1001 Est Cremazie: 1001 Est Cremazie
They say : We Are Busy Bodies announces the release of the rare and collectible 1975 album by Canadian high school band 1001 Est Crémazie, including two originals, the acclaimed “Bright Moments” and “Le Roi Muffé”. In the tradition of U.S. High School band LPs, this is a direct Canadian jazz equivalent. (We Are Busy Bodies WABB-199)
3 Cohens/WDR Big Band : Interaction
They say : To the ranks of the Heaths of Philadelphia, the Joneses of Detroit and the Marsalises of New Orleans, fans can now add the 3 Cohens of Tel Aviv.” – All About Jazz (Anzic Records)
Adderley, Cannonball: Cannonball’s Sharpshooters
They say : Nothing. (Waxtime 772352 – LP)
Adja: Golden Retrieve Her
They say : Adja Fassa’s debut album (co-produced by Adam Scrimshire) blends alternative R&B, indie soul, and jazz to explore capitalism’s impact on our intimate, modern lives. Through vivid storytelling, she addresses serious topics in a symbolic yet straightforward manner, grounded in sharp logical reasoning and, ironically, tinged with a touch of mysticism. (Sdban Ultra)
Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet: Situation
They say : The Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet is a unique ensemble of flute/tenor sax, guitar, pedal steel guitar, harp, vibraphone and acoustic bass. With the release of their third album, Situation, the sextet continues its sonic exploration. (PlayOn Records 1006-2)
Alison Rayner Quintet: SEMA4
They say : Recorded live at The Vortex by award-winning bassist Alison Rayner and her quintet featuring Deirdre Cartwright (guitar), Steve Lodder (piano), Diane McLoughlin (saxophones) and Buster Birch (drums) (Blow The Fuse Records – BTF2515CD)
Ambhuel, Fabienne: Thrive
They say : Fabienne Ambuehl has assembled a dynamic ensemble of Matt Ridley on bass (The Antidote, The Darius Brubeck Quartet, Leon Foster Thomas, Tal Cohen) and John Scott on drums (Mulatu Astatke, GoGo Penguin, Kairos 4Tet, Sons Of Kemet XL), with special guests Tom Ollendorff and Ant Law both on guitar (Ubuntu, UBU0166)
Ambient Monkeys: Ephemeral Being
They say : Ambient Jazz featuring Michael Moryc, a guitarist who lost his guitar playing ability while serving in the military, yet found a way to make music with the Rav Vast drum. His duo partner is the Grammy Award winning guitarist, Denny Jiosa from Nashville. (Sonic Canvas)
Anderson, Leon: Live at Snug Harbor
They say : A recording, for many, acts as a timestamp of a moment or an imprint of the sound of a particular place. For career drummer and educator Leon Anderson, his debut recording Live at Snug Harbor is a patiently curated summary of twenty years of life and twenty years of a career in music. With influences spanning from the steadfast greats such as Wayne Shorter to the heroes of Anderson’s generation, such as Roy Hargrove and Joshua Redman, and to Anderson’s own peers and contemporaries, Live at Snug Harbor is a tribute to life, music, and the city of New Orleans over the past two decades. (Outside in Music)
Andorra: III
They say : April Records artists Andorra present their most ambitious undertaking yet; the audio-visual release invites audiences to fully immerse themselves in the energetic grooves, lyrical melodies, and colorful modern production that define their sound. (April Records)
Andriotis, Strat: Exits
They say : Strat Andriotis is a consummate guitarist. While known first and foremost as a jazz musician, Andriotis has proven himself fluent in many styles, as evidenced by the seven rock-and- classical imbued albums he has released under his own name. Andriotis’ compositional style is uniquely his own – he’s taken to describing his approach to writing as ‘sweet and sour.’ (Dekatria Records (Dekatria 005))
Artemis: Arboreqsue
They say : Fresh off their 2nd consecutive win for “Jazz Group of the Year” in the DownBeat Readers Poll, ARTEMIS returns with their third Blue Note album ARBORESQUE out Feb. 28 featuring a new quintet line-up of the band helmed by pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller. (Blue Note Records )
AuB – Barford, Tom/Hitchcock, Alex: Folk Devils
