mjzee

Release date January 31: Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt's latest project, Woven, is a fascinating album that fuses more traditional aspects of 21st-century jazz with the myriad possibilities of electronic synthesized sound. This collection of mostly original compositions showcases Pelt's instrumental artistry together with his commitment to composing works that explore new dimensions in jazz. Each track on Woven is meticulously crafted, perfectly balancing innovation with communicative emotional depth. The full range of contemporary jazz can be found here, from neo-bop, hard-driving rhythms to touchingly intimate balladic utterances. But Pelt's trumpet can also weave through electronic textures, creating a sonic landscape where the group's kaleidoscopic tone colors become a fundamental part of the melodic content. Joined by an impressive ensemble of musicians, Pelt and his collaborators create a fluid interplay of acoustic and electronic sounds, displaying their skill in integrating bold, contemporary elements while simultaneously underlining the very essence of jazz.

I wonder if there are any recordings from this tour. I see Bob Cranshaw with his bass.

R.I.P.

Well, Feather was Jewish, so the notion probably resonated unpleasantly for him.

Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir - The Complete Decca Recordings, disc 12 (last).

Obviously, you could buy the Mosaic box "The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings Volume I," but that could be overkill. There was this LP, released in 1981 (ignore the ugly cover): https://www.discogs.com/master/1618384-Willie-The-Lion-Smith-The-Original-Fourteen-Plus-Two-19381939 Besides the earlier recommendation of "The Memoirs of...", I'd like to put in a good word for this, probably his last studio album: Smith shares the keyboard with Mike Lipskin, who was the interviewer for "The Memoirs of..." as well as a student of Smith's. The liner notes are a little unclear about who's playing when, and on some tracks they're backed by a band (Stan Monteiro, clarinet; Chuck Rainey, bass; Elvin Jones, drums!).

Release date January 1: OASIS, the new recording from the award-winning guitarist Rez Abbasi and the captivating French harpist Isabelle Olivier, makes the pairing of their respected instruments sound predestined. The confluence between harp and guitar offers unique opportunities in harmony, rhythm and texture, which they magnificently capture and magnify in order to create a personal sound. Joining the two highly empathetic leaders are gifted percussionists Prabhu Edouard on tabla and David Paycha on drums. The album will be released November 15, 2019 on Enja/Yellowbird and the group will support the album with performances in Paris, Chicago, Washington, DC and NYC. Together the texture of the quartet creates a sanctuary of sound, but along with the compositional and arranging prowess of both leaders, the collective flourishes in originating a bold statement. During the opening Abbasi arrangement of the well-known Richard Rodgers song "My Favorite Things, " we get a firm sense of what will proceed. Along with their free-spirited willingness to traverse the avant-garde, they remain sensitive to each other and all musical elements. Other tracks such as Olivier's "Timeline" convey a film-like quality and push her use of electronics, while Abbasi's harmonically bountiful "Stepping Stone" echoes with classical influence. Throughout OASIS (an acronym for Olivier Abbasi Sound in Sound), the music surges with a uniquely propulsive groove, with sinuous melodies that follow surprising, exotic contours. As soloists, each member displays virtuosity without overbearing the music. Collective improvisations also abound with breathtaking results. As a conceptual team, Abbasi and Olivier are able to combine their compositional spheres to create a varied yet singular program of music.

Release date February 7: Pianist François Couturier and violinist Dominique Pifarely, major figures in French improvisation, have played together in many projects over the last 30 years, including their duo, which made its recording debut for ECM with the remarkable Poros in 1997. With sensibilities informed by jazz and contemporary composition, Couturier and Pifarely channel the wide-ranging repertoire into compelling, starkly expressive music. Preludes and Songs was recorded in October 2023 and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Release date January 10: Release date February 14: Anthony Ferrara for his third album here teams up again with the dream rhythm section of Versace/Anderson/Drummond. Ron McClure who was one of Ferarra's teachers at NYU once commented on this group, "This is a four-way conversation between four men who have a mutual respect of the process of making music, always cognitive of the group effort. Had they played the Manhattan phonebook, they would have made it work." "What is particularly impressive about Ferrara is that he not only has a mature, confident and appealing sound, but also is finding his own voice. Ferrara is also a capable composer, penning a diverse set of songs that invite repeated hearings, a huge challenge for any musician at the beginning of their career." (Ken Dryden - NYCJR on SCCD 31938 Cold Faded)

The liner notes to this album consist of Eric Miller's brother (Eric being the producer who later worked extensively at Pablo) detailing the fights he and his brother had when they were teenagers.

Riccardo Muti - The Complete Warner Symphonic Recordings, disc 15.

Someone on this board (I don't remember who) recommended this album, and I can't thank him enough. It's a great album with a great feel - they really nailed a laid back groove that's irresistible. Great playing by all involved: Jeremy Pelt, trumpet; Vincent Herring, alto sax; Wayne Escoffery, tenor sax; Paul Bollenbeck, guitar; David Kikoski, piano; Essiet Essiet, bass; Otis Brown III, drums. If you find it, grab it (it's also on Bandcamp).

I'm in.

Riccardo Muti - The Complete Warner Symphonic Recordings, disc 14.

I was transfixed by this, which turned out to be his last concert. I included a track on my last BFT. A great artist, a great musician, a great mind. RIP.

Thanks for the reminder. I need to get these.

In the old days, you could just visit the Mosaic building in Stamford, CT and buy it there. Those were the days, my friend...

Being processed.

Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir - The Complete Decca Recordings, disc 10.

Riccardo Muti - The Complete Warner Symphonic Recordings, disc 13.

Thanks all for your comments.

For instance, I just listened to this Brahms's Piano Concerto #1. Should it really take 52 minutes? Couldn't it have been shortened to 30 or even 25?

Brahms needed an editor. His compositions run too long.

I would say yes. This, to me, was the autobiography Sonny wanted to write, and it's apparent he extensively cooperated with Levy. I found the details of his arrest as a teenager fascinating, how his father's experiences affected Sonny's politics, the details about Clifford Brown's death and funeral (with pictures), his many sojourns in Europe with pickup groups, his home life with Lucille...the list goes on. The book is exhaustively documented - I don't think we need the details of every tour Sonny did in the '70's, '80's, and '90's, so you may want to dip into the book for specific periods you'd find interesting - but you do come away with a good sense of the man's personality.

Release date January 17: Drummer/composer/educator Steve Johns moved to New York after graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982. While still a student, he won the Outstanding Drummer Award at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. His musical career then took off performing with a barrage of luminaries of the world jazz scene. Here is Johns' SteepleChase leader debut showcasing not only his versatile dexterity but his astounding talent as composer. Release date February 14: Alex Norris has been one of the most sought-after elite trumpeters for the past three decades on NY scene. Norris received a Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Doctor's degree from the Univ. Of Miami Frost School of Music. He has kept busy schedule performing principal post in renowned large and small ensembles all over the world. Despite his impressive achievement Alex Norris' leader albums are scarce. This is his fourth album and the second for SteepleChase. Norris forms a time-tested yet distinctive trumpet trio with some contemporary twists superbly collaborated by Paul Bollenbach on guitar and Paul Gill on bass. ".Norris writes and plays with rare assurance and seldom walks on overly familiar paths.. he's not an aggressive stylist and his penchant for thoughtful dynamics gives him the confidence to leave space and unexpected intervals in his solos." (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD)