GEORGE'S BRIEFS

Tomas Janzon; Jazz Diary

Here's a little change of pace from your usual guitar jazz trio under the leadership of Tomas Janzon. You'll hear a hint of mystery here and there with some minor key orientation and even a bit of welcome dissonance from time to time. There are eleven original compositions in all and certainly there are well honed sounds here for guitar fans and fellow guitarists to sample.

Changes Music; probably 2026; times not indicated

Trombocalist Big Band; The Vigil And The Sleeping Giant

Here's a big band with the sound that might prevail as a sort of welcome at a political event. The eight selections performed here are all originals with something of an emphasis on electronic instrumentation. Something for everyone to be sure and this one will find its audience.

Self produced; 2026; times not indicated

Pete Mills; This Is Now

Silvery toned tenor man Pete Mills leads a quintet of guitar, piano, bass, and drums through swinging, upbeat, feel good originals and a real bonus in Billy Strayhorn's classic “UMMG”. Nobody goes for the gut punch here. This is the simple concept of making listenable, accessible jazz. Let's never forget how important that is. Mills and friends pull it off with ease, wit, and fun for all.

Mighty Ernie Records; 2026; appx. 64 min.

Mike Clement; Polka Dots and Ray Bans

Here we have yet another of those guitar-organ meetings led by Mike Clement. The big difference here is that this is not your usual outing of this nature. Instead, it's a guaranteed jazz album with additional instrumentation on a hard swinging approach featuring ten originals by the leader. A real breath of fresh air blowing your way!

Cellar Music Group; 2026; appx. 52 min.

Marie-Paule Franke; Through The Cracks, The Light Is Born

I doubt that Marie-Paule Franke would be described as a jazz singer. However, a very sweet and sincere vocal fills the seven original compositions heard here. They are primarily emotional outpourings, what we'd refer to as ballads, but all in a present day musical approach. So if you'd like to be in the mood for a pleasant detour from a pure jazz singer, this may be your ticket to a new journey.

MariPosa Records; 2026; appx. 30 min.

Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band; Arsenio And Beyond

Get in line, all of you Latin jazz fans. You need to sample this one because it has every imaginable Latin percussive instrument possible. A number of these highly rhythmic selections are played and sung (of course in Spanish) by an ensemble obviously having way too much fun. Most likely you will too!

Jazzheads; 2026; times not indicated

Christine Fawson; It Could Happen To You

That Great American Songbook is still out there, waiting to be visited by exceptional jazz hip singers like Christine Fawson. Working with a strong piano led trio and her own impressive trumpet entries, Fawson shines on such winners as “It's All Right With Me”, “My Heart Stood Still”, “Oh, Lady Be Good”, and much more. High class from note one.

Self produced; 2026; appx. 53 min. 

Chris Hazelton; In Rotation

Aw, c'mon! You can handle one more Hammond B3 session, right? This one is led by organist Chris Hazelton and a pretty full range of colleagues. In addition to the five originals on the date, you'll celebrate the presence of Billy Strayhorn's “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing”, Lee Morgan's “Speedball”, and Tadd Dameron's “On A Misty Night” Horace Silver's “Summer In Central Park”, all classics. There's real B3 bounty here, so give it a whirl!

Cellar Music Group; 2026; appx. 60 min.

Andrea Miller; Let Our Love Take Wing

How nice that there are singers like Andrea Miller. You see, she celebrates the riches of the American Songbook by concentrating on “all-timers” like “Body And soul”, “Blue Skies”, “East Of The Sun”, “Love For Sale”, “Will You Still Be Mine”, and lots more. Andrea, you just keep your emphasis right where it is on this release. You can't lose with the good stuff.

Self produced [Tony Guerrero]; 2026; appx. 57 min.

Zen Zadravec; New Paradigm

Hard bop is still out there in the very capable hands of pianist Zen Zadravec and his adventurous, in your face colleagues. These are all new compositions, filled with life and played with fiery enthusiasm. Solos are generous and creative and micianship is rough hewed and inspired. Stretch a bit if you're a hard bopper. It's worth the effort.

Marmite Records; 2026; appx. 53 min.

