New Jazz Releases – 5/12/25
By WTJU
This is Steve Harris here covering for Rus Perry with this week’s terrific batch of new releases. Before I get started, I wanted to commend Rus for the extraordinary job he does processing so many new releases each week. I don’t see how he does it. We are in a golden age of jazz recordings and so much exciting music regularly pours into the station. I hope you’ll have the opportunity to check some of this music out. I’ll be featuring many of these recordings when I host Jazz at 100 Now! this Tueday from 9 until noon.
Diego Rivera – West Circle (Posi-Tone Records, released April 25) Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Art Hirahara – piano; Boris Kozlov – bass; Rudy Royston – drums.
Recorded in one day in 2023, this quartet features the great saxophonist with the Posi-Tone all-star rhythm section. The album was inspired by a school shooting at Rivera’s alma matter, Michigan State, and the power and emotion of the music is palpable. 7 of the 10 tunes are Rivera originals and his material is strong. The album also features a cover of Herbie Hancock’s The Maze, an Art Hirahara original and a cover of Detroit saxophonist Donald Walden’s Mr. Styx. Styles range from ballads to hard bop to latin sounds paying homage to his Mexican family heritage. This is Rivera’s 9th album (7th for Posi-Tone) and may be his strongest yet. Very highly recommended.
“Rivera continues to impress each time out, yet he remains an underrated artist in the competitive arena of saxophonists. Perhaps his poignant rendering of the title track and this album as a whole will steepen his trajectory.”—Makingascene.org
“West Circle blends resilience, reflection, and raw emotion into a compelling modern jazz journey. This album is not just a tribute—it’s a testament to the healing power of music.”—Highresaudio.com
David Murray Quartet – Birdly Serenade (Impulse! Verve Records, released April 25, digital only (for now)) David Murray tenor saxophone and bass clarinet; Marta Sanchez piano; Luke Stewart bass; Russell Carter drums.
Tenor saxophonist and bass clarinetist David Murray is on something of a creative tear as he celebrates turning 70. For his first recording for Impulse!, Murray went into the fabled Rudy Van Gelder studios to record tunes he had road tested with his excellent new quartet. The inspiration for the recording was studying birds when he accompanied his wife on a retreat in the Adirondacks. He set a couple of his wife’s poems to music and introduces the Cameroonian- American singer Ekep Nwelle. Murray’s quartet is now a well-oiled machine and pianist Sanchez seems a perfect foil to Murray’s powerful playing, whether his signature eruptions or soulful ballads. It is exciting to hear Murray so rejuvenated with this quartet, and hopefully being back on a major label will get him the recognition he so deserves. Highly recommended.
Eric Scott Reed – Out Late (Smoke Sessions Records, releases May 16) Eric Scott Reed – piano; Nicholas Payton – trumpet; Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone; Peter Washington – bass; Joe Farnsworth – drums.
An excellent collection of Reed originals in the straight-ahead post-bop tradition. Reed is a master pianist who leads an invigorating top-shelf session, capturing the late-night vibrations of New York City. Downbeat praises Reed as “one of those tremendously gifted players” while All About Jazz notes that he has “fully established himself at the forefront of jazz pianists.” A child prodigy who honed his craft in his father’s storefront Baptist Church, Reed has been a key figure in jazz for over three decades. Every take on this album is a “First take.” None of it was rehearsed prior to the studio session. This album was recorded ‘old-school’ with everyone in one room, no headphones, no overdubbing. This is a vintage jazz approach, and these are musicians who are like the jazz cats I grew up around. They brought their raw energy, slick talents, and innovative imaginative playing to every track. These talented men took no shortcuts. They didn’t try to gloss over anything to make it sound better or to perfect anything. Just like life, they brought their best and like Eric Reed said, “Just let it flow.” Highly recommended.
Mehmet Ali Sanlikol – 7 Shades of Melancholia (Dünya, released April 25) Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol, piano, Renaissance 17, voice; James Heazlewood-Dale, acoustic bass; George Lernis, drums, gongs; Ingrid Jensen, trumpet.
