making a Scene

Chance Hayden’s “Baritone Gold,” released through Peace House Music, is a ’60s-inspired organ trio album. It features Hayden’s baritone guitar and incorporates jazz, soul, and blues with standout tracks like “Bank On Me” and “Carolina Summers.” The album showcases relentless energy and impressive interplay among band members, creating a distinctive retro vibe.

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.

Anthony Branker’s album “Songs My Mom Liked” is a heartfelt tribute to his mother, incorporating selections she reacted to during car rides. Featuring a stellar ensemble, the music blends spirituality with groove-oriented pieces, and includes three new tracks. The album celebrates life with accessibility and an emotional connection, marked by recurrent themes of faith and remembrance.

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.”

Jazz vocalist Lisa Rich returns with “Long As You’re Living,” her fourth album after a long hiatus due to illness. Co-produced by Jay Clayton, it features Marc Copland, Drew Gress, and Dave Ballou, focusing on standards and original pieces. The album highlights Rich’s adventurous scatting and intimate vocal delivery, dedicated to Clayton’s memory.

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 […]

Drummer and composer Matt Wilson forms a new quintet, Good Trouble, inspired by John Lewis’s legacy and his 60th birthday. The album, dedicated to notable figures like Carla Bley and Geri Allen, features a diverse mix of compositions and covers, emphasizing both traditional and avant-garde jazz. Notable tracks include the “Good Trouble Suite,” honoring Lewis and Ginsburg, and covers of Coleman and Denver. The quintet, marked by Wilson’s versatile style, delivers an uplifting, joyful album.

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.

Phil Haynes 4 Horns & What? The Complete American Recordings (3 CDs) Corner Store Jazz Having read with much fascination Phil Haynes memoir, Chasing the Masters: First Takes of a Modern Drumming Artist, a forthcoming issuance of recordings from his band 4 Horns & What? seemed inevitable. For anyone who wants a better understanding of […]

Something Else! Soul Jazz Featuring Vincent Herring Smoke Sessions Having witnessed a live performance by the collective Something Else! a little over a year ago at Exit Zero Jazz Festival, this album comes with anticipation. That’s because the soul jazz genre is not often heard much these days. It’s like traditional blues; we grew up […]

Etienne Charles’ “Creole Orchestra Featuring René Marie” fuses Caribbean influences with big band jazz, reflecting his Trinidadian heritage and memories of American music played on Trinidadian radio. The album features diverse tracks including originals, covers, and collaborations, showcasing Charles’ skill as a composer and arranger on an 80-minute, multi-artist journey.

Matthew Whitaker On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute MOCAT If you’ve ever attended a Matthew Whitaker show, you know that the young pianist/organist/drummer Matthew Whitaker has a more than engaging rapport with his audience. They are often on their feet dancing from his first few notes. Whitaker is still only 23 years old and has […]

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 […]

John Escreet the epicenter of your dreams Blue Room Music John Escreet’s 2022 trio album Seismic Shift (covered here) was so bold and impactful that it likely made it difficult to return with the trio and produce a similarly startling result. Pianist and composer Escreet was wise enough to recognize this and although returning with […]

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 […]