CD Reviews Jazz

Aleksi Glick WORLD TRAVELER Pinch Records Aleksi Glick, guitar/composer; Jeff Koch, bass; Nathan Ellman-Bell, drums. SPECIAL GUESTS: Laureana, vocals; Eric Trudel, saxophone; Adam Ahuja, keyboards. Guitarist Aleksi Glick’s new trio album blends smooth jazz, pop, and soul music into a beautiful ball of impressive original compositions and arrangements.  The first tune rolls out, featuring the […]

TROY ROBERTS GREEN LIGHTS Toy Robot Music Troy Roberts, tenor saxophone; Paul Bollenback, guitar; John Patitucci, acoustic bass; Jimmy MacBride, drums. When jazz musicians get together musically as peers and friends, the result is usually warm and exciting.  That’s how I would describe this 16th record release from Troy Roberts, an Australian immigrant who has […]

Mercer Hassy Orchestra DUKE’S PLACE Mercer Hassy Records Mercer Hassy, conductor/arranger; RHYTHM SECTION: Atsuko Takahashi, piano; Ayane Imai, keyboard/vibraphone; Hiroto Shirai, wood/fretless 5-string bass; Masahide Hashimoto, guitar; Daisuke Mima & Tacto Kojima, drums/percussion; Hirochi Ueno & Ray Iwasa, vocals/chorus; SAXOPHONES: Tomoya Akagawa & Ion Sato, alto saxophones; Ray Iwasa & Kanako Yamada, tenor saxophones; Kenta […]

Obed Calvaire 150 Million Gold Francs Ropeadope Obed Calvaire is one of jazz’s renowned drummers who made his mark with the SF Jazz Collective and Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, among other ensembles.  On 150 Million Gold Francs Calvaire leads a quintet in an especially timely project, given the ongoing strife in Haiti, […]

CHRISTIAN de MESONES YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE That 555 Lyfe Label Christian de Mesones, bass guitar/composer; Mike Gamble, Drew Davidsen, & Jack Turner, guitar; Elliot Levine, keyboards; Carl “C-Man” Anderson, drums; Christopher Valentine, keyboards/drums/ percussion; Bill Dickens, Vail Johnson, Brendan Rothwell, & Andrew Gouche, bass guitar; Rob Maletick, Keith L. Anderson, Jaared Arosemena, & Eddie […]

Noah Haidu Standards II Sunnyside When jazz listeners think of Standard Trios, they likely gravitate toward the legendary Keith Jarrett’s Standards Trio or the long-running trio of Bill Charlap.  Now with this second offering from pianist Noah Haidu, Buster Williams, and Billy Hart, we must make way for a respectful next entry in that conversation.  […]

Fred Hersch Silent, Listening ECM Like Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Craig Taborn, Paul Bley and several others, Fred Hersch now adds his name to the vast solo piano catalog of ECM, with Silent, Listening. His is a mix of composition and improvisation with originals and a few standards as well. Hersch was inspired by his […]

RONNY SMITH STRUTTIN Pacific Coast Jazz Ronny Smith, guitars/keyboards/bass/programming; Arcangelo Trabucco, piano; Habbert Cheeks, Ben Pham & Phil Beale, drums; Juan Guillermo Aguilar, drums/percussion; Jose Juvinao & Zoltan Renaldi, bass; Bejamin Barreiro, Alex Bone, James White & Beto Braga, saxophones; Snake Davis, tenor saxophone; Charles Chazzy Green, flutes; Fabian Silva & Alejandra Gomez, trumpets; Guile […]

Arnaud Dolmen & Leonardo Montana LéNo Quai Son Records and Samana Production A colleague used the expression recently “music that means something,” which is more than fitting for this collaboration between Arnaud Dolmen, drums, glockenspiel and backing vocals, and Leonardo Montana, piano and backing vocals. Dolmen is of Guadeloupean origins, and this is his third […]

Dave Douglas Gifts Greenleaf Music Trumpeter, composer, and label owner Dave Douglas convenes a new trio/quartet for new originals and four Billy Strayhorn pieces reimagined for this bass-less group. Saxophonist James Brandon Lewis seems practically ubiquitous lately and appears on five of the ten tracks. Joining those two are two members of the Oscar-nominated post-rock […]

ELLIE LEE ESCAPE Independent Label Ellie Lee, piano/composer/arranger: Steve Wilson, saxophone; Steve LaSpina, bass; Jongkuk Kim, drums. Ellie Lee is a pianist, composer and arranger who offers us seven original compositions on this album of eight tunes.  The quartet opens with her title tune,”Escape.”  Lee sets the mood and tempo on piano, until Steve Wilson […]