Blending Turkish musical traditions with jazz, classical, and progressive rock influences, Sanlıkol’s deeply personal compositions in this album reflect his decade-long immersion in Turkish music. His innovative approach shines through his use of the Renaissance 17, a digital microtonal keyboard of his own invention. Inspired by the profound presence of melancholy (“hüzün”) in Turkish culture — from folk songs and poetry to cinema — Sanlıkol crafts a powerful narrative that embraces both sorrow and beauty.
GRAMMY-winning saxophonist-composer Miguel Zenón, who joined Sanlıkol on his 2023 project Turkish Hipster, praised 7 Shades of Melancholia as “a real strong outing by Mehmet and his wonderful ensemble. It features the leader’s conceptual and very personal writing, along with very powerful playing by everyone involved,” he recommended.
Susan Hinkson – Just in Time (Windfall Creations, released 5/9) Susan Hinkson Vocals, Steve Wilson Alto Sax, Bruce Barth piano, Vicente Archer Bass, Adam Cruz Drums
Debut recording on a set of tasteful standards from a singer who made a late career shift from regulatory real estate land use into singing the great American songbook. Her timing and phrasing are top notch and she infuses the material with warmth and emotion. The backup band of NYC pros, especially Barth and Wilson, make this a delightful vocal debut.
Kandace Springs with the Orquestra Clássica de Espinho – Lady in Satin (SRP Records, released May 9)
For her 5th album, Nashville native Kandace Springs revisits Billie Holiday’s 1958 masterpiece, Latin in Satin, joined by a 60 member Portuguese orchestra. Springs’ reverence for Lady Day comes through the lovely recording with new arrangements from 6 different arrangers. The album was recorded in a theater in Portugal and has the immediacy of a live performance. Springs has excellent phrasing, an expressive voice and a keen feel for the music. She breathes new life into what many consider to be Holiday’s last masterpiece.
James Moody – 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note (Origin Records, releases May 16) James Moody – tenor saxophone, flute, voice; David Hazeltine – piano; Todd Coolman – bass; Adam Nussbaum – drums; Jon Faddis – trumpet; Paquito D’Rivera – clarinet, alto saxophone; Slide Hampton – trombone; Randy Brecker – flugelhorn; Cedar Walton – piano; George Wein – MC.
This is a fun release celebrating James Moody when he turned 80 in 2005. Everyone is in a celebratory mood and the energy is contagious. Great playing throughout. So happy they finally released this set.
“It was an unforgettable week of music at the Blue Note in New York City, March 2005, celebrating the legendary saxophonist & flutist James Moody’s 80th birthday. 80 Years Young documents the grand finale of that week, now released for the first time and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The club was buzzing that night with jazz legends, sports figures, TV personalities, and alive with love, joy, and the heartbeat of a community united in reverence for a great American cultural icon. Supporting Moody were Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Paquito D’Rivera, and Slide Hampton, with David Hazeltine and Cedar Walton on piano, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Adam Nussbaum, with a brief introduction by jazz impresario George Wein. Featured in the set was “Moody’s Mood for Love,” over a half-century since it was a major hit for King Pleasure and Moody’s signature tune over the decades. 80 Years Young is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of his music and exudes the deep joyful connection he created with colleagues and audiences throughout his six-decade career.”
From Jazz Weekly: “The first half of the party is all Moody, and it’s a hoot, as he sings and plays through the humorous “Benny’s From Heaven”, vocaleses on ‘Moody’s Mood For Love/The Television Rap” and floats with his flute on the bopper “Cherokee”. With the invited hitting the stage, Faddis and Hampton are in to form on “Birk’s Works”, Walton joins in the jam with Brecker and D’Rivera on “Ow” and the horns are a-plenty on the V8 cruise of “Bebop”. This is why jazz makes you smile.”
Joel Harrison – Guitar Talk Vol 2 Classical Duos (AGS Recordings, released April 18) Joel Harrison, guitar etc; Nels Cline, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Mike Stern, Adam Levy, Anthony Pirog, Brad Shepik guitars.
