More than fifty years after jazz trumpeter Don Ellis introduced JIMBO ROSS as “the only jazz violist in captivity,” the adventurous string player continues expanding his instrument’s possibilities. On BEYOND THE GROOVE, his third jazz recording since 2024, Ross blends his love of the jazz canon, a remarkable five-string electric viola and a deeply attuned … Continue reading
Craig Morgan’s Upcoming Album—My Country—Celebrates The Heart, Soul and Sound of America
Nashville, Tenn. (September 18, 2026) — Long before his more than two decades of success as a country-music artist, Craig Morgan answered a higher calling — serving our country in the United States Army and Army Reserve. During America’s 250th birthday year, Craig will release My Country, a musical celebration of our great nation as … Continue reading
New Jazz: Jason Kao Hwang / Human Rites Trio — ‘Second Life’
MUSICIANS: Jason Kao Hwang – composer / violin, Andrew Drury – drum set, gongs, aluminum pots, stainless steel bowls, Tibetan prayer bowl, bells, seed pods, oyster & mussel shells, wood block, cowbell, bronze gear, sink faucet escutcheon, Ken Filiano – string bass On their second CD, violinist Jason Kao Hwang, bassist Ken Filiano, and drummer-percussionist Andrew Drury perform four extended … Continue reading
New Jazz: Christian Finger — ‘Zeit Zirkel’
Zeit Zirkel—German for “Time Circle”—is drummer and composer Christian Finger’s reflection on the profound, almost uncapturable, experience of grief. It conveys the ways loss can seem to be on repeat rather than move forward. Finger carries it off with grace, bringing together trumpeter Ralph Alessi, guitarist Ben Monder, pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, and bassist Adam Armstrong, … Continue reading
New Jazz: Jeff Colella & Putter Smith — ‘Between Friends’
There’s a special bond between fellow musicians. It is a dialogue on an elevated, intuitive plane. Add a friendship to that relationship and what results is a work of profound art. Jazz pianist Jeff Colella and bassist Putter Smith have released Between Friends, a collaborative album that follows their album Lotus Blossom. Rooted in intuitive … Continue reading
New Jazz: Rob Dixon — ‘Naptown Soul’
Saxophonist Rob Dixon has released his new album NAPTOWN SOUL on Strikezone Records. Rob Dixon honors Indianapolis’ Black musical legacy, fusing jazz, funk, soul, and history in an inspiring tribute to the city’s legendary artists. The album includes two songs by Indianapolis’s own Wes Montgomery, a remake of the Blackbyrds’ “Walking in Rhythm,” Marvin Gaye’s … Continue reading
New Jazz: Liz Cracchiolo — ‘I’m a Woman’
Liz Cracchiolo’s I’m A Woman is one of 2026’s standout debut albums and marks her as a notable new voice in jazz. Across the nine tracks, Cracchiolo refreshes familiar material with lively reinterpretations, uncovering nuances and subtleties that include her fellow musicians.Her vivid voice and style—precise yet spontaneous—make a lasting impression. On I’m A Woman, … Continue reading
New Blues / Soul: Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller — ‘Tribute To Soul’
These days, there are a few things that one can count on in life. One of them is this—if Johnny Rawls is making music, it’s worth it to set aside a moment or two and enjoy it. Because he is one of the most consistent producers and musicians around. With Tribute To Soul, Rawls adds … Continue reading
New Jazz: Steve Rawlins — ‘Word On The Street’
Pianist, composer, and arranger Steve Rawlins’s latest release is Word on the Street, a new album featuring ten original or co-written compositions alongside one standard. The project marks a rare turn in the spotlight for Rawlins, whose decades-long career behind the scenes as a gifted composer and spectacular arranger for film, television, and major entertainment … Continue reading
New Roots: Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice — ‘Who Knows What The Future Holds’
Saxophonist and vocalist Greg Piccolo rose to prominence with Roomful of Blues, spending 25 years as the band’s tenor sax player and lead vocalist. Then he formed Heavy Juice, a group that gave him room to pursue his own musical direction. On this album, Piccolo handles all lead vocals and tenor sax, joined in the … Continue reading