Verve Records Announces Final Release Of Year Long Verve 70th Celebration, ‘Always Hip: Verve At 70’
For seven decades, Verve Records has been home to some of the most important artists and recordings in jazz. Always Hip: Verve at 70 brings the label’s year-long 70th anniversary celebration to a close with a new collection that looks back at that extraordinary musical heritage while carrying it forward through a multigenerational cast of musicians. Set for release digitally as well as LP and CD on November 20th, pre-order the album here.
The first single, “Always,” features Jeremy Pelt, Monty Alexander, Ron Carter and Steve Jordan performing the Irving Berlin composition.
Produced by acclaimed drummer and producer Steve Jordan, who also performs throughout the album, Always Hip: Verve at 70 features jazz mainstays including Buster Williams, Jabali Billy Hart, Ron Carter, Monty Alexander, Rufus Reid and Lenny White. A Grammy Award-winning producer and musician, Jordan’s extensive career has included collaborations with artists including Keith Richards, John Mayer, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow and Neil Young.
Across the album, the musicians revisit compositions originally recorded on Verve by giants including Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Willie Bobo and Cal Tjader. Rather than simply looking back, Always Hip: Verve at 70 reimagines this music through the voices of the artists assembled for the project, underscoring a musical heritage that remains adventurous, sophisticated and alive.
“Sometimes you want to hear a certain sound,” says Steve about the project. “One that makes you feel good. One that makes you reflect. One that makes you move. ‘Always Hip’ does all of that.”
Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio, the album is both tribute and continuation. A celebration of the artists, songs and spirit that made Verve the historic label that it is today, while marking the culmination of its year-long 70th anniversary celebration.
ALWAYS HIP: VERVE AT 70 — TRACKLIST
1. “We See” (Thelonious Monk) — 6:06
Buster Williams, Steve Wilson, Stefon Harris, George Colligan, Lenny White
2. “Organ Grinder Swing” (Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish / Will Hudson) — 3:14
Mike LeDonne, Mark Whitfield, Billy Hart
3. “Always” (Irving Berlin) — 5:25
Jeremy Pelt, Monty Alexander, Ron Carter, Steve Jordan
4. “Soul Sauce (Gauchi Guaro)” (Dizzy Gillespie / Chano Pozo) — 6:31
Sammy Figueroa, Felipe Fournier, Bill O’Connell, James Genus, Steve Jordan, Marcos Torres
5. “A Wonderful Guy” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) — 9:17
Monte Croft, Bill O’Connell, Rufus Reid, Nasheet Waits
6. “Spanish Grease” (Willie Bobo / Melvin Lastie) — 4:22
Sammy Figueroa, Felipe Fournier, Antoine Roney, Clifton Anderson, Monte Croft, Bill O’Connell, James Genus, Steve Jordan, Marcos Torres
7. “Very Early” (Bill Evans / Carol Hall) — 6:53
Bill O’Connell, Rufus Reid, Nasheet Waits
8. “Sumphin’” (Dizzy Gillespie) — 6:46
Clifton Anderson, Antoine Roney, Bill O’Connell, James Genus, Steve Jordan
9. “Bumpin’ On Sunset” (Wes Montgomery) — 5:43
Mark Whitfield, Mike LeDonne, James Genus, Steve Jordan, Sammy Figueroa
10. “Song of the Outcasts” (Buster Williams) — 10:02
Buster Williams, Steve Wilson, Stefon Harris, George Colligan, Lenny White