DD McNeil

Bruna Black’s compelling vocals and John Finbury’s Brazilian-influenced music come together in the album “Va Revelacco.” After auditioning for “The Voice Brazil,” Black fast-tracked her career, forming the successful duo “Avua.” Introduced by producer Emilio D. Miller, their collaboration features renowned musicians and embodies fresh, provocative Brazilian jazz.

Carl Clements’ album “A Different Light” features nine original jazz compositions, blending saxophones and North Indian bansuri flute. Highlights include Chase Morris’ tension-building piano solo, Bruno Råberg’s growling bass lines, and Gen Yoshimura’s dynamic drumming. The quartet’s youthful and energetic sound showcases their talent and impressive originality. Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil.

Paul Carlon’s sixth album, “Blues for Vita,” features eight tracks, five of which are original compositions. The quintet, including Eddie Allen, Helio Alves, Harvie S., and Willie Martinez, creates a dynamic, blues-influenced jazz experience. Standout tracks include “Dee Dot,” “Colored Paper,” and covers like “Never Never Will I Marry,” showcasing inventive arrangements and energetic performances.

Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra’s double album “This Rock We’re On: Imaginary Letters” showcases Holober’s compositions celebrating America’s landscapes. Opening with “Lay of the Land,” a Chris Potter solo, it features a blend of jazz arrangements. The suite, with standout tracks “On this Rock” and “Dirt Lovers Almanac,” emphasizes melodic beauty and intricate orchestration.

The Tomasz Stanko Quartet’s 2004 concert in Munich, led by virtuoso trumpeter Stanko with his talented Polish mentees, showcased dynamic and emotive performances. Highlights include “Hermento’s Mood” and “Song for Sarah,” with notable solos from bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Michal Miskiewicz. The release captures Stanko’s lasting influence on European jazz.

“Reflection in Two Shades,” produced by Lee McKinney, features original compositions blending bebop and modern jazz. The album highlights McKinney’s drumming and compositional talents, with standout performances by Matt Cooper on piano, Chris Berg on bass, and Greg Abate on saxophone. Dee Dee McNeil praises its melodic mastery and timeless quality.

Brian Landrus, renowned for his mastery of low woodwinds, collaborates with Dave Stryker, Jay Anderson, and Billy Hart to celebrate Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s compositions. Featuring diverse instruments, Landrus infuses these classics with rich, unique textures. This project includes standout tracks like “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing” and “Daydream.”

The “Patrick Wolff Quintet” album “Bay Blue” showcases Wolff’s skill on alto and tenor saxophones and features original compositions like “Cool Stones” and “Some of Frank’s Things.” The quintet boasts dynamic performances from Keith Saunders, Eric Markowitz, Evan Hughes, and Mike Olmos. Wolff, an experienced jazz musician and educator, delivers a spirited, bebop-inspired production.

Dun-Dun Band’s debut vinyl release, “Pita Parka Pt. 1: Xam Egdub,” is a collection of three experimental tracks. Their sound blends American minimalism, jazz, and electronics, characterized by repetitive loops and improvisations. While creative, some might find the repetitiveness tedious. Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil.

“Mariah Parker & The Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble’s album ‘Windows Through Time’ features seven easy-listening jazz compositions. Highlights include the title track with beautiful soprano vocals and saxophone solos, ‘Sol de Barcelona’ with a Middle Eastern flair, and ‘Espiritu Samba’ incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms. The ensemble blurs Latin and Smooth Jazz styles.”

THE STEVE LUCIANO QUARTET UNDER THE COVERS Independent Release Steve Luciano, guitar; Mike Avila, piano; Charlie Siva, bass; Walt Hubbard, drums; Dan Jordan, Saxophone/flute. The Steve Luciano Quartet opens with the very familiar Duke Pearson tune, “Chant.”  There’s a note on the CD cover that says this tune was inspired by a performance of the […]

Kenny Reichert’s album “Switch” features intricate melodies and creative compositions performed by a talented ensemble, including Ethan Philion, Devin Drobka, Lenard Simpson, Geof Bradfield, and Alyssa Allgood. Known for his inventive guitar style, Reichert collaborates with Allgood on poetic songs and lifts arrangements with his solos, spotlighting each musician’s artistry.

