April Varner; Ella

You're likely to be in agreement that Ella Fitzgerald is considered by many to be the greatest female jazz vocalist ever. So let's give singer April Varner the courage to take on a project like this. Good thing, because amazingly, Vainer possesses much of the vocal magic we long fell in love with from Ella. With an excellent big band to work with, Ms. Varner captures the “Ella thing” to near perfection. Ella would have been giddy to hear, among others, “Dream A Little Dream Of Me”, “Night And Day”, “Cheek To Cheek”, and my personal fave, “Mr. Paganini”. So hurrah, thank you, and let's hear a lot more from a refreshing talent in April Varner.

Cellar Music Group; 2026; appx. 40 min.

Ulysses Owens, Jr.; Around The World With U

Don't miss out on your chance to inhale some scorching hard bop with all hands on deck getting ready to spin your head around! Drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr, is the leader on this smokin' session of eleven tunes including three bristling originals and two standards that have survived long lifetimes, Diz's medley of “Bebop” and “Confirmation”, and Hoagy Carmichael's classic “Stardust”. Many people grew up with that kind of musical excitement. The reason it's still around today is that it's so artistically relevant. Truly representative of the jazz art, these young veterans carry on an honored tradition. Just know that the music is safe in their hands. And talented hands they are!

Cellar Music Group; 2026; appx. 55 min.

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

HAVE SOME FUN WITH GEORGE'S QUIZZES!

 The following are lyric portions from well known songs. How many titles can you identify? Answers tomorrow...

1. that dream is here beside me
2. how sublime it was
3. a Gershwin tune
4. more mad about you
5. this isn't the ending
6. they crowded the floor
7. drop a line
8. puzzled moon
9. the world is in slumber
10. no month of May

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.