A mix for the first full week back to work, from Russ Neff over at My Favorite Things.

Drown In My Own Tears- Shirley Horn – Light Out Of Darkness
Kamba - Moacir Santos – Ouro Negro
Passion Flower - Mitchell/Ruff Duo – Strayhorn
Indiana – Modern Jazz Quartet – A Celebration
Nite Mist Blues – Monty Alexander Trio – Montreux Alexander
Little Susie - Kenny Poole/Cal Collins – S’Us Four
Blue Daniel - Bud Shank Sextet – Silver Storm
New Orleans Stomp – McCoy Tyner – Illuminations
Bye Bye Baby - Eric Alexander Quartet – It’s All In The Game

Listen to it here.
Enjoy!

Well apparently Toronto isn’t the only city losing it’s long time jazz venues. The Jazz Showcase, Chicago’s oldest club dedicated to the musical form and the second-oldest U.S. jazz venue after New York’s Village Vanguard, has closed its doors after 59 years.

A New Year’s Eve “last blast” featuring saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman and Henry Johnson’s Organ Express was the final show at the club, which for six decades presented artists like Charlie Parker and others working out of the tradition associated with legendary players like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.

Get all the details at jazz.fm

A list of those who left us in 2006…

JANUARY:
Lou Rawls, 72. Velvet-voiced singer of such hits as “Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing.” Jan. 6.
Wilson Pickett, 64. Fiery soul music pioneer (“Mustang Sally.”) Jan. 19.

FEBRUARY:
Ray Barretto, 76. Grammy-winning Latin jazz percussionist. Feb. 17.

MARCH:
Narvin Kimball, 97. Last founding member of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band. March 17.
Jackie McLean, 73. Jazz saxophonist (“Jackie’s Bag.”) March 31.

JULY:
Irving Green, 90. Co-founder of Mercury Records; promoted Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington. July 1.
Bill Miller, 91. Frank Sinatra’s longtime pianist. July 11.
Jessie Mae Hemphill, 71. Blues musician; won several W.C. Handy Awards. July 22.

AUGUST
Maynard Ferguson, 78. Jazz trumpeter known for his soaring high notes. Aug. 23.

NOVEMBER:
Ed Bradley, 65. The TV journalist who created a distinctive, powerful body of work on “60 Minutes.” He was also the radio host of Jazz at Lincoln Center”. Nov. 9.
Ruth Brown, 78. Grammy and Tony-award-winning singer (“Teardrops in My Eyes.”) Nov. 17.
Anita O’Day, 87. One of the most respected jazz vocalists of the 1940s. Nov. 23.
Robert McFerrin Sr., 85. First black man to sing solo at the Metropolitan Opera; father of Bobby McFerrin. Nov. 24.
Don Butterfield, 83. Tuba player who performed with such stars as Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Sinatra. Nov. 27.

DECEMBER:
Jay “Hootie” McShann, 90. Jazz pianist and bandleader who helped refine the blues-tinged Kansas City sound. Dec. 7.
Martha Tilton, 91. Big band singer (“And the Angels Sing,” “I’ll Walk Alone.”) Dec. 8.
James Brown, 73. A founding father of rap, funk and disco. Dec. 25