Andrea Wolper Wanderlust Moonflower Music Not being aware of adventurous vocalist Andrea Wolper until now, this writer did what he usually does, checked her accompanists and her background. Both were impressive. In terms of the latter, she began like most do, by singing standards, moving on to big band and then to free jazz with […]

STUART MACK VIBRATIONS Outside in Music Stuart Mack, trumpet/flugelhorn/composer; Alejandro Aviles, alto & tenor saxophone/flute; Manuel Valera, piano; Adi Meyerson, upright bass; Dan Pugach, drums. There is a short ‘intro’ that spotlights Stuart Mack’s trumpet, with Manuel Valera accompanying him on piano.  They open this debut album for Stuart with the title tune, “Vibrations,”  that […]

Nick Finzer Legacy – A centennial celebration of JJ Johnson Outside in Music Among the great trombonists in jazz history, the preeminent one by almost any’s rank order is JJ Johnson (1924 -2001).  Today we have our veterans such as Steve Davis, Steve Turre, Wycliff Gordon and others and a younger crop such as Alan […]

CHARLES McPHERSON REVERENCE Smoke Sessions Records Charles McPherson, alto saxophone/composer/arranger; Terell Stafford, trumpet; Jeb Patton, piano; David Wong, bass; Billy Drummond, drums. Charles McPherson was born July 24, 1939, in Joplin, Mo.  However, he has deep roots in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan, where he was raised.  Young Charles moved to Detroit in 1948.  He […]

THE MICHAEL O’NEILL SEXTET with TONY LINDSAY SYNERGY Jazzmo Records Michael O’Neill, tenor & soprano saxophones/bass clarinet; Tony Lindsay, vocals; John R. Burr, piano; Dan Feiszli, bass; Jason Lewis, drums; Omar Ledezma, percussion; Erik Jekabson, trumpet/ flugelhorn. Tony Lindsay has one of those rich, full, warm voices that intoxicates as soon as you hear him […]

THE GARY URWIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA & FRIENDS FLYING COLORS Summit Records Gary Urwin, leader/arranger; RHYTHM: Christian Jacob, piano; Trey Henry, bass; Ray Brinker, Ralph Razze, Ken Gomez & Chris Rios, drums/percussion; SAXOPHONES:  Rusty Higgins, Jeff Driskill, Pete Christlieb, Bob Sheppard, John Mitchell, Brandon Fields, Brian Scanlon & Greg Hawkins. TRUMPETS: Wayne Bergeron, Carl Saunders, Kye […]

Matthew Shipp Trio New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz ESP Few artists are more prolific both as a leader and as sideman than pianist and composer Matthew Shipp. Our coverage of his brilliant work is not nearly in keeping with his artistry, but we have been catching up somewhat in recent years. In 2023 we […]

Dayna Stephens Closer Than We Think Cellar Music Group Mighty saxophonist, composer, and educator Dayna Stephens steps forward with a bold new sound on his twelfth album, Closer Than We Think Now, his debut for the Cellar Music Group. You’ve seen him mostly as a sideman on these pages. He’s played with legends such as Billy […]

BRIAN BROMBERG with TOM ZINK & CHARLES RUGGIERO LAFARO Be Squared Productions Brian Bromberg, bass; Tom Zink, piano; Charles Ruggiero, drummer. This album is a tribute, by these three great musicians, to the great bassist, Scott LaFaro.  Perhaps Brian Bromberg explained it best when he wrote these words in his liner notes: “ … The […]

Gilad Hekselman Live at the Village Vanguard la.reserve Imagine this. You are one of the acknowledged top guitarists in jazz having spent nearly the past two decades on the NYC jazz scene. Not only have you dreamed of playing in jazz’s most hallowed venue, The Village Vanguard, for a weeklong residency, but your wife is […]

Sam Anning Earthen Earshift Music Melbourne, Australia’s bassist, and composer Sam Anning delivers his third septet album with Earthen, a tribute to indigenous Australian music icon, Uncle Archie Roach. The album brims with gorgeous, cinematic soundscapes and is especially noteworthy as a jazz tribute to Roach who was an award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, and respected elder. […]

LORI BELL QUARTET RECORDA ME: REMEMBERING JOE HENDERSON Independent Label Lori Bell, C flute/alto flute/composer; Josh Nelson, piano; David Robaire, bass; Dan Schnelle, drums. Lori Bell has consistently produced amazing music over her decades-long career.  She is an accomplished composer, arranger, educator, and musician who has made her mark in jazz playing the flute.  This […]

JIM ROTONDI FINESSE Cellar Music Group Jim Rotondi, composer/producer/trumpeter; Jakub Helling, arranger/conductor; NOTES & TONES JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Mario Gonzi, co-leader/drums; Danny Grissett, piano; Karol Hodas & Tim Dunin, bass; GUEST SOLOISTS: Dick Oatts, soprano saxophone; Steve Davis, trombone;  Wolfgang Lindenthal, flute; Stefan Peindl, oboe; Julia Gutschlhofer, bassoon; Melissa Danas, horn; TRUMPETS/FLUGELHORNS: Tabias Weidinger, Markus Peachmann, […]

