues to produce us and we hope that pretty soon we will be a big hit." —Guilherme Franco "We’ve been treated so well by Arkadia… You treat us so nice… You make us want to give the best, to you and to the music." —Alberto Beserra 7. Up Jumped Spring (6:24) Freddie Hubbard—Hubtones Music (BMI) 8. Tiny Capers (5:52) Clifford Brown—EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (BMI) BENNY GOLSON: Up Jumped Benny Renowned saxophonist and composer Benny Golson gives full expression to the refined poetic temperament and matchless musical intelligence which have made him a living jazz legend. In this memorable live performance he is supported by a trio of impressive young stars. Benny Golson, tenor saxophone; Kevin Hays, piano; Dwayne Burno, bass; Carl Allen, drums. "… It is my distinct pleasure to have met someone who truly loves jazz, one who is totally dedicated not only to the music, but to those heroes who keep stretching and reaching into the dark of the unknown in an attempt to continue moving the music forward, one who does not merely sit at his desk but frequents every possible place where jazz is happening. In his ubiquity, he remains au courant on every level…. This man is Bob Karcy of Arkadia Records -- a breath of fresh air in an asphyxiating world. Would that there were more like him." —Benny Golson, January 1997 Click on any track title to hear RealAudio sample. 9. Yardbird Suite (3:40) Charlie Parker, Jr.—Atlantic Music Corp. (BMI) 10. Smashing Thirds (2:56) Fats Waller—Anne Rachel Music Corp. (ASCAP) MOSCOW SAX QUINTET: The Jazznost Tour This dazzling, critically acclaimed quintet of Russian musicians totally captures the jazz feeling, putting their own special spin on Charlie Parker classics - played in five-part harmony and at breakneck speed - as well as many other great tunes, old and new. "No fakes here!" declared one critic. "A title worthy of any collection." "One of the highlights of my visit to the United States with my band in 1990 was meeting Bob Karcy, whose company, V.I.E.W. Video produced and released an excellent video of our concert, which helped introduce us to an American audience. When we heard that Mr. Karcy was going to start a record company, Arkadia Jazz, we were excited that we would be able to work with him again. He is a man who loves music, and who knows how to listen to people and musicians, even if they come from strange and faraway places." —Vladimir Zaremba 11. Out Of Nowhere (3:16) Edward Heyman, John Green — Famous Music Corp. (ASCAP) DJANGO REINHARDT with Coleman Hawkins: Nuages Gypsy Jazz guitar legend Django Reinhardt made more music with two fingers than most mortals could with twenty. This timeless collection of remastered classics features the Hot Club of France, and the great Benny Carter Orchestra, as well as two newly discovered performances with legendary saxman, Coleman Hawkins.