WTJU 91.1 FM

New Jazz & Blues Releases – 3/1/2022

Abraham Burton & Lucian Ban – Black Salt (Sunnyside Communications): “Meaningful musical partnerships can emerge from musicians of any persuasion and background. The language of jazz has tended to be the most pliable, as composers and improvisers have been able to bend to meet the demands of differing situations, making moving music that resonates in the moment. Saxophonist Abraham Burton and pianist Lucian Ban come from two distinct backgrounds but founded a long-lasting relationship based on friendship, trust, and their collective passions, most notably their focus on melodicism and jazz feel. Their new recording, Blacksalt, encapsulates the sympathetic nature of their pairing in a freely played collection of pieces, composed and improvised, and pristinely recorded live on tour in Ban’s native Transylvania in 2018. Burton grew up a first generation American of Belizean descent in the exciting world of New York City. By his late teens, the saxophonist was already apprenticing with the legendary drummer Arthur Taylor and fortifying his foundation playing alongside jazz luminaries like Jackie McLean, Walter Bishop and Roy Haynes. Pianist Ban grew up in Romania and came to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a mover in the City’s incredible jazz scene. His particular approach to the music has generally led him into more avant-garde spheres, but his composing style has always attracted collaborators of all stripes and influences. The music that Ban makes brilliantly straddles the line between the mainstream and the experimental.” (https://lucianban.bandcamp.com/album/blacksalt) Click here to listen to the songs on this release.

Minino Garay – Speaking Tango (Sunnyside): “The practice of pairing music with poetry has a long history. Setting verse to music has become a way to amplify the emotional impact of the writers’ words. Argentinean percussionist and composer Minino Garay created a recording, Speaking Tango, that uses poetry to find the essence of the Argentinean tango in contemporary music, something that has been attempted in the genre at least since poet Horacio Ferrer collaborated with Astor Piazzolla. Garay’s musical path has been a broad one. The jazz world has been his home for decades, but the percussionist also spent years perfecting his craft with Argentinean legends, like Mercedes Sosa and Jairo. Having lived 30 years in France, Garay expanded his musical interests into Brazilian and African music, recording with Hermeto Pascoal, Toumani Diabaté, Cheik Tidiane Seck, and Richard Bona along the way. These diverse musical interests inform the music that Garay creates…. For the recording, Garay split the performances between two ensembles: one Argentinean and one French. Pianist Hernán Jacinto lends his expert touch to the record. Garay and Jacinto were joined in Buenos Aires by drummer Pipi Piazzolla and bassist Flavio Romero. The Parisian group included drummer Andre Ceccarelli, bassist Christophe Wallemme, and guitarist Manu Codjia. A handful of impressive guests amplify the music’s message throughout.” (https://republicofjazz.blogspot.com/2022/01/minino-garay-speaking-tango-february-25.html) Click here and scroll down to listen to a sample of Garay’s “Speaking Tango”.

Hinda Hoffman – PEOPLE: Hinda Hoffman Meets Soul Message (Know You Know Records): “This is an American story about American musicians overcoming all sorts of adversity to play music. Top players who could not get on a stage or even plan when they could play for an audience. Real people, professionals who have traveled the world playing to crowds and on top of the music world. Now they put together this project,  had been rejected by their label and refused to quit. See and hear and get to know People, and the iconic musicians that created this special music. “Vocalist Hoffman and The Soul Message Band unleash the joyous power of the jazz organ combo, straddling tradition and the contemporary with Carroll’s brilliant arrangements. Producer Dennis Carroll penned the arrangements for these most familiar and some not so familiar songs of the Great American Songbook, giving them the classic soul-jazz feel, beginning with Cole Porter’s “All of You.” The unit bursts out swinging, clearly led instrumentally by Foreman’s B3 with Ward and Rothenberg providing some enticing lines in their solos as well. The tempo shifts to a slow simmer in Carroll’s sensitive arrangement of “Don’t Worry “Bout Me” and then embraces driving ‘70s era funk and swing in “How Insensitive.” The expansive standout track, Percy Mayfield’s “Please Send Me Someone to Love,” a tour de force for Hoffman soaring over Foreman’s church-like organ delivery, the band bringing the tune to a glorious climax.” (Glide Magazine) Click here to preview samples of this wonderful performance. 