They say : In the crowded field of contemporary jazz AuB stands out on first listen. Reinventing the classic twin-tenor line up for the 21st century is a tough proposition but top-flight UK virtuosi Alex Hitchcock and Tom Barford are more than equal to the task, not so much reviving the format as turning it inside out and upside down. For their brand new collection Folk Devils the two horns dance and dialogue over the scintillating team of Danish bassist Jasper Høiby and French drummer Marc Michel in a series of compositions that perfectly balance complexity with powerful melody, drama with intimacy, angular post-funk with somber, spacey beauty. It’s an international affair: renowned New York producer/multi-instrumentalist Morgan Guerin and London-based Italian keyboard player Maria Chiara Argiró each add their own distinctive flavours of electronic texture with subtle layers of synths, but on every track it’s the saxophones that tell the story, in a constantly shifting conversation with each other and the no-frontiers rhythm players. (Whirlwind Recordings | WR4831)
Austad, Eivind Trio: Explore
They say : Nothing. (Losen Records LOS2922 – CD)
Avgenicos, Tom: Ghosts Between Streams
They say : The first, ambitious, release as leader by Australian trumpeter Tom Avgenicos, a live recording over 2 nights in Sydney 2023 with his Delay 45 quartet and Apex Ensemble of his through-composed suite, meticulously crafted, with Avgenicos’ trumpet soaring above lush string arrangements, complex rhythms, his field recordings and electronic textures. (Earshift Music)
Avital, Omer : New York Now & Then
They say : New York City is a contrast in dynamics: the wind that whips between skyscrapers causes a vortex that can simultaneously lift up and plummet. The romantic optimism flying over New York balances with the grit on the streets, creating an unending yin-yang effect. The artistic evolution alive on the streets creates a magic, where everything is new, yet in time, so much remains the same. In the vibrant tapestry of New York City, Omer Avital’s latest album, New York Now & Then masterfully blends jazz, Middle Eastern rhythms, and contemporary influences, reflecting the dynamic spirit of New York City both past and present. Each track is a journey through the city’s heartbeat—capturing its energy, diversity, and timeless charm. Recorded live at Avital’s club, WILSON LIVE in Bushwick, Avital’s loose, excited, lively compositions and melodies capture the bustling streets, resonating with familiarity while constantly changing, just as the city itself has changed over the past four centuries. The music for New York Now & Then was written by Avital specifically for his septet – some of the best young musicians in New York City. Channeling old spirits, this music evokes Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, John Coltrane’s later albums, Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington. New York Now & Then celebrates the essence of New York, where every note tells a story. (Self-released)
Ayala, Alex “Apolo” : Afro Puerto-Rican Jazz
They say : Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz is the latest album from acclaimed bassist and composer Alex “Apolo” Ayala and his vibrant ensemble The Bámbula Project. On his sophomore release, Ayala seeks to make a statement with his music, and illustrate the profound connections between Afro-Puerto Rican music and mainstream jazz, offering a grounded work that bridges tradition and innovation. The album will be released in partnership with Miguel Zenon’s Miel Music. (PMC Records / Miel Music)
Azmeh, Kinan: Live in Berlin
They say : Syrian-born, Brooklyn-based composer/clarinetist Kinan Azmeh releases his 14th album Live in Berlin, for which he reconvened his New York-based genre-bending CityBand quartet featuring guitarist Kyle Sanna, bassist Josh Myers, and drummer John Hadfield. Conceived during the 2011 Syrian uprising, the album presents six of Azmeh’s own deeply personal compositions recorded in front of a live audience 10 years later on the Pierre Boulez Saal stage in Berlin. (Dreyer Gaido)
B.H.A.M.: B.H.A.M.
