Elling, Kurt & WDR Big Band: In The Brass Palace
They say : Two-time Grammy-winning vocalist Kurt Elling releases In The Brass Palace, out February 13 on Big Shoulders Records, the label he co-founded with manager Bryan Farina. Recorded with Germany’s WDR Big Band conducted by Bob Mintzer, the album fulfills a longtime ambition for a big band record, with arrangements by Michael Abene, Tim Hagans and the late Jim McNeely. Repertoire spans Joe Jackson, Thad Jones, Duke Ellington, Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul, with lyrics by Elling. (Big Shoulders Records) Hear Kurt Elling.
Emil de Waal Old News: Novelties
They say : Following the passing of clarinetist Elith “Nulle” Nykjær in 2023, drummer and bandleader Emil de Waal faced a difficult question: what becomes of a band so closely tied to one of Denmark’s most distinctive musical personalities? The answer arrives in Novelties, the fourth release under the Emil de Waal Old News banner – a record that honours the ensemble’s history while opening a new chapter. (April Records)
Erdogan, Cenk: Fermata
They say : Turkish fretless guitarist and composer Cenk Erdoğan redefined the role of the fretless guitar as a compositional instrument. Built entirely around Cenk Erdoğan’s original works, Fermata moves fluidly between contemporary jazz, chamber music, folk traditions, and cinematic lyricism. Melody, silence, and harmonic colour unfold with equal importance, creating an intimate sound world where nuance speaks louder than complexity. (Dukyan Meloman / Jazz Plus DL0105 LP)
Evans, Gil: Out Of The Cool
They say : Critically acclaimed, Gil Evans’ 1961 album Out of the Cool is widely regarded as his finest work as a leader in his own right, apart from his collaborations with Miles Davis (‘Birth of The Cool’, ‘Sketches of Spain’, ‘Porgy & Bess’ Miles Ahead’) and is considered a masterpiece of modern jazz orchestration, ranking among the best postwar jazz recordings. (Soundsgood 66427 LP)
Ex Ibex: Commercial Music
They say : Commercial Music™ is the debut album from Chicago’s Ex Ibex, an audacious quintet of seasoned improvisers taking inspiration from the city’s storied creative music scene. Clocking in at 52 minutes, the album presents a balanced offering of material from a studio session and a live performance to create a cohesive, unified, and bold statement. (Independent)
Ferrer, Pedro Luis: La Bunga
They say : Pedro Luis Ferrer embodies the heart, mind, and soul of Cuba; a legendary singer/songwriter, masterful vocalist, composer, poet, and virtuoso on Spanish guitar and Cuban tres. Pedro Luis performs with his daughter, Lena Ferrer, who contributes stunning vocals, hand percussion and Marimbula (an African derived Caribbean plucked box which provides bass lines). Together, they create unique and compelling harmonies, (Dot Time Records DT9196)
Finger, Christian: Zeit Zirkel
They say : Drummer Christian Finger performs 13 of his very original compositions on Zeit Zirkel with an adventurous and creative quintet. A tribute to the human spirit even when facing death and grief, Zeit Zirkel is also filled with hope and optimism for the future. (Finger Music CF 11001)
Flocks, Ben: Moonshades
They say : Los Angeles-based saxophonist Ben Flocks explores lunar imagery on Moonshades, his third album as a leader on West Cliff Records. Working primarily as a trio with bassist Garret Lang and drummer Jay Bellerose, in the tradition of saxophone trios led by Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, Flocks interprets twelve tracks of standards and collective improvisations, including Moonlight in Vermont and Old Devil Moon. Guitarist Will Graefe joins on opening track In the Wee Small Hours. (West Cliff Records)
Forcione, Antonio & Cenk Erdoga: Storytellers
They say : In the world of contemporary string music, there are collaborations born of convenience, and then there are those born of destiny. The union of Italian acoustic virtuoso Antonio Forcione and Turkish fretless master Cenk Erdogan belongs firmly to the latter. Their debut duo album, ‘Storytellers’, is not merely a collection of compositions; it is the culmination of a musical dialogue that has been waiting twenty years to find its voice. (Dukyan Meloman / Jazz Plus DL0104 LP)
Forcione, Antonio & Cenk Erdoga: Storytellers