Javon Jackson – The Gospel According To Nikki Giovanni (Solid Jackson Records): …playing to crowds and on top of the music world. Now they put together this project,  had been rejected by their label and refused to quit. See and hear and get to know People, and the iconic musicians that created this special musicJavon Jackson – The Gospel According To Nikki Giovanni (Solid Jackson Records): “Nikki Giovanni, one of the great poets of the Black Arts movement in the late 1960s, and Javon Jackson, saxophonist and composer, have paired up to release “The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni” on Feb. 18. It is a first-time collaboration between the two internationally recognized artists and draws upon their literary and musical talents. Giovanni, well-known for the fearlessness and depth of her craft, and Jackson, whose eclecticism has few boundaries, found common ground in their spiritual upbringing. Both are academics: Giovanni is a Professor at Virginia Tech, and Jackson is a professor as well as director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford. “I was just lucky to have to have met Javon,” Giovanni tells the Banner. “He had asked me to give a talk at the University of Hartford two years ago during Black History month. There was a spiritual playing, and that started us talking about our upbringing in the church. It was ‘Steal Away,’ performed by Charlie Haden and Hank Jones.”Giovanni notes the important links between jazz and the music she heard growing up. “Jazz is built on spirituals, on the music we heard in church,” she says.” (https://www.baystatebanner.com/2022/02/10/the-gospel-according-to-nikki-giovanni/) The combination of the two is terrific. Click here for an introduction for the music and an introduction to these artists.

Boris Kozlov – First Things First (PosiTone): “Bassist and bandleader Boris Kozlov defies expectations and redefines what it means to put “First Things First.” Producer Marc Free sends Kozlov out along an ambitious course for his 2022 Posi-Tone debut, and with a steady hand, bassist Kozlov confidently directs a mighty quintet of top notch musicians. Saxophonist Donnie McCaslin, vibraphonist Behn Gillece, keyboardist Art Hirahara and drummer Rudy Royston keep moving freely over the solid harmonic foundation provided by Kozlov’s playing and leadership. While many jazz fans have yet to become acquainted with the music of Kozlov, the time has come to travel together beyond the simply straight ahead and to color outside the lines. We are confident that the music on this album will bring delight to the ears of serious listeners, navigating steadily away from the known and familiar and move swiftly out into the uncharted depths of modern collective improvisation to uncover a new sound in time and space. Click here to listen to the songs on this release. 

Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio – Cold As Weiss (Colemine): “Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio—or as it is sometimes referred to, DLO3—specialize in the lost art of “feel good music.” The ingredients of this intoxicating cocktail include a big helping of the 1960s organ jazz stylings of Jimmy Smith and Baby Face Willette; a pinch of the snappy soul strut of Booker T. & The M.G.’s and The Meters; and sprinkles Motown, Stax Records, blues, and cosmic Jimi Hendrix-style guitar. It’s a soul-jazz concoction that goes straight to your heart and head makes your body break out in a sweat. Live, the band’s fiery and intuitive chemistry is unstoppable, brimming with improvisation, instant composition, imaginative takes on classic tunes, and a booty-shaking back catalog of soulful gems. The band features organist Delvon Lamarr, a self-taught virtuosic musician, with perfect pitch who taught himself jazz and has effortlessly been able to play a multitude of instruments. On guitar is the dynamo Jimmy James who eases through Steve Cropper-style chanking guitar, volcanic acid-rock freak-out lead playing, and slinky Grant Green-style jazz. From Reno, Nevada is drummer Dan Weiss (also of the powerhouse soul and funk collective The Sextones). Dan’s smoldering pocket-groove drumming locks in the trio’s explosive chemistry. (https://delvonlamarrorgantrio.com/pages/about) Click here to and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.

