Chris Wabich; Wabich 1978 (steep)

The odd title of this CD refers to a tea produced in 1978 that Chris Wabich discovered in the last few years in a tea shop in Taiwan, and “steep” obviously is related to the tea. The six Wabich original compositions played by this trio are beautiful, sensitive, and quite thoughtful---and very peaceful. The album is led by Wabich, a drummer. But the real star of the show is pianist Josh Nelson. His elegant touch is like putting the listener in the middle of a beautiful, fragrant garden. Said another way, pour the oolong, turn the lights down low, and enjoy the simplicity and pleasure of these creations.

Kieran Brown; Loving You

There's sure a lot to like about singer Kieran Brown. She's not a jazz singer in the spirit of such luminaries as Anita O'Day, Annie Ross, or Nancy King. But in a lovely setting of no less than fourteen accompanying musicians (not everyone on each selection), Brown chooses ten highly regarded standards in a well trained, gentle, and perfect vocal presence on key performances of these wonders from Songbook America. Of special note is (once again), the appearance of one of my faves, pianist Tyler Henderson. Brown and company receive high marks on such tunes as “You're Gonna Hear From Me”, “Do It Again”, “Meditation”; “Emily”; “Alfie”; and more. Stay in the game, Kieran Brown. You've got a good thing going! 

Cellar Music Group;  2025; appx. 42 min.

Sam Dillon; My Ideal

While we're on the subject of top flight tenor men, you want to check out Sam Dillon. His sound is, to my ear, influenced by Coltrane. Lots of notes but all exactly the right ones. His gifted thythm section is comprised of David Hazeltine, piano; Alex Claffy, bass, and Rodney Green, drums. The eight selections played here include four scintillating Dillon originals and the well loved standards “Softly As In a Morning Sunrise”, “Have You Met Miss Jones”, “My Ideal”, and “I Love You”. This is some serious, hard swinging, real deal jazz. It's played with passion and precision and it all works to perfection.

Cellar Music Group, 2025; 59:18

Jacob Chung; Live At Frankie's Jazz Club

These new names in the jazz art keep coming at me in rapid succession. One of the many is the swinging tenor saxophonist Jacob Chung. On this live and lively gig, he appears with a rhythm section led by pianist Tyler Henderson. If that names sounds familiar, it might be attributed to a rave review I gave him for his trio CD on my last group of reviews. The quartet is completed by Caleb Tobachman, bass, and Hank Allen Barfield, drums. The group concentrates mostly on rarely heard tunes by jazz heroes like Duke Pearson and George Shearing. But you'll also hear some exceptional standards like “This Is No Laughing Matter”, “The Touch Of Your Lips”, and “Beautiful Friendship”. Chung is right on target, highly inventive and always “smack dab in the middle” of the jazz tradition. Henderson and friends form a perfect rhythm section and are a delight with boppy, rowdy solos of their own. New names! You gotta love 'em!

Cellar Music Group; 2025; 68:05

GEORGE'S BRIEFS

Wayne Alpern; Modern Music

I would suspect that pianist Wayne Alpern has an extensive background in classical music. His twenty solo creations are varied, life affirming, spirited, and simply delicious! Kudos to him for sharing his splendid pianistic flights of fancy. Recommended!

Self produced; 2025; times not indicated

Antonia Bennett; Expressions

Maybe you remember a singer named Joanie Sommers. Well, Antonia Bennett reminds me of her and to be clear, that's a compliment. She offers us a distinct array of standards, a French melody, and I suspect, a few originals. Antonia Bennett brings us a perky, youthful, optimistic approach. Why not give her a try!

Self produced; probably 2025; times not indicated

Lili Maljic; The Nearness Of You

 

There are still some folks out there who honor the great American Songbook, and singer Lili Maljic is obviously one of them. Working with a quartet that allows generous solo space for Jim Rotundi on trumpet and Oliver Kent on piano, Ms. Maljic winds her way through ten “forever” tunes including “Easy To Love”, “The Touch Of Your Lips”, “This Can't Be Love”, “The Song Is You”, and the really nice surprise of the set, “I Didn't Know About You”. Maljic is spot on key, and while she's not exactly a scat specialist, she comfortably adds some vocal decor to her presentation. This of course puts her emphatically in the jazz camp and that's a good place to be. So, if you hunger for the richest of premiere songwriting and you want those songs interpreted by a quality singer who certainly cares about her repertoire, you should check out Lili Maljic.

Pacific Coast Records; 2025; appx 50 min.

Sam Dillon; My Ideal

If you're into big toned, full throttle tenor sax players, I think Sam Dillon may well be your man. He holds nothing back on a collection split between Dillon's high flying original compositions and familiar fare like “Have You Met Miss Jones”, “I Love You”, “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”, and the title tune, “My Ideal”. Dillon's quartet includes David Hazeltine, piano; Alexander Claffy, bass; and Rodney Green, drums. They are all pin point perfect in support of the leader. If the phrase “no holds barred” describes your preference among tenor sax players, you need to get acquainted with Sam Dillon.

Cellar Music; 2025; appx. 58 min.