Olivia Foschi’s album “A Window Within” delivers unique, captivating jazz with her original compositions and expressive vocals. Notable tracks include “Caught Me by Surprise,” “Pieces of Central Park,” and “Live With It.” Foschi’s versatile voice and the talented band create a contemporary, refreshing sound with Brazilian influences. Each song invites listeners into her emotional journey.

YUKO ITO SEDUZIR Funny Baby Face Records New York Yuko Ito, vocals; Helio Alves, piano; Edward Perez, bass; Alexandre Kautz, drums/percussion; Willie Ruiz, percussions/vocals; Romero Lubambo, guitar; Steve Wilson, alto saxophone; Vanessa Falabella, vocals. Yuko Ito is a Tokyo-born vocalist who has a deep appreciation for Brazilian music and jazz.  She is fluent in Portuguese […]

RADAM SCHWARTZ SAXOPHONE QUARTET MUSIC Arabesque Records Radam Schwartz, composer/arranger; Marcus G. Miller, soprano saxophone; Irwin Hall, alto saxophone; Anthony Ware, tenor saxophone; Max Schweiger, baritone saxophone. GUEST ARTISTS: Micha Josephs, guitar; Carrie Jackson, vocals; Andrew Atkinson, percussion. Radam Schwartz is well-known in the jazz world as a jazz organist.  His recordings as a bandleader […]

SERGIO PEREIRA BOSSA + Tiger Turn, LLC Sergio Pereira, voice/guitars/violão/percussion/composer/arranger/producer; Luis Guerra, piano/keyboards; Ariel Ramirez, electric bass; Mauricio Zottarelli, drums/percussion/arranger/co-producer; Chipi Chacon, trumpet/flugelhorn. SPECIAL GUESTS on “One for Pat”: Romero Lumbambo, violão; Ivan ‘Melon’ Lewis, piano; Ivan Ruiz Machado, bass; Jose San Martin, drums. Still smiling from his 2024 win of the World Entertainment Award […]

THE BRUCE LOFGREN GROUP INSTRUMENTAL ADVENTURES: EARTHLY AND COSMIC TALES Night Bird Records Bruce Lofgren, acoustic & electric guitars/composer; Billy Hulting, hand percussion instruments; Craig Fundiga, vibraphone;  Randy Landas, acoustic, electric & fretless basses; Hope Easton, cello; Geoff Nudell, B flat clarinet. This production reminds me of the Pan Pipe projects.  It reflects the original […]

ALLEGRA LEVY OUT OF THE QUESTION SteepleChase Records Allegra levy, vocals/lyricist/composer; Carmen Staaf, piano/Fender Rhodes; Mimi Jones, bass; Allison Miller, drums/shaker; Roxy Coss, tenor & soprano saxophones; Andrew Baird, guitar/ukulele; Aubrey Johnson, background vocals. “Are You Real?” is a tune by Benny Golson with lyrics by Allegra Levy.  This song opens Levy’s album with power […]

MAC GOLLEHON & THE HISPANIC MECHANICS BITE OF THE STREET Nefarious Industries Mac Gollehon, trumpet/scat vocals/keyboards/composer; Eric Klaastad, bass; Jeanne Carne, drums; Ismael Sanchez, percussion; Adam Perez, keyboards; Ariel Lawler, background vocals; David Brenner, sound effects. The trumpet of composer, Mac Gollehon, bounces boldly atop the percussion of The Hispanic Mechanics featuring Jeanne Carne on […]

SHAWN MAXWELL J TOWN SUITE Cora Street Records Shawn Maxwell, alto & soprano saxophone/flute/composer; Michael Barton, electric bass; Collin Clauson, Fender Rhodes/Wurlitzer; Greg Eassig, drums/percussion. Maxwell’s first original tune marches off the compact disc with the drums and bass driving the groove beneath Maxwell’s soprano saxophone solo.  His album is appropriately named  for his hometown […]

SERGIO PAMIES TIME TO SAY Newtrad Records Sergio Pamies, piano; Ricky Rodgriguez, bass; Jimmy Macbride, drums; Samuel Torres, percussion; Marshall Gilkes, trombone; Michael Thomas, alto & soprano saxophones; Alex Norris, trumpet /flugelhorn. GUEST ARTISTS:  Dave Liebman, soprano saxophone; Paquito D’Rivera, clarinet. The title tune of this album encompasses Straight-ahead, Latin jazz, and high energy, percussive […]

