New Jazz Releases – 09/16/2024
Author: Russell Perry
Jeff Rupert
Several saxophone-led dates caught my interest this week – Jeff Rupert, Rahsaan Barber and Eric Person. A favorite arranger of mine, John Beasley (of MONK’estra) is back with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band reinterpreting Return to Forever. And trombonist Ed Neumeister brings together a collection of sometimes outside New York players in a very idiosyncratic collection of covers.
Jeff Rupert – It Gets Better (Rupe Media, released 09/06/2024). Jeff Rupert – tenor saxophone, Kenny Barron – piano, Peter Washington – bass, Joe Farnsworth – drums.
Saxophonist Jeff Rupert brings Stan Getz to mind and a smile to my face. He has a very pure tone that sings in the upper register and uses vibrato only sparingly and to great effect by contrast. And check out this band – Kenny Barron, Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth (In What Direction Are You Headed? previewed 05/15/2023)! The program includes six very nice originals and three covers, including Billy Strayhorn’s Lana Turner, his initial sketch for the composition Charpoy (see Ellington’s …And His Mother Called Him Bill).There is an old-school vibe to this effort – one that I very much appreciate. Highly recommended.
Reviews: Paris Move, Making A Scene
Rahsaan Barber & Everyday Magic – Six Words (Jazz Music City, released 09/06/2024). Pharez Whitted – trumpet, Ronald Barber – trombone, Rahsaan Barber – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone / tenor saxophone, Matt Endahl – piano, Kevin Beardsley – bass, Joshua Hunt – drums.
Saxophonist Rahsaan Barber (supported by his twin brother Ronald Barber on trombone) has released an eight-part suite based on six words from Wynton Marsalis – “There is power in this music.” This is powerful music, well played by a top-flight ensemble of players who are new to me. It is always wonderful to be introduced to talent as good as this. Recommended.
Yosef Gutman & Itay Sher – Unity (Soul Song Records, released 08/30/2024). Itay Sher – nylon-string guitar, Yosef Gutman Levitt – double bass / five-string acoustic bass, Gilad Ronen – reeds, Chamber Orchestra.
Israeli bassist Yosef Gutman (Upside Down Mountain previewed 04/01/2024, Soul Song previewed 02/05/2024) is releasing a torrent of music – several per year. This release features guitarist Itay Sher and a chamber orchestra in a program of new interpretations of Hasidic liturgical music. Soft and gentle.
Review: Making A Scene
Hot Toddies Jazz Band – Triple Step (Self Produced, released 08/29/2024). Alphonso Horne – trumpet, Jake Handelman – trombone, Linus Wyrsch – reeds, Jason Yaeger – organ, Justin Poindexter – guitar,Ian Hutchinson – bass, Patrick Soluri – drums, Hannah Gill – vocals, Queen Esther – vocals.
Returning with more swing and hot jazz, New York’s Hot Toddies Jazz Band (eponymous debut previewed 08/07/2023) keep marching down that sunny side of the street. Once again, the small group jazz ensemble is the setting for four vocalists with Hannah Gill and Queen Esther returning for the bulk of the tracks with guitarist Justin Poindexter and trombonist Jake Handelman taking one each. With trumpet, trombone and reeds in the front line and three or four in the rhythm section, the band follows the format of many small groups from the swing era. They have the chops and nurse the nostalgia for all its worth.
Ed Neumeister Quartet + 3 – Covers(MeisteroMusic, released 08/23/2024). Ed Neumeister – trombone, Billy Drewes – soprano saxophone / bass clarinet, Caroline Davis – flute / alto saxophone, Ingrid Laubrock – tenor saxophone, Gary Versace – piano / organ / accordion, Drew Gress – bass, Cameron Brown – bass, Tom Rainey – drums.