They say : B.H.A.M. features some of the most exciting UK-based jazz musicians: Jay Phelps (Wynton Marsalis, Amy Winehouse) on trumpet, Romarna Campbell (Courtney Pine, Billy Childs) on drums, Lorenz Okello-Osengor (Steam Down) on keyboards and Gary Washington (Monumentalist Ensemble) on cello, led by the group’s composer/producer Arowah on bass and guitar. Originally featuring rising star Jalen Ngonda on vocals, we hear from guest vocalists Sheena on S.O.U.L. and S0lar on S.T.A.R. It also features spoken word contributions from leading activists and academics including author/historian Robin D. G. Kelley, celebrated trans activist and performer Mzz Kimberley, and AWETHU School for Organising, representing the next generation. Already drawing praise from jazz legends, being called a “soulful sonic mosaic” by Terri Lyne Carrington and “a brave artist” by Gary Crosby, B.H.A.M. have performed at Jazz Refreshed, formed part of the Racial Justice Network’s National Gathering Exhibition, and been interviewed by LA-based radio station dublab. Their debut album packs a strong statement. (Musical Meditation)
Backman, Thomas: Nothing
They say : “Crime Jazz”, “Jazz for a new generation” & “slow-burn yearning widescreen chamber pop; there are many ways trying to describe the unique sound of reed player Thomas Backman’s band. On March 7, 2025, the reputable Swedish band leader presents his tertiary feat, Nothing, showcasing his versatile blend of free jazz, shoegaze, hip hop, and orchestral pop, Nothing solidifies Backman as a prominent ‘outside the box’ voice on the contemporary jazz scene. (self-released)
Baevsky, Dmitry: Roller Coaster
They say : Dmitry Baevsky (as), Peter Bernstein (g), David Wong (b), Jason Brown (d) (Fresh Sound New Talent FSNT-688)
Bakken, Magnus: Slackline
They say : Nothing. (Losen Records LOS3112 – CD)
Balke, Jon: Skrifum
They say : From the outset, Jon Balke proposes a new sonic dimension with “Skrifum”, a continuation of earlier solo piano albums which also processed the acoustic environment in which the music was heard. With the aid of electronic audio tool the Spektrafon, Balke manipulates ambient sound from the piano while playing – often with quite beautiful results. (ECM Records 7506857)
Barbieri, Gato: Standards Lost and Found 2
They say : Nothing. (Red Records RR1233481 – 2LP)
Barbieri, Gato: Standards Lost and Found 2
They say : Nothing. (Red Records RR 123348-2 – CD)
Barretto, Ray: Barretto Para Bailar
They say : Nothing. (Descarga 637005 – LP)
Barry, Geni: Looking Back Again! Live Recordings
They say : Geni Barry (vib), Matthew Simon, Dennis Hernandez (tp), John Dubuclet, Sergi Verges (tb), Alfons Carrascosa (as), Eladio Reinon (ts), Joan Chamorro (bs), German Kucich, Albert Bover (p), Marco Lohikari (b), Pau Bombardo, Aldo Caviglia (d) (Swing Alley Records SA 051)
Basar, Hakan: Maiden Voyage
They say : Nothing. (Red Records RR 123352-2 – CD)
Believers feat. Brad Shepik, Sam Minaie, John Hadfield: Hard Believer
They say : Hard Believer’ is the captivating second album by Believers, a world-influenced jazz/fusion trio featuring guitarist Brad Shepik, percussionist John Hadfield, and bassist Sam Minaie. Showcasing a dynamic range of styles and moods, the album weaves jazz, rock, and blues with influences from Balkan, South Indian, and Armenian traditions. Blending fiery improvisation, bold grooves, and an expansive sonic palette, ‘Hard Believer’ delivers a riveting musical journey that redefines the boundaries of jazz and global fusion. (Shifting Paradigm Records SP218)
Berliner, Sasha: Fantome
They say : On March 28, 2025, vibraphonist and composer Sasha Berliner will release her third album via Outside In Music, Fantome. Berliner’s artistry invites a pause in the ongoing debate between tradition and modernity, suggesting that these elements need not be seen as opposing forces creating a salient statement that cries to take the music for what it is and to leave the brute force of categorizing jazz music behind. Fantome features Taylor Eigsti (piano), Harish Raghaven (bass), and Jongkuk Kim (drums) as the resident band. The album also showcases guest appearances by David Adewumi (trumpet), Rico Jones (saxophone), and Lex Korten (piano). (Outside in Music)
Besson, Airelle , Sebastian Sternal & Jonas Burgwinkel: Surprise!
