Following the continuing success of their "Thank You" series of compilations - celebrating the music of such jazz deities as John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson and Gerry Mulligan through modern-day readings of their music by current masters and legends-in-the-making -Arkadia Jazz, "The Artists' Choice," is pleased to announce four new bargain-priced compilations (with a suggested retail price of $8.98), which will hit stores starting in January, 2001: The Stars of Jazz Volumes 1 & 2, The New Young Lions Of Jazz and Out And Out Jazz.

The Stars Of Jazz Volumes 1 & 2 are separately packaged, and feature classic tunes performed by some of jazz's greatest talent - including Billy Taylor, Benny Golson, Pat Metheny, Randy and Michael Brecker, David Liebman, Lee Konitz, Lew Tabackin, Gary Peacock and Bill Frisell, Joanne Brackeen, Branford Marsalis, Randy Weston, Django Reinhardt and many more - culled from the Arkadia and Postcards labels.

The New Young Lions of Jazz features more gems from Grammy-nominated Arkadia artists and releases, including legend/legend-in-the-making pairings from Benny Golson & James Carter; Joanne Brackeen with Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton & Kurt Elling; Bob Stewart & Steve Turre; as well as burning performances by Javon Jackson, Eric Reed and Terrell Stafford. Also included is Arkadia's newest signing, pianist Paul Tobey, who will be releasing his Arkadia debut, Street Culture in March.

Out And Out Jazz, to be released in April, is another bargain-priced compilation featuring avant-garde tracks from the Arkadia and Postcards labels, including work by masters like Reggie Workman, Paul Bley, David Liebman and Joanne Brackeen, in the spirit of the "New Thing" aesthetic. As compiler Timothy Orr states: "Arkadia and Postcards Records want to show the world that modern jazz doesn't have to be inaccessible, hard-to-find, high-priced music that only a select few can enjoy."

In addition to these four excellent compilations, Arkadia Jazz will be issuing new releases starting in January by their next wave of jazz stars: TK Blue's Eyes of the Elders; Paul Tobey's Street Culture; and David Lahm's back-by-popular-demand More Jazz Takes on Joni Mitchell." And watch for new CDs by master Benny Golson (One Day, Forever) and brand new Arkadia signings, German pianist Uli Lenz and Scottish guitarist Nigel Clark.

Arkadia Jazz is a label of Arkadia Entertainment, a natural extension of V.I.E.W. Video (www.view.com) founded by Karcy 17 years ago. V.I.E.W. is widely acknowledged to be the premiere home video producer and label in jazz, performing arts (opera, dance and classical music) and special interest (documentary, parenting, sports, health & fitness) with a catalog in excess of 200 titles that have been honored with over 100 prestigious international awards. For consumers who would like the name of the nearest retailer, or to receive a catalog, call toll-free, 1-888-ARKADIA. Arkadia's website can be found at www.arkadiarecords.com.