New Jazz Releases – 11/11/2024
By Russell Perry
Steve Feifke
Sorry, I missed last week. It has been a busy time.
Catching up, we have a terrific new release from Steve Feifke in a piano trio. From among my favorites, Avishai Cohen (bass) and Brian Lynch (trumpet) are back in strong form and we have compelling releases from Steve Davis, Western Jazz Collective, Jason Keiser and Zach Adleman. New releases are also out from The Bad Plus, Steve Coleman, and Allen Lowe. And an Andrew Hill reissue! Lots to listen to.
Steven Feifke – The Role Of The Rhythm Section, Volume II (La. Reserve, releases 11/15/2024). Steven Feifke – piano, Dan Chmielinski – bass, Bryan Carter – drums.
Pianist / arranger Steven Feifke (Catalyst, previewed 06/05/2023) won a Grammy for co-leading the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra with Bijon Watson in 2023. In addition to these larger ensembles, Feifke has now released his second effort in a trio with Dan Chmielinski on bass and Bryan Carter on drums, showing his strong chops on piano added to his prowess as an arranger. This is one of the strongest piano trios I have heard in a while – perhaps one of the best releases of 2024. Highly recommended.
Review: Paris Move
The Bad Plus – Complex Emotions (Mack Avenue, released 11/08/2024). Chris Speed – tenor saxophone, Ben Monder – guitar, Reid Anderson – bass / synthesizer, David King – drums / synthesizer.
The Bad Plus has gone through several personnel changes over their nearly 25 year history, starting as a piano trio with Ethan Iverson in 2000, substituting Orrin Evans briefly on piano (2018 – 2021) and then settling into the current format with Chris Speed on tenor (David Bailis, Billy Mohler, Angelica Sachez) and Ben Wonder on guitar (Benjamin Boone, Joel Harrison, Dan Weiss). With the second release from the new lineup, the band is settling into a distinct groove. Every band member contributes to this program of all originals.
Review: AllAboutJazz, The Big Takeover, Marlbank
Caleb Wheeler Curtis – The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery (Imani Records, released 11/01/2024). Caleb Wheeler Curtis – stritch / trumpet / sopranino saxophone / tenor saxophone, Eric Revis – bass, Sean Conly – bass, Justin Faulkner – drums, Michael Sarin – drums.
Dual talent on brass and reeds, Caleb Wheeler Curtis (Michelle Lordi, Ember) pulls out his stritch (straight alto) and sopranino (one octave higher) to complement his trumpet playing on this two CD set featuring two distinct trios with bass and drums. The first CD features Curtis’ compositions and the second is a response to the compositions of Thelonious Monk.
Review: Jazz Trail, AllAboutJazz, Making A Scene
Luis Giraldo – I’m Old Fashioned (Cellar Music, released 11/01/2024). Ben Paterson – piano, Chris Flory – guitar, Neal Miner – bass, Luis Giraldo – voice.
Vancouver-based, Columbian-raised vocalist Luis Giraldo has recorded a quiet set of standards, mostly ballads, with a piano – guitar quartet. The vibe and repertoire are comfortable and familiar.
Steve Davis – We See (Smoke Sessions Records, released 10/25/2024). Eddie Henderson – trumpet, Steve Davis – trombone, Ralph Moore – tenor saxophone, Renee Rosnes – piano, Essiet Essiet – bass, Lewis Nash – drums.
Highly in demand, trombonist Steve Davis is recording a lot these days (recently Zach Adleman, David Weiss, Neil Swainson, Michael Dease). He is never more comfortable than in a three horn front line, here with a pair of straight-ahead veterans – Eddie Henderson on trumpet (Witness to History, previewed 09/11/2023) and Ralph Moore on tenor (Tim Lin, Charles Chen). The rhythm section represents some of the best in modern jazz today – Renee Rosnes on piano (Nick Finzer, Neil Swainson, Artemis), Essiet Essiet on bass (Something Else!, Ray Blue, George Cables) and Lewis Nash on drums (Nick Finzer, Jordan VanHemert, Ray Gallon, Noah Haidu). The set includes two by Miles, two by Monk plus Freddie Hubbard. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Weekly, Paris Move, The Jazz Word
Andrew Hill Sextet Plus Ten – A Beautiful Day Revisited (Palmetto Records, released 10/25/2024). Ron Horton, Dave Ballou, Laurie Frinck, Bruce Staalens – trumpet, Charlie Gordon, Joe Fiedler, Mike Fahn – trombone, Aaron Stewart – tenor saxophone, John Savage – alto saxophone / flute, Greg Tardy – tenor saxophone / clarinet / bass clarinet, JD Parron – baritone saxophone / bass clarinet, Andrew Hill – piano, Scott Colley – bass, Nasheet Waits – drums.
