New Jazz Releases – 01/19/2026
By Russell Perry
Alexa Tarantino
A lot to like this week. Alexa Tarantino is in a quartet with guest Cécile McLorin Salvant, Michael Dease showcases his MSU trombone students, Swedish bassist Mattias Svensson brings us a powerful trio, saxophonist Kate Olson explores an unusual cordless quartet and guitarist Gil Livni nails the sax – organ – guitar – drums quartet. Satisfying.
Alexa Tarantino – The Roar And The Whisper (Blue Engine Records, release 01/19/2026). Alexa Tarantino – saxophones / flutes, Steven Feifke – piano, Philip Norris – bass, Mark Whitfield, Jr – drums with Cécile McLorin Salvant – vocals, Keita Ogawa – percussion.
Working out on alto, soprano and flute, Alexa Tarantino is a gifted soloist and, as she shows again, a fine bandleader and composer. She wrote seven of the ten selections with the others ably provided by Wayne Shorter, Billy Strayhorn and Cécile McLorin Salvant. Salvant (Mélusine, previewed 04/03/2023) sings on her own composition and also on that of Strayhorn – showing why she is considered among the finest singers that have ever recorded in the jazz world (who else has this kind of range since Sarah Vaughan?). Pianist (and husband) Steven Feifke (The Role of the Rhythm Section, previewed 11/11/2024) once again shows how much he adds to an ensemble. Highly recommended.
Review: Jazz Trail, JazzWise, The Jazz Word
Michael Dease with the MSU Jazz Trombones – Spartan Strong (Origin Records, release 01/16/2026). Daniel Bear, Aidan Clark, Hannah Davies, Judah Guerra, Nanami Haruta, Eli Howell, Drew Kilpela, Andrew Kim, Pablo Muller-Santiago, Dan Parrish, Altin Sencalar, Bridgette Setters, Jack Trathen, Miles Cole, Charles Scanlon, Ken Thompkins – trombones,
Kyle Quick, Gina Benalcázar-López, Wyatt Forhan, Charles Grace Jr., Chris Glassman – bass trombones, Xavier Davis – piano, Jared Beckstead-Craan – bass, Keith Hall – drums with Benny Benack III – vocals, Ethan Frank – piano, Reuben Stump – bass, Randy Gelispie – drums, Brian Allen – drums, Sharel Cassity – alto saxophone.
We certainly know trombonist Michael Dease (Flow, previewed 11/25/2025 & City Life, previewed 06/23/2025) as a great trombonist, gold standard really, but his day gig is on the faculty at Michigan State University. His latest release comes from that portion of his life and features 21 trombonists who are studying or have studied with him. You will perhaps recognize the names Altin Sencalar and Naomi Haruta in the credits as distinguished alumni from the program. Remarkably, the soloing is mostly by the “students,” with Dease taking center stage only twice. In both soloing and ensemble work, the ‘bones are tight and expressive. UVa’s Sharel Cassity, an old friend of Dease’s, makes a powerful guest showing on one track. I went into this thinking it was an interesting, if strange, exercise and came out respecting the amazing music. Highly recommended.
Review: Paris Move, AllAboutJazz
Eddie Allen’s Push – Rhythm People (Origin Records, release 01/16/2026). Eddie Allen – trumpet, Jonathan Beshay – tenor saxophone, Misha Tsiganov – keyboards, Tyler Bullock II – piano, Kenny Davis – acoustic bass, EJ Strickland – drums with Steve Turre – trombone.
With a three-horn front line, trumpeter Eddie Allen explores many strains in this diverse release. The band is completely convincing in bop and hard bop settings and then shows command of orchestral settings and reggae grooves. Lots going on. Veteran trombonist Steve Turre (Sanyas, previewed 06/17/2024) is a solid addition to the band, enriching the ensemble sections and soloing with power.
Review: Paris Move, Bman’s Blues Report
Mattias Svensson – Embrace (Origin Records, release 01/16/2026). Bill Mays – piano, Mattias Svensson – bass, Morton Lund – drums.
The quiet, confident bass of leader Mattias Swensson dominates the lovely experience of listening to this first rate trio session. Veteran pianist Bill Mays (Bud Shank, Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods) at 81 is still as playful and upbeat as we expect from him. Svenssson is a compelling composer, bring us ten of the thirteen selections. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, UK Vibe
Kate Olson – So It Goes (OA2 Records, release 01/16/2026). Connor Eisenmenger – trumpet / trombone / effects, Kate Olson – soprano saxophone / tenor saxophone / effects, Tim Carey – electric bass / electric guitar, Evan Woodle – drum set / percussion with Wayne Horvitz – piano, Geoff Harper – double bass.
