Originally inspired by Charlie Christian, Burrell, now in his 92nd year, must be counted as one of the jazz world's greater adornments as player, educator, and yes, survivor. This second foursome of his albums to be collected by Avid opens with Earthy – The Prestige All-Stars and is a swing delight. The title track is nine minutes plus of joy, Al Cohn at his calm yet decisive best, his solo like a template of competence, Farmer momentarily fragile, composer Waldron measured in his solo as is ‘new star’ Burrell himself. Next up is Prestige's Blue Moods aka Kenny Burrell with its all-star re-arrangement: Flanagan on piano, Jones on drums, and baritone ace Payne taking the strain. It opens with ‘Don't Cry Baby’, Burrell simultaneously bluesy and boppish, showing the facility which made him one of the most-in demand soloists of the great jazz era. Payne does fine as do Flanagan and Jones. This is five-star music by any measure.

Blue Note's live On View at The Five Spot Café teams Burrell with Blakey, Timmons (on a lousy piano) and Brooks, the guitarist showing the same unruffled capacity for pleasing invention throughout, the blighted Brooks similarly open-minded in his solos, Blakey chugging. A Night At The Vanguard, the last of Avid's selections, has Burrell fronting a trio with Davis and Haynes for company. It came out on Cadet, the Chess subsidiary; Burrell is tasteful on a series of standards, his duo companions poised and ready for him.

Right now, Burrell is grounded by illness, said to be needing money, his reclusive behaviour the subject of some controversy. Better to remember him for his extraordinary discography, his status as a leader (75 albums and counting) and his reliable brilliance as a performer.