CHRIS STANDRING AS WE THINK Ultimate Vibe Recording Chris Standring, guitar/composer; Andre Berry, bass; Chris Coleman, drums; Terry Disley, piano; Larry Steen, double bass; Lenny Castro, percussion; Aaron Janik, trumpet; Brandon Fields, alto saxophone; Katisse Buckingham & Dino Soldo, tenor saxophone/harmonica; Ido Meshulam, trombone; Rodney Lee, organ; Walter Murphy, horn arrangements. The opening tune on […]

Rachel Z Sensual Ozmosys Media Group/Dot Time Records. The renowned, virtuoso pianist, keyboardist, composer, and electronic musician Rachel Z, one of the modern-day pillars of jazz fusion, surprises with Sensual. Yes, this writer, having seen her and drummer husband, Omar Hakim, perform at the 2022 Montclair Jazz Festival in a high energy jazz fusion performance […]

Altin Sencalar Discover the Present Posi-Tone Discover the Present is trombonist and composer Altin Sencalar’s fifth album as a leader and by this writer’s count his third for the Posi-Tone label, all covered on these pages. On this date he leads a large ensemble but varies configurations.  With eight originals in these eleven, Sencalar is […]

BRANDON GOLDBERG TRIO LIVE AT DIZZY’S Cellar Music Group Brandon Goldberg, piano; Ben Wolfe, bass; Aaron Kimmel, drums. Here is a trio of musicians who make me feel warm and fuzzy as they play a group of familiar, standard tunes I know and love. Goldberg, on piano, is the group leader at the unbelievable age […]

EDY FOREY CULTURE TODAY So Soul Records Guilhem Forey, keyboards/piano/Fender Rhodes/composer/synth bass/vocals/miscellaneous BG vocals; Edy Szewy, vocals/lyricist/sampling; Tom Gordon, drums/percussions; Femi Koleoso, Isac Jamba, Jonathan Tuitt & Seiya Osaka, drums;  Leonn Meade, drums/BG vocals;  Adam King, Andrew Robb & Luca Alemanno, double bass; Sharay Reed, Michael League & Dean Mark, electric bass; Carlinhos Percussao, percussions; […]

Mark Lockheart Smiling Edition Saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart has been on the vanguard of British jazz for four decades now, one surge in the ‘80s and the other here in the 2000s. Yet, his bent for experimentation and genre-agnostic approach would have many considering him an emerging force rather than an elder statesman for the music. […]

Julieta Eugenio STAY Self-released Argentinian-born saxophonist Julieta Eugenio returns with her trio for Stay, a self-released effort following 2023’s acclaimed debut Jump  (Greenleaf Music). Eugenio’s trio includes bassist Matt Dwonszyk and drummer Jonathan Barber, and for this outing the outstanding fellow Argentinian keyboardist Leo Genovese joins on Fender Rhodes on two tracks. The inspiration for the album can be found on […]

NEAL ALGER OLD SOULS Calligram Records Neal Alger, guitar/composer; Clark Sommers, acoustic bass; Dana Hall, drums/cymbals; Chris Madsen, tenor saxophone; Chad McCullough, trumpet/flugelhorn. Neal Alger is an educator, (professor at Elmhurst College) a guitarist, a composer, and a lover of all genres of music.  From the oldest original tune on this recording, one that he […]

Willy Rodriguez Seeing Sounds Self-released Drummer-composer Willy Rodriguez makes his debut with Seeing Sounds, not a Latin jazz record that we might expect from the experienced Puerto Rico-born, New York based musician but one that ventures into the avant-garde. Joining Rodriguez in his trailblazing adventure are trumpeter Jason Palmer, saxophonist Hery Paz, pianist Leo Genovese, bassists John Hébert and Kenneth Jimenez, special guest artist, saxophonist Dave […]

ABE POLLACK UNPRECEDENTED TIME Independent Label Abe Pollack, composer/arranger/bass/electric keyboard/guitar; Brad Brose, guitar; Uri Zelig, drums; Albert Behar, accordion/vocals; Marcus Millius, vocals; Jonathan Greene, clarinet/alto saxophone; Ryan Weisheit, tenor and alto saxophone/flute. Bassist, Abe Pollack opens the first album track with what we used to call ‘slap-bass.’  The song is titled “The World is Waiting […]

Dan Weiss Even Odds Cygnus Dan Weiss is one of the leading drummers in jazz and bandleaders of the first order, highly respected in new and improvised music, both acoustic and electronic. His swath is wide, also embracing Indian classical music, contemporary classical, West African, extreme metal, and atmospheric, emotional cinematic music.  This effort, Even […]

