Jackson, DD: Poetry Project
They say : Poetry Project represents an exciting new chapter in the Canadian- born, New York-area based, Juno and multi-Emmy-winning jazz pianist/composer/producer D.D. Jackson’s extremely varied musical career. In his youth, the prodigious Jackson was already performing with orchestras by the age of 13, followed later by the classical music rigors of Indiana University, and then a pivot to jazz and NYC – first at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music for his Masters (as a student of legendary jazz pianist Jaki Byard), and then as a student of the great Don Pullen (the two of them both alumni of the historic bands of Charles Mingus). Pullen subsequently introduced him to a litany of jazz legends with whom he would go on to play, record, and tour the world, from David Murray (with whom Jackson was first “discovered” at his debut at the Montreal Jazz Festival), to Billy Bang and (later) even Questlove and The Roots. (Independent)
Jacob, Natalie: Sooner or Later
They say : Vocalist Jacob’s debut of mostly standards produced by Grammy-winning leader of Count Basie Orchestra, Scotty Barnhart. Jacob’s easy swing is complemented by support from A-Listers Tamir Hendelman and Anthony Wilson (Self Released)
Jang, Sol Trio: 19-29
They say : Sol Jang is a visionary South Korean, Netherlands based jazz pianist whose artistry transcends borders and genres. As the dynamic force behind the Sol Jang International Project, now reimagined as the Sol Jang Trio, she has carved a niche for herself in the global contemporary jazz scene with regular performances across Europe and South Korea. (Unit Records)
Jazzbois: Still Blunted
They say : Having established themselves as one of the leading live bands in Europe grooving in improvised jazz motifs and hip-hop beats, Budapest trio Jazzbois return with their fourth LP Still Blunted that sees them touch base with their beat-tape root (Jazzbois)
Jon De Lucia: The Brubeck Octet Project
They say : Alto saxophonist Jon De Lucia’s octet performs—for the first time in 74 years—the classic Dave Brubeck Octet material (arranged by Brubeck and David Van Kriedt). Hewing close to the original charts, he opens them up with space for solos–by Scott Robinson, Glenn Zaleski, and De Lucia himself. (Musaeum Clausum Recordings)
Jurd, Laura & Paul Dunmall: Fanfares and Freedom
They say : Laura’s scores for brass ensemble mingle with the sounds of Paul’s improvising quartet on this classic sounding slice of UK third stream jazz. (Discus 181CD)
Karpman, Laura: Rock Hudson, All That Heaven Allowed
They say : The poignant modern jazz score recently received a nomination for an Emmy for “Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)” which marked her eighth Primetime Emmy nomination. The HBO Original Documentary is streaming now on Max. (Lakeshore Records)
Kaufmann, Achim / Kalima, Kalle : Ilmonique
They say : A duo recording of piano and acoustic guitar, playing original pieces by both musicians. The music is a collective meditation on influences from Miles Davis via Morton Feldman to Robert Johnson and shows new facets of their musical journey. (TYXart TXA 24193)
Kaufmann, Achim / Moore, Michael: Kaufmann & Moore ’22
They say : Pianist Achim Kaufmann and alto saxophonist/clarinetist Michael Moore have been playing together for around 25 years. This 2 CD release includes compositions by Kaufmann, Moore and Andrew Hill. The duo’s improvisational, playful and conversational approach is well represented in this live recording. (Ramboy # 40)
Kaviraj, Kavyesh: Fables
They say : Pianist and composer Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving all of his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. His debut original album FABLES unfolds after a long journey of honing his craft in Oman, India and now the Twin Cities. Accompanied by some of the Minnesota’s finest musicians, FABLES is a vivid journey through this young composer’s lens. (Shifting Paradigm Records, SP204)
Keezer, Geoffrey: Geoffrey Keezer Live at Birdland
They say : Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Geoffrey Keezer issues his first live trio record in more than 15 years. Uniting colossal improvisers and masters of fluid foundation John Patitucci and Clarence Penn, Geoffrey Keezer Live at Birdland presents an album-length gesture that reinvigorates the soul of live releases from the heart of New York City. “I’ve always wanted to release a Live at Birdland record,” says the Wisconsin native who came up listening to Art Blakey’s 1954 Blue Note recording A Night at Birdland. Over three nights, the trio performed six sets in the Birdland Theater. “So we had six chances to create something new each time,” he says. (Markeez)
Kim, Iseul: Liberosis: Re-Mind
They say : An eclectic blend of classical and jazz musicians, the group channels their creative prowess through the lens of Latin music, offering 8 new original compositions that place storytelling at their core while staying true to pianist Kim’s habit of composing ‘traveling stories’; most of Liberosis’ music was composed on the road in Africa and South America, and Re-mind adds New York to that blend of influences. (self-released)
King Llama: fata implexis
They say : “There are kind of pop moments,” MacKay says, “and melody moments, which is unlike more intense fusion. I wanted to open more doors by adding these melodies. It’s got little hooks here and there, which fusion usually doesn’t have.” (TTrain Music)
Kittredge, Ann: Romantic Notions
They say : Broadway star Ann Kittredge, turns her talents to Jazz Versions of songs including Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man” and Carole King’s “I Feel The Earth Move”. Currently, she sits on the Advisory Board of The American Songbook Association, which provides cabaret workshops to underprivileged NYC public school students. (King Kozmo)
Kotnik, Timotej: Via Ad Aeterna
They say : The 6-track concept album by Slovene trumpeter Timotej Kotnik unfolds like an eclectic modern mass, whose liturgy extols influences from Afrobeat to Balkan, against a backdrop of Miles Davis-inspired Jazz-Rock. Virtuosic improvisations, punchy rhythmic hits and shredding guitars weave a narrative of human redemption from exultant start to triumphant finish. (Self-released)
Kuba: Laukumi
They say : Long awaited second album by Latvian ambient / jazz-rock / post-rock / krautrock band “kuba”. (self-released)