Upcoming Releases

Here's a look at sets that we are currently working on at Mosaic.

Each of our sets is a time-consuming affair to assemble from securing rights to tape research to studio mastering to the photographic, historical and discographical research for our booklets. Each step is fraught with surprises and therefore it is possible that the Future Projects may not see the light of day. These are not yet available for preorder

Mosaic Records Limited Edition Box Sets

The Complete Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Decca Sessions (1929-1941) 8 CDs
Release Date: 2013

The tandem of Chick Webb (“The King of the Savoy Ballroom”) and Ella Fitzgerald (“The First Lady of Song”) brought together a drummer whose powerful execution and rhythmic drive became a model for drummers up to the present day; and a vocalist who, although in her rudimentary years, was to influence practically all vocalists in the pop and jazz idiom.

The recordings gathered for this major retrospective contain the astonishing Webb and his tight band from their first records on Brunswick right through all of the recordings for American Decca. When Chick died in 1939 Ella was the new headliner for the band (led at various times by Edgar Sampson and Teddy McRae) until 1941. These recordings with the big band and splinter groups from the band are also included and not only do they reveal a consistently vibrant working unit but the increasing maturity of Ella’s natural swing and poise.

This focus on the Webb / Fitzgerald Decca sessions is an invaluable examination of an underappreciated band, an outstanding jazz innovator in Webb and one of the all-time eminent vocalists of any period. For the first time we have a complete retrospective of both Chick and Ella in the best sound ever captured of the music from mint 78s and original test pressings. Included are remarkable examples of Webb instrumentals that silenced all those “battle of the band” challengers at the Savoy: “Harlem Congo”, “Who Ya Hunchin’” and “Liza”.

Overlooked from this band are other notable jazz artists making some of their first recordings: R & B pioneer Louis Jordan; alto man Hilton Jefferson; Edgar Sampson (who wrote and arranged “Stompin’ At The Savoy” for Chick); early trombone great Jimmy Harrison; trumpeter Taft Jordan who was a mainstay with Webb before joining the mid 40s Ellington band; outstanding reedman Wayman Carver; the great Fletcher Henderson bassist and leader John Kirby; journeyman trumpeters Mario Bauza and Bobby Stark; pianist Ram Ramirez and reedman Eddie Barefield. Commentary on the music will be provided by noted author John McDonough and rare photographs will pepper the set