DAVE DOUGLAS & URI CAINE – "PRESENTS JOY" ~ (Greenleaf)
(Trumpet/piano duo coming together for an intimate but exploratory outing inspired by “The Sacred Harp Tradition”. Five pieces come from shape-note tunebooks in addition to several new Douglas pieces undertaken in the same vein).
WAYNE ESCOFFERY – “LIVE AT FIREHOUSE 12” ~ (Sunnyside)
(Saxophonist returning to his hometown of New Haven, CT. for a live performance with his latest quintet, featuring an EP, in a fusion-tinged setting of synthesizer spacey textures and ambient sounds).
ALI JACKSON – “AMALGAMATIONS” ~ (Sunnyside)
(Drummer with an ensemble and a program of wide-ranging and exploratory pieces, featuring an all-star cast).
ROBERTO MAGRIS – “MORGAN REWIND: A TRIBUTE TO LEE MORGAN VOL.2” ~ (jMood)
(Italian pianist leads a sextet while honoring the music of Lee Morgan).
“THE MIAMI JAZZ PROJECT” ~ (Zoho)
(Saxophonist/flautist Arthur Barron together with NEA Jazzmaster, David Liebman, joining forces with young South Florida musicians presenting its own brand of contemporary jazz).
MYRIAD3 – “THE WHERE” ~ (Alma)
(Collective trio with all modern originals, pieced together with arty leanings…that land somewhere between the ‘70s ECM sound and ‘50s Ramsey Lewis).
TOM LAGANA GROUP – “VOL.1” ~ (HarvestTime)
(Maryland-based guitarist leads a quartet, with a focus on Brazilian repertoire with a couple of originals and standards).
KENNY LAVENDER – “CONSCIOUS JOURNEY Pt. 1 & 2” ~ (Self-release)
(Trumpeter/singer showcasing a double disc release with swing and funk all backed by a hard-hitting 17-piece big band).
ALESSANDRO SCALA QUARTET – “VIAGGIO STELLARE” ~ (Schema)
(Italian saxophonist with a date of all originals of which combines a nice balance of traditional influences and contemporary inspirations).
MICHAEL MUSILLAMI TRIO – “PRIDE” ~ (Playscape Recordings)
(Veteran guitarist with a progressive 2-disc release, featuring two separate outings of all originals. Disc I presents new material with his flagship trio, concluding with four movements from recent commissioned work based on the children’s book ‘Where The Wild Things Are’. Disc II documents his first live recording).
CHRISTIAN TAMBURR – “VOYAGE” ~ (Self-produced)
(International touring vibraphonist and pianist with a mixed bag of tunes that span generations, differ in style, and come from diverse composers and songwriters).
MICHAEL VLATKOVICH – “SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE IN A COMMERCIAL FREE ZONE” ~ (pfMENTUM)
(L.A.-based trombonist with a collection of improvisionally creative free music in a minimally structured format).
