GEORGE'S BRIEFS:

Paula Maya; Rio De Janeiro

Paula Maya is the real deal, as she comfortably and impressively sings a menu of seven Brazilian songs, mostly new to my ears. Some vocal dubbing actually works quite well here, and it should be added that the singer's accompaniment is on target and highly spirited. It isn't exactly jazz and it's best described as world music, but it's really well performed and that's what counts.

Yellow House Records; 2024; appx. 28 min.

Livio Almeida; Brasilia Sessions

Livio Almeida, probably not related to the late acoustic guitar great Laurindo Almeida, shines on an all original session with a Brazilian emphasis, but with a lot of Jazz Yankee style as well. Everything is very creative and rhythmic and, I must say, even the electric piano sounded good in this context. Zoho Music has specialized in Latin sounds for years, and Almeida and friends serve them well.

Zoho; 2024; appx. 54 min.

Philip Webendoerfer; Tides

This formidable guitarist leads a quartet of saxophone, bass, and drums through a set of eleven original compositions and does so with a very warm and comfortable tone. The writing is accessible and creative, and the group displays an admirable cohesiveness. This is, however, not background music. It is artful material to be absorbed and appreciated.

Shifting Paradigm Records; 2024; appx. 59 min.

Omer Leshem; Play Space

Here is an east coast quintet that plays nine compositions by its leader, tenor sax man Omer Leshem. The emphasis is clearly on aggressive, challenging, and ripping tempos. Impressive solo work abounds here, featuring especially strong work from pianist Moshe Elmakias. Buckle up. This is not music for the feint of heart.

Ubuntu Music; 2024; appx. 54 min

Gunhild Carling Big Band With Strings; Jazz Is My Lifestyle!

Now and then the state of our world calls for some feel good, foot tapping music. And this is it! A trad big band with invigorating soloists, refreshing arrangements, and energetic vocals. It's a big barrel of fun and a day brightener for sure.

Label, year, and times not indicated; probably 2024

Tom Harrell; Alternate Summer

Trumpet maestro Tom Harrell continues to amaze us with ten captivating and often demanding original compositions. His playing mates are mostly present on some tracks while laying out on others. Harrell's brilliant tone remains on full display here and his supporting cast are equally ready for the gig.

High Note; 2024; appx. 60 min.

Matt Panayides; With Eyes Closed

Now here's a terrific guitarist who concentrates primarily on memorable “hits” from such major figures as Joe Henderson, Cedar Walton, Frank Foster, Woody Shaw, and Chick Corea. Into this impressive mix toss in a few standards like “I Fall In Love Too Easily”, “Darn That Dream”, and even “Moon River”. Panayides is true to the tradition featuring exquisite tone and a consistent flow of musicianship.

Pacific Coast Jazz; 2024; 57:02

Thom Rotella; Side Hustle

These “groove discs” must have a loyal following, and here is a good example of the guitar and organ thing. The leader and guitarist is Thom Rotella. Many of the proceedings are assigned to various funky blues items. Two high spirited guests enliven this session, Eric Alexander on tenor sax and Jeremy Pelt on trunpet. Too bad they're only on board for two tracks each. Organ fans, this is your main course!

High Note; 2024; appx, 61 min.

Jack Wood & Nichaud Fitzgibbon; Movie Magic

Do you remember when movies gave us beautiful melodies and grown up, literate lyrics? Well, here are a couple of singers who present an entire album (can we still call them “albums”?!) of memorable hits from the big screen. Jack Wood is a super good singer in the Jack Jones school, and Nichaud Fitzgibbon adds a brightness of her own. The two sing together on some titles and are featured individually on others. A few highlights include “Make Someone Happy”, “When I Look In Your Eyes”, “The Shadow Of Your Smile”, “That Old Feeling”, “The Shining Sea”, and lots more. Much to like here, and for young people, much to learn.

Jazz Hang Records; 2024; appx. 70 min.

Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell; This Could Be The Start Of Something Big

For twenty-eight years I had the privilege and pleasure of hosting a jazz radio program called High Standards. That title reflected my passion for the Great American Songbook.  Well, judging from this CD, it appears that Anne and Mark Burnell share that feeling. Just take a gander at some of the choices of this skilled singing team. In addition to the title tune we are treated to “I Could Have Danced All Night”, the rarely heard Camelot tune “The Lusty Month of May”, “Isn't This A Lovely Day”, and others. For me, the two nicest compositions were Clifford Brown's classic “Joy Spring”, and a little known gem from Dave Frishberg, “Let's Eat Home”. Clearly, the Burnells are having a very good time! I kinda think you will be too.

Spectrum Music & Video; 2024; appx. 53 min.

Neil Adler; Emi's Song

This thoughtful recording hits the bullseye from many considerations. Neil Adler is equally compelling on piano, chromatic harmonica, and as a composer. He also chooses material deserving to be heard more often. For example, Oliver Nelson's lovely offering “Yearning”, or Herbie Hancock's “Tell Me A Bedtime Story”. His deep felling on harmonica is heard on Jimmy Rowles' classic “The Peacocks” and a medley of the treasured standards “Tenderly” and “That's All”. But he turns to piano on a tender grouping of three rarely heard Bill Evans tunes. Not to be overlooked is Adler's chops on Charlie Parker's opus “Donna Lee”. On all these and more, Neil Adler gives us a musical pallet that is most assuredly his own wise, inclusive, and tasteful musical world. Highly recommended and fully satisfying may be an accurate way of describing what happens in listening to Neil Adler. 

EJA Records; 2024; appx. 63 min.

Jeff Rupert; It Gets Better

Let's say your name is Jeff Rupert and you play tenor saxophone. And let's say that somehow you get an opportunity to record with three present day jazz giants. People like Kenny Barron, Peter Washington, and Joe Farnsworth. You'd better jump at the chance, Mr. Rupert! And so, here we are with a Stan Getz-like tenor man and a dream rhythm section. With one exception the tunes are all “blowing session” type originals that swing with authority and are solidly at the heart of creative, wholly satisfying jazz. That one exception is Jimmy Van Heusen's forever tune “Like Someone In Love”. When he's not teaching at the University of Central Florida, Rupert busily plays in the very heart of the jazz tradition. Expressive, gimmick free, real deal sounds like you could have heard on Verve in the late fifties. We need more music like this because it fulfills us, gives us hope, and is darn good from note one to the last. And one more thing: thank you, Kenny Barron, for a career of piano excellence and excitement!

Rupe Media; 2024; appx. 57 min.

Diego Figueiredo; I Love Samba

Several years ago, I hired acoustic guitarist Diego Figueiredo to play at my concert series at Classic Pianos here in Portland, Oregon. To my surprise we had to add extra chairs to a sold out crowd. Everyone was awestruck that evening, and you will be too when you hear this astounding recording. Diego is from São Paulo, Brazil, and this recording reflects the joy, romanticism, and elegance of Brazilian samba. On the thirteen selections heard here, he plays solo on many, but is helped out by impressive colleagues on bass, drums, and flute on others. To be clear, Diego Figueiredo is a master of Brazilian style acoustic guitar. His music affirms a certain joyousness of life. It is filled with sunshine and beauty and will put a smile on your face.

Arbors Records; 2024; appx. 48 min.

Dave Liebman and the CNY Jazz Orchestra; If A White Horse From Jerusalem...

The unusual title to this recording refers to a four-part suite which opens the material here. The featured soloist is soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman who is less outside and if I may, avant garde, than what I've heard from him previously. Still, the suite is what we once called “experimental”. Now it might be better referred to as complex, dense, and probably for the ears of experienced jazz listeners. After the suite, stay on board for Bernstein's “Somewhere”; Rodgers and Hart's “Where Or When”; and even something called “Hip Hop Shuffle”, and it's more listenable than the name suggests. Some of us may have to stretch a bit, but there's a lot of heavy duty music here. Summon up your courage and give it a shot.

CNY Jazz Central; 2024; appx. 54 min.