New Jazz Releases – 07/29/2024
By Russell Perry
Tómas R. Einarsson
Focus on European players this week with a new discs from Icelandic bassist Tómas R. Einarsson, Italian pianist Giovanni Guidi, British vocalist Norma Winstone, American ex-pat in Switzerland Alvin Queen, German improvisers Frank Paul Schubert / Michel Pilz / Stefan Scheib / Klaus Kugel, the debut of Swedish drummer Cornelia Nilsson and a great disc from Danish tenor saxophonist Jan Harbeck. Jazz is truly an international music.
Tómas Ragnar Einarsson / Óskar Guðjónsson – Bolero (Alda Music, released 07/17/2024). Óskar Guðjónsson – saxophone, Davíð Þór Jónsson – piano, Ómar Guðjónsson – guitar, Tómas R. Einarsson – bass, Magnús Trygvason Eliassen – drums, Sigtryggur Baldursson – percussion, Matthías Hemstock – percussion.
Icelandic bassist Tómas Einarsson began recording in 1989, but the trajectory of his current output dates to his first Afro-Cuban record in 2002, which introduced locally-performed Latin music to Iceland. His most recent release is jointly credited with long-time musical partner saxophonist Óskar Guðjónsson. Paced by the rich depth of Einarsson’s bass, Bolero is a stately presentation of romantic themes, often punctuated by Ómar Guðjónsson’s shimmering guitar. Recommended.
Giovanni Guidi – A New Day (ECM, released 07/12/2024). James Brandon Lewis – tenor saxophone, Giovanni Guidi – piano, Thomas Morgan – double bass, João Lobo – drums.
Italian pianist Giovanni Guidi (Enrico Rava) and his decade-plus trio have released a bit of a two-headed record – three open and introspective tracks with the trio and four more Coltrane-inflenced tracks with rising star saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. After one standard and one traditional tune, the balance are composed very ably by the leader.
Review: AllAboutJazz, Jazz Trail, JazzViews
Louis Armstrong – Louis In London (Verve Records, released 07/12/2024) . Louis Armstrong – trumpet / vocals, Tyree Glenn – trombone, Joe Muranyl – clarinet, Marty Napoleon – piano, Buddy Catlett – bass, Danny Barcelona – drums.
Louis Armstong revolutionized jazz with his instrumental small group recordings in the 20s and again with his singing on the big band recordings in the 30s. By 1947, the air had gone out of the touring-orchestra ballon and for the next 20 plus years, Armstrong recorded and toured with The All Stars, a sextet modeled on the early groups. By 1968, when this live set was recorded, their repertoire had become calcified and the whole presentation was a caricature of Armstrong’s former glory (I am unhappy to report). The UK audience is thrilled and Armstrong pulls it off with loads of charisma, but try not to cringe when he opens with When It’s Sleepy Time Down South. Go back to the classic recordings for your Satchmo fix.
Andy James – Let Me See Your Heart (Le Coq Records, released 07/05/2024). Terell Stafford – trumpet, Michael Dease – trombone, Joel Frahm, John Ellis – saxophone, Bob Sheppard – flute, Jon Cowherd – piano, John Beasley – keyboards, Ronnie Foster – organ, Chico Pinheiro, Steve Cardenas, Larry Koonse, Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar, John Patitucci, James Genus and Eric Wheeler – bass, Nate Smith, Clarence Penn, Rudy Royston, Johnathan Blake – drums, Alex Acuña – percussion, Andy James – vocals.
Vocalist Andy James has a characteristic deep, and occasionally husky, voice that can soar into a persuasive upper register. She applies this asset to an adventurous program of standards (Bali Hai, All Or Nothing At All), modern jazz classics (Take Five), pop tunes (New York State of Mind) and new compositions with Bill Cunliffe. In support, she has assembled an all-star ensemble with, among others, Terell Stafford, Michael Dease and Joel Frahm in the front line and a rhythm section that incudes Jon Cowherd, John Beasley, John Patitucci, Rudy Royston and Johnathan Blake. Recommended.
Reviews: Paris Move, Spectrum Culture, Jazz Weekl
Norma Winstone & Kit Downes – Outpost of Dreams (ECM, released 07/05/2024) . Kit Downes – piano, Norma Winstone – vocals.
After a six-year wait, singer / lyricist Norma Winstone has a new release out, this time in a duet with pianist Kit Downes (Verneri Pohjola). Two traditional compositions are included but the bulk of the selections are from Downes or modern jazz composers like John Taylor, (Wych Hazel) Carla Bley (Jesus Maria), and Ralph Towner (Beneath an Evening Sky). In all cases, the lyrics are by Winstone who writes beautiful poetry with rather obscure meanings. Mostly, she features her lyrics rather than the wordless vocals that have characterized some of her better known work.
Reviews: The Guardian, AllAboutJazz, Jazz Views
Alvin Queen Trio – Feeling Good (Stunt Records, released 06/14/2024). Carlton Holmes – piano / synthesizer, Danton Boler – bass, Alvin Queen – drums.
Ex-pat Drummer Alvin Queen has assembled a sweet piano trio with Carlton Holmes (Ceclia Smith, Paul Zauner, Howard Johnson) on piano and Danton Boler (Benny Wallace) on drums for a very interesting and diverse program from Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer, the Gershwins, Cedar Walton, Steven Sondheim, Rodgers & Hart, Anthony Newley and others. This is straight ahead jazz at its most graceful. Recommended
Reviews: HighResAudio, Couleurs Jazz
Frank Paul Schubert / Michale Pilz / Stefan Scheib / Klaus Kugel – Live At FreeJazzSaar 2019 (NEMU Records, released 05/01/2024). Frank Paul Schubert – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone, Michel Pilz – bass clarinet, Stefan Scheib – double bass, Klaus Kugel – drums.
Veteran European quartet in a program of freely improvised music.
Cornelia Nilsson – Where Do You Go? (Stunt Records, released 02/23/2024). Gábor Bolla – tenor saxophone, Aaron Parks – piano, Daniel Franck – double bass, Cornelia Nilsson – drums.
In her debut recording young Swedish drummer Cornelia Nilsson presents two distinct trios both with bassist Daniel Franck. For six tracks, pianist Aaron Parks commands the trio with a very spare and open sound on mostly ballads. The balance of four tracks include terrific Hungarian saxophonist Gábor Bolla with more heat and energy. This could be the first of many releases from this young artist. Recommended.
Reviews: JazzWise, HighRes Audio
Yamabiko Quintet – Yamabiko Quintet (NEMU Records, released 01/21/2023). Reiner Winterschladen – trumpet, Frank Paul Schubert – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone, Michel Pilz – bass clarinet, Christian Ramond – double bass, Klaus Kugel – drums.
Long-time German improvising collaborators – dummer Klaus Kugel and alto/soprano saxophonist Frank Paul Schubert – have formed a new quartet to explore themes written by the band with a very free approach.
Review: Jazz Word.
Jan Harbeck Quartet – Balanced (Stunt Records, released 11/29/2023). Jan Harbeck – tenor saxophone, Henrik Gunde – piano, Eske Nørrelykke – bass, Anders Holm – drums, Eliel Lazo – congas.
Ben Webster is smiling over this lovely set of original compositions by veteran Danish tenor saxophonist Jan Harbeck and his long-time quartet. With a very breathy presence and stately confidence, Harbeck presides over unhurried ballads with a hushed tone and softly swinging support. I love this – highly recommended.
Reviews: AllAboutJazz, Couleurs Jazz
I hope that something here catches your ears.
Russell Perry, Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
