One of the most popular jazz musicians in Japan today, Nicki Parrott's 2011's release from Venus Records is a gorgeous collection of romantic standards. The star-studded band includes her frequent collaborators–Harry Allen on tenor sax, her sister Lisa on alto sax, John Di Martino on piano–and, this time, Chuck Redd on vibraphone who adds a distinctive tonal color to the collective sound.

Jacintha is a Singaporean jazz singer/torch singer and stage actress who has been well-known in parts of the Asia-Pacific region since the '80s and has been increasing her exposure in North America since the late '90s. On "The Girl From Bossa Nova" picks up the tempo on her first bossa nova session. Featuring a program of some of the most well known classics of the genre, including several Jobim favorites like "So Nice", "Desafinado" and "Corcovado", as well as less familiar tunes like "O Ganso and So Danco Samba". And yes, there are a couple of classic Jacintha ballads done bossa style: "This Masquerade" and "Dindi". With superb work from tenor Harry Allen and guitarist John Pisano (ex-Diana Krall), the album's supreme finishing is the magical playing of legendary Brazilian master percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, who blesses the entire album with an authentic bossa nova vibe. This release is "a must" for Jacintha fans and all bossa nova lovers.

This is the third album in vocalist and bassist Nicki Parrott's four-part seasonal series. "Autumn Leaves" follows the spring-themed "Sakura Sakura" and "Summertime". Similar to those two albums, an excellent group of musicians support Parrott on the album. John Di Martino is featured on piano and Nicki's sister Lisa shines on the baritone sax. Harry Allen on tenor saxophone is an added bonus. These well-known autumn themed songs are refined and cleverly arranged with determined sensibilities and performed with loving lyricism.

Three tenor saxophonists, Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski and Scott Hamilton, join forces for this album of six magical jazz tunes including "That Old Black Magic" and "You And The Night And The Music". The trio are backed by pianist Tom Ranier, bassist David Stone and drummer Kevin Kanner.

Russian-born jazz pianist Vladimir Shafranov and American tenor sax player Harry Allen meet for a Nordic encounter in Stockholm. The album also features Hans Backenroth on bass and Bengt Stark on drums.

Nicki Parrott is a premier jazz vocalist and string bass player. Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki started her musical training at age four with the piano, followed by the flute, soon after. Nicki switched to double bass at the age of 15. "Moon River" is Nicki Parrott's debut as a leader. The album received Swing Journal's "Best Jazz Vocal Album" award.

A very special "summit meeting": U.S. saxophonist Harry Allen meets Cologne pianist Martin Sasse at Basel's "Bird's Eye."