Lauren Scales, Mike Flanagan, Chris Grasso - Many Rivers - Truth Revolution Records
Many Rivers is the effervescent trio debut from vocalist Lauren Scales, saxophonist Mike Flanagan, and pianist Chris Grasso — three acclaimed artists from divergent backgrounds united by creative chemistry. Due August 8 on Truth Revolution Recording Collective, the album features a soul-stirring program of seven covers and two originals by Scales, brought to life with support from Grammy-winning bassist Luques Curtis and first-call drummers Richie Barshay and Grammy-nominee Charles Haynes. Scales, Flanagan & Grasso is a forward-thinking jazz trio defined by dynamic interplay, genre-blending repertoire, and a shared reverence for storytelling through music. With roots in Provincetown, MA, their collaboration emerged organically through residencies and live performance, evolving into a full-fledged creative partnership that has captivated audiences across the Northeast and beyond.
Etienne Charles - Gullah Roots - Culture Shock Music
Etienne Charles traverses an underexplored corner of the African American diaspora on Gullah Roots, set for a June 20 release on his own Culture Shock imprint. Helming an extraordinary sextet that includes alto saxophonist Godwin Louis, pianist Christian Sands, guitarist Alex Wintz, bassist Russell Hall, and drummer Harvel Nakundi (plus special guests), trumpeter/composer Charles immerses himself in the history, culture, and music of the Black ethnic group centered in the Lowcountry region of the southeastern United States. Follow jazz trumpeter, composer and educator Etienne Charles on a journey through Gullah-Geechee communities of coastal South Carolina and Georgia. His travels influenced the music he presents in his latest collection, Gullah Roots.
Karla Harris - Merge - Gobykar LLC
With the release of MERGE, Karla Harris’ fifth album, the celebrated jazz vocalist offers up a multifaceted landscape where varied musical and cultural influences shimmer with original approach. Within MERGE, Harris stays rooted in jazz as she gives a loving nod to the diverse musical styles she grew up with. The album artfully melds swing, Latin, blues, reggae, funk, musical styles she grew up with. The album artfully melds swing, Latin, blues, reggae, funk, hip-hop, and ballads as Harris and co-producer/pianist Tyrone Jackson arrange Great American Songbook standards with a respectful contemporary approach and color old-school R&B classics with a jazz-infused brush. The album’s 13 tracks breathe with an honest and sophisticated sound that leans modern, reads soulful, and draws on Harris’ innate ability to convey deep emotion. “This album is about convergence – the intersection of stories, sounds and styles that flowed into my world early on and gave shape to a lifelong stream of joy,” Harris says.
Syndee Winters - Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horn - BassLive Entertainment
Recording artist and Broadway star, and Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Jazz Competition First Runner-up, Syndee Winters, celebrates American icon Lena Horne in her recorded album “Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne.” The 10-track collection features songs that inspired Winters’ early in her career on Broadway. Reflecting on Ms. Horne’s impact, Winters shares, “Many from generations before mine remember Ms. Horne from her work in Hollywood, as a civil rights activist and the song ‘Stormy Weather’. My generation knows Ms. Horne as Glinda the good witch from the American classic film “The Wiz.” She adds, ‘If You Believe’ has been an anthem for me. When she exclaimed, “Believe in Yourself”, it was as if she was casting a spell in our hearts. The more I listened to her voice and learned about her story, the closer I felt to her spirit in many ways. I’m grateful for her legacy.” This album also includes “Stormy Weather, “If You Believe,” and “Alive”, an original song written by composer and vocalist Andromeda Turre, which speaks to finding the imperfect strength within after life has knocked you down. Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne serves as a heartfelt tribute to Lena Horne’s enduring influence on generations. Winters’ previous releases include a duo collaboration entitled Butterfly Black with Grammy-winning Jazz bassist Ben Williams.
Allan Harris - Poetry of Jazz (Live at Blue Llama) - Love Productions
Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist, guitarist, and storyteller Allan Harris presents The Poetry of Jazz, his second live recording from Ann Arbor’s Blue Llama Jazz Club. Accompanied by pianist John Di Martino, bassist Jay White, drummer Sylvia Cuenca, and violinist Alan Grubner, Harris creatively bridges the gap between jazz performance and poetic verse. The album interweaves poetry by literary masters including William Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, Dylan Thomas, Maya Angelou, and Robert Frost with Harris’s original compositions and familiar jazz standards. Throughout the recording, Harris creates thoughtful pairings that enhance the emotional impact of each piece— from setting Hughes’ “The Weary Blues” to original music to connecting Shakespeare’s sonnets with jazz standards like “Midnight Sun” and “Charade.” This innovative project showcases Harris’s versatility as he seamlessly blends singing, scatting, and spoken word, offering listeners a fresh perspective on both classic poetry and beloved jazz repertoire. Personnel: Allan Harris Vocals & Guitar, John Di Martino Piano, Jay White Bass, Sylvia Cuenca Drums, Alan Grubner Violin.
