Here is a magnificent addition to the invaluable, Digby Fairweather-inspired series of great jazz trumpeters on Retrospective, which now stretches to no fewer than 21 releases! Virginian Frankie Newton (1906-1954) stands tall in this distinguished company, yet his artistry has tended to remain one of jazz’s better-kept secrets. The Connoisseur’s Frankie Newton focuses exclusively on the remarkable sessions under Newton’s leadership from 1937 to 1939, assembling virtually all of his finest recordings, and providing a comprehensive portrait of his prodigious artistic gifts. This is classic late-30s small group jazz at its very best with eight tracks from the Uptown Serenaders (You Showed Me the Way), six from his 1939 seven-piece orchestra (Rosetta), five from his Café Society Orchestra (Tab’s Blues) and finally six of the superlative blues performances recorded for Blue Note in 1939 (Blues for Tommy Ladnier). Generously showcased too are the other superb musicians around him, notably alto sax player Pete Brown, clarinettist Edmond Hall, Sidney Bechet, James P. Johnson and so many more. A jazz connoisseur’s delight!

Tracklisting:
1. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone
2. You Showed Me the Way
3. Who’s Sorry Now?
4. I’ve Found a New Baby
5. There’s No Two Ways About It
6. The Brittwood Stomp
7. ’Cause My Baby Says It’s So
8. Easy Living
9. Rosetta
10. Minor Jive
11. The World is Waiting for the Sunrise
12. Who?
13. The Blues My Baby Gave to Me
14. Rompin’ (Romping at Victor)
15. Daybreak Blues
16. Rockin’ the Blues
17. Port Of Harlem Blues
18. The Jitters
19. Tab’s Blues
20. Frankie’s Jump
21. After Hour Blues
22. Jam Fever
23. Blues for Tommy Ladnier
24. Vamp
25. Pounding Heart Blues