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.