Hague, Andy: Big Band – Live At The Lantern
They say : Live recording of a sold-out gig in Bristol featuring many of the city’s best known players such as Ben Waghorn, Jim Blomfield, Jonny Bruce, Nick Malcolm, Kevin Figes and Raph Clarkson performing Hague’s original arrangements. (Ooh-Err 10)
Hajdu, David ft. Aubrey Johnson, Helen Sung & Dave Douglas: Lives of The Saints
They say : When writer-producer David Hajdu was growing up, he was drawn to a mystical book on his mother’s shelf entitled Lives of the Saints. This was a collection of tales of Catholic saints and their heroic martyrdom. Later in life, Hajdu began to collect his own stories of ordinary individuals who, through their deeds, attained exalted status in his mind, essentially created his own canon of secular saints. For his new recording, which borrows the same title, Lives of the Saints, Hajdu enlists an assemblage of first-tier composers and performers to tell the stories of ten remarkable people from history, all of whom happen to be women. Women who did extraordinary things but suffered in some ways for what did or what they believed. Ft. Helen Sung, Aubrey Johnson, Dave Douglas, Renee Rosnes, Chet Doxas, Marika Hughes, Simón Wilson & Rudy Royston. (Sunnyside Records SSC1774)
Hamilton, Scott: Looking Back
They say : 10-tracks dedicated to some of the many musicians who played memorable roles in Scott’s career. Intriguing choices, including one Hamilton original. The rich, warm tone of the 70-year old US tenor legend leads the session, with an all-star piano trio: Jan Lundgren, Hans Backenroth & Kristian Leth. (Stunt STUCD24072)
Hanriot, Cedric: Time Is Color Vol.2
They say : Collaborating with luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper and Terri Lyne Carrington to name just a few, Cedric Hanriot has developed a reputation as an in-demand pianist, sound designer, composer and arranger, drafted in to provide unique enhancements to a truly diverse range of successful musical projects. His original Time Is Color project released in 2022, which received universal praise, even ending up on former US President Barack Obama’s infamous summer Spotify playlist that year. (Morphosis Arts, LMA002)
Harris, Zacc: Chasing Shadows
They say : Zacc Harris’s Chasing Shadows captures the essence of a fleeting yet decisive moment, with intricate, cinematic compositions inspired by the natural world. Following the success of Small Wonders—a DownBeat 4-star album and Best of the Year pick—Chasing Shadows showcases Harris’s symbiotic quintet, blending melodic depth and harmonic complexity. It’s is a testament to the guitarist’s continued evolution as an emerging voice in contemporary jazz. (Shifting Paradigm Records SP213)
Hart, Billy: Just
They say : After twenty years together, the Billy Hart Quartet – with tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street – is distinguished by its stylistic openness. A drummer of enormous experience, Hart advocates a ‘multi-directional’ sound approach, and his younger confrères respond accordingly. “Just” includes updates of his well-known tunes, “Layla Joy” and “Naaj”. (ECM Records 75452959)
Haynes, Roy: Hip Ensemble
They say : Roy Haynes’ 1971 LP ‘Hip Ensemble,’ recorded in New York for Bob Shad’s Mainstream Records and featuring Hannibal Marvin Peterson, George Adams, Teruo Nakamura and Lawrence Killian. Including the bonus track “Roy’s Tune.” newly remastered audio, gatefold artwork and new liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre. (Wewantsounds WWSLP100)
Herman, Yaron: Radio Paradise
They say : Jazz pianist Yaron Herman’s new album, Radio Paradise, releases April 4th via Naïve Records. Featuring María Grand, Alexandra Grimal, Haggai Cohen Milo, and Zic Ravitz, it blends elegant melodies, powerful rhythms, and exciting improvisation. Celebrating connection and creativity, the album explores jazz’s magic, from joyful grooves to contemplative meditations. (Naïve Records)
Hersch, Fred and Rondi Charleston: Suspended in Time
They say : Suspended in Time is a song cycle that tells a story. Lyrics by Rondi Charleston. Music by Fred Hersch. Featuring vocalists Kate McGarry and Gabrielle Stravelli (Resilience Music Alliance)
Hiromi: Out There
They say : For over more than 20 years as a recording artist, the pianist and composer Hiromi has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history and a global ambassador for the art form. Today Hiromi has announced her 13th studio album OUT THERE (out April 4 / Telarc). OUT THERE is her second album with Sonicwonder, a mighty new quartet featuring Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and Adam O’Farrill on trumpet. (Concord Jazz)
Hobbs, Jim & Shanko, Timo : The Depression Tapes
They say : Jim Hobbs and Timo Shanko were founding members of the Fully Celebrated Orchestra in 1989. This is their first duo record. Their decades of playing together can be heard in these pieces (Relative Pitch Records RPR1221)
Hoenig, Ari: Tea For Three
They say : Ari Hoenig (d), Gadi Lehavi (p), Ben Tiberio (b) (Fresh Sound New Talent FSNT-691)
Horizon Trio: Horizon
