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Professor Bebop’s Top Twelve Jazz Releases of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Cameron Graves – Planetary Prince (Mack Avenue): Pianist and occasional vocalist Cameron Graves, fresh from his association with Kamasi Washington on “The Epic” steps out with his own set of swirling, rhythmic jazz and other of his own. The supremacy of the keys is only part of the sound as Washington plays tenor on this disc, too and there is a decidedly more consistent soul jazz and rhythm presence throughout. Other players include Ronald Bruner, Jr (drums), Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner and Hadrien Faraud (trading off on bass), Philip Dizack (trumpet), and Ryan Porter (trombone). Though not as amazing as “The Epic”, Graves work does continue the exposure of a new sound in jazz. Definitely recommended! Click here to listen to samples.  

Art Hirahara – Central Line (Posi-Tone): Originally from the West Coast, composer/pianist Hirahara has been a fixture in NYC since 2003. His touch is often exquisitely delicate, almost as if he were painting the most delicate portions of a landscape. At the same time, his range of expression is remarkable. He composed all but three of the cuts on this disc. Supporting musicians include Linda Oh (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums) with the occasional addition of Donny McCaslin (sax). The performance is contemplative in nature, yet still swings with delight. Piano fans must check this out! Click here to listen to samples.

Wynton Kelly Trio with Wes Montgomery – Smokin’ In Seattle (Resonance); These performances were recorded live in Seattle on April 14 and 21, 1966. The players include Wynton Kelly (piano), Ron McClure (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums), who were joined by Wes Montgomery (guitar) on six of the ten tunes. Everyone is in terrific form! There is very little introductory talk, as it appears they were content to let the music speak for itself. Absolutely, a knock out! Click here to listen to samples. 

Alexis Lombre – Southside Sounds (Self-produced)  Pianist Alexis Lombre is a teenage pianist who has studied classical and jazz and has performed in a variety of jazz shows, mostly in the Chicago/Detroit areas. She discovered early on that one can know how to play technically, but without feeling, it isn’t effective. Feeling comes through her playing in a major way. Lombre has excellent technique and much of this disc is bubbling over with feeling. The backing players are Junius Paul, James Wenzel and DeAndre Manning (bass); Greg Artry, Jeremiah Collier and Zack Morrow (drums); and Rajiv Halim, Irvin Pierce, and and Ernest Melton (tenor sax). This sis soul jazz with a wonderful emphasis on “jazz with soul”. I expect we’ll be hearing a lot more from this talented musician. This disc is a great beginning. Click here to listen to samples. 

Linda May Han Oh – Walk Against Wind (Biophilia): Bassist/vocalist/composer Linda May Han Oh offers a magnificent new disc filled with stylistic and textural diversity. The sheer precision and beauty of the performances are its greatest qualities. There are careful shifts in tonal precision and occasional shifts to a freer style. There are quiet melodies, moments of swing and moments of full bore jazz. The quartet includes Ben Wendell (tenor sax), Matthew Stevens (guitar) and Justin Brown (drums) with guest appearances by Fabian Almazan (piano on one song and keys on two) and Minji Park (percussion on one track). The music is distinctly original while honoring earlier explorations that sound so central to the genre. Individual and group performances swing with precision and sound totally free. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.

PHO – Two (Self-produced): PHO is a progressive funk band from Minneapolis and yes they’re jazzy but the funk is on top. One listen to this and you will for certain have a dip in your hip and a glide in your stride! The band includes Luke Ibach (bass), Joe Paris (guitar, glockenspiel), Spencer Christensen (guitar), Demetrius Mabry (drums), Patrick Horigan (keys, synths, guitar),  Lukas Skrove (trumpet, flugelhorn), Aaron Levin (tenor sax, flute), Arthur “LA” Buckner, percussion), and special guests Kirk Johnson (percussion) and Sten Johnson (trombone). Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.    

Houston Person – Rain Or Shine (HighNote): Melodic, sweet, swinging jazz with just enough blues to lull you into a beautiful mood. Tenor sax veteran Houston Person casts a spell that is timeless and right now. He is accompanied by Warren Vache (cornet), Lafayette Harris (piano), Rodney Jones (guitar), Matthew Parrish (bass) and Vincent Ector (drums). The combination is fantastic. Smooth as silk. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples.

Eric Reed – A Light In Darkness (WJ3): Composer / pianist Eric Reed had a magical beginning to his career, having met Wynton Marsalis while he was still in high school and briefly touring with him during his first year of college. By the time he was 20, Reed joined Marsalis’ septet and stayed with him for about two years. He then worked with This was followed by two years with Joe Henderson and Freddie Hubbard before once again joining Marsalis from 1992 – 1995 before moving to the Lincoln Jazz Center. Reed has played with many other jazz titans and has released numerous discs as a leader. On this disc, Reed plays piano and is accompanied by McClenty Hunter (drums), Tim Green (sax), Ben Williams (bass) and Jamison Ross (vocals). The content is contemplative and expresses hope for a better day. The band is quite tight and both the messages and singing by Ross are terrific. The set includes an updated spiritual “Calvary”, beautiful instrumentals, the beautiful gospel blues vocal “Hope In View”, the jivey jazzy “Shine” and closes with a medley “Yesterday – Yesterdays” (Lennon-McCartney – Jerome Kern-Otto Harboch). Great jazz and soulful blues and gospel. I regret I am unable to locate a sample of this disc.