Dom Salvador - Simplicity - Independent
SIMPLICITY, that is the title of the new CD under the leadership of Dom Salvador on piano, Bill Moring on bass, and Vanderlei Pereira on drums. This CD contains 7 songs of wonderful music with slick arrangements, great melodies, lots of Samba rhythms, mixed with some New York swing. All of this under the leadership of Mr. Salvador’s guiding hand(s)! Mr. Salvador has paid his dues playing with the likes of Sivuka, Charlie Rouse, Dom Um Romao, and Maestro. He played at the famous Tin Palace with Lloyd McNeill in New York, and was the famous producer Orrin Keepnews favorite Samba musicians. I’ll direct you attention to two of the 7 tracks that really caught my ears ETCETERA….for Samba and New York cross rhythms that are really fierce…and SIMPLICITY….the title for the easy flow of melody, arrangement, drum presence, bass sound and piano solo. This is just for openers….now……you can enjoy the remaining tracks of this CD as I’m doing as I type these words. Maestro (bassist Ron Carter)
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christy Dashiell - We Insist 2025! - Candid Records
Terri Lyne Carrington and Christie Dashiell reimagine the Max Roach classic We Insist!, a bold reimagining of the seminal 1961 album We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite. Originally created by Max Roach in collaboration with Abbey Lincoln and lyricist Oscar Brown Jr. We Insist! commemorated the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation and served as a rallying cry during the civil rights movement. Recognized by the Library of Congress and cited among the most essential jazz recordings in history, its message remains as vital and urgent today as it was when it was released in 1961. Carrington and Dashiell’s reimagined version honors this legacy while expanding its sonic palette, blending jazz with influences from gospel, neo-soul, funk, Afro-Latin, West African, and blues traditions. The album features an extraordinary lineup of musicians, many of whom are Candid recording artists, including Weedie Braimah, Milena Casado, Morgan Guerin, Simon Moullier, and Matthew Stevens. A special guest appearance is made by Julian Priester, the only living musician from the original recording. Together, they breathe new life into Roach’s timeless album, infusing it with the spirit of collective improvisation, meditation and joy as forms of resistance. We Insist 2025! is more than an album—it’s a call to action, a commemoration of resilience, and a tribute to the enduring power of music to inspire change. With its fusion of tradition and innovation, the album not only honors the past but also points toward the future of jazz as a dynamic and comprehensive art form.
Tyreek McDole - Open Up Your Senses - Artwork Records
Rising jazz vocalist Tyreek McDole will release his much-anticipated debut album, Open Up Your Senses, on June 6 via Artwork Records. A rich baritone with a deep connection to the jazz tradition, McDole makes a bold and enthralling statement on this rich debut, establishing him as one of the most compelling young jazz vocalists of his generation. At just 25 years old, the Haitian-American, New York-based baritone has already earned significant acclaim, including winning the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2023 — one of only two male vocalists to achieve this honor in the competition’s 12-year history. Jazz scholar Will Friedwald, who also contributes liner notes to the project, referred to McDole as “the leading jazz voice of his generation” and acclaimed DJ Gilles Peterson said “it is refreshing to hear a new voice that is so clearly connected to the tradition but also pushing it forward with such strong energy. This is a brilliant opening statement from someone I reckon will be around for some time.” Open Up Your Senses is a bold statement from a young artist who masterfully blends tradition with innovation. Featuring standout performances by pianist and arranger Caelan Cardello and saxophonist Dylan Band, McDole’s debut evokes the legacy of jazz greats while forging his own distinctive path.
Antonia Bennett - Expressions - Independent
Expressions is a deeply personal project where I had the chance to tell my story—both through original songs inspired by my own life and through interpretations of pieces from the Great American Songbook and beyond. Many of the songs were born from experiences I was navigating for the first time: becoming a mother, learning how to balance family and career, and discovering new emotions along the way. I had the great pleasure of collaborating with Christian Jacob, who arranged the entire album. His vision and sensitivity helped shape each song, and together we created something that feels honest and heartfelt. The core band—Christian Jacob on piano, Kevin Axt on bass, Kendell Kay on drums, and Larry Koonse on guitar—are all extraordinary musicians. Their artistry brought subtle nuance to every note. We were also fortunate to feature some incredible special guests. On trumpet Randy Brecker added his signature sound, and Dave Thomas of Take 6 lent his unique vocal stylings to the background vocals on “Wherever You Go,”. This record is a reflection of where I am in life and the stories I’m ready to share.
MzVal - Simply Me - ESJR Music
A Journey from Ray Charles to Center Stage: MzVal’s Debut Album Simply Me. Jazz vocalist MzVal has unveiled her debut album, *Simply Me*, now available at www.MzVal.com. A member of the renowned Clayton jazz family, MzVal has built an impressive career that blends rich musical traditions with her own distinctive voice. Drawing early inspiration from legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson, and Nina Simone, MzVal’s artistry was shaped by her time as a Raelette, touring internationally with the legendary Ray Charles. With a background that spans theater, national anthem performances for NBA games, and contributions to celebrated jazz recordings, MzVal brings a lifetime of experience to this heartfelt project. *Simply Me* reflects her passion for jazz as a creative space where joy, emotion, and authenticity meet, offering listeners a collection that is as personal as it is universal.