By Adorjan Horvát Downhill From Here by guitarist Gilad Hekselman is eight tracks that lean into a lineage of melodic invention and rhythmic exploration while offering a sonic language that feels unmistakably of today’s modern jazz guitar style. With Marcus Gilmore on drums and Larry Grenadier on bass, Hekselman revisits the trio format with deep roots … Read more
by Steph Cosme Shiri Zorn, George Muscatello, and Mauricio Zottarelli, have released an album that thrives in a trio of voice, guitar, and percussion. The result is Looking for Light an album with an uncommon sonic palette that feels vivid and compositionally refined. The eight selections drawing from jazz, Brazilian samba, Middle Eastern modalities, and chamber-like … Read more
by Steph Cosme In Play Space, Omer Leshem extends an invitation into his universe of play. A concept of performance that transcends amusement to become a focus of philosophical inspiration. Drawing on the ideas of Donald Winnicott, Leshem suggests that creative expression is akin to a child’s boundless play: an exploration where the rules of conventionality … Read more
by Adorjan Horvát Bassist, composer, and arranger John Patitucci is a pillar of outstanding musicianship in the contemporary jazz genre. The Live In Italy recordings capture the essence of spontaneity and musical camaraderie recorded during a memorable tour across Italy in July 2021. This live album documents a series of exceptional performances and an insightful case … Read more
by Steph Cosme The holidays have never felt so warm and inviting, as the number of enjoyable Christmas albums this year is impressive. Christmastime in Rio, the latest offering from renowned Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and the luminous vocalist Pamela Driggs is among the standouts with its seamless fusion of Brazilian rhythms and jazz traditions. The … Read more
Jane Monheit, Silver Bells Review by Steph Cosme The holidays just got a little more vibrant, thanks to Jane Monheit’s latest single, “Silver Bells,” released under CLUB44 Records. Monheit, a celebrated jazz vocalist known for her sumptuous interpretations of the Great American Songbook, brings an infectious Latin twist to this timeless seasonal classic. Originally included as … Read more
Michael Dease, Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill Review by Adorjan Horvát Gregg Hill’s compositions are like maps to uncharted jazz worlds—his latest collaboration with Michael Dease takes us to the cosmos with Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill. From the very first track, the album introduces an expansive sonic pallet steeped … Read more
Immanuel Wilkins, Blues Blood Review by Steph Cosme Immanuel Wilkins’ latest album, Blues Blood, marks a significant evolution in his artistic journey, blending ancestral memory, spirituality, and community. Co-produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, the record is as ambitious as it is intimate, offering a multimedia experience that transcends the typical jazz album. The project builds on … Read more
Andy Ezrin, I Was Here Review by Adorjan Horvát No instrument in jazz has been more fertile, adaptable, or evasive than the piano. At once the most workaday of tools—where songs are composed, recomposed, arranged, and rearranged—and the source of sublime, in-the-moment flights of ecstasy, the piano is a paradox of precision and freedom. Andy Ezrin … Read more
Pritesh Walia, Hopetown Review by Steph Cosme Pritesh Walia is releasing his debut album, a sonic declaration of intent, and a preview of the musical journey ahead called Hopetown. This album shows his guitar skills and ability to create a narrative of musical evolution as he leads his guitar trio. Walia’s rise has been a quiet … Read more