Jay McShann and His Orchestra - New York – 1208 Miles (1941–1943)

An outstanding collection of early-1940s recordings by pianist and bandleader Jay McShann, New York – 1208 Miles captures one of the great Kansas City orchestras during a pivotal period in jazz history. McShann's band combined the blues-driven swing of Kansas City with a remarkable group of musicians—including a young Charlie Parker, whose work with the orchestra helped launch one of the most consequential careers in modern jazz.

The collection also features Walter Brown, Bernard Anderson, Orville Minor, Harold Bruce, John Jackson, Gus Johnson, Gene Ramey and other members of McShann's orchestra. Parker is heard on selections including “Swingmatism,” “Hootie Blues,” “Confessin' the Blues,” “One Woman's Man,” “Red River Blues” and “Hootie's Ignorant Oil,” offering an opportunity to hear his developing style before the emergence of bebop.

Other selections include “The Jumpin' Blues,” “Lonely Boy Blues,” “Get Me on Your Mind,” “Sepian Bounce,” “Wrong Neighborhood,” “Hometown Blues” and “Say Forward, I'll March.” The combination of McShann's piano, Walter Brown's blues vocals and Parker's alto saxophone makes this an especially compelling document of the transition from Kansas City swing toward modern jazz.

Issued by Decca Records as part of the Decca Jazz Heritage Series, this anthology brings together historic recordings originally made between 1941 and 1943.