Super Bass is a remarkable hard bop session centered around the powerful and highly influential bass playing of Wilbur Ware, one of the most respected bassists in modern jazz history. Released in 2012 by the Wilbur Ware Institute, the album captures a deeply expressive and adventurous ensemble performance featuring legendary musicians Don Cherry, Clifford Jordan, and Ed Blackwell. Ware’s bass work provides both rhythmic foundation and melodic direction, driving the sessions with a strong sense of swing, harmonic sophistication, and emotional depth. The interplay between Cherry’s inventive trumpet lines and Jordan’s rich tenor saxophone tone creates an engaging balance between post-bop structure and freer improvisational exploration. Tracks such as “Symphony for Jr.” and “Wilbur’s Red Cross” demonstrate the ensemble’s ability to move fluidly between tightly arranged passages and spontaneous interaction. Ed Blackwell’s dynamic drumming adds momentum and subtle rhythmic complexity throughout the recording. Super Bass stands as an essential modern jazz document that highlights Ware’s unique artistic voice while showcasing the chemistry of an exceptional group of improvisers.

Blue Note Records has announced an April 26 release of Sonny Rollins A Night at the Village Vanguard: The Complete Masters, a special Tone Poet Vinyl Edition of the legendary saxophonist’s tour-de-force live trio album. The expanded 3-LP set, which can be ordered now on the Blue Note Store, marks the first time Rollins’ complete recorded performances at the Village Vanguard on November 3, 1957 will be made available in a single vinyl package. The collection is also available as a 2-CD set and on all digital formats.

The Chicago Sound is the sole album led by American jazz bassist Wilbur Ware. It features a quintet with the saxophonist Johnny Griffin and was recorded in 1957 for the Riverside label. It was subsequently re-released by the Jazzland label as: Johnny Griffin & Wilbur Ware with Junior Mance and renamed "The Chicago Cookers" in 1960.Allmusic reviewer Scott Yanow considered the album "a fine debut by Ware. It seems strange that in his remaining 20-plus years the bassist never led another album".