They say : Horizon Trio’s debut integrates composition and improvisation into a unified element of performance. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, veteran drummer Carmen Castaldi (ECM artist with Joe Lovano, Trio Tapestry) shines in his atmospheric concept alongside Garrett Folger, a soaring melodist on trumpet, and Anthony Fuoco, a delicate and impressive pianist. (Garrett Folger)
Husebø, Kjetil: Piano Transformed – Interspace
They say : Kjetil Husebø – Piano Transformed – Interspace expands the expressive possibilities of the grand piano through live sampling and electronics. Recorded at Ugla lyd and co-produced with Juhani Silvola, this double album highlights Husebø’s dynamic interplay between acoustic and processed sound. Release: April 2025. (Optical Substance Productions (OSP010))
In The Country : Remembrance
They say : Emma Rawicz (Jazzland 3779683)
Iyer, Vijay & Wadada Leo Smith : Defiant Life
They say : “Defiant Life”, Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith’s second duo recording for ECM proves a profound meditation on the human condition and both the suffering and resilience it entails. An ethereal iridescence glistens between Smith’s unmistakable trumpet wail and Iyer’s textural keystrokes on piano and Fender Rhodes, conjuring multi-dimensional spaces of thoughtful musical conversation. (ECM Records 7530980)
Jekabson, Erik: Breakthrough
They say : A chamber jazz project by the protean SF trumpeter-composer Erik Jekabson, “Breakthrough” is Erik’s 10th album as a leader or co-leader & his first marrying an orchestral ensemble with a jazz combo. Some of the region’s most esteemed improvisers are showcased, but Erik’s trumpet & flugelhorn work carries the day. (Wide Hive Records WH-0375)
Jenna Cave Sextet: Grief, Hope, Love
They say : In 2022, Australian composer Jenna Cave became a solo parent to her three-year-old daughter and was thrown into the depths of grief and trauma when her husband died from suicide. ‘Grief, Hope, Love’ is a suite of six songs composed by Cave in the twelve months after his death. With themes of hope and resilience in the face of loss and despair this album features the great Australian jazz vocalist Kristin Berardi. (ABC Jazz, ABCJ0033D)
Jermyn, Simon: Obsany
They say : Obsany is the eponymous debut by Berlin-based Irish guitarist Simon Jermyn’s new quartet, featuring Otis Sandsjö (Y-Otis, Lucia Cadotsch), Petter Eldh (Koma Saxo, Enemy), Lukas Akintaya (HUES, Holon Trio) and special guest Michael Attias. An exciting and fun mixture of off-kilter grooves, surprising melodies, open improvisation and soundscapes. (Elastic Recordings ER 018)
João, Maria: Abundância
They say : Echoing her ancestry, Maria João is once again flying between Lisbon and Maputo to create, in the company of João Farinha and André Nascimento, allies of the OGRE project, a new album that combines her original voice with soaring and evocative electronic textures. (Galileo Music Communication GMC112)
Jobim, Antonio Carlos & Luis Bonfa: Black Orpheus
They say : Nothing. (Jazz Samba 709126 – LP)
Johänntgen, Nicole: Labyrinth II
They say : Nothing. (Baco Music)
Kaardal, Markus: Kaarma
They say : Nothing. (Losen Records LOS3092 – CD)
Kaisa’s Machine: Moving Parts
They say : Kaisa’s Machine, led by bassist Kaisa Mäensivu, will release their third album, Moving Parts, through Greenleaf Music. The album delves into the theme of belonging, reflecting Mäensivu’s experiences living between Helsinki and New York, and showcases a blend of diverse soundscapes and emotions. The staple ensemble featured on Moving Parts is Kaisa Mäensivu (bass), Eden Ladin (piano), Max Light (guitar), Sasha Berliner (vibraphone), and Joe Peri (drumset), with guest appearances by Melissa Aldana (tenor saxophone) and Maja Mannila (vocals). (Greenleaf)
Kajfeš, Goran: In Cmin
They say : Swedish trumperter Kajfeš picks up his fathers metal flute for long planned collaboration with Andreas Tilliander. Tilliander’s use of both analog and digital synths carve out the structure of these sonic sculptures, while Kajfeš elegant playing pushes against them with acoustic tension and melodic detal (Kontra-Musik Records km060)
Kali Trio: The Playful Abstract
They say : KALI Trio’s new album could be the soundtrack to the air we breathe. To mark their 10th anniversary, the trio has explored a sound through intuitive playing that oscillates between ambient, minimalism, and jazz. Born from improvised sessions and shaped directly into compositions in the studio, ‘The Playful Abstract’ is their most ambitious work to date. Self-assured and light, it captivates with minimalist restraint and surprising twists. An invitation to lose oneself in the moment and celebrate the lightness of being. (Ronin Rhythm Records 043)
Kalman, Egil; Hulbækmo, Hans: Unit of Time
They say : Hans Hulbækmo and Egil Kalman aim to show that we can experience the essence of time through rhythm. By zooming in on rhythms from traditional music from around the world, the hyper-focused interplay of free jazz, and the rhythmic structures of just-intoned drone music (which is essentially about resonant intervals built on polyrhythms), they create a wholly unique rhythmic universe. (Motvind Records MOT32)
Katherine Kyu Hyeon Lim & Joey Chang: Muzosynth Orchestra vol 1.
