This week’s theme: The Gershwin Songbook, as played by jazz pianists and their groups. Featured artists include: Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Red Garland, Billy Taylor, Bud Powell, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Paul Motian, Scott LaFaro, Hampton Hawes, Red Mitchell, Chuck Thompson, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Connie Kay, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen, John Ore, J.C. Moses, Ray Barreto, Arthur Taylor, Paul Chambers, Randy Weston

This week’s theme: Duets. Featured artists include John Cotrane, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Philly Joe Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Art Pepper, George Cables, Al Cohn, Jimmy Rowles, Tal Farlow, Dan Axelrod, Stephane Grappelli, Marc Fosset, Zoot Sims, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Lewis, Hank Jones, George Shearing, Carmen McRae, Rosemary Clooeny, Ed Bickert, Nancy Lamott, Christopher Marlowe, Ken Sebesky.

This week’s theme: Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon in the studio for Dial and Savoy, 1945 to 1948, with a little Lester Young thrown in for good measure. Musicians include Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, J.J. Johnson, Max Roach, Dyke Jordan, Tommy Potter, John Lewis, Curly Russell, Count Basie, Walter Page, Jo Jones, Todd Dameron, Art Blakey, Leo Parker, Leonard Hawkins, Bud Powell.

This week’s theme: Bird in the studio for Dial and Savoy, 1947. Featured musicians include Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Max Roach, Bud Powell, Errol Garner, Red Callender, Doc West, Early Coleman, Wardell Gray, Howard McGhee, JJ Johnson, Dodo Marmarosa, Barney Kessel, Don Lamond, Tommy Potter, John Lewis, Nelson Boyd, Dyke Jordan.

This week’s theme: Clifford Brown, Early Recordings.

Featuring 10-inch Blue Note and Pacific Jazz recordings, originals and Mosaic reissues/newly discovered tracks. Featured artists include Lou Donaldson, J.J. Johnson, Horace Silver, Jimmy Heath, Art Blakey, Zoot Sims, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Percy Heath, John Lewis, and more. Also some discussion of Michael Cuscuna of Mosaic.

Whilst on the subject of Blue Notes, I have a question from a reader regarding DMM pressings from the 1980s. It is not a subject of which I have any knowledge, other than what I read on Jazz Collector, but I recall seeing recent comments about these pressings a couple of weeks ago from Maarten Kools, so I am hoping perhaps we can share our collective knowledge and wisdom.

“Hello Al, I’m a big fan on your site. For a while I have been picking up any 80’s Blue Note DMM reissues when I find them in decent shape and priced right. Many sealed and some promos (cover has gold stamp, label is normal). I find the sound quality really good for the most part. I prefer the DMM’s over many reissues thru the years, especially mastered by Walley/Capital versions. I have noticed over the past 6 months that the used Ebay/discogs prices for the DMM reissues are starting to rise. A year ago I could get a nice Blue Note DMM on Ebay for around $20. Now, they seem to be selling $40 or more for nice copies. Do you have any background on these reissues? I assume they were analog cut. Any background would be greatly appreciated. There’s not a lot of info on the web.”

Here’s a collectible that looks pretty cool to me: John Lewis and Sacha Distel, Afternoon in Paris, Versailles MEDX 12005. Thus is two one-sided, white label test pressings, with what looks to be an original cover. The records are listed in VG+ condition and the cover is VG++. My high school French is not getting me through the listing, although the language “2 tics” seems pretty clear. This one closes in nearly two days and has a start price of around $200, with no bidders.

Finally, there is A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring the famous Peanuts characters, original soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi, Fantasy Stereo 85019. I, for one, had no idea this was a record of any collectible interest, but it has 42 bids and is currently sitting at $295. My question is: Are the bidders jazz people or Peanuts people? I have to admit having soft spot for the music, but not a $295 soft spot.

Jackie McLean, Swing, Swang, Swingin’, Blue Note 4024. This was an original pressing in what was described as “fantastic” condition, which we would assume would be M-. It sold for $713.

This one got a nice price, not quite like the one last month: John Lewis and Sacha Distel, Afternoon in Paris, Versailles 12005. This was an original French pressing in VG condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $345. Clearly, this record is moving up in desirability among collectors.

This one didn’t sell yet, but it’s quite interesting: Thelonious Monk, Genius of Modern Music, Blue Note 1511. This looks to be an original Lexington Avenue pressing with a very clear autograph of Monk on the cover. Whether the signature is legitimate, we’ll leave that to our readers. Don Lucky — what do you think? Oh, yes. The price is about $2,000.

The Magnificent Thad Jones Volume 3, Blue Note 1546. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing that was listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $1,784. That would be a new high price for any Thad Jones record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing with the cover design by Andy Warhol. The record and the cover were both in VG+ condition. We predicted that this one would break the $1,000 barrier and it did, selling for $1,215.

 Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This is an original pressing with the Andy Warhol cover design as well as the Lexington Avenue labels. This was the last of the Lexington Blue Notes. The record and cover are both listed in VG+ condition and the bidding is in the $315 range with nearly three days to go. It will fetch a hefty price.

The Magnificent Thad Jones Volume 3, Blue Note 1546. This is an original West 63rd pressing with the New York 23 labels. The record is M- and the cover is VG+. Would love to have this but, alas, I will keep searching for a copy that doesn’t cost as much. This one is already more than $400 and there are more than three days left on the auction.

Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This is an original purple label, deep groove pressing listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. With five days to go the bidding has stretched beyond $500 and this one will almost certainly enter the $1,000 bin.