GEORGE'S BRIEFS

Ron Rieder; Compositions In Blue And Other HuesWelcome to the fresh invigorating new compositions of composer Ron Rieder. Right out of the history book of what jazz art is all about, Rieder's eleven originals are played by a perfectly balanced quintet of tenor sax, trumpet, and a rhythm section apparently led by bassist John Lockwood. This is what jazz was all about in say, 1958! Everyone hits the mark with exciting solo work, and all the ensemble passages are spot-on big time. We need more flowing, happy jazz in our lives. Well here it is! Kudos to Mr. Ron Rieder and friends. 

Self-produced; 2025; 51:39.

Rick Roe; Wake Up Call: The Music of Gregg Hill

Over the last year or more, several CD's, each by a different artist, have come out playing the compositions of Gregg Hill. If you're lucky enough to acquire any of them, you'll find this music to be very cheerful, positive, eminently listenable, and loaded with effervescent personality. Simply said, I would think Mr. Hill might pose the question, “Why shouldn't jazz be happy to the ear much of the time?”

Cold Plunge Records; 2025; appx. 48 min.

Jeremy Pelt; Our Community Will Not Be Erased

It's clear by now that trumpet sensation Jeremy Pelt has entered the all-star circle of premier jazz musicians. Here he is with an equally gifted cast playing of nine of his own compositions. One can hear the spirit of Miles nearby as Pelt and his peerless pals provide us with exceptional, excitingly conceived perfection. This one will most likely land somewhere on my “Best of 2026”.

High Note; 2026; appx 42 min.

Michael Moody; The Ecstasy Of Love

There were no liner notes included with this CD, but our gratitude to singer Michael Moody for giving his all on a collection of “forever” tunes like “The Nearness Of You”, “Embraceable You”, “Unforgettable” “So Easy To Love”, “Body And Soul”, “Good Morning Heartache”, and much more. Kudos also to Paul Bollenback, guitar and Neal “Sugar” Caine, bass, on this session.

Self produced; probably 2025; song list and times not indicated

Brad Schrader; Late Nights

In the same spirit as my review of Michael Moody, singer Brad Schrader is the guy you might enjoy hearing in an intimate hotel bar. His choice of tunes? Well how about “Time After Time”,”I Wish I Knew”, It's All Right With Me”, “It Never Entered My Mind”, and “Quiet Nights”, among others. Once again, very little info about accompanying artists here, but be assured, Schrader gives it his best.

Self produced; probably 2025; appx. 28 min. 

Maja Jaku; Blessed & Bewitched

Singer Maja Jaku brings us her gift of on target intonation and a sense of jazz mystery perhaps reflecting the opposite emotions expressed in the album's title. The two well known choices are really good ones: “Never Let Me Go” and “Everything Must Change”. Her accompaniment is piano, and it's creative jazz from note one. To be clear, here's a singer from whom we need to hear more.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 41 min.

Dave Stryker; Blue Fire

Guitarist Dave Stryker is a well established purveyor of the funky sound of guitar-organ groups. On this session his trio takes the usual number of blues based originals. But they take a welcome little detour on these choices you'll know quite well: “Dexterity”, the Charlie Parker classic; and the album highlight, “Summer Night”. Fans of the guitar-organ approach will gobble this up!

Strikezone Records; 2026; appx. 50 min.

Erica von Kleist; Picc Pocket

Well now---35 years of jazz reviews and here it is. My first album led by a piccolo player! And guess what? It works to perfection. Erica von Kleist and her piano, bass, and  drums crew (with a couple of guests here and there) play it “for serious” on a half-dozen sparkling straight ahead originals that are the real deal throughout. I would have said that it can't be done. But I would have been left in the dark. Nice going, Erica and company. You pulled this one off with blue ribbons. And for the record, I love this album title, “Picc Pocket”!

Self-produced; 2025; appx. 34 min.

Dave Schumacher; Agua Con Gas

This oddly titled but extremely well performed session features the leadership and baritone sax of Dave Schumacher and a very skilled and seemingly large ensemble. Their musical inspiration here is definitely in a Latin groove on nine entries, most of which are distinctive originals. Schumacher and company manage to find strong jazz continuity in their Latin emphasis. That and first quality musicianship make this session unique and well worth placing into your CD player.

Cubeye Music; 2025; appx. 55 min.

The Interplay Jazz Orchestra; Bite Your Tongue

On this set of jazz reviews, it appears that big bands have “taken the gold” (to use a phrase from the recent Winter Olympics). The Interplay Jazz Orchestra stays on very literate, very cool, and consistently quality musicianship. The menu here contains both bright, hearty originals and standards like “Night And Day”, “My Foolish Heart”, and even the oldie “It's Been A Long Long Time”! Great fun and worth both of your ears!

