Franz Jackson: Buy CD's

1961 Recording of Franz Jackson and his Original Jass All-Stars in their heyday at The Red Arrow nighclub in Stickney, Illinois. Franz and his band played as the house band at the Red Arrow for over a decade to critical acclaim. This recording features sidemen Bob Shoffner on trumpet; John Thomas on trombone; Bill Oldham on tuba; Rozelle Claxton on piano; Lawrence Dixon on banjo; and Richard Curry on drums. This is a true slice of Chicago/New Orleans style traditional jazz and listeners will get a real feel for what it was like to hear the band in it's "natural habitat" of that time. As Franz says of this CD: "Let me take you back in time when we played some really wonderful, foot-tapping, finger-snapping, hand-clapping music."

Tracks Include: Red Arrow Blues, Clarinet Marmalade, St. James Infirmary, Ice Cream, Won't-Cha Come On Home, Weary Blues, Mack The Knife, Panama, Mr. Banjo Man

Franz's most recent CD, recorded in 1998, this album is a great combination of some old and newer traditional jazz tunes - and some that weren't originally intended to be jazz tunes at all: Girl of My Dreams was written as a waltz but Franz has turned it into a smooth, sweet jazz ballad. Some standout cuts include Struttin' With Some Barbecue, Girl of My Dreams, Sweet Georgia Brown and Wave. Franz is joined on this CD by George Bean on trumpet and bass trumpet; Joe Johnson on piano; Truck Parham on bass; and Jim Herndon on drums.

Franz chose the title for this CD because he felt that this album was a representation of his music without any affectations - simply, I Is What I Is.

Tracks Include: Struttin' With Some Barbecue, Black Butterfly, Bugle Call with Ol'Miss, A Closer Walk With Thee, Girl of My Dreams, Jitterbug Waltz, How Come You Do Me Like You Do, Limehouse Blues, Sweet and Lovely, Wave, Truck's Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown, How Long Blues, If I Could Be With You

Another terrific example of Franz and his Original Jass Entertainers in the 1950's. Although classified as Dixieland or Chicago Jazz, this album truly transcends traditional labels such as "Chicago Style" or "New Orleans Style" jazz. It's just a wonderful group of musicians with 265 years experience playing music between them (at that time). Featuring Bob Shoffner on trumpet; Al Wynn on trombone; Ralph Tervalon on piano; Lawrence Dixon on banjo; Bill Oldham on tuba; and Richard Curry on drums.

In addition to an original composition by Franz, "Southside", two standout cuts on this album are "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" with the amazing pipe organ in the beginning and Franz's clarinet singing beautifully throughout, and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" because it is such a great take on a traditional, patriotic song. Another fun cut is "How'm I Doin" which Franz uses as a great vehicle to introduce each musician's solo.

Tracks Include: Alabama Jubilee, Bill Bailey (Won't You Please Come Home), Southside, West End Blues, Squeeze Me, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Battle Hymn of The Republic, Sugar Foot Stomp, Runnin' Wild, Al's Strut, How'm I Doin.

Franz chose the title for this album because when he and his band were asked to make it, virtually every jazz band's album contained a version of "When The Saints Go Marchin' In". Franz said he didn't want to be like everyone else, so he said he'd do it with one caveat: No "Saints". Hence the title.

Enjoy!

Here is Franz in the Swing Era groove. This album contains some classic swing cuts such as "Keepin' Out of Mischief", "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" and "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing". Franz is joined on this 1994 recording by Norm Murphy on trumpet; Dave Remington on piano; Eddie Calhoun on bass; Wayne Jones on drums; and John DeFauw on guitar. As Joe Segal, proprietor of the renowned Jazz Showcase in Chicago, says in his comments of this album: "I think Franz Jackson is one of the great tenor players that's often overlooked in jazz history and this (CD) is one of the highlights of all the years I've presented jazz."