ISREA BUTLER CONGO LAMENT Independent label Isrea Butler, trombone; David Loeb, piano; Steve Flora, bass; Bob Chmel, drums; Douglas Lawrence, tenor saxophone. The Isrea Butler quintet opens with the title tune, written by the great Bennie Green.  The trombonist (Butler) steps out-front and establishes the melody, with Dave Loeb on piano setting the tempo and […]

RICKY ALEXANDER JUST FOUND JOY Turtle Bay Records Rickey Alexander, soprano saxophone/clarinet/vocals; Kevin Dorn, drums; Rob Adkins, bass; Brennen Ernst, guitar; Jon Thomas & Dalton Ridenhour, piano; Jon-Erik Kellso, trumpet/cornet; SPECIAL GUEST: Vanisha Gould, vocals. This album turns back the hands of time.  With the exception of a solitary Alexander original composition (Promenade), the songs […]

JEREMY GIGNOUX ODD STILLNESS Alberta foundation for the Arts Jeremy Gignoux, violin/viola/composer; Jiajia Li, bass flute/dizi; Keith Rodger, double bass; André Wickenheiser, trumpet; Carsten Rubeling, trombone; Robin Tufts, drums; Rebecca Bruton, voice; Mark Dejong, bass clarinet. Somewhere between restraint and wonder, the string instrument master, Jeremy Gignoux offers this experimental album of ambient instrumental music.  […]

CHAD EDWARDS WYOMING ROADS Independent Label Chad Edwards, piano/organ/composer; Robert Kyle, saxophones/flute; Hussain Jiffry, basses; Kevin Winard, drums/percussion. The Chad Edwards project comes lilting through space like a gliding seahawk. The very first tune, “Wyoming Roads” is an original by the pianist.  He was inspired by a road trip where he set out to feel […]

ANTONIO ADOLFO LOVE COLE PORTER AAM Records Antonio Adolfo, piano/arranger/vocals; Lula Galvao, guitars; Jorge Helder, double bass; Rafael Barata, drums/percussion; Dada Costa, percussion; Jesse Sadoc, trumpet/flugelhorn; Danilo Sinna, alto saxophone; Marcelo Martins, tenor & soprano saxophones/flute; Rafael Rocha, trombone. Since childhood, Antonio Adolfo says that the music of Cole Porter has been the soundtrack of […]

JIHYE LEE ORCHESTRA INFINITE CONNECTIONS Motema Music Jihye Lee, composer/conductor; Adam Birnbaum, piano; Matt Clohesy, bass; Jared Schonig, drums; Keita Ogawa, percussion; Alex Goodman, guitar; Ben Kono, alto saxophone/piccolo/flute; Dave Pietro, alto saxophone/flute/alto flute; Jason Rigby & Jonathan Lawary, tenor saxophone/flute/clarinet; Carl Maraghi, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet; Brian Pareschi, Nathan Eklund, David Smith & Stuart Mack, […]

SEAN HONG WEI & JEREMY MONTEIRO THE NEW JERSEY SESSIONS Jazz Note Sean Hong Wei, tenor saxophone; Jeremy Monteiro, piano; Jay Anderson, bass; Evan Sherman, drums; Houston Person, tenor saxophone; Alex Sipiagin, trumpet. This hard-bop group opens with the Charlie Parker tune, “Dewey Square” showing that they love to ‘swing’ with as much power and […]

JOHN AMBROSINI SONGS FOR YOU Independent Label John Ambrosini, piano/vocals/keyboards/background vocals/arrangements/all piano solos; David Phelps, acoustic & electric guitars; Zachary Swansen, acoustic bass; Matt Miller, drums; Steve Finkelstein, percussion; Rich Lamb, keyboards. Randy Brecker, trumpet; Ada Rovatti & Joel Frahm, tenor saxophone; David Binney, alto saxophone; William Galison, harmonica; Brian King, vibraphone; Rich Lamb, string […]

PHIL RANELIN THE FOUND TAPES LIVE IN LOS ANGELES: 1978 – 1981 Org Music Phil Ranelin, trombone/composer; Billy Childs, piano; Tony Dumas, bass; Ralph Penland, drums. “When I moved to Los Angeles in 1977 to join Freddie Hubbard’s band, I thought I would be content playing with one of the greatest trumpeters ever.  However, after […]

