Kevin Whitehead

O'Farrill is a New Yorker of Cuban, Mexican, Jewish, African-American, German and Irish descent. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says his new album with Stranger Days reflects O'Farrill's robust heritage.

Irabagon brings an infectious sense of fun to music-making, even when the playing is dead serious — as is the case on his "mildly subversive" new album.

The 4 CD compilation of 1957 recordings on Verve showcase Armstrong with a lush studio orchestra and with pianist Oscar Peterson. It also includes a wealth of alternate and incomplete takes, warm-ups and rehearsal sequences.