Isrea Butler, the director of UNLV Music, released a new CD on April 30 with Vegas Records. 

The album, which was recorded at the UNLV School of Music recording studio in October 2024, was inspired by Ike Quebec's 1962 recording "Easy Living" and trombonist Bennie Green's 1959 record "Original Jazz Sound: Swing the Blues."

"The idea to record this material," says Butler, "came up during a conversation with my friend and bandmate Doug Lawrence while we were touring with the Count Basie Orchestra in Europe. When I first heard Bennie Green playing alongside one of my other trombone heroes, J.J. Johnson, I was captivated by their sound and style. So for my debut recording as a leader, I needed to pay tribute to these two jazz greats that still ring within me so deeply."

Stream the entire album below.