Wayne Alpern; Varieties & Extravaganzas

 

Composer-arranger Wayne Alpern has put together a unique five piece group of all brass players called The times Square Brass Quintet. The music is impressively conceived and played with exacting skill and astounding togetherness. Most of the session is devoted to Alpern's original compositions and his classical chops are right on target. But you'll also her the quintet on standards like “The Lady Is A Tramp”, “Have You Met Miss Jones”, and even the ancient “I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire”. Between the classical connections and the jazz joy, this is an adventure in something new and fresh.

Self produced; 2026; times not indicated

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra; Ellington Masterworks

 On reliable authority, Duke Ellington is known to have composed up to 10,000 compositions. Consisting of works for popular consumption, suites, and television and movie sound tracks, Duke was obviously the most prolific composer EVER. So, here is the magnificent Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, an important new name to me, in a live performance of eight extended Ellington sparklers we've likely never heard until now. From every standpoint, this is “not to be missed” material. With the Ellington stamp of serene melodies, highest caliber solos, and that Duke “thing” that created a true jazz hero, we hope this will be the first in what will be some kind of series by the Smithsonian organization. This is music that will undoubtedly extend the recognition and genius of Edward Kennedy Ellington's breathtaking work.

Manchester Craftsmen's Guild; 2026; appx. 56 min.

Kemuel Roig; Both Sides Now

 

Now and then it's a special treat to just float away on an exquisite cloud of solo piano music played with simple joy and passion, and without pretense. That is exactly what is handed to us by Kemuel Roig on a solo session often beautiful beyond written description. The thirteen songs here are well balanced between little known choices and evergreens like Cole Porter's “I Love You”, Billie Holiday's and Arthur Herzog Jr.'s “Don't Explain”, and Rodgers and Hart's “My Romance”. But for me, the highlight is two versions of Jimmy Rowles' now classic “The Peacocks”. Roig's piano is like the finest wine in the bar. Float away, friends.

Life in Music; probably 2026; times not indicated

I truly believe that Doug MacDonald may well be the most prolific jazz guitarist on today's scene. The guy seemingly manages to release a new CD about one every three months. And the good news for you and me is that every one of them is totally jazz listener friendly. This time around he is heard in a small group setting. The presence of an organist gives this session a bit of a funky poke in the ribs on five MacDonald originals and three that you're quite likely to know: Wes Montgomery's “Mr. Walker”, Antonio Carlos Jobim's “Captain Bacardi” (you'll know it when you hear it), and Duke's “Self Portrait Of The Bean”. Much gratitude to Doug MacDonald and associates. Keep knockin' 'em out, Doug!

Dmac music; 2026; appx. 40 min.

 

Will Lyle; The All Seeing Eye

Bassist Will Lyle has assembled a collection of premiere artists to perform a well balanced menu of originals and a few lengthy standards. Among the veterans on the session are Dave Kikoski, piano, and Billy Drummond, drums. The remaining players (not every guy on every track) are new names to me. Just the same, it's easy to discern the years of hard work they've put in to arrive at this level. There are seven tunes in all including those standards already indicated. They are: “Autumn Nocturne”, “All Of You”, and “On A Clear Day”. The latter tune features a fresh and happy vocal by a singer only identified as Sirintip. Odd but true. In any case, there's a lot to like here. So hats off to Will Lyle and pals. Thanks for keeping the essence of jazz alive and lively.

Circle Theory Music; 2026; times not indicated

Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet; A Blue Time

 

From the first few measures of Duke Jordan's jazz classic “Jordu”, you just know that this is going to be the straight ahead stuff you've admired all your life. Drummer Joe Syrian leads this octet through a terrific ten tune talent laden journey. Considering the use of “motor city” here, one may make the connection with scores of Detroit jazz heroes over the decades. Indeed they carry the performance with titles like “Agua de Beber”, “Norwegian Wood”, “Charade”, “Blue Bossa”, “Nature Boy”, and a pristine vocal by Lucy Yeghiazaryan on “Teach Me Tonight”. This octet and its crisp arrangements and super song choices combine for a breath of fresh air. Give them a shot!

Circle 9 Records; 2026; appx. 51 min.