LAUREN HENDERSON SOMBRAS Brontosaurus Records Lauren Henderson, vocals/composer/arranger/producer; Joel Ross, vibraphone; Sean Mason, piano; Jonathan Michel, bass; Joe Dyson, drums/percussion. Joe Dyson’s percussion licks open the first tune on Lauren Henderson’s new album as her smokey, seductive voice sings “Fuego.”  Henderson has added the vibraphone of Joel Ross to the mix and the instrument adds […]

JO HARROP THE PATH OF A TEAR Lateralize Records Jo Harrop, vocals/composer; Larry Klein, bass/producer; Anthony Wilson, guitar; Victor Indrizzo, drums/percussion; Jim Cox, piano/Fender Rhodes/Hammond B-3 organ; David Piltch, bass. Here is an artist that immediately snatched my attention with her very first song called “Beautiful Fools.”   What a great and unique title!  I grabbed […]

NICK FINZER LEGACY: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF J.J. JOHNSON Outside in Music Nick Finzer, trombone; Renee Rosnes, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Lewis Nash, drums. This latest CD released by trombonist, Nick Finzer is a tribute and centennial celebration to J.J. Johnson. Johnson is considered one of the most influential and pioneering trombonists in jazz history.  […]

AMBER WEEKES A LADY WITH A SONG CELEBRATES NANCY WILSON Amber Inn Records  Amber Weekes, vocals; Russell Malone, Andrew Synowiec, Gregory Cook & Paul Jackson Jr., guitar; Tony Campodonico, acoustic & Fender Rhodes piano; Andy Langham, piano; John B. Williams, Carlos Puerto & Jeff Littleton, bass; Fritz Wise, Donald Barrett & Oscar Seaton, drums/percussion; Joey […]

COUNTERMEASURE ORCHESTRAL SESSIONS Independent Label VOCALS: Gianna Antonacci, Nina Brown, Elora Burns, Icarus Devdas, J-M Erlendson, Marla Kishimoto, Qwyn Alexis, Tara Park, Hayley Preziosi, Daniel Boyle, Jeremy Voltz and Aaron Jensen, composer/arranger/lyricist; Charles Cozens, orchestrator/conductor of the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra. An Internationally acclaimed Canadian 12-member vocal group called Countermeasure has released their fourth studio […]

BOB ANDERSON LIVE! Jazz Hang Records Bob Anderson, vocals/composer; Vince Falcone, piano; Joe Lano, guitar. Orchestra In 2015, VHI voted Bob Anderson the #1 celebrity vocal impersonator in the world.  This is an honor that People magazine also crowned him with, and Tony Bennett proclaimed, “He does me really well … He does everybody well! […]

ELENA GILLIAM SHALL WE DANCE Meta Jax Elena Gilliam, vocals; Rob Whitlock, & Michael LeVan, piano; George Gilliam, guitar; Miles Jensen, Nylon string guitar; Lyman Medeiros, bass; Alex Bailey, drums; Ginger Murphy, cello; Sarpay Ozcagatay, flute; Tony Guerrero, fluegelhorn/trumpet/arranger; Arturo Sandoval, trumpet; BUDAPEST SCORING ORCHESTRA: Zoltan Pad, conductor; Balint Sapszon, Orchestra manager. Elena Gilliam has […]

BOBBY SELVAGGIO 11 STORIES, DREAMS, INSPIRATIONS FOR MY BOY Hidden Cinema Records Bobby Selvaggio, alto & soprano saxophone/composer/arranger; Orlando Watson, spoken word; Zaire Darden & James Johnson III, drums; Paul Thompson, bass; Joey Skoch & Theron Brown, piano; Chelsea Selvaggio, vocals.  SAXOPHONES:  Tony Spicer, tenor saxophone/ bass clarinet; Chris Coles, & John Klayman, tenor; Brad […]

Ian Wardenski Quintet featuring TAMARA TUCKER UNFOLDINGS Independent Label Ian Wardenski, guitar/composer/arranger; Tamara Tucker, vocals; Savino Palumbo, piano; Amy Shook, bass; Frank Russo, drums; Mercedes Beckman, alto saxophone. Ian Wardenski is a guitarist, composer, educator (professor of Music at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD, and Chair of Performing Arts).  “Unfoldings” is Wardenski’s third […]

KENNY BARRON BEYOND THIS PLACE Artwork Records Kenny Barron, piano/composer; Steve Nelson, Vibraphone; Kiyoshi Kitagawa, double bass; Jonathan Blake, drums. Immanuel Wilkins, alto Saxophone. This album opens with one of my favorite Hoagy Carmichael ballads, “The Nearness of You.”  It is a beautiful way to start the ‘set.’  On track #2, they play the Barron […]

Hakon Skogstad 8 CONCEPTS OF TANGO Ora Fonegram Hakon Skogstad, piano/composer; Andreas Rokseth & Asbjerg Ryeng, bandoneon; Ole Scheyen Sjölin, double bass; Sveinung Lillebjerka & Anders Larsen, violin; Bergmund Waal Skaslien, viola; Marit Aspaas, cello. Hakon Skogstad describes his recent recording release saying: “In 8 Concepts of Tango, I have taken inspiration from Astor Piazzolla’s […]

PSA PSA PSA Records Pritesh Waila, guitar; Sharik Hasan, organ/keyboards/synthesizers; Avery Logan, drums. The title of this album “PSA” is the group name, derived from the first names of each musician.  Using the first initial of each member’s name, Pritesh, Sharik, and Avery equals PSA.  This is an organ trio that swings hard and was […]

THE NEW WONDERS STEPPIN’ OUT Turtle Bay Records Mike Davis, cornet/vocals/arranger/bandleader; Ricky Alexander, alto saxophone/clarinet/vocals; Josh Holcomb, trombone; Jared Engel, banjo; Andy Schumm, piano/cornet; Jay Rattman, Bass Saxophone/vocals; Colin Hancock, drums/cornet/vocals. Mike Davis had a dream of putting together a band that celebrated the 1920 jazz scene.  He loved the music of Eubie Blake, Louie […]

TIERNEY SUTTON & SAN GABRIEL 7 GOOD PEOPLE JRL-SGS Records Chad Edwards, piano/keyboards; Chris Gordon, piano; Steve Gregory & Serge Merlaud, guitar; Jonathan Pintoff & Trey Henry, acoustic bass; Randy M. Drake, drums; Scott Breadman, percussion; Kye Palmer, trumpet/flugelhorn; Glen Berger, alto, tenor & Soprano saxophone; Dan Boissy, alto saxophone/flute; Jay Mason, baritone & tenor […]

DAVE SCHUMACHER & CUBEYE SMOKE IN THE SKY Cellar Music Dave Schumacher, baritone saxophone/arranger/composer; Manuel Valera, piano/arranger; Alex “Apolo” Ayala, bass; Mauricio Herrera, congas/lyá/itótele/Okónkolo/Chekeré; Joel Mateo, drums/bells; Jesus Ricardo & Josh Evans, trumpet; Peter Brainin, tenor & soprano saxophones. Virtuoso baritone saxophone player, Dave Schumacher, blends soul jazz with Latin overtones in a beautiful way.  […]

Foreign Affair Trio SOUS LE VENT Zoho Records Hector Martignon, piano/composer; Eduardo Dudu Penz, electric bass; Raphael Nick, drums; SPECIAL GUESTS: Luis Bonilla, trombone; Jean-Lou Treboux, vibraphone; Xavier Paternot, flute. Hector Martignon recorded and mixed this project at Riverside Studio in Torino, Italy. The pianist, composer has, for many years, been spending an equal amount […]

Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star BEATIN’ THE ODDS Strange Woman Records Leigh Pilzer, baritone & bass saxophone/bass clarinet/composer/arranger; Amy Shook, bass/composer; Frank Russo & Sherrie Maricle, drums; Amy K. Bormet & Allyn Johnson, piano; Greg Holloway, percussion; Jen Krupa & Joe Jackson, trombone; Tim Green & Mercedes Beckman, alto saxophone; Ally Hany Albrecht & Kenny […]

GABRIELA MARTINA STATES Independent Label Gabriela Martina, voice/composer/arranger; Maxim Lubarsky, piano/keyboards; Vancil Cooper, drums/percussion; Kyle Miles, acoustic & electric bass; Jussi Reijonen, electric & acoustic guitar; Ben Rosenblum, accordion; GUEST MUSICIANS: Jason Palmer, trumpet/ flugelhorn; Khrys Williams, spoken word; Naseem Alatrash, cello. The bass and drums open this album with Gabriela Martina’s soprano voice singing […]