New releases February-March 2026, C-D

Records offered for review to Jazz Journal in January-February 2026, including Terry Callier, Billy Childs, Anat Cohen, Francesca Confortini & Ryan Mackenzie // Editor's pick: Francesca Confortini & Ryan Mackenzie

Callier, Terry: At The Earl of Old Town

They say : A compelling never-before-released 1967 solo performance featuring the influential singer/songwriter at just 22-years-old and recorded by NEA Jazz Master Joe Segal. The package includes comprehensive liner notes by Callier’s longtime friend, Real Jazz Sirius/XM program director Mark Ruffin and comments by daughter Sunny Callier. (Time Traveler Recordings)

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Carr, Tina: Moon Over Mildmay

They say : Tina Carr is holding the torch for the great jazz vocal tradition, but also casts a unique take on proceedings with her distinctive and instantly recognisable voice. Moon Over Mildmay has everything that fans of classic jazz singers could wish for, but Tina also provides a distinctive edge, by carefully curating the material so as to perfectly suit her voice, while interpreting the repertoire in her own inimitable way. (Independent)

Charles, Ray: The Genius Of Ray Charles

They say : The Genius of Ray Charles is an iconic album released by Atlantic Records in 1959. The album consists of two parts, the first featuring standards with big band arrangements by Quincy Jones, and the second part featuring ballads with string arrangements by Ralph Burns. Highlights include Let the Good Times Roll’ and Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’, both of which were released as singles. (20th Century Masterw LP)

Childs, Billy: Triumvirate

They say : Triumvirate, Childs’ first trio recording in 25 years, harnesses the energy and creative prowess of his touring group — bassist Matt Penman and drummer Ari Hoenig — into a masterclass of material revisited from his earliest recordings, within an intimate setting of equal parts lineage and evolution. (Mack Avenue, MAC1222)

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Cohen, Anat – Quartetinho: Bloom

They say : American clarinettist Anat Cohen’s latest release Bloom is her second album with Quartetinho – Portuguese for “little quartet” – although the players make a big, colour-rich sound, each an ace on multiple instruments: Anat on various clarinets, Tal Mashiach on bass and guitar, Vitor Gonçalves on piano and accordion, and James Shipp on vibraphone and percussion. ‘Bloom’ showcases compositions by each member of the band, as well as a llyrical take on Thelonious Monk’s ‘Trinkle, Tinkle’. (A-Train CD)

Colangelo, Federica Acquaphonica – feat. BC Manjunath: Forward

They say : Federica Colangelo is an Italian pianist and composer whose work blends jazz, 20th-century classical, and South Indian Carnatic rhythm. Her Amsterdam-based project Acquaphonica serves as a cross-cultural laboratory for composition and improvisation. With Forward (2026), Acquaphonica’s fourth album, Colangelo introduces a new trio featuring bassist Igor Legari and drummer Giovanni Nardiello, joined by renowned Carnatic percussionist B.C. Manjunath as special guest. (Folderol)

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Colman, Sara – Rebecca Nash: Ribbons Vol.1

They say : Nash and Colman’s deep understanding of each other’s sentiments and musical nuances have resulted in a profoundly emotional recording that showcases their roots in jazz, but also bridges singer-songwriter elements with folk and classical music, with influences as diverse as Laura Nyro, Quercus, Joni Mitchell, John Taylor, John Ireland and Claude Debussy. (Stoney Lane Records)

Confortini, Francesca – Mackenzie, Ryan: Mosaico

They say : Vocalist Francesca Confortini and arranger Ryan Mackenzie join forces on Mosaico, a vivid exploration of Brazilian music shaped by years of study, immersion, and cross-cultural exchange. The album blends classic samba, bossa nova, baião and MPB repertoire with the personal musical identities of its creators, presenting Brazilian traditions through a contemporary, chamber-inflected lens. (Tessera Records)

