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
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
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
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
Best Laid Plans is the third release from Jon Schapiro’s “Schapiro 17 Big Band.” With the album, Schapiro successfully transcends the usual contemporary jazz experience. The album delivers rewarding big-band jazz with original charts and imaginative reinterpretations. Schapiro’s strongest track is a profound take on Scott Joplin’s “Solace.” The arrangement squeezes out every note of … Continue reading
The best music is the kind you can hear and feel. On his newly released album, Happening in Buenos Aires, Tom Ricci makes it clear that he is sharing some of the best music ever. Need proof? Play track nine—”What A Wonderful World.” Ricci’s attention to detail makes the familiar tune a voyage of rediscovery. … Continue reading
The summer vibe has arrived. Beyond the Veil is a jazz-fusion album by drummer and composer Jason Kruk that explores the space between the physical and the spiritual. Featuring leading modern jazz artists such as Wayne Krantz, Adam Rogers, Michael League, and Bob Lanzetti, the project blends complex polyrhythms with a balance of composed structure and … Continue reading
Latin Jazz meets Opera, the new album from Christopher Sánchez, does not disappoint. It is a unique blend of Latin jazz, ballroom dance, and Italian opera combined with Caribbean rhythm, jazz energy, and operatic drama in an elegant package. The songs that have been chosen for the album are all incredibly appealing, with arrangements that … Continue reading
When’s the last time you played a jazz album and discovered an entirely new experience from a song you grew up with and thought you knew everything about? I’m talking about my response to Kathy Ingraham’s performance of the Aerosmith classic “Dream On” that opens her new album, Jazz Dreams. The track sets the tone … Continue reading
Musicians: Tomas Janzon – guitar; Nedra Wheeler – bass; Tony Austin – drums (tracks 1–6); Chuck McPherson – drums (tracks 7–10). Sometimes a guitar is not just a guitar. Depending on the song, Tomas Janzon plays guitar as if he’s playing every instrument around. There’s a specific quality to each performance that imbues the song … Continue reading
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