Jeff Rupert & Veronica Swift – Let’s Sail Away (Self-produced) Tenor saxophonist Jeff Rupert is teamed up with former Charlottesville resident, daughter of Hod O’Brien and Stephanie Nakasian, and vocalist extraordinaire Veronica Swift in a musical set that ranks with the best I have ever heard. The communication between the two reminds me Ella Fitzgerald dueling with Roy Eldridge or (insert your horn player choice here). The program covers terrific ground from the Great American Songbook, like “Pennies From Heaven” and Rhapsody In Blue”, more recent gems like Johnny Mandel’s “Pernod” and Vince Guaraldi’s “Ginza Samba” to originals by Jeff Rupert who also co-composes with Swift on  “Beauty Becomes Her” and with William Shakespeare on “My Mistress’ Eyes”. Other musicians are Richard Drexler (piano), Marty Morell (drums) and Charlie Silva (bass). Horns are added on “Rhapsody In Blues” by Dan Miller (trumpet), Christian Herrera (trombone) and Saul Dautch (bari sax). With its terrific variety and fabulous performances, this release is exquisite from beginning to end. Click here to listen to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kamasi Washington – Harmony Of Difference (Young Turks): Tenor sax giant Kamasi Washington offers a new disc “that explores the philosophical possibilities of the musical technique known as ‘counterpoint’, which Washington defines as ‘the art of balancing similarity and difference to create harmony between separate melodies…. Washington wanted to create something that opened people’s minds to the gift of diversity.’” (liner notes) There are five individual pieces, entitled “Desire”, “Humility”, “Knowledge”, “Perspective” and “Integrity” and one final piece “Truth” which is a combination of all five pieces interwoven together in a piece entitled “Truth”. The main band includes Washington (tenor sax), Ryan Porter (trombone), Dontae Winslow (trumpet), Cameron Graves (piano), Brandon Coleman (keys), Miles Mosely (bass), Ronald Bruner Jr and Tony Austin (drums), on the opening five compositions. The group is augmented on the “Truth” by Rickey Washington (flute), Terrace Martin (alto sax), Thundercat (electric bass), Matt Haze (guitar), Nick Mancini (vibes), Paul Cartwright, Chris Woods, Jen Simone and Tylana Renga (violins); Molly Rogers and Andrea Whitt (viola); Peter Jacobson and Artyom Manukyan (cello) and a choir featuring Thelma De Freitas, Taylor Graves, Doctor Dawn Norfleet, Patrice Quinn, Jimetta Rose Smith, Dexter Story, Dustin Warren, Steven wayne and Mashica Winslow. Washington continues to think and create deeply, stretching his jazz base into new hybrids. This work is much smaller than “Epic”, but only in duration. Washington continues to explore our potential for unity of art and acceptance of new ideas and of each other. Click here to listen to samples. 

Bobby Watson – Made In America (Smoke Sessions): Renowned alto sax player Bobby Watson, inspired by the Presidency of Barrack Obama, created this tribute to several people who made earlier advances, including Wendell O. Pruitt of the Tuskegee Airmen and Madam C.J. Walker whose company selling beauty and hair products for black women made her the first female self-made millionaire in the US. Watson’s alto soars and floats throughout the disc, showing that his playing is as fine as ever. His accompaniment is the Curtis Lundy Trio, featuring Lundy on bass, Lewis Nash on drums and Stephen Scott on piano. Scott’s performance is the absolutely perfect pairing for Watson. He glides through each number with a performance that matches Watson’s riffs, energy and grace. Excellent throughout! Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.  

Jeff “Tain” Watts – Blue, v.2 (Dark Key) Drummer/composer Jeff “Tain” Watts has played in a wide range of settings with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Betty Carter, Michael Brecker, David Gilmore, Ravi Coltrane and on his own releases. The selection here is quite varied and several performances are a melange of several styles like jazz-rock or jazz-funk followed by ballads that combine jazz and pop or blues. All selections are Watts’ compositions or arrangements. Recordings covered four different sessions with players Paul Bollenback (guitar), James Francies (piano), Troy Roberts (tenor sax), and Orlando le Fleming (bass) on session one; Paul Bollenback and Russell Malone (guitar), Manuel Valera (Hammond C3), Troy Roberts (tenor sax), Robert Hurst (bass), David Buckway (piano), and Dayna Stephens (sax) on session two; Osmany Paredes (piano), Dayna Stephens (tenor sax), and Yunior Terry Cabrera (bass) on session three; and David Kikoski (piano), Gergoire Maret (harmonica) and Hogyu Hwang on session four. The variety is both striking and builds a wonderful collage of jazz plus. Click here to listen to samples.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop