Scott Silbert; Dream Dancing: Celebrating Zoot Sims At 100

Over the years of “devouring” scores of saxophone heroes, my absolute favorite swinging, joyful tenor genius has always been and will always be John Haley “Zoot” Sims. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when this treasure arrived in my hands. Scott Silbert must have shared my affection for Zoot because his sound and phrasing is entirely in the Zoot Sims arena. Yet somehow Silbert never sounds like he is purposely trying to “do” Zoot Sims. Along with a superb rhythm section Silbert delivers the good stuff on Zoot faves like “Dream Dancing”, It's That Old Devil Called Love”, “All Too Soon”, “Shadow Waltz”, and an exquisite Billy Strayhorn rarity with the unusual title “Ballad For Very Tired And Very Sad Lotus Eaters”. Thank you, Scott Silbert, for honoring Zoot Sims, the guy who was always “at the ready” to remove his Selmer from its case and play his heart out.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 65 min.

Neil Gray; In The Streets

Could you ever call this accessible bop? Not to say that bop is ever inaccessible. Perish the thought. But drummer Neil Gray is leading his quintet through such a high brow jazz journey that they shouldn't take a back seat to anyone. The session consists of almost entirely Gray's compositions. And they simply flow freely with melodic sense, top of the mark solos, and jazz purity all the way through these proceedings. The one and only standard is Cole Porter's “Night And Day” which is performed by a singer doing her best to be hip. To end on a positive note, everything else here is right in the jazz jackpot. Go for it!

Cellar Music Group; 2025; appx. 35 min.

James Suggs; For All We Know

For several years Arbors Records released loads of swing jazz specialties. All great stuff too. In the current times their numbers have dropped. So it's a pleasure to welcome a new Arbors product. This time it's trumpet titan James Suggs leading a swinging pack of pleasure through a list of tunes I'd suspect all will enjoy hearing. Those selections chosen here represent quite a broad range from “Grazing In The Grass” to “You've Got A Friend” in the pop arena, to “My Shining Hour” and the title song “For All We Know” from the standard book, to “St. James Infirmary” and “Moten Swing” from the blues era. Several less well known choices complete this super collection. Let's put it this way: if these musicians are ever investigated it will only be because they're having such a good time! Thanks, Arbors. Let's hear from you more often!

Arbors Records; 2025; appx. 68 min.

Brandon Sanders; Lasting Impression

Brandon Sanders; Lasting Impression

There are so many jazz artists being introduced to me these days that I learn of new talent on an ongoing basis. I love it! So, friends, make way for drummer Brandon Sanders and his associates, most of whom are new names to me. His consistently straight ahead approach features a rhythm section with vibes, lots of piano, a couple of hip vocals and, most importantly, a complete journey down the jazz road from the first note to the last. These impressive players “get it” and perform their assignments with authority and obvious attention to tradition. Stay in the groove, guys!

Savant; 2025; appx. 46 min.

Bijan Taghavi; Cactus Sessions

110 years ago Irving Berlin wrote a song called “I Love A Piano”. And for the record, so do I! Apparently pianist Bijan Taghavi shares that sentiment. On this solo piano performance of acclaimed and beloved songwriting, he offers us eight examples of gentle, pristine, pure piano pleasure. Taghavi is the player you'd hear in a black tie and linen restaurant while wishing that the customers would chill their chatter and listen to the exquisite melodies surrounding them. The artist begins and ends his recital with two Jobim gems, “Wave” and “Desafinado”. In between, his feathery touch lands between such winners as “I Should Care”, “I'll Remember April”, “Have You Met Miss Jones”, “East Of The Sun”, and two favorites from the jazz book, Horace Silver's “Peace” and Thelonious Monk's “Ask Me Now”. Taghavi's melody lines are efficient and respectful, and his improvisations are letter perfect. Solo piano played this way is something special and, in these times, rather unique. Piano lovers, don't let this one escape your attention.

Self produced; probably 2025; appx. 50 min.

Maria Corsaro; Love Makes The Changes

Sometimes one can make a guess as to “jazz hipness” by simply noting choices of tunes and their composers. In this stunning, well chosen collection, singer Maria Corsaro turns to heroes like Sam Jones, Bill Evans, Antonio Carlos Jobim, McCoy Tyner, Michel Legrand, Oliver Nelson, Gerry Mulligan, and Roger Kellaway, among others. Does that tell you something? I would think so! The titles provided to us by the above named artistic high-enders include “Chan's Song”, “You Taught My Heart To Sing”, “No More Blues”, “Stolen Moments”, “Walkin'”, and big kudos for Kellaway's “I Have The Feeling I've Been Here Before”. Beyond all that, Corsaro just puts it all down with no extraneous show-biz activity. Considering all the above information regarding choices, it's no surprise Maria Corsaro “gets it”. The essence of jazz singing is here. You'd be wise to check it out.

Lola Records; 2025; appx. 45 min.

Ted Rosenthal; Classics Reimagined:Impromp2

Over the years others have attempted “swinging the classics” with varied results. But in the talented hands of pianist Ted Rosenthal it works to high toned perfection. His trio is rounded out by bassist Noriko Ueda, and the drum chores are split by Quincy Davis and Tim Horner. Also on hand but not on every cut are visitors Ken Peplowski, clarinet, and Sara Caswell, violin. Rosenthal's exhilarating piano technique leads his established friends through jazz drenched but always tasteful classical melodies. Composers include Chopin, Dvorak, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Beethoven, Elgar, and Satie. This album is pleasantly balanced, never excessive and I must say, Ted Rosenthal and friends make it all happen with respect and brilliance. 

TMR Music; 2025; appx. 60 min.