Seattle saxophonist Kate Olson has delivered a beautiful debut record. Much of the record is in an unusual cordless trombone – soprano – bass – drums quartet. While most of the record tilts to angular compositions, there are occasional gospel influences as well. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, Seattle Times
Gil Livni – All In (OA2 Records, release 01/16/2026). Amit Freidman – saxophone, Yohatan Riklis – organ, Gil Livni – guitar, Yohatan Rosem – drums.
Of the new release from Israeli guitarist Gil Livni, Mike Gates at UK Vibe says it perfectly, “There’s something reassuringly direct about All In, an album that wears its influences proudly and never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a solid, groove-led jazz organ quartet date with strong playing and an easy sense of swing.” Be sure to check out the remarkable cover of Lennon – McCartney’s I Want You (She’s So Heavy). Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, UK Vibe
Vance Thompson – Lost And Found (Moondo Records, release 01/16/2026). Taber Gable – piano, Vance Thompson – vibraphone, Steve Kovalcheck – guitar, Tommy Sauter – bass, Marcus Finnie – drums.
Long a trumpet player, Nashville composer makes his debut on vibraphone on this swinging and gentle set of six originals plus covers of Chick Corea, Donald Brown and Harold Arlen.
Peter Furlan Project – Live at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar (Self Produced, release 11/09/2025). Vinnie Cutro – trumpet / flugelhorn, Erick Storckman – trombone, Peter Furlan – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Andrew Beals – alto saxophone, Brad Hubbard – baritone saxophone / bass clarinet, Neil ”Nail” Alexander – piano, Joel Newton – guitar, Charlie Dougherty – bass, Nadav Snir-Zelniker – drums.
Upstate New York-based saxophonist Peter Furlan has assembled a nonet with a five-horn front line for this live set of original compositions. The arrangements feature the deep horn line-up in some solid hard bop.
I hope you enjoy this new music.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
TEST New Jazz Releases – 01/19/2026 TEST
By Lewis Reining
Alexa Tarantino
A lot to like this week. Alexa Tarantino is in a quartet with guest Cécile McLorin Salvant, Michael Dease showcases his MSU trombone students, Swedish bassist Mattias Svensson brings us a powerful trio, saxophonist Kate Olson explores an unusual cordless quartet and guitarist Gil Livni nails the sax – organ – guitar – drums quartet. Satisfying.
Alexa Tarantino – The Roar And The Whisper (Blue Engine Records, release 01/19/2026). Alexa Tarantino – saxophones / flutes, Steven Feifke – piano, Philip Norris – bass, Mark Whitfield, Jr – drums with Cécile McLorin Salvant – vocals, Keita Ogawa – percussion.
Working out on alto, soprano and flute, Alexa Tarantino is a gifted soloist and, as she shows again, a fine bandleader and composer. She wrote seven of the ten selections with the others ably provided by Wayne Shorter, Billy Strayhorn and Cécile McLorin Salvant. Salvant (Mélusine, previewed 04/03/2023) sings on her own composition and also on that of Strayhorn – showing why she is considered among the finest singers that have ever recorded in the jazz world (who else has this kind of range since Sarah Vaughan?). Pianist (and husband) Steven Feifke (The Role of the Rhythm Section, previewed 11/11/2024) once again shows how much he adds to an ensemble. Highly recommended.
Review: Jazz Trail, JazzWise, The Jazz Word
Michael Dease with the MSU Jazz Trombones – Spartan Strong (Origin Records, release 01/16/2026). Daniel Bear, Aidan Clark, Hannah Davies, Judah Guerra, Nanami Haruta, Eli Howell, Drew Kilpela, Andrew Kim, Pablo Muller-Santiago, Dan Parrish, Altin Sencalar, Bridgette Setters, Jack Trathen, Miles Cole, Charles Scanlon, Ken Thompkins – trombones,
Kyle Quick, Gina Benalcázar-López, Wyatt Forhan, Charles Grace Jr., Chris Glassman – bass trombones, Xavier Davis – piano, Jared Beckstead-Craan – bass, Keith Hall – drums with Benny Benack III – vocals, Ethan Frank – piano, Reuben Stump – bass, Randy Gelispie – drums, Brian Allen – drums, Sharel Cassity – alto saxophone.
