Palo Alto Records was a jazz record company and label that released most of its discography in the 1980s. [1] The label was founded in 1981 by Jim Benham, who lived in Palo Alto, California. He played trumpet in a big band and was chairman of the Benham Capital Management Group. Herb Wong, an educator and disc jockey in San Francisco, was artistic director until 1985. The Palo Alto office closed that year, but the label moved to Studio City. [2] Palo Alto also operated a sublabel, TBA Records, which recorded Alvin Hayes, George Howard, and Rare Silk.
James Emory Garrison was an American jazz double bassist. He is best remembered for his association with John Coltrane from 1961 to 1967.
James George Hunter, known professionally as Jimmy Rowles, was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer. As a bandleader and accompanist, he explored multiple styles including swing and cool jazz.
Carmine Ugo Mariano was an American jazz saxophonist who focused on the alto and soprano saxophone. He occasionally performed and recorded on flute and nadaswaram as well.
John Laird Abercrombie was an American jazz guitarist. His work explored jazz fusion, free jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Abercrombie studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He was known for his understated style and his work with organ trios.
Richie Cole was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger.
George Mraz was a Czech-born American jazz bassist and alto saxophonist. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and worked with Pepper Adams, Stan Getz, Michel Petrucciani, Stephane Grappelli, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Raney, Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, and Richie Beirach, among others.
Charles McPherson is an American jazz alto saxophonist born in Joplin, Missouri, United States; raised in Detroit, Michigan; and now lives in San Diego, California. He worked intermittently with Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1974, and as a performer leading his own groups.
Herbert Harper was an American jazz trombonist of the West Coast jazz school.
Don Menza is an American jazz saxophonist.
Bruce Forman is an American jazz guitarist.
Today and Tomorrow is the fourth album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. It was recorded for the Impulse! label in 1963 and 1964. The two sessions featured performances by Tyner with bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Albert Heath, tenor saxophonist John Gilmore, trumpeter Thad Jones, alto saxophonist Frank Strozier, bassist Butch Warren and drummer Elvin Jones.
McCoy Tyner Plays Ellington is the sixth album by American jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. It was recorded in December 1964 and released on the Impulse! label in 1965. It features performances by Tyner with his John Coltrane bandmates: bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones. Percussionists Willie Rodriguez and Johnny Pacheco appear on four of the tracks. It would be Tyner's last effort for the label, before signing with Blue Note.
Extensions is the eleventh album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on February 9, 1970, but not released until January 1973. It has performances by Tyner with alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Elvin Jones, and features Alice Coltrane playing harp on three of the four tracks.
Trident is a 1975 album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner (1938–2020), his eighth to be released on the Milestone label. It was recorded in February 1975 and features performances by Tyner with bassist Ron Carter and his former John Coltrane bandmate, drummer Elvin Jones (1927–2004). It is available on CD. Unusually, Tyner plays harpsichord and celesta along with piano.
13th House is a 1981 album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner released on the Milestone label. It was recorded in October 1980 and features performances by Tyner with a big band that includes alto saxophonist Joe Ford, flautist Hubert Laws, tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford, trombonist Slide Hampton, bassist Ron Carter and trumpeters Oscar Brashear and Charles Sullivan.
Love & Peace is a 1982 album by the Elvin Jones-McCoy Tyner Quintet released on the Japanese Trio label. It was recorded in April 1982 and features performances by Jones and Tyner with Pharoah Sanders, Jean-Paul Bourelly and Richard Davis.
Bob Magnusson is an American jazz bassist.
Solid is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green, containing performances recorded in 1964 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1979. McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Bob Cranshaw from Green’s previous session are joined by alto saxophonist James Spaulding and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson.
Illumination! is a 1964 album by the Elvin Jones/Jimmy Garrison Sextet, featuring John Coltrane Quartet bandmates Jones, Garrison and pianist McCoy Tyner playing with alto saxophonist Sonny Simmons, flautist Prince Lasha and baritone saxophonist Charles Davis.