They say : Sending you this stunning video from the NYC based violinist / composer Katherine Kyu Hyeon Lim and pianist / producer Joey Chang titled “판 (Pahn)” from their debut album Muzosynth Orchestra: Vol. 1. The two collaborators have created an album that explores the true freedom of extemporaneous reaction and pre-planned epiphanies. That is on full, HD display on their video for their first single which Everything is Noise states is full of “surprising sense of joy”. “Muzosynth Orchestra: Vol. 1” harnesses the potential of creative freedom to make new playspaces and develop ideas that would never have arisen before. Each track was recorded spontaneously. No pre-chosen themes, no ideas – each one an unknown journey that the artists led each other into. Untethered from frameworks, they embrace collages, jarring juxtapositions, and intensified emotions. (No Label)
Kechi, Azul: Celestial Love
They say : Following a wave of national radio and press (BBC Radio 6 Music, Jazz FM B-List, BBC Radio London, Earmilk, DMY, C-Heads, Notion, 1883 Magazine and a whole host of Spotify Editorial playlists) Azul Kechi releases her anticipated debut album (Self Release)
Kennedy, Ciao: Solarium
They say : With Ciao Kennedy’s debut album Solarium, the band has found a course and common denominator in guitars drenched with post-rock effects, steered by hypnotic electronic beats, creating an atmosphere of rare, dense melancholy, peppered with a sound that belongs in a blockbuster sci-fi movie. (Sdban Ultra, SDBANULP43)
Kerrod, Jacqueline & Morris, Joe : Morpeth Contemporary 2024
They say : Exceptionally virtuosic and sensitive, South African harpist Jacqueline Kerrod is perfectly at home across multiple genres. This is her first recording with American guitar maverick Joe Morris. These are sublimely adventurous improvisations for pedal harp and guitar. (Relative Pitch Records RPR1222)
Kessel, Paul van: The Lonesome Road
They say : Nothing. (www.paulvankessel.com)
Kjekstad, Frode Trio: Jazz Detectives
They say : Nothing. (Losen Records LOS3032 – CD)
Kozanis, Stefanos: Asterismyth – Music About The Constellations And Mythical Figures
They say : Pianist Stefanos Kozanis’s “Asterismyth” new concept album blends jazz, classical, and Greek traditional music. Released October 25th, its 12 tracks, inspired by constellations and Greek mythology, create a dreamy, celestial journey. Featuring Athens-based musicians, the album combines intricate melodies, poetic lyrics, and atmospheric soundscapes. CD version available on request. (Jazz Breeze Records JBR035)
Kuroda, Takuya: Everyday
They say : Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda’s eight studio album, Everyday, out Feb 28 on David Passick & Pino Palladino’s new imprint PPK Records, is a stunning demonstration of his dedication and skill. Since the release of his soulful seventh album, 2022’s Midnight Crisp –– a record praised by PopMatters as a “future classic” –– Kuroda has not missed a beat. (PPK Records)
Kurz, Andreas; Ludwig, Johannes; Parzhuber, Alex: feat. Loren Stillman
They say : The three friends and colleagues Andreas Kurz, Johannes Ludwig and Alex Parzhuber have made intensive use of the last two years of their evenings after teaching at the University in Munich. The music on the new album together with Loren Stillman radiates a very special calm and depth. (Owl Way Records / Galileo Music OW6)