Kendra Morris – Nine Lives (Karma Chief): “Kendra Morris’s Nine Lives, to be released on Karma Chief Records (a division of Colemine Records) in early 2022, marks not only the culmination of the decade since the release of her first LP Banshee, but also a turning point in Kendra’s life. Nine Lives heralds the beginning of a new chapter; label, and an evolution to the next level of adulthood. This collection of her original songs encapsulates moments from what could be nine lifetimes. Kendra, while very much a New Yorker and veteran of almost 2 decades on the NYC scene, hails from Florida and aesthetically embodies the broader sense of American culture, bringing to her contemporary sound influences found in music and cinema dating back to the mid 20th century. Her music conjures imagery evocative of road trips to weird and wonderful places.” (https://kendramorris.bandcamp.com/) Click here to listen to listen to the songs on this disc.

Samuel Mosching – Ethereal Kinks (Self-produced): “A skilled jazz guitarist with his own sound, Samuel Mösching has used the Pandemic period to record his latest solo album, Ethereal Kinks. While four fine musicians (two bassists and two drummers) make one appearance apiece (there are guests on both bass and drums on “Winnemac”), otherwise Mösching plays all of the instruments (guitar, bass, drums and synth) in addition to contributing a full set of new compositions. Ethereal Kinks begins with the joyful “No Dancing” (with bassist Renda “Victoria” Jackson) which is a fine showcase for the leader’s bright guitar tone and laidback musical personality. “Beauty And The Beast Roleplay” is a jazz waltz that builds up effectively while “Disconnect” is a medium-slow strut that is moody while having a strong forward momentum. The complex chord changes of “Mental Illness” contrast with its relaxed tempo while “Modesta” (with Juan Pastor on drums) is quite energetic and catchy.” (https://justjazz.world/guitarist-samuel-mosching-releases-ethereal-kinks/)  Click here to listen to the song “Indigenous”.

Sharp Radway – Black Woman – A Conversation (Radway Music): “Black Woman – A Conversation is an exquisite tribute to the beauty, strength and diversity of Black Women. It’s a soulful combination of the elements of Jazz; spoken word, beautifully arranged instrumentals, pocket grooves, soul soothing vocals and candid conversations. The album pays tribute to Black Women. The subtitle, A Conversation refers to an insightful 45 minute conversation that took place during the the recording of the album. The conversation includes drummer, Camille Gainer-Jones, and tenor saxophonist, Camille Thurman who offers words of empowerment, encouragement and inspiration with Radway serving as the moderator. Conversations can be heard on tracks, 2, 5, 11, 16 and 19. A favorite is track #3 – About The Black Woman, where Radway starts off with a deep, soothing, intentional voice, “Let me tell you about the black woman.” He proceeds to nourish your ears with everything that is great and powerful about her; everything that makes her “the mother of all human kind.” This spoken word track gained the interest of many on social media pre-release of the project and left women from all over wanting to hear more. This project speaks to the soul and awakens your innermost divine sense of self. It’s a refreshing contrast to what is deemed popular. It gets back to self-love and loving, to music and musicianship.”   Click here to listen to the songs on this release.

