Solo releases reveal a bright future for jazz piano. The state of jazz piano is…
On his debut album as a leader, pianist and composer Micah Thomas can perhaps best…
As much as we try to dodge the bias of ageism, some sense of wonder…
The Week in Jazz is your roundup of new and noteworthy stories from the jazz…
Doo-Wop Classics Revisited in Brand New Vinyl Soundtrack Album: Lakeshore Records is set to release Streetlight Harmonies - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on vinyl on July 3. The album contains cover versions of classic Doo-Wop songs of iconic artists, whose lives and backstories are explored in the documentary of the same name, directed by Brent Wilson. These songs are performed by such artists as Koryn Hawthorne, La La Brooks, Charlie Thomas and more. Click here to pre-order.
Mike Fahie Merges Classical and Jazz Idioms in Upcoming Album: New York City-based trombonist Mike Fahie merges classical music and jazz in his upcoming album with his Jazz Orchestra, Urban(e). The album features arrangements of work by such composers as Puccini, Chopin and Stravinsky, interpreted by his large ensemble through a jazz lens with subtle undertones of blues, rock and soul. Urban(e) will be released on all platforms on August 28 via Greenleaf Music.
Matt Rollings Releases New Single Featuring Alison Krauss: Piano virtuoso Matt Rollings has released a new single from his forthcoming album, Matt Rollings Mosaic. "Stay" is a beautiful ballad co-written with Drew McKeon and "The Voice" winner Alison Krauss, who originally released it back in 2016. Matt Rollings Mosaic marks the pianist's first solo album in 30 years and features such guests as The Blind Boys of Alabama, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson and many more. It will be released on August 14 via Dualtone. Click here to preorder.
https://youtu.be/YPzsTGKxxHc
Liberty Ellman Debuts New Trio in New EP: Jazz guitarist Liberty Ellman releases today a new four-song EP titled Water Walkers, showcasing two new original compositions and two covers. Water Walkers also marks the debut of Ellman's new trio with longtime collaborators, Stephan Crump and Damion Reid, and places more direct focus on his unique playing style. The EP is released as part of Pi Recordings' "This Is Now: Love in the Time of COVID" series.
Teodross Avery Presents a Deep Study of Thelonious Monk Music in Forthcoming Album: Saxophonist Teodross Avery presents a deep study of Thelonious Monk's music on his ninth release as a leader. Harlem Stories: The Music of Thelonious Monk features reimaginings of Monk compositions, performed with two different quartets - the first operating telepathically, the latter conversationally. The 10-song program includes such tracks as "Monk's Dream," "Ruby, My Dear" and "Pannonica," among others. Harlem Stories will be released on August 21 via WJ3 Records.
Craft Recordings to Reissue Collective Soul's "Blue Album": Craft Recordings has announced a 25th-anniversary reissue of Collective Soul's self-titled sophomore album, also affectionately referred to as "The Blue Album." Originally released in 1995, Collective Soul followed the band's acclaimed 1993 debut, Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, and would go on to become their highest-selling title. This special reissue will be available on CD and across digital platforms on August 7 and will include six bonus tracks, plus liner notes from music journalist Jeff Slate, with new insights from the band's frontman and guiding creative force, Ed Roland.
Khruangbin Share New Single and Animated Accompanying Video: Khruangbin - the trio of Laura Lee Ochoa (bass), Mark Speer (guitar), and Donald “DJ” Johnson (drums) - present new single, “Pelota,” alongside its accompanying video, directed by Hugo Rodrigues Rodriguez, written by Alvaro Sotomayor and produced by Glassworks Creative Studio. The track is off of their highly-anticipated new album, Mordechai, out next Friday, June 26 via Dead Oceans in association with Night Time Stories.
https://youtu.be/UULIfPLMuDw
Flushing Town Hall Live-Streaming Jimmy Heath Tribute Tonight: Flushing Town Hall will be live-streaming a special tribute event celebrating the life and legacy of Jimmy Heath, who passed away January at the age of 93. The event will be live-streamed tonight, June 19, at 7 p.m. on Flushing Town Hall's Facebook page and feature excerpts from a previous concert by the Queens Jazz Orchestra, testimonials from family and friends, snapshots of Mr. Heath throughout his career, and several performances by his former colleagues. It will also raise funds to support the Jimmy Heath Fund at Queens College.
