(Holiday) RADS Krusaders - Gifts from the Wise Men (EP) - NAMF
There’s something especially satisfying about hearing a band with deep musical roots return to the holiday season with a project that feels less like a collection of seasonal standards and more like a reunion of old friends in a room full of great grooves. R.A.D.S. Krusaders—whose history reaches back to Texas Southern University and the mentorship of the late Joe Sample—have long carried forward the Crusaders’ essential marriage of jazz improvisation, R&B soul, funk and sophisticated ensemble interplay. Their new four song holiday EP, Gifts from the Wise Men, brings that legacy into a warmly imaginative Christmas setting, with Mark Scurlock Jr. on tenor saxophone, Jarvis Hooper on trombone, Nic Allen on bass and John Fontenot on drums, joined by several special guests. Rather than simply dressing familiar melodies in holiday ornaments, the group reshapes them with swinging rhythms, colorful horn rapport, atmospheric textures and the kind of musicianship that makes each arrangement its own little seasonal world.
yreek McDole - CHROMA - Artwork Records
Building off the momentum of his debut, Open Up Your Senses (Artwork Records, 2025), critically acclaimed vocalist and arranger Tyreek McDole has become a mainstay on the jazz scene, contributing at venues, festivals, and notably, with Kenny Barron‘s Songbook (Artwork Records, 2025). Now, in close collaboration with producer, trumpeter, and composer Theo Croker, McDole presents his sophomore album, CHROMA, a venture that is omnidirectional, collecting works of McDole’s muses from the past and present, while looking forward to what he quotes drummer Terri Lynn Carrington as describing as “future favorites.” Releasing on November 6th via Artwork and featuring original compositions paired with arrangements of the likes of Nina Simone, Kendrick Lamar, and Andre 3000 (amongst others), CHROMA is McDole’s assemblage of voices that have inspired him, conceived in a manner as to inspire the future.
Amina Figarova - Flying High Above - AmFi Records
Pianist/composer Amina Figarova fulfills a lifelong dream of traveling to Cuba, recording with musicians in Havana and New York on her vibrant 20th album, Flying High Above, out November 6, 2026, via AmFi Records, featuring Bart Platteau, Alex Pope Norris, Troy Roberts, Yasushi Nakamura and Rudy Royston, along with an ensemble of Cuban musicians. While Flying High Above brings Figarova full circle, from the early influences of Cuban music to the accomplished jazz and classical pianist/composer of today, she recognizes that the lasting impact of her travels and experiences will continue to unfold in her music well into the future. “This album has reconnected me with my childhood memories,” she says, “but it’s also creating new connections to music and people who are so warm and so beautiful. It definitely feels like the beginning of a new chapter for me.”
Noe Socha - View from Inside - SoHot Music
Blind from just after birth, Noé Socha (no-way sew-hah) gravitated to music at an early age starting with clarinet, piano, cello and classical guitar, but in 5th grade he was introduced to Bob Dylan by a teacher which led to a deep passion for folk music. Then, Noé found the Blues and Jazz – and the guitarists who defined these musical styles for him: Lightnin’ Hopkins, Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt. New York City-based, Noé performs frequently at famed blues and jazz spots including Arthur’s Tavern, Terra Blues, and LunÁtico with his own group, the Junior Mack Band, and the Gremmies. Now, with View from Inside, Noé provides us with a genre-defying album that introduces us to new music stripped down to mostly acoustic guitar and harmonica. Each track offers us a view inside the imaginative mind of Noé in his first solo effort.
Bob Holz - Next In Line - MVD Audio
Drummer, composer, producer and MVD Audio recording artist Bob Holz returns with Next in Line due out on November 6th, 2026 featuring Rolling Stones’ bassist Darry Jones, John McLaughlin, Jean Luc Ponty, Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke and Mike Stern. Next In Line is a “best of Bob Holz” compilation of ten remastered tracks selected from Bob’s eight previously released albums on MVD Audio. The Executive Producer is Rob Stathis. The first track, “Jammin Man”, is reggae fusion at its best with a blistering bass solo from Stanley Clarke. “Shooting Range” features trading solos between Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker and Steve Weingart. “World Turned Upside Down” is a mini Mahavishnu Orchestra reunion featuring John McLaughlin, Jean Luc Ponty and Ralphe Armstrong. “Larry’s Blues” is a heartfelt tribute to Larry Coryell featuring beautiful guitar playing by Mike Stern.