Matthew Shipp & Michael Bisio – Flow Of Everything (FSR): “In his definition of jazz, Wayne Shorter says “It’s not…required to sound like jazz.” It’s a viewpoint to keep in mind when considering over-analysis of the bold activities of collaborators Michael Bisio and Matthew Shipp. Throughout their frequent partnerships, the pair have raised the bar on improvisation to a level that suggests an exceptional symbiotic form of structure. The relatively new Polish label Fundacja Słuchaj issues The Flow of Everything, Bisio and Shipp’s third duo album and their first in six years. The opener, “Flow,” is a brilliant nine-plus minute demonstration of these artists’ ability to execute the unexpected. In tandem and apart Bisio and Shipp create a tableau of quiet thunder, Duke Ellington, and Art Tatum, rolled into an avant-garde collage. Bisio completely alters the mood with his arco introduction to “Bow of Everyone.” With back-and-forth distortion, he sets up a gently melodic entrance for Shipp, leading down a darkly prosaic path. The midsection of The Flow of Everything consists of pieces laden with fresh peculiarities and inquisitive musical ideas. “Of Now,” “Of Everything” and “Pockets” each incorporate melodic channels into turbulent waters and “Go Flow” plays like an asymmetrical lullaby. The title track is the most overtly cryptic improvisation on the album but the concluding “Panel” restores tranquility before it draws to a close. Shipp’s mastery of the contrasting poles of density and fragility, and Bisio’s evasion of pyrotechnics, render free improvisation more accessible. The challenge, and the pleasure, of listening to The Flow of Everything, is that one cannot be certain how things will play out between Bisio and Shipp. Even when sharing a joint vision, there are times when the listener can find it difficult to decipher the stealthy language of the duo. That’s all to the good as this ecstatic music benefits from blurring the line between thought and spontaneous performance; freeing the listener from the grip of relevance. The Flow of Everything is an absorbing album, animated, exciting, and completely different.” (https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-flow-of-everything-michael-bisio-matthew-shipp-fundacja-sluchaj) Click here to listen to a sample performance.

Curtis Stigers – This Life (Pandemic Poodle): “For the past 30 years, the singer, songwriter, saxophonist and guitarist has been making records that confound those who try to categorize his music or put him in a box. Curtis Stigers has had several top ten hits as a long-haired, blue-eyed soul singer and he’s written and sung an Emmy nominated TV theme song. He’s recorded a track for one of the biggest-selling pop albums of all time and he’s released nine critically-acclaimed, award-winning jazz albums. He’s played for presidents and princes and he’s appeared in two Seth MacFarlane movies about a foul-mouthed cuddly bear called Ted. He’s recorded thirteen studio albums and a live album singing Sinatra songs with a big band from Denmark. He’s toured with symphony orchestras, written songs with Carole King and duetted with Al Green, Shawn Colvin and Tom Jones. Who is this guy? Curtis Stigers’s new album This Life is the answer to that question. It’s a celebration of three decades of musical exploration, evolution and growth. It’s a look back at 13 albums, thousands of concert performances and millions of miles on the road. “We created most of these arrangements onstage, during soundchecks and concerts,” says Stigers. “My songs have changed and grown as they’ve gotten older, just like I have.” There’s a lot more, too. (https://www.curtisstigers.com/bio/)
“Who is this guy? Curtis Stigers’s new album This Life is the answer to that question. It’s a celebration of three decades of musical exploration, evolution and growth. It’s a look back at 13 albums, thousands of concert performances and millions of miles on the road. “We created most of these arrangements onstage, during soundchecks and concerts,” says Stigers. “My songs have changed and grown as they’ve gotten older, just like I have.” This is as good as any other way. He’s suggesting that you check out “Keep Me From The Cold”.

Michael Weiss – Persistence (Cellar 20 Music): “Michael Weiss will celebrate 40 years of living and working in NYC next year; a major milestone in a city full of brilliant jazz pianists. One of the busiest pianists and composers in jazz, Michael was a key member of the Johnny Griffin quartet for over 15 years, and is himself entering the status of jazz legend alongside some of his peers. A true double threat as a dazzling pianist along with a thoughtful and deep composer, Michael was recognized early on as a bright light in jazz, having won the BMI Thelonious Monk composer competition and place second in the Monk International Jazz Piano competition. With these accolades, it is fitting that Michael and the quartet choose to cover the Monk classic ‘Epistrophy’ on this fantastic album, his debut for Cellar Music Group.” The title song says it all!  The players are Michael Weiss (piano), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Paul Gill (bass) and Pete van Nostrand (drums). Solid! Click here and check it out!

