The soulful, rhythmic and impressionistic moods on Confluence, the compelling, richly exploratory debut EP by the Jung Stratmann Quartet, is rooted in and is an impressive, continuously shape-shifting outgrowth of the improvisational blend of drums and bass, lo-fi and electronic styles South Koren pianist Sujae Jung and German bassist Wolf Robert Stratmann create in their improv ensemble Airplane Ears. Truly an offbeat, freewheeling international jazz affair, the duo expands

Ever since Lionel Hampton recorded on Louis Armstong’s “Memories of You” in 1930, the vibraphone’s unique and expressive sound, versatility and improvisational potential have been an integral part of the jazz experience. Bringing exciting contemporary sensibilities, a freewheeling, rhythmically eclectic style and keen storytelling abilities to the near century old tradition, veteran Austin TX vibes player and educator Carolyn Trowbridge emphatically puts her own exciting stam

The release of the masterfully conceived, arranged and performed Classics Reimagined: Impromp2  by the Ted Rosenthal Trio caps an incredibly creative and prolific year for the legendary pianist, who launched his illustrious career 37 years ago by winning the Thelonious Monk International Competition. The third in a series of four thematic albums, Classics Reimagined ’s freshly spun, alternately sensitive/exquisite and rambunctiously swinging takes on renowned pieces by classi

Here’s a fascinating historical “fun fact” for attentive listeners as they breeze through the swingin’ coolness of and high-spirited bass, trumpet and tenor sax solos on “Power Walk,” the infectious opening track on Octopus Dreams  by the latest iteration of the Bruce Gertz Quintet. The veteran bassist and bandleader – also a professor of bass at Berklee College of Music since the mid 70s – used a chord structure based on Sonny Rollins’ classic 1954 composition “Doxy” – which

At this point, it’s not possible to discern the future of Transcendence, the fascinating new trio led by pianist and keyboard whiz Bob Gluck, but its adventurous initial intention on the plainly titled Music of Pat Metheny  is clear from the moody opening chords, subtle rumblings of bassist Christopher Dean Sullivan and exotic drum brushes and rolls of Karl Latham on the first track “Question & Answer.” It’s to explore an eclectic mix of pieces from a contemporary jazz master

While his promotion team presents Pat Petrillo’s ultra-eclectic, massively power-packed album Contemporaneous as a mix of Snarky Puppy, Brecker Brothers, Weather Report and Grover Washington, Jr., the veteran, surreally versatile and well-deserving Modern Drummer cover subject is truly in a freewheeling creative lane all his own. The fact that he’s previously charted in the smooth jazz realm with several singles and on Relix/Jambands.com Roots Music Review for his 2022 star

First let it be said of renowned and hip, ever so stylish Chicago based jazz Paul Marinaro that he’s the only cat in the genre to follow a tribute to David Bowie ( The Bowie Project with the Metropolitan Jazz Octet with another, more bold, ambitious and expansive one to Duke Ellington. In the spirit of Dave Grusin’s 1993 instrumental gem Homage to Duke and Joe Jackson’s #1 Billboard jazz album The Duke , Mood Ellington explores the vast Ellington oeuvre (including some of B

Every year, when the calendar flips to November, the malls begin blasting the same old tunes we’ve heard for decades, terrestrial radio stations gear up to switch their formats and listeners with more discerning, hipster and jazzier tastes are left to flip through the streaming services in search of tracks to create the perfect party playlists to make the season bright. Long beloved, critically acclaimed vocal stylist Judy Whitmore makes that task a whole lot easier this yea

In a culture where Christmas is often celebrated by non-religious or “spiritual but not religious” people as a secular holiday, it’s not surprising that some of the most acclaimed and popular seasonal solo piano recordings have come from artists who don’t specifically identify as Christians. Immediately coming to mind are the late George Winston’s seminal album December , several by David Lanz and a few decades worth of excellent holiday collections by Jim Brickman. These are

Esteemed retro-jazz label Turtle Bay Records and veteran pianist, band leader and two-time Grammy winning jazz scholar Loren Schoenberg are a match made in contemporary updates of classic obscure big band arrangement heaven. Four prolific decades after his original big band recorded the first of five albums, and years after he began overseeing the Benny Goodman Archives at Yale University, the longtime Julliard jazz history professor mines fresh magic in the historically impo

Truly a musical citizen of the world, the delightfully sultry and sensual force of vocal nature globally renowned as “Sacha” was born to Mexican and French Lebanese parents, raised in a European home in San Diego and boasts the otherworldly distinction of speaking seven languages and singing in 14. It’s her affinity for French, and perfect phrasing in that most romantic of tongues that brings poetic charm, beautiful ambience and masterful storytelling flow to Sacha: Paris Aft

Here are some fascinating points to ponder as listeners immerse in the surreally expansive vocal range, spirited scat and wildly eclectic stylistic terrain traversed by Josie Falbo on her majestic, richly orchestrated and appropriately titled jazz, big band and Brazilian fired third album Kickin’ It . Tucked into her bio, behind her hundreds of commercial jingles and backing work with legends (Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Mavis Staples, et al) is the coolness that the Chicag