Album Notes

Meet guitar legend Calvin Newborn: He played on B.B. King's first recordings, taught Elvis how to dance, and tore up the Big Apple in the heyday of bop. Now Calvin - brother of jazz virtuoso Phineas Newborn - is hot on the comeback trail with New Born, a brand-new album chronicling his distinctive mix of Memphis blues and jazz.

Born and raised in Memphis, in the heart of the city's gutbucket blues scene, Calvin paid his dues on Beale Street when R&B was king. His impeccable jazz pedigree was honed at New York City recording sessions (and in smoky after-hours joints) alongside players like Jimmy Forrest, Hank Crawford, Charles Mingus, and Earl Hines.

Appearances by consummate sidemen including Donald Brown (Jazz Messengers) and Herman Green (Muddy Waters, Ike Turner, Miles Davis) anchor this landmark session, cut in Memphis, Tennessee in mid-2004.