New Blues News:

Kathy Murray & The Kilowatts – Fully Charged (Blue Heart Records): “Following the 2018 release of the acclaimed Premonition of Love, Austin’s GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Kathy Murray and her band, the Kilowatts, return with Fully Charged, a high voltage blues collection. Murray’s immersion in the music of Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, along with the many regional styles of Texas roots music, are in powerful evidence throughout eleven sublime originals and three fresh covers. For lovers of Texas blues, Fully Charged takes the listener on an electrifying ride, showcasing Murray at the peak of her mastery of American roadhouse music.” https://kathythekilowatts.bandcamp.com/album/fully-charged This lady is ready to rock. Click here to listen for some ROCK!

Scott Ramminger – Live At 3rd & Lindsley – Nashville (Arbor Lane Music): “Scott Ramminger’s latest album, “Live From Third & Lindsley Nashville,” which hits the street Feb. 4, 2022, showcases his versatility as a songwriter, singer, sax man, and live performer. The album features 10 live tracks, along with a bonus studio track, “Come Valentines Day.” The live tracks feature James Pennebaker (Tracks 1-6) and Joe McMahan on guitar (Tracks 1-4), along with Ger Hoffman on bass and Maxwell Shauf on drums. The bonus studio track, “Come Valentines Day,” features the legendary Muscle Shoals Swampers Spooner Oldham on keys, David Hood on bass, and Will McFarlane on guitar — along with New Orleans drum wizard Doug Belote.  All the songs, including the bonus track, were written by Ramminger. These folks absolutely know how to keep the fire burning! Click here for some good advice and some good times.

Suzanne’s Band – Ice & Fire (Self-produced): “This new release features a blend of Americana, Country and Blues songs guaranteed to melt your heart and get your body moving. Rock and Pop influences make this a multi-genre win.” A solid club band that covers a variety styles. Click here to listen to clip of all songs on this release.

Peter Veteska & Blues Train – So Far So Good (Blue Heart Records): “Peter Veteska’s sixth release, So Far So Good, showcases the fresh yet refined new Blues Train sound. The twelve tracks, including eight originals, transport the listener to Chicago, Mississippi, New Orleans and Texas before the Train returns to the East Coast. Enriched by a cadre of guest musicians from the tri-state area, So Far So Good is a monumental modern blues CD that captivates the mind and touches the soul.” The band members are Peter Veteska (guitar, vocals); Jeff Levine (keyboards); Alex D’Agnese (drums) and Coo Moe Jhee (bass).  This is a band that can play with fire but respects the older styles without trying to blow the walls down. Absolutely, the heart of great blues. Click here to listen to the heart of the style!

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne – Blues From Chicago to Paris (Stony Plain): Here’s a solid tribute to the great songs by Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon and a few others honoring songs from the styles of Peter Chatman. The musicians are Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne (piano, vocals), Russell Jackson (acoustic bass, vocals) and Joey DiMarco (drums). The 17-track album pays spirited homage to the piano-pounding and bass-slapping bygone legends from a legend himself — all while serving as a rousing and riveting guide to the lively post-war blues scenes of Chicago and Paris.
“Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon were a team, and their styles worked great together,” Wayne says of the artists behind the release’s inspiration. “Out of many other blues piano players I’ve listened to, I found a unique playfulness between these two men, unlike the many other great blues pianists.” Focused on the period when the two giants of the genre teamed up to tour the globe in the late ‘50s-early ‘60s, Blues From Chicago to Paris presents a robust collection of favorite songs, as well as the innovative tunes that have inspired and influenced artists ever since.
As was the case with his other most recent release, 2020’s Go, Just Do It, Kenny Wayne took on the role of producer once again for Blues From Chicago to Paris; he also invited bassist Russell Jackson, a veteran of the B.B. King band during the 80s, and drummer Joey DiMarco into the studio for the sessions.
Now 77, Wayne’s six-decade musical career began with him soaking up the sounds of gospel music from his father, a preacher. From there, his genre journey traversed through jazz, Latin, R&B, and soul, with explorations in swing, bebop, dance, and the standards, for good measure.
The JUNO Award-winner with multiple Maple Blues Awards and keyboard awards from Living Blues Magazine to his credit, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne was also inducted into the Boogie Woogie Piano Hall of Fame in 2017.  Click here for a taste of “Rock and Rolling This House”.

Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop