Thelonious Monk - Live In Paris,1967 vol 1 - Rhythm-A-ing
The Thelonious Monk Estate presents Monk Live In Paris, 1967, Volume One, a newly restored recording of one of the most elusive performances from Monk’s European tour. Captured at Salle Pleyel in 1967, this release documents Monk at the height of his creative powers, leading his classic quartet: Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, and Ben Riley. Long circulated in unauthorized form, this performance is now officially released as part of a new archival series—reclaiming and preserving Monk’s legacy. A rare, expanded ensemble with Phil Woods, Jimmy Cleveland, Ray Copeland, and Johnny Griffin. A performance that unfolds—spontaneous, exploratory, alive in real time.
New Jazz Underground - Hoodies - Artwork Records
The jazz trio, especially the chordless jazz trio, has long been a genre staple, and has historically provided a vehicle for the boldest of musicians to venture forth and explore new territory. New Jazz Underground (“NJU”), a viral internet sensation of a trio comprising saxophonist/vocalist Abdias Armenteros, bassist Sebastian Rios, and drummer T.J. Reddick has been lauded for this very thing. Described by NPR Music as “classy and classic,” NJU are a group of musicians who “clearly know the jazz tradition but push at the corners of hard bop and hip-hop.” (NPR, 2024). Assembled during the COVID-19 pandemic to perform in open-air spaces as a way to cope and survive, the trio quickly became a powerhouse of three unified minds whose history-crossing sensibilities took the hearts and minds of their listeners, both in-person and across the internet, by storm. Now, after having performed, as the band poignantly states, “from the streets all the way to the stage of Newport Jazz Festival” in the span of only a few years, NJU releases “Hoodies” on May 29, an homage to brotherhood, culture, and identity.
Dave Penn - Next Step - CreativeTone
Next Step is an extraordinary new album from Bassist David Penn that exemplifies his continued trajectory in the jazz world as an artist and composer. The album is a follow-up to his debut album Back On Track which was well received and initiated his musical resurgence. David composed all but one of the songs on this album which musically captures his lifelong musical experience. His group, CreativeTone, consists of vocalist Raquel Lozano, saxophonist Fareed Mahluli, pianist Joel Stewart, and drummer Tracy Williams. The group clearly comes through as a cohesive unit that provides clarity and authenticity to the music that connects with the listener in a special way. The arrangements breathe with intention, allowing each instrument to occupy its own space while cleverly contributing to a cohesive whole. Raquel’s vocals on “Sunrise” and “You Are The One For Me” are icing on the cake to an album that provides the listener with a wonderful overall musical experience.
Eliane Elias - AO VIVO - Candid Records
Captured in its entirety during a singular night at the SFJAZZ Center’s Miner Auditorium, AO VIVO is an intimate and vibrant portrait of multi-GRAMMY® winner Eliane Elias in her element. Performing alongside her stellar quartet—guitarist Leandro Pellegrino, drummer Rafael Barata, and bassist Marc Johnson—Elias delivers a masterclass in the rich rhythmic spectrum of Brazil, from high-octane samba and bossa nova to baião and Afro-Brazilian grooves. The repertoire draws from Elias’s GRAMMY-winning and nominated discography featuring works by iconic composers like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ary Barroso, and Dorival Caymmi, the album also highlights Elias’s own evocative composition “At First Sight” and a piece by the celebrated Armando Manzanero. Elias continues to define the intersection of jazz brilliance and classical sophistication. AO VIVO captures the unmistakable elegance and exhilarating energy of a world-class artist sharing an authentic, high-level musical dialogue with a live audience.