They say : Nothing. (Autre Distribution AJT787619LP – LP)
Bienvenu, Manuel: oh do we
They say : French multitalent Manuel Bienvenu is back with oh do we, a quirky and poetic album that blends pop, jazz, and his unmistakable wit. Out on March 7, 2025, the nine tracks weave together humor, lyricism, and experimentation, inviting listeners into Bienvenu’s playful and imaginative world. It’s music with a spark—intricate, lighthearted, yet deeply thought-provoking. (Microcultures)
Bill Stewart Trio : Live at the Village Vanguard
They say : “I sat very near to or next to the greats at the Village Vanguard on many occasions,” says the eminent drummer-composer-bandleader Bill Stewart, by way of contextualizing his – and the Criss Cross label’s – first-ever live-at-the-Vanguard recording. During his early years in New York, before he ever played the hallowed basement, Stewart, now 58, frequently arrived early to claim the behind-the-drumkit position on the red banquette that runs along the Vanguard’s west wall all the way to bandstand stage right to get a bird’s eye view of Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, Billy Higgins, and a host of other masters whose recordings he’d played along with as an adolescent and teenage aspirant in Des Moines, Iowa. (Criss Cross Jazz 1424 CD)
Bjarni, Ingi: Hope
They say : Nothing. (Losen Records LOS2992 – CD)
Blaser, Samuel , Marc Ducret, Peter Bruun: Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground
They say : Nothing. (Birds Nest BM013LP – 10EP)
Blue Jitters: Blue Jitters
They say : New album by the Parisian swing septet Blue Jitters : eleven 30’s standards rearranged by each musician of the band : singer & violonist; clarinetist & saxophonist; accordionist; trumpeter; guitarist; bassist & drummer. (Swinguez Moustaches)
Brahem, Anouar: After The Last Sky
They say : Eight years after “Blue Maqams”, Anouar Brahem returns with eleven chamber pieces for oud, cello, piano and bass. While drawing upon the traditional modes of Arab music, Brahem has always engaged with the wider musical world, hence Dave Holland and Django Bates inclusion in the Tunisian oud master’s quartet again, plus cellist Anja Lechner. (ECM Records 7534287 )
Bromander, Vilhelm : Jorden vi ärvde
They say : Vilhelm Bromander returns with his large ensemble, that braid many of the passions of the young musician, including his devotion to Indian dhrupad music, the politically charged folk-jazz sound of the music Carla Bley created for Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra, and his commitment to close listening. (Thanatosis THT41)
Broodmen: Liminality
They say : Rooted in their shared upbringing in Novi Sad, Serbia, Broodmen’s sound draws from a rich tapestry of influences, blending soulful and melancholic accordion melodies, the openness of modern jazz and the energy of rock’n’roll. (Self Release)
Brubeck, Dave: Time Out
They say : Nothing. (Number One Essentials 291016 – LP)
Buckley, Michael: Ebb and Flow
They say : Best known in the UK for his work with trumpeter Colin Steele and pianist John Donegan, Michael Buckley is an outstanding saxophonist who has also worked with the Mingus Big Band, Dave Liebman and Jason Moran. This is all original music with his superb Dublin quartet. (Livia Records LRCD 2405)
Bulatkin, Daniel ft Altzmon, Gilad: Praying For More Songs To Come
They say : The record “Praying for More Songs to Come” is a result of two tours in Central Europe. Recorded the old-fashioned way – close together in one room, in 4 hours, no editing – this is an exceedingly accurate representation of what the band sounds like live. The music – 4 originals by multiple band members & 1 standard (My Old Flame) – clearly evokes the spirit and power of John Coltrane’s “Love Supreme”, combining his legacy with Gilad’s Middle Eastern roots. (Hlava XXII)
Butcher Brown : Letters From The Atlantic
They say : The announcement follows the release of their single ‘Montrose Forest’ featuring multi-GRAMMY-award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton which they released last month. The 12-track album offers the band’s trademark mix of jazz, hip hop, soul and funk and features a host of special guests including Yaya Bey, Neal Francis, Melanie Charles and more. (Concord Jazz)
