We end with a perspective on the new disc from Memphis' acknowledged jazz genius, Calvin Newborn, whose career includes recordings with B.B. King, Earl Hines, Charles Mingus, Jimmy Forrest, and others. New Born (Yellow Dog 1159) is a smooth-tasting blend of straight jazz and real blues. "Restorations," "When Kingdom Comes/Sho'Nuff" and "Spirit Trane/Omnifarious" exemplify the former, with crucial input from London Branch (piano), Scott Thompson (trumpet), and Herman Green (saxophone) bolstering Newborn's round-toned phrases. A deep interpretation of "Lush Life" is the middle ground between jazz and the blues of "Blues & Beyond," "Newborn Blues" (a distant relative of "Baby, Ain't I Good to You"; note the lovely, expressive, uptown playing from Newborn and organist Charlie Wood), and a dynamite take on "After Hours." (Fair enough to give the writing credit to Newborn; it's not quite the same as the Avery Parrish staple.)