Jill, John, Joel, Lucas, and Jackiem with new Albums
Happy new year everybody. We’re back after our holiday hiatus and just learned that several interesting projects are slated for release in the next few weeks. Blue Note recording artist, vibraphonist Joel Ross, returns on January 16th with “Gospel Music”, his fifth record for the label which also includes Josh Johnson on alto sax, Maria Grand on tenor sax, Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass, and Jeremy Dutton on drums. Further Blue Note albums are on the horizon from Julian Lage, Bill Frisell, Melissa Aldana, Ron Carter, Immanuel Wilkins, and Walter Smith III. Joel plays two dates in Germany in May: Zig Zag in Berlin on May 7th, and JazzHall in Hamburg on May 23rd.
Also coming up on January 16th, we’ve already heard the absolutely amazing new album from Brazilian producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Diogo Strausz. “Danca Para Se Salvar” is his first for the Paris-based Favorite Recordings label after a couple of brilliant album on Goutte d’Or Records. His blend of late 70s and early 80s Brazilian Disco Funk is simply stunning (a review follows next week). Speaking of Brazil, Lucas Arruda is readying his fifth album and already released the title track called “Playlist”.
You’ve probably seen the billboards at New York’s Time Square and elsewhere, so I guess you’re already aware of the upcoming release day for Jill Scott‘s new album “To Whom This May Concern”, her first in 10 years, out February 13th on Human Re-Sources (on vinyl too). First single “Beautiful People” is already out. We were able to listen to the full album already and even though there is a plethora of different producers, the record boasts with a bunch of pretty amazing neo-soul cuts (with a few rap pieces thrown into the mix). Expect a review in early February here too. For you smooth jazz enthusiasts out there, Shanachie Records announces the release of saxophonist Jackiem Joyner‘s new album “Every Beat Of My Heart” on January 16th. The LA-based artist, who has worked with George Duke, Angela Bofill, Jean Carne, Ronnie Laws, and lots more, already released first single “Just Like That” featuring Brian Simpson.
Fast forward to one of the rising starts of European Jazz. Belgian trombonist and composer Nabou Claerhout presents her third album “Indigo”, her first for UK-based Edition Rercords. Her powerful statement and deeply personal collection is coming to fruition via the help of Gijs Idema (guitar), Trui Amerlinck (bass), and Daniel Jonkers (dr). The group plays Stadtgarten in Cologne on February 22nd and Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on March 26th.
And then there’s a new album coming up by singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli. On “Dear Mr. Bennett”, he pays tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett who could be found in the audience for a number of John’s performances and who also sketched him on two occasions. The album, out March 3rd on Green Hill Music, has John interacting with pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and bassist Mike Karn. We’ve been more than lucky to have heard the album which swings like hell and features outstanding performances of pieces like “It Amazes Me”, “Young And Foolish”, or “Waltz For Debby”.
