New Jazz Adds – 2/19/2019
New Jazz Adds – 2/19/2019
Eddie Arjun – Transition (Pheromone): Guitarist/composer Eddie Arjun has been on the scene 2003 with his trio “Arjun” releasing three well-respected jazz-rock sets. He has received a great deal of praise for his style and inventiveness. This new disc is listed under his full name and continues is relationship with Andre Lyles (bass), while bringing in Michael Vetter on drums. Arjun composed all selections on this disc. Often jazz rock sets give way to one style or the other. This disc, however, has strong relations to both even when emphasizing one over the other. Anyone with even the slightest interest in this style should check this out. Click here to listen to the opening song on this disc.
Kait Dunton – Planet D’earth (Self-produced): Composer/pianist Kait Dunton has released a stunning disc that features seven original pieces and three by John D’earth who also adds his trumpet and flugelhorn to the disc. Other players are Dane Alderson (bass), and Jake Reed (drums) and with Bob Mintzer adding tenor sax on three. The music here is absolutely as intriguing as it is beautiful. Dunton states that her compositions were specifically written with D’earth in mind. There are also a few additions along the way, including Andrew Synnowiec (guitar on two songs), Carey Frank added B3 on one song and Kait Dunton added Fender Rhodes on one song. The players lock in rhythmically and melodically with an energy and beauty many aggregations never reach. It’s a celebration throughout. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
Ken Fowser – Right On Time (Posi-Tone): Tenor sax player and composer Ken Fowser has been based in NYC since 2005 and has gained considerable praise from listeners and fellow musicians during his time there. To date, he has co-released four discs with vibraphonist Behn Gillece with this release being his third as the sole leader of these sets. He composed all of the songs on this release and is supported by Joe Magnarelli (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), Ed Cherry (guitar), Brian Charette (organ) and Willie Jones III (drums). The focus is straight ahead harmony with more subtle points of focus, making his music appealing to a large range of jazz fans. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Dave Meder – Passage (Outside In): Pianist/composer Dave Meder offers this release as “a window into my own progression as an artist and a person. It captures those thematic moments of my life and all of the ‘passages’ in-between. It lives somewhere between all of my influences: the spirit of African-American church hymns, the two-handed counterpoint of Bach and its expression in modern jazz piano, the unabashed counterpoint of Thelonious Monk…I hope you enjoy this offering…in your own mind those central moments and transitions found in your own life journey.” (Liner notes) Meder is accompanied by Kush Abadey (drums) and Tamir Shmerling (bass) with special guests Chris Potter (tenor sax), Miguel Zenon (alto sax) and Marty Jaffe (bass). In addition to his own compositions, Meder includes “Work” (Thelonious Monk), “The Old Rugged Cross” (George Bernnard) and “For You, For Me, For Evermore” (George and Ira Gershwin). Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom – Glitter Wolf (Royal Potato Family): Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom offers their fourth release. Composer / director Miller (drums/vibes/celeste) co-wrote the final song, “Valley Of The Giants”, with Jazz Study, the lead ensemble of the Thailand Jazz Workshop, while the rest are her own. The other members of Boom Tic Boom are Myra Melford (piano, harmonium), Jenny Scheinman (violin), Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Ben Goldberg (clarinet, contra alto clarinet) and Todd Sickafoose (bass). Special guest percussionists John Santos, David Flores, and John Hatfield join the group on one piece each. The disc is delightfully inventive and inviting. If you missed their live performance here several months ago, this is a wonderful introduction to the group! Click here for an introduction to the group and this disc.
Tony Monaco – The Definition Of Insanity (Chicken Coup): Organist/singer/pianist/accordionist Tony Monaco offers his 9th release, featuring one original and a wide range of covers from Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith, Floyd Cramer and Antonio Carlos Jobim to some Italian songs and covers of The Dead’s “Truckin’” and Leon Russell’s “A Song For You”. He is supported by Derek DiCenzo (guitar), Tony McClung (drums) and guest Asako Monaco (piano on one song). Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
