Musicians of Los Angeles Improvisation Ensemble: Robert Hardt (woodwinds), Louis Stewart (piano), Andrew Shulman (cello), Michael Valerio (bass). This improvised set shows strong coherence and agreement among the players. The woodwind, piano, cello, and bass quartet format might be an unusual grouping, but in their skilled hands it leads to unexplored musical textures that are … Continue reading
Release date: July 1, 2025 Transcendence is a dynamic jazz trio (Bob Gluck – piano, Christopher Dean Sullivan – electric bass, Karl Latham – drums) that explores Pat Metheny’s compositions with emotional depth and astounding atmosphere, from lyricism to keen observation to playfulness. The musicians’ synergy in listening and responding to each other further elevates … Continue reading
Basie Rocks! features Deborah Silver with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. It is a marriage made in musical heaven. Add to this the perfectly chosen songlist (this unique album reimagines classic rock n’ roll hits from artists like The Beatles and Elton John) and you have one of the most exciting jazz albums out this … Continue reading
Aaaaahhhhhhhh…. If you are wondering what one’s natural response is to Ron Rieder’s new album, Día Precioso! is likely to be. It’s a collection of songs that earns a sigh. That sigh is one of satisfaction. All songs composed by Ron Rieder, RonaldoMusic (BMI)Musical Arrangements by Ricardo Monzon; Beautiful Day and Funday arranged by Ron … Continue reading
Guitarist and sitarist Daniel Garbin‘s new album, Rising, is an alluring interplay of rhythm, melody, and harmony. Garbin (who wrote and produced all songs on the album, with the exception of three tracks co-written with Simona Pop) leads an equally gifted quintet: Camila Cortina Bello (piano & keys), Scott Litroff (alto saxophone), Eddy Khaimovich (electric and … Continue reading
After several acclaimed jazz-rock trio albums, guitarist Jake Hertzog shifted to a more intimate sound with 2016’s solo electric guitar album Well Lit Shadow, followed by the duet projects Stringscapes in 2018 and A Turn of Events in 2023. With this album, he has created a large-scale work for jazz orchestra, guitar, and string quartet, … Continue reading
Why go out? Now you can avoid the winter weather and heat things up at home with Steve Smith & Vital Information‘s new album — New Perspective. It is a thrillingly realized display of musical teamwork that is as satisfactory as it is ambitious. Mr. Smith is particularly inspiring when he deconstructs and reconstructs “Don’t … Continue reading
Mundoagua, the new album from Arturo O’Farrill (& The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra) is an important recording. It’s ambitious. It’s precisely carried out. And, considering the subtitle (Celebrating Carla Bley), it’s a well-deserved and worthy tribute. The album is set to be released 7 February 2025 on the Zoho label.. The album is personal for … Continue reading
Just the Three of Us features the jazz stylings of Alan Chaubert, who masterfully plays both muted trumpet and piano simultaneously. It’s a continual musical coup de théâtre. Accompanied by Belden Bullock on bass, and Jon Di Fiore on drums, Chaubert highlights the beauty of nine outstanding compositions by renowned artists such as Charlie Haden, … Continue reading
On her album Eugenie, the smooth, invigorating jazz vocals of Eugenie Jones are gift-wrapped with inviting arrangements and the sublime playing of a variety of musicians. Eugenie Jones has a specialty — mining the subtle emotion in a song and enfolding it with her own lived experience so that every note is honest and true. … Continue reading
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