New Jazz Releases – 09/09/2024
By Russell Perry
Neil Swainson
I heard some really great new music this week. Chicago’s Calligram Records has new releases by its co-founders Geof Bradfield and Chad McCullough, veteran Canadian bassist Neil Swainson has a rare and welcomed release as a leader, Catherine Russell in a duo with Sean Mason has released perhaps her best yet and Peter Bernstein in a strong quartet with Brad Mehldau. Enjoy.
Neil Swainson – Here For A While (Cellar Music, released 08/30/2024). Brad Turner – trumpet / flugelhorn, Steve Davis – trombone, Kelly Jefferson – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Renee Rosnes – piano, Neil Swainson – bass, Quincy Davis – drums.
Despite being an excellent bassist on the scene for the better part of fifty years (Scott / Grant 5, Canadian Jazz Collective, Brad Turner), this is only Neil Swainson’s third disc as a leader. His 49th Parallel with Woody Shaw and Joe Henderson is one of my favorite releases of the 80s. The set consists of nine originals interpreted by a terrific sextet that includes Brad Turner (The Magnificent previewed 10/23/2023) on trumpet, Steve Davis (One For All, Michael Dease, Michael Davis Hip-Bone Big Band) on trombone and Renee Rosnes (Artemis, Nick Finzer, Michael Dease) on piano. Swinging from start to finish at all tempos. Highly Recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz
Peter Bernstein – Better Angels (Smoke Sessions Records, releases 09/27/2024). Brad Mehldau – piano, Peter Bernstein – guitar, Vicente Archer – bass, Al Foster – drums.
This is likely my favorite guitar-led release so far this year. Peter Bernstein seems to think that it is enough to be a terrific jazz guitarist without bringing in all sorts of related influences. And then there is Brad Mehldau on piano, the leading straight-ahead pianist of his generation (IMHO). Four originals plus two covers from the quartet and then two solo covers – sweet versions of Mel Tormé’s Born To Be Blue and JJ Johnson’s Lament. Recommended.
Christian Sands – Embracing Dawn ( Mack Avenue Records, releases 09/27/2024). Christian Sands – piano, Warren Wolf – vibraphone, Grégoire Maret – harmonica, Marvin Sewell – guitar, Andrew Joslyn – violin / viola, Eli Weinberger – cello, Ross Gilliland – contrabasso, Yasushi Nakamura – upright bass, Ryan Sands – drums.
Pianist Christian Sands (Be Water – 2020, Facing Dragons – 2018) has released a program of nine originals with a trio augmented with strings. Vibraphonist Warren Wolf steps in for two tunes and harmonica ace Grégoire Maret on one. There are some swinging and funky moments that resonated with me but much of the disc is a little sweet for me. Try it for yourself.
Review: AllAboutJazz
Mike Stern – Echoes and Other Songs(Mack Avenue Records, releases 09/13/2024). Chris Potter – tenor saxophone, Bob Franceschini – soprano saxophone / tenor saxophone, Jim Beard – acoustic piano / keyboards, Mike Stern – electric guitar / backing vocals, Christian McBride – electric bass / acoustic bass, Richard Bona – bass guitar / vocals, Antonio Sanchez – drums, Dennis Chambers – drums, Leni Stern – ngoni, Arto Tunçboyacian – percussion.
A strong set of original compositions from electric guitarist Mike Stern in the company of two sextets, one, notably, with Chris Potter on tenor, Christian McBride on electric and acoustic bass, and Antonio Sanchez on drums. While this may not break much new ground in the context of a long distinguished discography, this is a good one with a joyful vibe.
Review: JazzWise
Leslie Pintchik – Prayer For What Remains (Pintch Hard Records, releases 09/13/2024). Steve Wilson – soprano saxophone, Leslie Pintchik – piano, Scott Hardy – bass / acoustic guitar, Michael Sarin – drums, Satoshi Takeishi – percussion.
Although New York-based pianist Leslie Pintchik has several releases in her discography, she is just now reaching my ears. She is a pristine player and an interesting composer (on eight of ten selections.) Her tunes range from edgy rhythms to Brazilian grooves to lightly swinging ballads. Steve Wilson (Pete McCann, Noah Haidu, Miho Hazama) brings his soprano to two selections, one lively and the other quite gentle.
Geof Bradfield – Colossal Abundance (Calligram Records, released 09/06/2024). Derrick Gardner – trumpet, Russ Johnson – trumpet, Norman Palm – trombone, Mom Hasselbring Seko – French horn, Geof Bradfield – tenor saxophone / bass clarinet / mbira, Anna Webber – tenor saxophone / flute / bass flute, Greg Ward – alto saxophone, Ben Goldberg – clarinet / contra alto clarinet, Scott Hesse – guitar, Clark Sommers – bass, Dana Hall – drums / cymbals / percussion, Gregory Beyer – berimbau / mbira / marimba / percussion.
Saxophonist and Calligram Records co-founder Geof Bradfield has assembled a dozen players, starting from the quintet on his last release (Quaver previewed 08/14/2023), and representing a fine selection of the cream of players in Chicago today. The instrumentation and arrangements recall many sounds from the African diaspora (including a reggae-flavored arrangement of Henry Threadgill’s Bermuda Blues.) I keep coming back to this one. Excellent and highly recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz
Chad McCullough – In These Hills, Beyond (Calligram Records, released 09/06/2024). Chad McCullough – trumpet, Bram Weijters – piano / keyboard, Dave Miller – guitar, John Cristensen – bass, Kobie Watkins – drums.
Trumpeter Chad McCullough co-founded Calligram Records in 2023 and 14 releases later, the label is producing consistently high quality releases. This latest is a live set with McCullough in a trumpet – keys – guitar – bass – drums quintet. On a program that includes six thoughtful originals plus two by frequent collaborator pianist Bram Weitjers, the band plays with both seriousness and fire. Recommended.
Reviews: Making A Scene, AllAboutJazz, Audiophile Audition
Catherine Russell & Sean Mason – My Ideal (Dot Time Records, released 08/23/2024). Sean Mason – piano, Catherine Russell – vocals.
In her ninth release as a leader, singer Catherine Russell has presented her substantial chops in the spare context of a duet with pianist Sean Mason (Southern Suite previewed 10/230/2023). The setting suites her and we get to hear virtuoso performances by both players on a set that biases toward tunes from the 20s and 30s, yet includes one by Ashford and Simpson and one by Ray Charles. Recommended.
Reviews: Spectrum Culture, Jazz Views, Paris Move, Making A Scene
Art Hirahara – Good Company (Posi-Tone Records, released 08/16/2024). Ron Horton – trumpet / flugelhorn, Art Hirahara – piano, Paul Bollenback – guitar.
Another solid release from the reliable straight-ahead label Posi-Tone, this time from their regular pianist Art Hirahara. While in the past, Hirahara’s trio recordings have been piano – bass (Joe Martin or Boris Kozlov) – drum (Rudy Royston, of course) affairs, this time out he is joined by trumpeter Ron Horton (Prayer For Andrew previewed 12/11/2023) and guitarist Paul Bollenback (Irina Zubareva, Something Else!, Troy Roberts, Brian Ho). The program consists of selections by each of the players plus covers of Monk, Andrew Hill and Jobim. A lovely date.
Reviews: Marlbank, Audiophile Audition
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