Tracks Include: Sometimes I'm Happy, Mean to Me, Back Home In Indiana, Surrender Dear, Keeping' Out Of Mischief, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Blue Skies, Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me, Willow Weep For Me, Nobody's Sweetheart, I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good, It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

1991 recording of Franz with Jim Beebe's Chicago Jazz. A really nice selection of traditional and swing jazz tunes including "High Society", "Apex Blues", and "Sophisticated Lady". Trombonist Jim Beebe featured Franz as his band's guest artist on this album to showcase him as "the total jazz musician" says Beebe. Franz plays tenor and soprano sax as well as clarinet on this album and is backed by Beebe on trombone, Bob Neighbor on trumpet, Max Hook on piano, Jack Meilahn on banjo and guitar, Jimmy Johnson on bass and Greg Sergo on drums. Tracks include: How'm I Doin?, Apex Blues, High Society, Didn't He Ramble, Snag It, Southside, What a Wonderful World, That Da Da Strain, Through The Night, Panama, Sophisticated Lady, Minnie the Moocher, Black and Tan Fantasy, and Franz' signature sign off: Huff and Puff.

Recorded at “The Birdhouse” in Chicago, this is one in a series of “Living Legends” recordings of great traditional jazz artists. Franz and his band were commissioned to do this album in 1961 and it features one of Franz’s original compositions, “Blue Thursday”, as well as his arrangement of “1919 Rag”. In Bob Shoffner, who is prominently featured on trumpet, Franz found a true musical partner. His musical and vocal complements to Franz’s stylings mesh perfectly and Shoffner is still remembered by Franz as one of his favorite trumpeters to this day. The other musicians joining Franz (clarinet and vocals) and Shoffner on this album include John Thomas on trombone; Bill Oldham on tuba; Rozelle Claxton on piano; Lawrence Dixon on banjo; and Bill Curry on drums.

Tracks include: Shimme-Sha-Wabble, Blue Thursday, Riverside Blues, Yellow Dog Blues, King Porter Stomp, Sister Kate, Colonel Bogey March, Bugle Blues, Hotter Than That and 1919 Rag.

Recorded in 1990 with The Salty Dogs in Chicago, Franz showcases four of his compositions on this CD: “Yellow Fire”, “Zuddan”, “Southside”, and “Bud Billiken”. Although “Yellow Fire” and “Zuddan” were recorded previously by Earl Hines and Jack Teagarden, respectively, here, Franz is able to give the listener his own rendition of how he envisioned the songs. You nearly forget the year when you’re listening to these two tracks in particular because they transport you back to the era when jazz reigned as “THE” music of America’s landscape. The Salty Dogs, a venerable traditional jazz band in its own right, superbly backs up Franz while he shines on such classics as “Lulu’s Back In Town”, “Sweet Georgia Brown”, and “St. Louis Blues”. Franz plays tenor and soprano saxophones and the album features Lew Green on cornet; Bob Neighbor on trumpet; Kim Cusack on clarinet and alto sax; John Cooper on piano; Mike Walbridge on tuba; Wayne Jones on drums and Carol Leigh joining Franz on the vocals for “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me”.

Tracks include: Dippermouth Blues, Lulu’s Back In Town, Zuddan, Dinah, Sweet Georgia Brown, When You’re Smiling, Bye and Bye, St. Louis Blues, If I Had You, Yellow Fire, I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, Southside and Bud Billiken.

Available Exclusively Through Franz's website.

Franz Jackson with Hugh Leal's Motown Classic Jazz Band recorded live in 1999 in Windsor, Ontario.

Franz and Hugh Leal make wonderful music on this CD. Standout cuts include "Bourbon Street Parade" which makes you feel as if you're marching down the legendary street in old N'awlins!

This CD also has some good old-fashioned classics such as "Darktown Strutter's Ball" and (I Wish That I Could Shimmy Like My) "Sister Kate" with Franz doing some great tongue-slapping clarinet work.

Tracks include: Undecided, Mecca Flat Blues, Bourbon Street Parade, Sunday, Darktown Strutter's Ball, Sister Kate, Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of This Jelly Roll, and C Jam Blues.

A wonderful bonus on this CD are tracks 11 through 16 which feature Franz and Hugh doing an interview about Franz's career and thoughts on music.

You don't want to leave this one out of your collection!

$20 Please send an email to buycds@franzjackson.com for more information.

Available exclusively through Franz's website.

Recorded live at the 1998 Windsor, Ontario Jazz Series and featuring trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, this CD takes you on a wonderful musical journey with two great musicians.

"On The Sunny Side of The Street" is guaranteed to lift your spirits and set your toes tapping while "What's New" brings back the melancholy sweetness of that golden era of music with Franz's sentimental, longing clarinet leading the way. "I Can't Get Started With You", one of Franz's favorite songs to do, will not only delight your ear but will tickle your funny bone as well when you hear him use his own lyrics to explain his lovelorn dilemma.

Backed by outstanding musicians and paired with Belgrave, one of the country's premiere trumpeters, Franz delivers another home run on this CD!

Tracks include: Lover Come Back to Me, Girl of My Dreams, Red Top, Get Happy, On The Sunny Side of The Street, I Can't Get Started With You, Lover, What's New, Struttin' With Some Barbecue, and Things Ain't What They Used To Be

$20 Please send an email to buyscds@franzjackson.com for more information.

While this is not technically Franz’s album, trumpeter Yves Francois so prominently features him (as well as saxophonist Eddie Johnson) that his name may as well be in the title! Mr. Francois is an excellent musician and shows his skill on such classics as “Lester Leaps In”. The true essence of the album, however, belongs to the great saxophonists Jackson and Johnson. These two great reedmen would not typically be found on the same album, but Francois scored quite a coup for the listener in getting them on this recording. Get ready to jump, jive and swing to such great tunes as “Lester Leaps In”, “Comin’ In Home” – a Franz Jackson composition, “Catnip” (a composition by Franz and Yves Francois), and “Melancholy Blues”. Joining Francois, Jackson and Johnson on these recordings from 1981, 1982 and 1986, are John Gorman on trumpet, flugelhorn and valve trombone; Marc Smierciak on alto and tenor sax; Joe Johnson on piano; Jeff Lindahl on bass, Ken Voelker on drums, Steve Mengler on trombone, Odie Payne, Jr. on drums, Stan Warren on alto and tenor sax, Carl Silberman on clarinet and baritone sax, Andy Johnson on piano, Mark Anderson on drums; John Knecht on congas, Bud Johnson on piano, Steve Keating on drums, Clay Grossman on drums and Sharon Waltham on vocals.

Franz continues his dedication to the next generation of jazz artists by joining an amazing young vocalist, Lisa Roti, on her debut album. Lisa has that rare combination of sweetness, sexiness, charm, and vocal prowess to bring the “old standards” such as “I Remember You” and “Exactly Like You” new life. She does a very unusual rendition of “If I Only Had A Brain” with tremendous success and her vocal phrasing has you enjoying tunes you’ve heard before in a whole new way. Lisa is joined by a great group of musicians on this album. In addition to Franz’s legendary tenor sax, the CD features Chris Carani on bass; John Harmon on piano; Tom Theabo on guitar; Mike Hale on trumpet and flugel horn; Martin Bany on drums; Tom Washatka on sax (one cut); Gary Miller on drums (two cuts); and Ryan Goldie on guitar (one cut). Definitely a CD to add to your jazz collection – Lisa Roti may be new to the game, but she sounds like she’s here to stay.

Tracks include: Comes Love, I Remember You, I’m Confessin’ That I Love You, If I Only Had a Brain, Exactly Like You, Dindi, Deed I Do, The Shadow Of Your Smile, Line for Lions, Please Send Me Someone To Love, What Is This Thing Called Love and Detour Ahead.

What a fantastic way to introduce your child to music in general and jazz in particular! Ella Jenkins, world-renowned children’s performer, joined forces with Franz Jackson and his Original Jass All-Stars in 1968 to record this wonderful album for children of all ages. Ella’s soulful voice and simple instructions guide younger children through “taking out their instruments”, “playing their instruments” and “putting their instruments away”. The CD also introduces different ways to make music, including using your body (hands, feet, etc.) as well as different music styles such as a march, a waltz and a jazz beat. There are even a couple games incorporated into the music, particularly fun is a take on the traditional “Red Light, Green Light” called “Stop and Go”. Franz and his band help take this CD to another level by introducing the sounds of a traditional jazz band and the various instruments it contains, each one getting its own special spotlight. Franz’s granddaughter delights in this CD and not only sings its songs spontaneously on a regular basis, but has also shared it with her class. This is a great CD for parents, children, and teachers!