They say : In the world of contemporary string music, there are collaborations born of convenience, and then there are those born of destiny. The union of Italian acoustic virtuoso Antonio Forcione and Turkish fretless master Cenk Erdogan belongs firmly to the latter. Their debut duo album, ‘Storytellers’, is not merely a collection of compositions; it is the culmination of a musical dialogue that has been waiting twenty years to find its voice. (Dukyan Meloman / Jazz Plus DM0104 CD)
Forkelid, Elin. Plays For Trane: Volume 2
They say : Elin Forkelid Plays For Trane deliver their second album. Originally suggested by Fasching, Stocklholms premier jazz venue, saxophonist Elin has embraced the idea of perfoirming works by John Coltrane. The lineup includes up and coming band leader Vilhelm Bromander on double bass and soprano saxophone as well as others from Sweden’s rich jazz scene (David Stackenäs, guitar; Mattias Ståhl, vibraphone and soprano saxophone;Jon Fält, drums). (Sail Cabin)
Fort, Kevin & Brown, Andy: Chiaroscuro
They say : Chiaroscuro is an intimate piano-guitar duo recording by Chicago pianist Kevin Fort and guitarist Andy Brown, inspired in part by the conversational spirit of Bill Evans and Jim Hall’s Undercurrent. The album pairs four Fort originals with four standards, exploring contrasts of light and dark through ballads, swing, bossa nova, blues and waltz feels. The result is a lyrical, spacious, straight-ahead jazz dialogue built on subtle interplay, harmonic color and melodic invention. (JeruJazz Records JJR-24-CD)
Franke, Marie-Paule: Through The Cracks The Light Is Born
They say : Shaping a 7-song narrative of a human life,this album marks the first time I fully found myself.Recorded at Audio Confidential by Marc Urselli,the repertoire begins and ends with an ode—from a Joni Mitchell tribute to an ode to the troubadour and bard in “Echo Nomade”—featuring reimagined 2024 singles with Antonio Sammael’s poetry.However, this music truly comes aliveand shapes itself in front of an audience,while deeply reflecting on world suffering through “Sword of Damocles”. (MariPosa Records MP003)
Furlonger, Sam: Get Out & Get Under The Moon
They say : Fraser Urquhart arranged a set of music for the group to frame and embolden Sam’s voice on a concept-album – a personal narrative of romance, a tribute to Sam’s own relationship with love itself. From this happy record I hope you hear what surely must be true: that the best songs of old are always worth revisiting and reviving if for no other reason than their stories – thick with simplicity and irony – are ours and their in-built dreams should never fade. (Independent)
Gaia Wilmer Big Band feat. Monica Salmaso: Parabólico: Reflections on Gilberto Gil
They say : Saxophonist, composer and conductor Gaia Wilmer turns to the work of Gilberto Gil on Parabolico, with a repertoire chosen alongside guest vocalist Monica Salmaso. The large ensemble features top New York players including guitarist Vinicius Gomes, pianist Vitor Goncalves, bassist Jorge Roeder, drummer Richie Barshay, trumpeter David Smith and bass trombonist Chris Washburne. It follows Wilmer’s prior large-ensemble tributes to Egberto Gismonti and Caetano Veloso, and marks her second recorded collaboration with Salmaso (Sunnyside Records)
Grydkovets, George: Spirit In You
They say : George Grydkovets, is a guitarist and composer from Kyiv, Ukraine, currently based in New York City. Spirit In You, features all original music and an ensemble of musicians George deeply admires: John Raymond (trumpet), Ari Hoenig (drums), Ben Tiberio (bass), Eden Ladin (keyboards), and was produced by Gilad Hekselman. (Independent)
Green, Kelly: Eat Your Greens
They say : Pianist, vocalist and composer Kelly Green built Eat Your Greens around lessons from mentors Mulgrew Miller and Harold Mabern, mixing classic standards with swinging originals. Her working quartet, with bassist Luca Soul Rosenfeld, drummer Evan Hyde and flutist Elijah J. Thomas, is joined by Scott Robinson, Steve Wilson, Wycliffe Gordon and Wallace Roney Jr. The program includes Ellington’s Solitude, Miller’s Tongue Twister, and originals honoring Mabern, released on Green Soul/La Reserve (Green Soul/La Reserve)
Guazzo, Stefano+Negri Francesco: Room By The Sea
They say : ”Room by the Sea” is the new acoustic duo album by Italian saxophonist Stefano Guazzo and pianist Francesco Negri, released on Ultrasound Records. A contemporary jazz project focused on lyrical dialogue, space, and narrative intimacy. (Ultrasound Records)