Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke, Lean In Review Lean In, GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato and guitarist Lionel Loueke invite listeners into the immersive sonic world of their 20-year musical journey. Embroidered with the seamless synergy of two deeply connected artistic souls, the album weaves a dual narrative of inherent connectedness and creative spontaneity. Exploring territories … Read more
Jeff Richman, XYZ Review Attention fusion aficionados! Jeff Richman, a fusion guitarist, composer, and producer whose impressive career has spanned nearly five decades, is releasing his latest offering, XYZ. Throughout his eighteenth album as a leader, Richman unites with various all-star ensembles, skillfully pushing the boundaries of fusion while maintaining his signature sound. The incredible list … Read more
David Liebman, The Elements: Water Review David Liebman is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and author releasing a series of albums inspired by the four elements. The first installment is titled, The Elements: Water. Liebman composed and created the project with his three bandmates in mind, 20-time GRAMMY-Award winner Pat Metheny on guitar, Cecil McBee on bass, … Read more
Marilyn Scott, The Landscape Review Marilyn Scott is a contemporary jazz vocalist and composer that has released her thirteenth album as a leader titled The Landscape via Blue Canoe Records. The GRAMMY-nominated singer expands, “The Landscape project grew out of listening to myself and others with life’s frustrations and concerns. One of the only outlets I know of … Read more
Tord Gustavsen Trio, Opening Review Tord Gustavsen Trio has released their ECM Records album Opening. The trio presents a set of Gustavsen originals along with Scandinavian folk melodies. The lineup is Gustavsen on piano, drummer Jarle Vespestad, and for the first time on a Gustavsen album, bassist Steinar Raknes. The album has a definite ECM aesthetic as … Read more
Michael Feinberg, Blues Variant Review Michael Feinberg has compiled a solid ensemble to bring us his latest project titled Blues Variant. The album is his Criss Cross record label debut as a leader. Feinberg is joined by tenor saxophonist and flutist Noah Preminger, pianist Leo Genovese, and drummer Nasheet Waits. In addition, saxophonist David Liebman makes … Read more
Massimo Colombo, Electric Parker Review Massimo Colombo is releasing an exciting set of music called Electric Parker. The Italian pianist teams up with drummer Peter Erskine and bassist Chuck Berghofer to bring ten compositions from the Charlie Parker songbook. Colombo performs on the Fender Rhodes, hence the electric identification in the title. “Scrapple from the Apple” … Read more
Randal Clark, Stargazer Review Randal Clark is a Salt Lake City-based alto saxophonist in demand as both a classical and jazz performer and has appeared at numerous jazz festivals and concerts around the country as a featured performer, as well as releasing albums as a leader. His latest album as a leader is called Stargazer, on … Read more
Noah Preminger, Sky Continuous Review Noah Preminger has released his twelfth and third album as a leader for the Criss Cross jazz label called Sky Continuous. Preminger presents a trio with bassist Kim Cass and drummer Bill Stewart with Sky Continuous. Preminger leads the chordless trio on tenor saxophone through nine selections; eight are his original … Read more
Tim Fitzgerald, Tim Fitzgerald’s Full House Review Guitarist Tim Fitzgerald founded Tim Fitzgerald’s Full House in 2015 to lead a septet with a repertory mission to explore, perform, and record the music of Wes Montgomery. The ensemble is filled with members from the Windy City straight-ahead jazz community, a vibrant scene that tenor saxophonist Von Freeman … Read more