Juan Carlos Quintero - The Story of Love - Moondo Music
Juan Carlos Quintero & the quartet return with a new collection of Latin Jazz classics that will charm loyal fans and rally new ones! Recorded in Los Angeles, veteran Latin Jazz guitarist Juan Carlos Quintero invited legendary artists Justo Almario (Colombia) and Luis Conte (Cuba) to join the band and enrich the sound for the new album, The Story of Love. The collaboration showcases an outstanding woodwind performance by Justo, exceptional percussion by Luis, and the ever-famous infectious guitar work & groove from JCQ & his renowned combo. Steeped in a profound reverence for the legends who came before, JCQ masterfully fuses the irresistible energy of Latin rhythms (Cha-Cha-Cha, Bolero, Mambo, Bossa Nova, & Danzón) with the timeless sophistication of Jazz.
Chick Corea - Forever Yours: Farwell Performance - Candid Records
Capturing 28-time GRAMMY-winner Chick Corea’s final performances before his passing, the album showcases a series of solo piano offerings at the peak of his virtuosity. With Corea’s death leaving an unfillable hole in the jazz landscape, the album stands as both a definitive document of the Chick Corea solo experience and a deeply affecting goodbye to the beloved Jazz master.
Ricardo Bacelar & Airto Moreira - Maracanos - Jasmin Music
Maracanós, an original project bringing together composer and percussionist Airto Moreira and pianist, composer, and producer Ricardo Bacelar. Essentially an instrumental album, with a bold aesthetic approach, Maracanós explores unconventional paths, combining acoustic instruments and synthesizers with a sonic architecture that balances improvisation, harmonic density, and timbral experimentation. Creativity and freedom guided the making of the album, according to Ricardo Bacelar, who also produced the Project: “I wanted to honor the freedom and experimentation that are so present in Airto and Flora Purim’s music, their own history. Maracanós also features the Kalimera String Quartet, from Rio de Janeiro, on two tracks, with arrangements by Liduíno Pitombeira, a member of the Brazilian Academy of Music. The result is a work that departs from predictable formats, exploring structural freedom and spontaneous interaction among the musicians.
Bobby Broom - Notes of Thanks - Steele Records
Notes of Thanks is a studio reunion of sorts for guitarist Bobby Broom’s working trio, who haven’t recorded a full album as a standalone unit since 2009’s Bobby Broom Plays for Monk. But more than that, Broom expresses gratitude to Sonny Rollins who he worked alongside for eleven years of his career saying, “I wanted to thank Sonny while he’s here.” It’s a rich and remarkable thank you. Broom continues to unfurl solos that have dubbed him as “one of the most musical guitarists of our times.” Carroll, and Watkins complete this “trio of undeniable chemistry,” offering up a few of Rollins’s best-known compositions (“Doxy,” “Alfie’s Theme,” and “Pent-Up House”), along with a handful of his eclectic, lesser-known tunes. With a clever nod to the saxophone trio pioneer, Notes of Thanks is an extraordinary homage to and by extraordinary musicians.
Mark Winkler - Love Comes First - Cafe Pacific Records
In his own words: “I imagined “Love Comes First” in a ‘50s jazz club… The video is a dream created with AI—but the voice, the song, and the love behind it are real. Hope you feel it. It’s an original song I co-wrote with Dori Amarilio who also arranged, produced, mixed and played guitar on the track. The other musicians are Nando Raio on bass, Mike Branley on drums, Rique Pantoja on piano and Mike Stevers on fluegelhorn. It’s the title song of my new album.”
Ron Burris - Ron Burris Meets Marcos Silva - Independent
Ron Burris, Saxophonist, Band Leader and Composer, releases his latest project, Ron Burris Meets Marcos Silva, his fourth CD, all of which are very different. This CD allows Ron to expand into a new but highly wonderful jazz genre. With the addition of Marcos Silva and the selections chosen, this CD has a different feel from Ron’s previous recordings. This CD is a nice blend of traditional Jazz with well know Bosa Nova standards. Marcos Silva and Mimi Fox are both professional musicians who have traveled extensively in the Americas and Europe. Additionally, both teach at the California Music Conservatory in Berkeley California and both are highly accomplished on the instrument. Scott Thompson and Dillon Vado are also highly accomplished jazz musicians who have toured expensively playing Brazilian music. Both currently perform regularly in Marcos Silva’s band and independently.