Triad Triad Ropeadope Leave it to Ropeadope to break the mold. That should come as no surprise to fans of the progressive label. Triad is not only a trio with instrumentation like you’ve never heard but with a debut album that’s so full of stunning surprises, that you’ll be checking your player to ensure you’re […]

Ian Carey & Wood Metal Plastic Strange Arts  Slow and Steady Trumpeter and composer Ian Carey pays homage to his recently passed visual artist father, to whom the cover and jacket art of the album owes. Leveraging a grant from Intermusic SF, Carey added a string trio to his working quartet, Wood Metal Plastic, comprised […]

TOBIN MUELLER AT THE PIANO, VOL. 2 Independent Label “ArtsForge” Tobin Mueller, solo piano. There is nothing more exposed than an artist playing solo.  Anyone who is brave enough to do so sheds all pretense and camouflage.  Tobin Mueller is not only brave, but he is also talented and prepared to mesmerize us with his […]

ALLISON BURIK REALM Independent Label Allison Burik, composer/arranger/co-producer/Alto saxophone/bass clarinet/vocals/alto flute/ guitar; Magdalena Abrego, guitar; Sylvaine Arnaud, recording engineer/mixing/co-producer; Peter Atkinson, recording engineer/winds; Harris Newman, mastering; Renee Abaroa, bone typeface on cover. For several years Allison Burik has gained notoriety and audience in the world of modern jazz and experimental music.  The opening “Be the […]

Remy Le Boeuf Heartland Radio Soundspore Heartland Radio is not the kind of title one expects from a jazz orchestra. Yet, four-time Grammy-nominated composer and saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf wanted a soundtrack for his move from New York City to Colorado. Thus, he peppers these large ensemble offerings with pop, indie rock, soul, and electronic […]

Tony Monaco Trio Over and Over Chicken Coup Hammond B3 organ master Tony Monaco returns with his thirteenth album Over and Over. Somehow, we missed his 2022 Four Brothers but did cover his 2019 Definition of Insanity. So, as mentioned there, Monaco studied under the great Jimmy Smith and is well immersed in the music […]

KELLY GREEN SEEMS Green Soul Studios Kelly Green, piano/vocals/composer/arranger; Luca Soul Rosenfeld, bass; Evan Hyde, drums; Elijah J. Thomas, flute/alto flute/piccolo. SPECIAL GUEST: Rich Perry, tenor saxophone. For Kelly Green, her album titled “Seems” is meant to be a recorded statement of hope and an optimistic musical manifesto.  She has composed five of the nine […]

GRACE KELLY WITH STRINGS AT THE MOVIES Pazz Productions Grace Kelly, alto, baritone, tenor and soprano saxophone/vocals; Cooper Appelt, upright & electric bass; Eli Bishop, classical Nylon-string guitar/tenor banjo/mandolin & mandolindo; Tamir Hendelman, piano; Adam Bravo, additional synth programming; Jake Reed, drums/percussion; Cory Wong, Shaun Richardson & Pasha Riger, electric guitar; John Schroeder, acoustic & […]

Leon Lee Dorsey, Mike Clark, and Michael Wolff Letter to Bill Evans Jazz Avenue 1 Letter to Bill Evans is the seventh installment of the partnership between bassist Leon Lee Dorsey and drummer Mike Clark, many of which we’ve covered here. For this outing, they enlisted pianist Michael Wolff, who has long internalized the music […]

Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop A Canadian Songbook TPR Toronto drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini leads his Canadian sextet Turboprop on their fifth album, A Canadian Songbook. While Cervini also leads other projects, notably Tetrahedron and Tune Town, Turboprop earned a JUNO Award nomination for their 2022 Joy, for which this is their follow-up. The band features […]

REZA KHAN MYSTICAL Independent label Reza Khan, acoustic & electric guitars/composer/producer; David Mann, composer/arranger/ producer/keyboards/drum programming/soprano, tenor & alto saxophone; Jeff Lorber, keyboards/mini-moog; Jimmy Haslip, electric bass; Brandon Rothwell, Mark Egan & Mel Brown, bass; Gary Novak, Brian Dunne, & Lionel Cordew, drums; Bernd Schoenhart, rhythm guitar/ additional acoustic guitar; Programming, saxophone; Bob James, Keiko […]

DAVID LEON BIRD’S EYE Pyroclastic Records David Leon, composer/soprano & alto saxophones/alto flute/piccolo; DoYeon Kim, gayagum/vocals; Lesley Mok, drums/percussion/glockenspiel. When Miami-born David Leon became curious about his Cuban heritage, Leon began studying with master percussionist, Manley “Piri” Lopez.   Lopez comes from a legendary family of rumberos, who became quite famous as the creators of an […]