Singers Come and Go, but Legends Live Forever; Musical Gems Found from Japan's New Latin Quarter

Hidden treasure. As children we search for it on the high seas, in the depths of exotic jungles or on top of the highest peaks. When all the while we're in a pool, backyard or on the top bunk. We never imagine something magical could be hidden away with old family photos and China, but for a young man in Japan, that was the one place he should've looked his whole life.

The New Latin Quarter was an east meets west venue where many musical legends played in Japan. Everyone from Sammy Davis Jr. to Louis Armstrong strutted their stuff there in their hey day. While there many rare moments were caught on tape from Chubby Checker belting out Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind" to Nat "King" Cole taking on Old Blue Eyes. It turns out these recordings had been put away and were recently discovered by an old owner of the club who gave them to his nephew who then, seeing their worth, contacted head of National League Music, Jay Warner.

Jay Warner set out to get these historical gems to music lovers of the world. He said on the lost music, "The most remarkable aspect of this incredible series of New Latin Quarter recordings," says Warner, "is the fact that there was no grand plan over the years to release these historic gems, some of which are 50 years old. Before last year, no one even knew these recordings existed, but the Japanese are very historically minded and we´re not surprised that they recorded all of these performances. They have digitally re-mastered the recordings so that the sound quality measures with today´s standards.

Dinosaur bones aren't the only artifacts that get history buffs going. Many who love to collect musical realms of the past are going to be tickled pink when these recordings are released through Christmas of 2010. Not only will people get the pleasure of hearing history, but they will get to see it as well. Rare photos from the past were also discovered and will also be available for fans.

Warner, a historian himself reflected on the discovery, "I believe these recordings represent a significant piece of music history, a time when so many American artists were coming to Japan to perform, and they are excited to have the chance to share them with the public. As incredible as these recordings and artists are, the history of the club is also worth noting. It was an incredible time. The New Latin Quarter attracted everyone—KGB, MI6, CIA and members of the Japanese mafia on any given night, in addition to some of the most beautiful women in Japan. They´re very excited to present the music in the context of the history of this truly historic global venue."

With recordings that span half a century and possess a mass amount of talent, history and value, Warner and the rest of the National League Music have their work cut out for them, but I'm sure they'll do just fine. The first compilation, "The Best of New Latin Quarter, Jazz & Blues, Volume 1," already hit the number nine spot on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Chart and the Billboard Jazz Album Chart, so there's no surprise people are excited about these rare finds. It just goes to show, you never know what that old box in the back of the closet has in-store.