We certainly know trombonist Michael Dease (Flow, previewed 11/25/2025 & City Life, previewed 06/23/2025) as a great trombonist, gold standard really, but his day gig is on the faculty at Michigan State University. His latest release comes from that portion of his life and features 21 trombonists who are studying or have studied with him. You will perhaps recognize the names Altin Sencalar and Naomi Haruta in the credits as distinguished alumni from the program. Remarkably, the soloing is mostly by the “students,” with Dease taking center stage only twice. In both soloing and ensemble work, the ‘bones are tight and expressive. UVa’s Sharel Cassity, an old friend of Dease’s, makes a powerful guest showing on one track. I went into this thinking it was an interesting, if strange, exercise and came out respecting the amazing music. Highly recommended.
Review: Paris Move, AllAboutJazz
Eddie Allen’s Push – Rhythm People (Origin Records, release 01/16/2026). Eddie Allen – trumpet, Jonathan Beshay – tenor saxophone, Misha Tsiganov – keyboards, Tyler Bullock II – piano, Kenny Davis – acoustic bass, EJ Strickland – drums with Steve Turre – trombone.
With a three-horn front line, trumpeter Eddie Allen explores many strains in this diverse release. The band is completely convincing in bop and hard bop settings and then shows command of orchestral settings and reggae grooves. Lots going on. Veteran trombonist Steve Turre (Sanyas, previewed 06/17/2024) is a solid addition to the band, enriching the ensemble sections and soloing with power.
Review: Paris Move, Bman’s Blues Report
Mattias Svensson – Embrace (Origin Records, release 01/16/2026). Bill Mays – piano, Mattias Svensson – bass, Morton Lund – drums.
The quiet, confident bass of leader Mattias Swensson dominates the lovely experience of listening to this first rate trio session. Veteran pianist Bill Mays (Bud Shank, Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods) at 81 is still as playful and upbeat as we expect from him. Svenssson is a compelling composer, bring us ten of the thirteen selections. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, UK Vibe
Kate Olson – So It Goes (OA2 Records, release 01/16/2026). Connor Eisenmenger – trumpet / trombone / effects, Kate Olson – soprano saxophone / tenor saxophone / effects, Tim Carey – electric bass / electric guitar, Evan Woodle – drum set / percussion with Wayne Horvitz – piano, Geoff Harper – double bass.
Seattle saxophonist Kate Olson has delivered a beautiful debut record. Much of the record is in an unusual cordless trombone – soprano – bass – drums quartet. While most of the record tilts to angular compositions, there are occasional gospel influences as well. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, Seattle Times
Gil Livni – All In (OA2 Records, release 01/16/2026). Amit Freidman – saxophone, Yohatan Riklis – organ, Gil Livni – guitar, Yohatan Rosem – drums.
Of the new release from Israeli guitarist Gil Livni, Mike Gates at UK Vibe says it perfectly, “There’s something reassuringly direct about All In, an album that wears its influences proudly and never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a solid, groove-led jazz organ quartet date with strong playing and an easy sense of swing.” Be sure to check out the remarkable cover of Lennon – McCartney’s I Want You (She’s So Heavy). Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, UK Vibe
Vance Thompson – Lost And Found (Moondo Records, release 01/16/2026). Taber Gable – piano, Vance Thompson – vibraphone, Steve Kovalcheck – guitar, Tommy Sauter – bass, Marcus Finnie – drums.
Long a trumpet player, Nashville composer makes his debut on vibraphone on this swinging and gentle set of six originals plus covers of Chick Corea, Donald Brown and Harold Arlen.
Peter Furlan Project – Live at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar (Self Produced, release 11/09/2025). Vinnie Cutro – trumpet / flugelhorn, Erick Storckman – trombone, Peter Furlan – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Andrew Beals – alto saxophone, Brad Hubbard – baritone saxophone / bass clarinet, Neil ”Nail” Alexander – piano, Joel Newton – guitar, Charlie Dougherty – bass, Nadav Snir-Zelniker – drums.
Upstate New York-based saxophonist Peter Furlan has assembled a nonet with a five-horn front line for this live set of original compositions. The arrangements feature the deep horn line-up in some solid hard bop.
I hope you enjoy this new music.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