DC guitarist has released a double cd of new duo guitar recordings. The first disc is classical guitar duos and the second is jazz. Harrison works in a number of styles and he improvises over tunes he’s written. Highlights include a tribute to Dickey Betts with Nels Cline and a song for Carla Bley featuring Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel. Harrison plays numerous axes throughout, including both electric and acoustic 12 string, a vintage Gibson SG, a vintage Telecaster, and his Paul Reed Smith. The effect is an all-encompassing essay of what is possible with electric guitar. Tones, moods, approaches move and morph through this singular collection of empathetic voices.
Billy Mohler – The Eternal (Contagious Music, released March 7, 2025) Billy Mohler – Bass; Jeff Parker – Guitar; Damion Reid – Drums; Devin Daniels – Alto Saxophone.
Bassist Billy Mohler leads a double life as a Grammy nominated producer, composer, and session player for pop artists like Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton and Macy Gray while also leading a free spirited jazz group. The Eternal introduces a new West Coast quartet and features some strong playing throughout.
“Mohler unquestionably knows how to throw down a groove, providing a fertile foundation for his bandmates to explore freely. His approach—firmly rooted in the contemporary post-bop school—frequently arrives with rock-like muscularity. The Eternal, a brew of heady, spirited groovy magnitude and boldly creative hybridity, ensures that no listener remains static.”—Jazztrail
James Davis’ Beveled – Arc and Edge (Calligram Records, Released May 2) JAMES DAVIS Flugelhorn; CHAD McCULLOUGH Flugelhorn; GEOF BRADFIELD Bass Clarinet; MICHAEL SALTER Bass Clarinet; DANIEL THATCHER Double Bass; JUAN PASTOR Drums.
Trumpeter James Davis is an active voice in the Chicago jazz scene, playing with numerous ensembles. For his project Beveled he utilizes an unusual lineup of two flugelhorns, two bass clarinets plus bass and drums. He is gets some really interesting sounds from this ensemble, with an influence from French impressionist composers. “The name ‘Beveled’ is meant to evoke a soundscape that uses softer edges, unexpected angles, and a generally gentler and warmer side of modern creative music,” says Davis. The band formed originally formed in 2013 and has recently reassembled. Davis has a colorful palette to work with and creates some engaging contrasts.
Alyn Cosker – Onta (Calligram Records, released May 2) Alyn Cosker: drums, percussion, vocals, piano; Ewen Vernal: bass; Tom Gibbs: Fender Rhodes; Dan Brown: effects, piano; Davie Dunsmuir: guitar; James Lindsay: bass; Karen Matheson: vocals; Rachel Lightbody: vocals; Chad McCullough: trumpet; Juliette Lemoine: cello; Matthew Kilner: tenor saxophone; Leon Thorne: tenor saxophone; Paul Towndrow: chromatic whistle, koncovka, alto saxophone, flutes; Jenna Reid-Sandilands: fiddle; Miro Herak: vibraphone; Jim Cosker: keyboards.
Scottish drummer Alyn Cosker “deserves the widest of audiences” (-Jazzwise). His new release, ONTA features an international list of diverse musicians woven together to create a powerful musical tapestry in homage to his late mother. A regular on the Scottish jazz scene, he has performed with many artists of both national and international standing. Alyn is the drummer with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and he has a deep love for many other styles of music including, Rock, Funk, R+B and Celtic Folk. For this recording he combines all these influences with a drummer’s sense of drive and rhythm. The album is worth a listen for all the styles and fertile ideas. While it can get a little busy at times, there are some settings and textures that are very fresh.
Louis Stewart – I Thought About You (Livia Records, releases May 29) Louis Stewart, Guitar; John Taylor, piano; Billy Higgins, drums; Sam Jones, bass.
Dublin-based Livia Records reissues Irish guitar master Louis Stewart’s all-star 1977 recording, I Thought About You on 29th May. Long deleted and much sought after in its original vinyl form, I Thought About You features Stewart with the American rhythm section of bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins and leading European pianist John Taylor. The album was recorded when Stewart was working with the house band at Ronnie Scott’s in London along with Taylor while Jones and Higgins appeared at the club with pianist Cedar Walton. For this reissue, the label went back to the original master tapes and shed some overdubs that were on the first record. The remastered version brings the power of the original, long out of print performances back to life. The album includes a selection of standards as well as pieces from Miles, Chick Corea, Sam Jones and more. This great Irish guitarist deserves to be rediscovered.