This is a remixed reissue of perhaps the most atypical of pianist / composer Andrew Hill’s releases. The bulk of his reputation is based on five discs recorded with four to six players in an eight-month period in 1963 – 1964. After a hiatus, attention came back to Hill with his sextet recording Dusk in 1999 and this was the follow up recorded in 2002 live with his sextet plus ten other players under the music direction on trumpeter (and sextet member) Ron Horton. Hill passed in 2007 after one more quintet release (Time Lines, 2006), leaving this as an important, if unusual for its size, record of his work in late career. Exquisite compositions, exciting arrangements, atypical it is, but worth your exploration.
Reviews: AllAboutJazz, Downbeat, Paris Move, The Arts Fuse
Rich Halley 4 – Dusk and Dawn (Pine Eagle Records, released 10/25/2024). Michael Vlatkovich – trombone, Rich Halley – tenor saxophone, Clyde Reed – bass, Carson Halley – drums.
While tenor saxophonist Rich Halley’s last was his third with Matthew Shipp’s trio (The Fire Within, previewed 01/08/2024), his more customary ensemble is this trombone – tenor – bass – drums quartet, with whom he has recorded seven times. As usual, Halley is an inventive and fluid player who came to the session with a set of interesting compositions. Teetering on the edge of the outside much of the time, this is another solid set from Halley and friends.
Review: The Art Music Lounge, Jazz Sketches
Western Jazz Collective – Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun (Origin Records, released 10/25/2024). Scott Cowan – trumpet, Andrew Rathbun – soprano saxophone / tenor saxophones / bass clarinet / WX7, Matthew Fries – acoustic piano / electric piano, Matt Landon – guitar, John Hébert – bass, Keith Hall – drums, Kevin “Bujo” Jones – percussion, Greg Jasperse – voice.
For a number of years, we have been seeing releases from members of the jazz performance faculty at Michigan State University. Now, here is a well-composed and well-played release from members of the faculty at Western Michigan University assembled to perform the music of reed player and fellow faculty member Andrew Rathbun. This is a new set of players to me, with the exception of bassist John Hébert who has extensive NYC outside cred (Jon Irabagon, Jon Finlayson, Mary Halvorsen, Marty Ehrlich). Rathbun has been around and I am happy to know what he is up to. He writes complex pieces of great depth and variety. Recommended
Reviews: Paris Move, Jazz Weekly
Jason Keiser – Kind of Kenny (OA2 Records, released 10/25/2024). Erik Jekabson – trumpet / flugelhorn, Mike Zilber – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Jason Keiser – acoustic steel string guitar / nylon string guitars, John Stowell – electric guitar / baritone fretless electric guitar, Danielle Wertz – vocals.
Guitarist Jason Keiser (Shaw’s Groove, previewed 04/24/2023) has arranged the compositions of trumpeter Kenny Wheeler for an adventurous ensemble. Yes, there is a trumpet, capably played by Erik Jekabson (Throttle Elevator Music, Taj Mahal, Michael O’Neill), but the unique sound here comes from two acoustic guitars, augmented by tenor and occasionally wordless vocals (a very satisfying Danielle Wirtz). Note – no piano, bass or drums, leaving the sound very open and gentle. Seven Wheeler compositions plus three by the leader. Recommended.
Reviews: Marlbank, Jazz Weekly
Andy Wheelock – WHEE3Trio: In The Wheelhouse (OA2 Records, released 10/25/2024). Walter Gorra – piano, Gonzalo Teppa – bass, Gilad Hekselman – guitar, Andy Wheelock – drums / percussion.
While the latest from drummer Andy Wheelock (Live Edge Trio with Steve Nelson – Closing Time, previewed 05/20/2024) may seem to be a trio date, rising guitarist Gilad Heckselman guests on all the tracks. There are more than a few African influences evident here plus Brazilian and Afro-Cuban vibes giving the set an international feel.
Reviews: Paris Move, AllAboutJazz, Jazz Weekly
Avishai Cohen – Bright Light (Naive Records, released 10/25/2024). Lars Nilsson – trumpet, Hill Salem – flugelhorn, Jakob Soilerman – trombone, Yuval Drabkin – saxophone, Ilan Salem – flutes, Guy Moskovich – piano, Eden Giat – piano, Yosi Ben Tovim – guitar, Avishai Cohen – bass / vocals, Roni Kaspi – drums, Noam David -drums, Jenny Nilsson – vocals.