Probably self produced; 2026; times not indicated.

Jack Wood; For Every Man There's A Woman

Singer Jack Wood generously takes on no less than fifteen songs on this pleasant journey into mostly revered standards and a few worthwhile but lesser known choices. From the familiar side of the ledger comes “I Only Have Eyes For You”, “The More I See You”, “Ruby”, “Lover”, and more. Just imagine a nice, quiet, all-grown-up bar in your neighborhood. That's where you might find Jack Wood.

Jazz Hang Records; 2026; appx. 57 min.

Steven Husted; Two Nights Live

Georgetown, Texas has a population a little over 100,000. And these fortunate folk can brag of a super jazz quintet led by the energetic tenor sax of Steven Husted. His quintet opens this jovial meeting with two of my personal all time faves, Hank Mobley's “This I Big Of You” and Clifford Brown's “forever” tune, “Sandu”. Both are infectious examples of classics that will remain with us for as long as our beloved art form is a part of our culture. The additional nine selections, all high spirited and just plain fun, are dessert for your ears. Georgetown, Texas---right? Indeed, right in every way!

Probably self produced; probably 2025; times not indicated.

Chris Parker; Reunion

Veteran pianist Chris Parker reunites with some long time pals on a versatile and entirely entertaining set of no less than twelve inspired original compositions. Make no mistake, the range here is from silky tenderness to pure jazzy, funky pleasure. His colleagues put it all out there with accessible tradition. A note of surprise here is the inclusion of a violin soloist who, along with everyone, adds a note of pizzazz to this session. This is warm hearted “feel good” jazz with a happy “extrovert-ish” emphasis. Don't get envious of what a good time these guys are all having!

Circle 9 Records; 2025; appx. 68 min.

Dan West; Presenting The Dan West Big Band

Big bands? Sure, they're still very much with us. They don't just play “Whispering” and “Tie A Yellow Ribbon” anymore. For which most of us, I dare say,challenging charts, and often solo work by selected band members. So, amigos, it's a different big band notion than “music for dancers” which once dominated the scene. A very skilled example of this concept is the Dan West Big Band. They provide us with seven excellent performances of this buoyant creativity. Tempo-wise, everything is covered with high marks for skill and enthusiasm. Solos are spot-on, never too much frosting on this cake. So I'd advise you to leap out of that easy chair and enjoy today's approach to the term “big band”. 

Wayside Records; 2025; terms not indicated.

Bob Reynolds; Eddie Told Me So

I'm always on board for a soulful tenor sax concentrating on our honorable Great American Songbook. Bob Reynolds is indeed such a player and he opens this session with “Harrisburg”, most likely a hometown reference. From then on, it's mostly a matter of Songbook treasures with the exception of the title tune, “Eddie Told Me So”, Reynolds' other original on the session. You'll find no argument from me over such evergreens as “When Your Lover Has Gone”, “Change Partners”, “Just Friends”, “Charade”, and “You Don't Know What Love Is”. Reynolds' associates, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Charles Ruggiero on drums, provide solid support throughout, and Reynolds is right on target with strength and great feeling for these examples of songs we've known and loved all these years!

Nosahu Records; 2025; appx. 44 min.

Doug MacDonald; Live In Beverly Hills

Guitarist Doug MacDonald has a good thing going. The guy puts out two, three, even four CD's per year, and every one is well worth hearing. MacDonald teams up here with Lou Shoch on bass and Billy Paul on drums. Shoch's vocal revives an old plum made somewhat famous by Joe Williams. It's called “Early In The Morning” and you're going to like it. With an exception here and there, the remainder of the session consists of snappy lines simply “made” for the guitar. The standards, also very well rendered, include “The Night Has A thousand Eyes”, “Yesterdays”, and “Baubles, Bangles, and Beads”. Yes, friends---Doug MacDonald keeps releasing the good stuff. It's tasty, consistent work, and we can get on that road, right?

Dmac Music; probably 2025; appx. 38 min.

Bijan Tagham; Cactus Sessions

OK, I'll admit it. I'm a ring-it-up, heartfelt piano guy. Always have been. Always will be. So when an album like this comes to my attention, sign me up. Bijan Tagham keeps it completely in the standards column on eight solo piano selections that earn an A+ for this listener. Perhaps you'll feel the same way when you hear Tagham's clarity, creativity, and a real sense of the joy derived from 88 keys. So, breathe it all in on “Wave”, “I Should Care”, “I'll Remember April”, “Peace”, “Have You Met Miss Jones”, “Ask Me Now”, “East Of The Sun”, and “Desafinado”. Ira Gershwin put it this way: “Who could ask for anything more!”

Self produced; probably 2025; appx. 50 min.