Austria’s acclaimed music label “Second Records” has unveiled the double vinyl album “Jazz Standards Live,” a collaboration between Azerbaijani jazz legend Rain Sultanov and the late iconic trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. The album’s compositions are part of the jazz standard repertoire and included in the “Real Book.”

Rain Sultanov shared his thoughts on this milestone: “This project is a significant event in my life. Sharing the stage and performing with Kenny Wheeler was a great honor. Releasing this vinyl now, at a time when Kenny is no longer with us, makes it especially meaningful. I’m grateful to hold this piece of our music in my hands.”

The album features jazz standards like Mr. P.C., Body & Soul, Blue Monk, and Don’t Worry Baby, along with original compositions by Kenny Wheeler. Azerbaijani honored artists Shahin Novrasli (piano) and Ruslan Huseynov (bass), as well as Pol Clarvis (drums), contributed to the project.

This marks Rain Sultanov’s fifth vinyl release under a European label. In 2017, Sultanov revived the tradition of classic vinyl albums in Azerbaijan with his project “Inspired by Nature,” dedicated to environmental conservation.