Coulson, Greg: Live At Peggy’s Skylight

They say : British singer-songwriter Greg Coulson announces Live at Peggy’s Skylight, released January 30th 2026. Recorded at Nottingham’s renowned jazz venue with his band, the album captures soulful vocals, improvisation, and the distinctive sound of vintage Wurlitzer and Hammond organ. Known internationally as Morcheeba’s keyboardist, Coulson balances touring with songwriting from his Northampton studio. The live recording highlights his evolution as a frontman, blending blues, soul, jazz, and funk with emotional honesty and dynamic energy throughout performances. (Independent )

Crispell, Marilyn – Anders Jormin: Memento

They say : Although their association goes back many years, Memento – an album of lyrical and subtle music making – Is the first duo recording by Marilyn Crispell and Anders Jormin. The album concludes with “Dragonfly”, dedicated to the memory of Gary Peacock. Throughout, the musicians respond to the sensitive and detail-heightening acoustics of Lugano’s Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI, in this album produced by Manfred Eicher in July 2025. (ECM Records ECM 2867)

Criss, Sonny: Selection d’Alain Gerber 1947-1958

They say : Sonny Criss is an unsung hero in the history of jazz. A brilliant alto saxophonist of the bebop era, his unparalleled talent nevertheless remained in the shadow of Charlie Parker. Published at the same time as Alain Gerber’s biographical novel Ne laissez pas le soleil se lever sur vos larmes (Don’t Let the Sun Rise on Your Tears), this anthology highlights the musician’s extraordinary virtuosity and expressiveness. An unexpected tribute to one of the greatest forgotten masters of 20th-century jazz. Patrick FRÉMEAUX (Frémeaux & Associés FA5913)

Curtis, Caleb: Ritual

They say : Multi-instrumentalist and composer Caleb Wheeler Curtis invokes the ritual of music making on his strikingly original sixth album. The recording features a community-bridging band with pianist Orrin Evans, saxophonist/flutist Hery Paz, guitarist Emmanuel Michael, bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Michael Sarin. (Chill Tone)

Daggerboard: The Skipper And Mike Clark

They say : Fourth album by Daggerboard, the collaborative effort of trumpeter/composer Erik Jekabson & multi-instrumentalist/composer Gregory for Howe’s innovative Berkeley-based label, Wide Hive Records. The new cd features the titular Henry “Skipper” Franklin on bass & drummer Mike Clark, friends & collaborators for going on three decades. In a program of 10 original compositions by Jekabson, Howe, & Franklin, the cd also features contributions from guests Matt Clark, p; Mads Tolling, vn; & Dave Ellis, ts. (Wide Hive Records)

Deák, Juli: Brisk

They say : Brisk is the remarkable debut album by Polish-Hungarian flutist Juli Deák, based in Budapest. It consists of seven mesmerizing pieces for flute, captured in a church in Budapest. (Thanatosis Produktion)

Delago, Manu – ZT, Max: Deuce

They say : Grammy-nominated innovators Manu Delago (handpan) and Max ZT (hammered dulcimer) come together in a bold new duo that reimagines the sonic possibilities of their instruments. Drawing from a lifetime of global collaboration, deep improvisation, and refined compositional craft, the two virtuosos create immersive, meditative soundscapes that unfold with both delicacy and drive. (Session Work Records)

Dreamscapes: Tales Of A Wanderer

They say : Dreamscapes brings together six musicians flourishing on the London jazz scene, each with a distinct artistic voice: Julien Durand, Cenk Esen, Lucy-Anne Daniels, George Garford, John Jones, and Jack Robson. Individually, their credits range from the blistering free-jazz of Sam Eastmond’s John Zorn project to the groove-laden music of Alfa Mist. Collectively, they represent several of the most exciting and forward-thinking pockets of the UK jazz scene today. (Holy Cow Records)

Duni, Elina – Rob Luft: Reaching For The Moon

They say : Elina Duni – voice, percussion. Rob Luft – guitars, electronics. June 2025, Studios La Buissonne, Pernes les Fontaines (ECM 2866 CD)

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