As much as I loved bassist Avishai Cohen’s last release (Iroko with Abraham Rodriguez Jr. – Iroko, previewed 05/15/2023 and one of my favorites last year), it is arguable that his happiest place is in a piano trio and he has led some great ones with pianists Shai Maestro, Elchin Shirinov and Nitai Hershkovits. Eight of the eleven tracks on the latest release are in this format with a new and inspiring voice on piano – Guy Moskovich. Another solid release and highly recommended.
Reviews: AllAboutJazz, Jazziz
Brian Lynch – 7X7X7 (Holistic Musicworks, released 10/25/2024). Brian Lynch – trumpet, Craig Handy – tenor saxophone, Luis Perdomo – piano, Alex Wintz – guitar, Boris Kozlov – bass, Kyle Swan – drums, Murph Aucamp – percussion.
Seven tracks of 7 minutes each by seven players. Not just a numerological adventure, another terrific release from University of Miami’s trumpeter Brian Lynch. Tenor saxophonist Craig Handy (Conrad Herwig), pianist Luis Perdomo (Tom Harrell, Jamie Baum, Miguel Zenón), and bassist Boris Kozlov (Posi-tone Records rhythm section) all regular contributors to Lynch’s work are back in full bloom. Great writing, great ensemble playing, great soloing. Can’t miss with this one. Potentially another Grammy-winner for Lynch. Highly recommended.
Reviews: Paris Move, Making A Scene
Zach Adelman – We Make Stories For A New Day(Cellar Music, released 10/25/2024). Austin Ford – trumpet, Steve Davis – trombone, Sarah Hanahan – alto saxophone, Steve Wilson – flute / alto saxophone, Luther Allison – piano, Jared Beckstead-Craan – bass, Zach Adleman – drums.
Recent MSU alum and drummer Zach Adleman (Luther Allison, Becoming Quartet) has assembled a first-rate New York sextet for his debut release, with Austin Ford (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone) and Sarah Hanahan (alto) up front. This is a solid straight-ahead date with nine originals and one cover each of Porter and Monk. Recommended.
Steve Coleman and Five Elements – PolyTropos – Of Many Turns (Pi Recordings, released 10/25/2024). Steve Coleman – alto saxophone, Jonathan Finlayson – trumpet, Rich Brown – bass, Sean Rickman – drums.
It’s been seven years since saxophonist Steve Coleman recorded a studio date. In the interim, there have been two volumes from the Village Vanguard and now this release recorded in France. Five Elements continues to be his primary ensemble with trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson and drummer Sean Rickman providing continuity back a dozen years (when Rickman replaced Tyshawn Sorey). With his own unique blend of funk and jazz, Coleman continues to layer complex meters often in a very staccato presentation.
Review: Jazz Trail, Making a Scene, Jazz Desk
Steve Allee – Zebra Stories (Jazzville, released 10/25/2024). Rob Dixon – tenor saxophone, Frank Glover – clarinet, Steve Allee – piano / Fender Rhodes / organ, Rusty Burge – vibraphones, Jeremy Allen – bass, Steve Houghton – drums, Erin Benedict – vocals, John Brewer – vocals.
Pianist Steve Allee (Standards Delux, previewed 02/05/2024) was last heard in the Indianapolis-based trio supporting John Fedchock on his live tribute to JJ Johnson (Justifiably JJ, previewed 10/07/2024). The piano – vibes – bass – drums quartet is supported variously by tenor, clarinet and vocals in a program of largely originals.
Allen Lowe & The Constant Sorrow Orchestra – Louis Armstrong’s America: Volumes 1 & 2 (ESP-Disc, released 09/13/2024). Frank Lacy – trumpet, Ray Anderson – trombone, Brian Simontacchi – trombone, Elijah Shiffer – alto saxophone, Allen Lowe – tenor saxophone / piano, Nicole Glover – tenor saxophone, Matthew Shipp – piano, Aaron Johnson – alto saxophone / clarinet, Lewis Porter – piano, Loren Schoenberg – piano, Ursula Oppens -piano, Jeppe Zeeberg – piano, Ray Suhy – guitar / banjo, Marc Ribot – guitar, Andy Stein – violin, Will Goble – bass, Nick Jozwiak – bass, Colson Jimenez – bass, Rob Landis – drums, Ethan Kogan – drums, Kresten Osgood – drums, James Paul Nadien – drums, Huntley McSwain – vocal.
Saxophonist Allen Lowe is a composer and player of immensely broad influences. He uses Louis Armstrong’s similar ecumenical musical world as a point of departure for a sprawling four CD set of original music with a shifting cast of similarly unfettered players. Expect references to jazz, blues, ragtime, stride, bebop and swing all seasoned with Lowe’s free-wheeling musical conception.
Reviews: AllMusic
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