Trombonist Ed Neumeister brings his first rate quartet of Gary Versace on piano, Drew Gress on bass, and Tom Rainey on drums to a set of covers, but not your standard jazz rep. Rocky Raccoon, Try a Little Tenderness, Stairway to Heaven – goodness. From the leader’s perspective the thing that unites these tunes is a good melody and, in fact, the melody is emphasized in the arrangements. On three tracks, the band is fleshed out with Billy Drewes on soprano, Caroline Davis (Alula: Captivity previewed 08/28/2023) on alto, and Ingrid Laubrock (The Last Quiet Place previewed 03/13/2023) on tenor for a very full sound. With his cast of players, you can be sure that this isn’t your typical set of covers. Recommended.
Review: Spotlight On Podcast
John Beasley & Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning To Forever (Candid Records, released 08/23/2024). John Beasley – keyboards / piano / arrangements.
I’ve been a fan of composer / arranger / pianist John Beasley since his outstanding MONK’estra recordings of 2016, 2017 and 2020. Now he has taken on the music that Chick Corea (and Stanley Clarke, for one tune) composed for one of the preeminent fusion bands, Return To Forever (1972 – 1977). In Beasley’s able hands, these tunes adapt comfortably to interpretation by one of the world’s most capable big bands – the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. Beasley takes full advantage of the 17-piece band creating a lush background for these complex compositions. When Beasley chooses the band is capable of a roaring and powerful sound that matches anyone in intensity. Highly recommended.
Review: UK Jazz News, JazzBluesNews
Jimbo Ross – Jazz Passion & Satin Latin (Bodacious Records, released 08/23/2024). Stuart Elster – piano, Joe Gaeta – guitar, Jimbo Ross – electric 5 string viola/violin, Peter Marshall – upright bass, Ron Wagner – drums.
Well-travelled electric five-string viola/violinist Jimbo Ross, veteran of many pop recording sessions, has recorded a sweet jazz outing with nods to Stephane Grapelli. On tap are ballads, waltzes, bop and many latin-flavored romps. The simple quintet leaves room for solo features for Stuart Elster on piano and Joe Gaeta on guitar and both shine. Recommended.
Reviews: AllAboutJazz, JW Vibe, Making A Scene
Bevan Manson – Talking To Trees (Tiger Turn, released 08/23/2024). Bevan Manson – piano, Tierney Sutton – vocals, Hollywood Studio Symphony.
Vocalist Tierney Sutton is a really terrific singer. This release puts her in the company of elaborate symphonic arrangements.
Dan Siegel – Unity (Dan Siegel Music, released 08/09/2023). Aaron Janik – trumpet, Stan Martin – flugelhorn, Andy Martin – trombone, Alan Kaplan – trombone, Danielle Ondarza – French horn, Tom Scott – saxophone, Dan Siegel – piano / organ / keyboards, Rob Bacon – guitar, Allen Hinds – guitar, Michael Miller – guitar, Dean Park – guitar, Michael Thompson – guitar, David (DJ) Ginyard – bass, Oscar Seaton – drums, Lenny Castro-percussion.
Pianist / composer Dan Siegel with bassist DJ Gunyard and drummer Oscar Seaton (both of Terrence Blanchard’s E Collective) form a core trio with a rotating list of session guitarists and occasional horn lines on this pop-inflected smooth jazz outing.
Review: AllMusic, Smooth Jazz Daily
Eric Person – Rhythm Edge (Distinction Records, released 07/01/2024). Ingrid Jensen – trumpet, Robin Eubanks – trombone, Eric Person – soprano saxophone / alto saxophone / tenor saxophone / flute, Jerod Kashkin – piano / electric piano, Cary DeNigris – guitar, Adam Armstrong – bass, Peter O’Brien – drums, Daniel Sadownick – congas / percussion.
A veteran of bands like Chico Hamilton & Euphoria, the World Saxophone Quartet and the wonderful Dave Holland Quartet, multi-reediest Eric Person has reissued his disc of 2007, omitting one cover to make this a program of all original compositions. To his quintet, he added Ingrid Jenson and Robin Eubanks to expand the front line with trumpet and trombone, plus additional percussion support from Daniel Sadownick. The result is well-played post-bop.
Review: AllAboutJazz, The Art Music Lounge
I hope that something here tickles your eardrums.
Russell Perry, Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
