The Week in Jazz is your roundup of new and noteworthy stories from the jazz…
Records Store Day 2019 Releases Announced: This year, record store day is slated to be back on April 21. The annual event, inaugurated in 2007, celebrates the culture of the independently owned record store, and it takes place at various independent retailers worldwide. Jazz releases this year include records by Louis Armstrong, Sun Ra and Charlie Parker among many others. Click here to check out the full Record Store Day 2019 special releases.
Branford Marsalis Quartet, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul (OKeh Records)
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis’ quartet has been a model of daring, unapologetic artistry for the past three decades. Pianist Joey Calderazzo and bassist Eric Revis have been part of the group for 20 of those years, while drummer Justin Faulkner has been aboard since 2009. On their new album, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, they reach a new peak, addressing a kaleidoscope of moods with inspiration and group commitment. This is their first album since 2016’s Upward Spiral with guest vocalist Kurt Elling and their first pure quartet effort since 2012’s Four MF’s Playin’ Tunes. “Staying together allows us to play adventurous, sophisticated music and sound good. Lack of familiarity leads to defensive playing, playing not to make a mistake,” explains Marsalis. “I like sophisticated music, and I couldn’t create this music with people I don’t know.”
Catherine Russell, Alone Together (Dot Time Records)
Alone Together is vocalist Catherine Russell’s seventh album as a leader. It is a search for truth that draws on the celebrated composers and lyricists of the Great American Songbook and the songwriters of the swing and blues eras. In fact, the 13 timeless songs on her new outing ask timeless questions. This is true of Irving Berlin’s contemplative “How Deep is the Ocean,” Russell’s philosophical reading of the popular swing era hit “You Can’t Pull the Wool Over My Eyes,” and Louis Jordan’s fun blues tunes “Early in the Morning” and “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” among others. Alone Together features the core musicians of Russell’s touring band, including guitar virtuoso and musical director Matt Munisteri, pianist Mark Shane, bassist Tal Ronen and drummer Mark McLean.
Dave Liebman, On the Corner Live: The Music of Miles Davis (Ear Up Records)
Saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master David Liebman began his musical relationship with trumpet legend Miles Davis in the summer of 1972 when he participated in the recording date that would birth On the Corner. On his new album, Liebman revisits the music from this prolific electric period in Davis’ career. On the Corner Live: The Music of Miles Davis was recorded live in 2015 at the 3rd & Lindsley venue in Nashville, Tennessee, and also features saxophonist Jeff Coffin – the brainchild of the album who spearheaded the project from its inception to conclusion and whose independent label Ear Up Records is releasing the album – plus bassist Victor Wooten, drummer Chester Thompson, guitarist James DaSilva and keyboardist Chris Walters.
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