Bloomington and area musicians have been busy.

In this issue, we call attention to five albums released in the last year or so (plus one re-release), featuring jazz artists familiar to the Bloomington scene. All are available in local stores.

Bloomington jazz master David Baker appears on trombone in the CD release of George Russell Sextet at the Five Spot, originally recorded in 1960 on Decca (CD release on Verve). This seminal group included Russell (piano), Baker (trombone), Al Kiger (trumpet), Dave Young (tenor sax), Chuck Israels (bass), and Joe Hunt (drums). Six compositions, including Baker's own "121 Bank Street," to show (or remind) you what the fuss was all about.

Well-known Bloomington violinist Sara Caswell has released her debut CD First Song (Double-Time Records). She is joined by Lynne Arriale (piano), Jack Helsley (bass), Steve Davis (drums), and on two tracks by her sister Rachel (vocals).  Nine tracks feature music by composers as diverse as Monk, Strayhorn, Jobim, David Douglas and Kurt Weil, plus originals by Sara.

of performing and teaching, now has his first CD After All (Whole Tone Music). Pat plays with Lynne Arriale (piano), Jay Anderson (bass) and Steve Davis (drums). The nine tracks include three originals, plus compositions by Joe Henderson, Cole Porter, Billy Strayhorn, and others.

Monika Herzig (piano), long familiar to Bloomingtonians through performances and CDs by the electric jazz-rock group Beeblebrox, has gone in a new direction with her Monika Herzig Acoustic Project CD, Melody without Words (Acme Records), titled in part after her new daughter, Melody. Joining Monika are John Huber (bass) and Steve Davis (drums), and on some tracks special guests Sara Caswell (violin), Chuck Carter (clarinet), and Peter Kienle (guitar). Ten compositions include four originals, plus works by Tyner, Lennon/McCartney, Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein and others. For more information, and for on-line sound files, go to http://www.acmerecords.com/
acousticproject.html.

Hiatt (bass), and Paul Surowiak (drums), with guest appearances on individual tracks by Steve Davis (drums), Sara Caswell (violin), and Marcos Cavalcante (guitar). Seven originals by Amy, plus one by Marcos Cavalcante, and an "amazing" arrangement of Amazing Grace. In addition to the music, the CD-ROM includes a QuickTime movie with live footage and interviews with the band, and some get-down, with-it dance steps by Tom's six-year old son, Nathan. (The music portion of the disk can be played on any standard CD player. The video movie requires appropriate computer hardware/software.) For more information, and for on-line sound files, go to http://www.cdfreedom.com.

touch with Monika Herzig, President, 3375 E. Old Myers Rd., Bloomington, IN 47408, (812-) 334-3022.

After a successful membership drive in the Fall, JfB now stands at about 120 members. We distributed literature and information at the annual Fourth Street Arts Fair over Labor Day weekend and at the Bloomington Jazz Festival at Bloomington High School North in December. In addition, we hosted a well-attended free "membership drive" concert/jam session by the JfB All-Stars at the TIS Music Store in early September.

address. Visit us at http://www.jazzfrombloomington.org. The old address at http://www.bloomington.in.us/~jfb will redirect you to our new site.