Isabella Isherwood; The Sweetest Sounds

It took an initial glance at the tune list of this session and I immediately noticed that the opener was Bob Dorough's “Devil May Care”. “Here's someone who gets it”, I thought. Her name is Isabella Isherwood, and her vocals and piano lead an in-the-pocket rhythm section of guitar, bass, and drums. Isherwood hits the target on an even dozen tunes including a rather brisk version of “Till There Was You”; plus “This Time The Dream's On Me”; “My Buddy”; a racehorse tempo on “The Song Is You”; “Teach Me Tonight”; and more. I would have locked the door on “Don't Think Twice, It's All Right”. It somehow didn't fit in with the other choices. I will refrain from becoming overly picky. Isabella Isherwood has given us an extremely well thought out album loaded with quality vocals and premium accompaniment. 

Sabrina Records; 2026; appx. 50 min.

Hendryk Meurkens; Samba Tonto

How very nice to hear the result of harmonica expert Hendryk Meurkens' latest excursion to a recording studio in what seems like quite a spell. In a setting configuration, Meurkens delivers a resonant, often captivating performance primarily devoted to brisk Latin tempos, but for very good measure, there are gorgeous takes on “The Summer Knows”, and “My Romance”. For me, the big winner is a real rarity called “Surf Board” by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It's a pleasure to hear it once again. To be clear, Hendryk Meurkens is always at his best. So it's no surprise that once again, he's exactly in that sometimes tender and beautiful, and other times in that exhilarating and resplendent spot. 

Cellar Music Group; 2026; 53 min.

Chris Aschman; Volcanic

Right off the bat, let's be clear that Chris Aschman is a terrifically talented trumpet player. In a setting including seven other colleagues, (not everyone is on every track), Aschman and company perform seven original compositions with a decidely contemporary focus. There's some electric content with vibes, keyboards, organ, and something mysteriously referred to as “electronic valve instrument”. Wonder what that is! Fortunately, all of this electronic current is not distracting or intrusive. It comes off as more fitting where Aschman's roots may have been. In any case, he blows a major league trumpet and that alone makes for an upbeat high flying sort of gathering of like-minded musicians.

Probably self produced; year and times not indicated.

Cyger & Butterworth; Plaid Pants

This group kind of feels like your favorite aweater: Serviceable and comfortable. Also, there are well written originals on this session. As a matter of fact there are eight of them, co-led by Ron Cyger on saxophones and flute, and Brent Butterworth on bass, guitar, ukulele, and percussion. The material is very accessible with catchy melody lines and a consistently impressive ensemble sound. The entire session gives one the feeling of a refreshing, cool beverage on a hot summer day. An old simple idea is at work on this date: play the music you love and everything will work out just fine.

Outrageous8 Records; probably 2026; appx. 47 min.

ANSWERS;

1. Embraceable You
2. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
3. Stormy Weather
4. Laura
5. Someone To Watch Over Me
6. A Fine Romance
7. The More I See You
8. As Time Goes By
9. Long Ago And Far Away
10. The Song is You
11. Taking A Chance On Love
12. Love Walked In
13. How Deep Is The Ocean
14. That Old Feeling
15. Alexander's Ragtime Band

Charles Ruggiero; Charles Ruggiero Plays Monk Live! At The Baked Potato

Thelonious Monk was a totally unique hero at what would become jazz history, through his immediately identifiable piano style and “gotta be Monk” compositions. Monk was a beloved monster. On this live date, his music is celebrated by a trio of Bob Reynolds on tenor sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Ruggiero on drums. They give us five Monk classics, mostly in lengthy stretched out blowing sessions. Just so you know, the five T.M. Tunes taken on here are “Monk's Dream”, “Let's Cool One”, “Evidence”, “Green Chimneys”, and “Misterioso”. The jazz art world would have been lacking without Monk's important presence. Proof lies in this altogether accurate example of Monk's mastery.

 RMF Records; 2026; appx. 26 min.

Answers:

1. Long Ago And Far Away
2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
3. How About You
4. The More I See You
5. Just Friends
6. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
7. I'll Be Around
8. A Nightingale Samg In Berkeley Square
9. In The Still Of The Nightingale
10. My Romance