Steve Johns - Extrasensory - Steeplechase Music
As a first-call sideman for many of New York’s finest, drummer Steve Johns has exemplified the complete musician behind the kit. His new recording, Extrasensory – his third as a leader and second for SteepleChase – finds Johns’ dual gifts as drummer and composer in full bloom. The core ensemble consists of Monte Croft on Vibraharp, Harmonica & Vocals, John Hart on Guitar, Greg Murphy on Piano and Joris Teepe on Acoustic & Electric Bass. However, this time around, Johns decided to add saxophonist Troy Roberts on a few tracks. The intervening years have strengthened the band’s collective identity, deepening its cohesion. “I think the band is more used to each other,” Johns reflects. “We’ve built a gig history, so there’s more grit in our playing. That familiarity really comes across on this record.” From its first downbeat to its final cadence, Extrasensory affirms Johns as a masterful drummer, bandleader, and composer. – C. Andrew Hovan
The Mambo Legends Orchestra - No Hay Que Hablar (There Is No Need To Speak) 'Nuff Said! – TRR
This is the Mambo Legends Orchestra. This is salsa— the culmination of Afro-Cuban music, mambo, and Latin jazz, born in New York and raised by those of us who have spent our lives playing it. These are raised by those of us who have spent our lives playing it. These are the sounds that traveled the world – on ships from the islands to the cities, carried by those who came before us, and passed from one generation to the next in their rhythms and melodies. This music has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember, and now, we’re playing it for you. This album brings together some of the world’s foremost maestros of this music. — Jose Madera (Full personnel list included on Press Release in Dropbox)
Amy London - Alto Madness - FiveCat Records
New York jazz vocalist, lyricist and educator Amy London has announced Alto Madness, out October 16 on the FiveCat label. The album features London on vocals, Mike Hashim (alto sax), Janice Friedman (piano), Ralph Hamperian (bass), Mike Campenni (drums), Ron Horton (trumpet, flugelhorn), and special guests The Royal Bopsters, marking London’s first solo album in eight years.
Aymée Nuviola ft. Kemuel Roig - Live at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club - WE&M LLC
Grammy® winner and multiple Latin Grammy® winner Aymée Nuviola writes a new chapter in Cuban music history with the release of Aymée Nuviola ft. Kemuel Roig Live at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, a project whose significance extends beyond that of a live album to become an event of a particular historical importance. Recorded during performances by Aymée Nuviola and her band on July 4 and 5, 2025, at London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the album documents Aymée leading her own band, with virtuoso Cuban pianist Kemuel Roig appearing as a special guest artist. The release formally places Nuviola within the remarkable recording tradition associated with Ronnie Scott’s, a stage where some of jazz’s most important voices left historic documents, including Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone.
Tom Zygmont - Lumina Way - Neckbone Music
Seasoned drummer Tom Zygmont releases his debut album Lumina Way — a groove-forward blend of blues, jazz, rock, and funk. Tom and his musical friends make every moment on the album feel alive — from the tropical sway of “Afro Blue” and breezy charm of “It’s Complicated,” to the high-octane pulse of “Lumina Way” and the playful blues-funk of “Better From a Distance.” Fire burns in “Contusion,” warmth fills “Sixteen Words,” and global flavor emerges in “Pacifica,” “Big Dipper,” and “Just Friends With Benefits,” culminating in the hypnotic, atmospheric “Seikilos,” — a perfect reminder of their curiosity and freedom. Produced by longtime collaborator Terry Wollman and recorded mostly live at Sunset Sound in Hollywood by Kenji Nakai, the album radiates the energy of musicians who listen, respond, and inspire one another. It’s more than a studio project — it’s a celebration of long friendships and the joy of creating together. “There’s a looseness to it that I love,” Tom says. “It’s the sound of musicians having fun — no overthinking, just playing.” Lumina Way is an irresistible journey — music to move to, smile with, and return to again and again.