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Release date June 6: For generations, the music of Richard Rodgers has been capturing listeners' ears and imaginations. The legendary composer's songs have become a part of the musical zeitgeist, many outlasting the musicals or films they were created for. It is no surprise that Denny Zeitlin chose to spotlight Rodgers and his exemplary work on the pianist's new solo recording, With a Song In My Heart: Exploring The Music of Richard Rodgers.Richard Rodgers is considered one of the finest composers of the 20th century. He mastered the challenge of integrating harmony and melody, accomplishing this in a seamlessly natural way. Rodgers' limitless ideas insured that his music remains forever fresh and never dated. It is easy to see why jazz musicians have long appreciated Rodgers' work, as it is easy to breathe new life into.Beginning in 2009, Zeitlin enjoyed a decade of annual solo concerts at Oakland's Piedmont Piano Company. By 2014, he was devoting each concert to an exploration of a single composer. Having done Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Billy Strayhorn, and George Gershwin, Zeitlin set his sights on the music of Rodgers. Zeitlin had first encountered Rodgers' work as a child when he saw Oklahoma! On the stage and screen. He was immediately hooked and Rodgers' music became regular components of Zeitlin's sets from high school on. To prepare for his December 2019 performance at Piedmont Piano, Zeitlin took to the internet to remind himself of the Rodgers songs he loved and, also, discover new ones. After making his selection, he began improvising and working with the material, alert to ways he could breathe new life into these compositions while honoring their specialness. Loose arrangements of the songs emerged, often involving free improvisation, new time signatures, reharmonization, and restructuring through repetition and focus on motifs. Zeitlin's goal was to present the compositions in a fresh way that would unearth new challenges within the arrangement for improvisation. In performance, he hoped to get out of the way of the music and trust his unconscious to surprise himself with new musical solutions.With a Song In My Heart presents eleven pieces that Zeitlin reimagines in his own brilliant and expansive way. The first half of the program was recorded live at Piedmont Piano Company on December 13, 2019, while the other half was recorded at Zeitlin's Double Helix Studio at his home during sessions in November and December. Denny Zeitlin has an incredible ability to infuse new light into well-known repertory works. The pianist's reinvestigation of the music of Richard Rodgers is particularly illuminating, as the great composer's works seem to beg for thoughtful readings. With a Song In My Heart showcases the brilliance of both men, the creator and the rejuvenator.

I'd actually considered seeing this, as Bill Murray is in it.  However, after watching the trailer and it's all about the dog -- and how can she cope with a large dog in a small apartment, etc. -- I had zero interest in seeing this.

Release date April 18: The Americana-infused influences Baltimore-based guitarist Charlie Ballantine naturally fell into during his years growing up in Indiana, blend seamlessly with his Indianapolis jazz pedigree - instilled by the residual sounds of Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard in the city's air. Since moving east several years ago, the environment, the new colleagues and the energy lent an added dynamic, displayed here in Ballantine's musical connection with the acclaimed New York drummer, Dan Weiss. Bassist Quinn Sternberg, a decades-long compatriot from Indiana, rounds out the trio, adding his years on the New Orleans music scene to the mix. In the vein of fellow guitarists like John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Julian Lage, Ballantine reconciles his background in jazz with the stylistic background of his instrument the gratifying tonal and harmonic language of rock/roots with the groove, ambition and improvisational focus of a jazz musician - JAZZIZ"A Guitarist teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision." - JazzTimes Release date May 16: On a quest of growth and mastery as a saxophonist, composer and musician, Jordan Vanhemert found equally important his efforts to contextualize difficulties of his life experiences. Within some deeper themes, including coming of age as a Korean adoptee, he's discovered in the process, resilience, optimism and joy. Jordan's music is meant to convey empathy and solidarity to others, and this album, Jordan's fifth as a leader, effectively fulfills these simultaneous pursuits. His stellar band includes Terell Stafford, Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker, and Lewis Nash. "an emotive, adventurous and timeless spirit of jazz that's globally enjoyable." -Take Effect Magazine"Brilliance, sparkle and punctuation are the key words of this album, to which we must also add melodicism and the intelligent spontaneity of harmonic interactions." - Couleurs Jazz, Paris

I'd love to go to Den Bosch but not too sure I could be so disciplined as you @Pim Some great stuff there, the Jefferson is terrific, do you know the one that Sam Records reissued? It's an absolute gem.

Release date May 9: An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert is a previously unreleased recording of alto saxophone icon Art Pepper, captured live at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival in Norway in 1980, featuring pianist Milcho Leviev, bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Carl Burnett. Digipak 2 CD set with audio transferred from the original tape reels. An elaborate booklet features liner notes by acclaimed author and jazz scholar Marc Myers, plus interviews with artists who knew or were inspired by Art Pepper. Limited Edition.