Harold Mabern and his piano join together with George Mraz, bass, and Joe Farnsworth, drums, to compile a 10-track SACD full of jazz's favorite staples from Harold Arlen, Michael Leonard and many more. A great piano trio album full of driving swing feel, groove and dynamism.

Modern Chant (subtitled Inspiration from Gregorian Chant) is an album by pianist Paul Bley, cellist David Eyges, and drummer Bruce Ditmas recorded in 1994 and released on the Japanese Venus label.

Can it be a coincidence that this album, subtitled "Inspiration from Gregorian Chant", was recorded right around the time that chant music was reaching its improbable peak on the album charts? In any case, this enjoyable, offbeat trio album featuring the unusual combination of Bley's piano, David Eyges' electric cello and Bruce Ditmas' drums seems to have very little to do with Gregorian chant per se.

Three decades on from his recording debut as a leader, and more than four decades since his first professional performance at age 8 in The Moffett Family Band, bassist extraordinaire Charnett Moffett can look back on a storied career. It began at a remarkably young age in the family band led by his father, drummer Charles Moffett; was forged in his formative years in the thriving Bay Area fusion scene; developed along parallel tracks in the classically-oriented classrooms of Juilliard and the hothouse Greenwich Village club scene in early-80s New York City; and has continued to evolve through experiences with iconic artists like McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, Sonny Sharrock and Ornette Coleman, (Charnett is on his Pulitzer prize winning Sound Museum), along with like-minded peers including the Marsalis family, Kenny Garrett and longtime compatriot Jordan.

The big star on the Japanese Venus Records' roster and one of the top tenor saxophonists of his generation, Eric Alexander's latest release is a Latin jazz album. Leading his regular quartet consisting of the powerful Harold Mabern on piano, Nat Reeves on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums, Alexander blows his powerful horn on the bossa nova and Cuban rhythms.

In the course of his long career as a bassist, Bill Crow has rubbed elbows with such luminaries as Gerry Mulligan, Marian McPartland, Stan Getz, and Duke Ellington. On this release for Japanese Venus Records, Bill Crow, who is an accomplished soloist when he chooses to take a chorus or two, is joined by veteran tenor saxophonist Carmen Leggio, guitarist Joe Cohn (son of tenor sax legend Al Cohn), and drummer David Jones.

Bassist Bill Crow is better-known as being sideman in the band rather than a leader. His dreams definitely came true in this, his second release for Venus. Selections are composed of standards, classic jazz compositions, and a pair of originals.

Stefano Bollani is an artist of ebullient virtuosity, with uncommon sensitivity and range. The Italian pianist has proved to be at home on ECM improvising solo or leading a trio, as well as engaging in duos with Enrico Rava and Chick Corea. This album, recorded for Japanese Venus Records, features piano jazz renditions of your favorite American standards.

A beautiful and thrilling Italian jazz ballad session by alto saxophone player Claudio Chiara and tenor saxophone player Emanuele Sisi. A quartet and quintet performance with the two frontmen Claudio Chiara and Emanuele Sissi, plus the piano trio of Massimo Faraò/Nicola Barbon/Bobo Facchinetti. Recorded in February 2020 in Turin, Italy.

Jobim himself described Adnet's voice as "deep, rich and mysterious" not just because of the alliteration. Adnet's beautiful instrument gets the perfect setting from these musicians and arrangements: not only is the estimable Trio da Paz on this recording (Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta, Duduka Da Fonseca), but there are wonderful performances from trombonist Jay Ashby, flugellers Claudio Roditi and Randy Brecker, and pianist Hugo Fattoruso, whose spare, lyrical style evokes The Man himself. Songs I Learned From Jobim contains a full range of moods, fine musicianship and excellent material. It's also a must-hear for Jobim completists, since it offers such unexpected and delightful insights into his musical self.

Italian pianist Andrea Pozza admires Wynton Kelly, Hampton Hawes and Red Garland, and his straight-ahead style reflects their influences as well as his own touches of lyricism and sophisticated harmonies. The Japanese label Venus Records is known for finding talent early, and this 2005 recording and his debut CD for the label (reissued here as a deluxe gate-fold paper sleeve edition) is a great example, as Pozza had recorded only one previous album as a leader before this one. Playing a collection of well-known standards, this album served as a perfect introduction of his piano style to the Japanese audience who since then has come to regard Pozza as one of the top Italian jazz pianists. A strong and thrilling piano trio album.

Massimo Farao' is a wonderful Italian pianist who has played and recorded with Red Holloway, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Tony Scott, Franco Ambrosetti, Nat Adderley, Jeff Tain Watts, Jack DeJohnette and Chris Potter, among others. Farao's passionate style and stoic romanticism are very attractive along with the rich harmonies he creates. For this release he is adapts and interprets Ennio Morricone's famous songs such as "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso", "Once Upon A Time In America", "Mission", "Playing Love", and more. Piano, guitars, trumpets blend the moving feelings of jazz and films. Venus's Hyper Magnum Sound is transparent and beautiful.

Austrian singer Simone Kopmajer has consistently released charming and wonderful albums from the Japanese label Venus Records over the years, many of them musically directed by brilliant pianist/arranger John di Martino. They got together again for this collection of Hawaiian songs, interpreted from a jazz musicians' perspective and performed with superb musicianship.

Acclaimed bassist & vocalist Nicki Parrott is joined by sax player Houston Person, pianist John di Martino along with a host of competent musicians for this album dedicated to songs of the Winter season including several Christmas tunes. You'll find such songs as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Blue Christmas", "June In January", "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", and of course, "Winter Wonderland".

Jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, composer and four-time Grammy Award winner Phil Woods studied music with Lennie Tristano, who influenced him greatly, at the Manhattan School of Music and at the Juilliard School. Chasin' The Bird is an album, originally released in 1998 for Japanese Venus Records. The supporting quartet were Brian Lynch, Steve Gilmore, Bill Goodwin, and Bill Charlap.