Ponytail Records, a new Chicago jazz music label specializing in CD-Extra discs, issued its first release, saxophonist Peter Ballin's "Taking It Apart," on June 25.

"Taking It Apart" features a collection of eclectic jazz standards performed by six acclaimed jazz artists and Ballin, a Lyons resident who has recorded with the Bee Gees, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Angela Bofill, T’Pau and many jazz artists. Among the CD Extra’s 11 tunes are familiar standards with a new twist, such as "S’Wonderful" and "All or Nothing At All," as well as lesser-known gems from well-known jazz composers.

What’s extra on the CD-Extra disc are 128 bonus computer files on jazz improvisation and theory for jazz devotees and student performers. The files contain jazz improvisation lessons, sheet music of Ballin’s saxophone solos, and information about altered chord changes from all 11 tracks on the disc. Other files allow the music to be played in different keys.

"With the new CD-Extra format, you can not only listen to a saxophone solo, but you can also see the music and print it out," said Ballin, who conceived and founded the La Grange-based Ponytail Records. "It’s great for aspiring jazz improvisationalists, but even if you’re not a musician it’s a blast to see as well as hear the music."

Ballin, who has taught in DePaul University’s Jazz Studies program for 14 years and wrote the jazz improvisation book "Talking Jazz/Playing Jazz," said he formed the CD-Extra record company to spread knowledge about jazz through a combination of two powerful learning tools -- recorded music and computers.

Listeners can play CD-Extras on any audio CD player or hear music and access computer files on any Windows or Macintosh platform computers. Ballin used specialized computer equipment and software to produce the "Taking It Apart."

"The CD-Extra format is a new technology that has been rarely used in the CD industry, but it has great potential," Ballin said. Future discs produced by Ponytail could include computerized video clips of performances and detailed musician biographies. "Ponytail is dedicated to bringing the finest in jazz recordings to the national jazz listening audience in the advanced CD-Extra format," Ballin said.

Ballin has worked as a studio musician on a variety of recordings and has been awarded two Platinum and two Gold Records for his participation in these recordings. His jazz credits include performances with Mike Stern, John Scofield, Jaco Pastorious, Michele LeGrand and the Brecker Brothers. He has performed in concert with a wide range of artists, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli, the Pointer Sisters, Gloria Gaynor, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee and many others. He has recorded literally hundreds of national television and radio commercials.

"Taking It Apart" features two of Ballin’s former DePaul students who are accomplished musicians. Steve Myers, a percussionist who has worked with Kenny Loggins, Peter Frampton and Louis Bellson, and Bob Rummage, a drummer who has played with Nat Adderley, Randy Brecker and the Woody Herman Orchestra, are DePaul School of Music graduates.

Other performers on the CD-Extra are: pianist Mike Kocour, whose credits include performances with Dewey Redman, Randy Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie and Gary Burton; guitarist Bill Boris, who has performed with Charles Erland, Doc Severinsen and Uncle Art; multi-keyboard specialist Peter Saxe, a writer, arranger and producer for Ambian Music; and Jazz bassist Eric Hochberg, who recorded on Terry Collier’s "Time Peace" and Kurt Elling’s Grammy-nominated "Close Your Eyes."

Note: More information and demos of audio and computer files from "Taking It Apart" can be obtained at Ponytail Record’s web site, http://members.aol.com/ponytailcd, or call Ponytail Records at (708) 442-4443.

Contact Ponytail Records at (708) 442-4443.