New Jazz Releases – 02/16/2026
By Russell Perry
Melissa Aldana
Not a huge week for jazz releases, but a couple jumped out at me – vocalist Kurt Elling with the great German WDR big Band and a sweet quartet ballad set from Melissa Aldana.
Shawn Lovato – Biotic (Endectomorph Music, release 02/13/2026). Ingrid Laubrock – tenor saxophone, Shawn Lovato – bass, Henry Mermer – drums.
From the avant-garde edge of the jazz spectrum comes a new disc from bassist Shawn Lovato (new to me but with several discs under his belt). Over seven original compositions, Lovato shows a preference for complex musical structures, while providing structure for inventive improvisation from saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock (Purposing The Air, previewed 04/04/2025).
Review: Paris Move
Melissa Aldana – Filin (Blue Note, release 02/13/2026). Melissa Aldana – tenor saxophone, Gonzalo Rubalcabo – piano, Peter Washington – bass, Kush Abadey – drums with Cécile McLorin Salvant – vocals.
Inspired by her bandmate and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcabo, saxophonist Melissa Aldana has recorded a set of filin songs – per Aldana “a gorgeous yet still-unheralded tradition of richly arranged romantic song that thrived between the late 1940s and early 1960s.” These ballads provide a rich tapestry into which the tenorist weaves her sensuous magic. On two selections, Cécile McLorin Salvant sings with simmering romantic passion. While Coltrane’s great Ballads set is an obvious point of reference, I hear the magisterial voice of Charles Lloyd reflected in Aldana’s expressiveness and power at low volumes. Highly recommended.
Kurt Elling & The WDR Big Band – In The Brass Palace (Big Shoulders Records, release 02/13/2026). Wim Both, Rob Bruynen, Andy Haderer, Ruud Breuls, Carlo Nardozza – trumpets, Jonathan Böbel, Raphael Klemm, Andy Hunter, Mattis Cederberg – trombones, Johan Hörlén, Karolina Strassmayer, Ben Fitzpatrick, Paul Heller, Jens Neufang – woodwinds / saxophones, Billy Test – piano, John Goldsby – bass, Hans Dekker – drums, Kurt Elling – vocals, Bob Mintzer – saxophone / conductor.
Although no stranger to performing in a big band setting, this is the first large ensemble set released by vocalist Kurt Elling. Once or twice a year, the WDR Big Band of Cologne public broadcaster Westdeutscher Rundfunk releases a disc with a prominent jazz artist (3 Cohens with WDR – Interaction, previewed 01/12/2026). WDR has been lead by saxophonist Bob Mintzer since 2016 and it continues to be a swinging and professional organization. Elling struts and glides in the comfortable embrace of a first rate band. Recommended.
NOLA Resistance Quintet – Morpheus (Po’ Boy Records, release 02/09/2025). Andrew Baham – trumpet, Roderick Paulin – saxophone, Darrell Lavigne – piano, Chris Severin – bass, Herlin Riley- drums with Terrance Taplin – trombone, Alexy Marti – percussion, Phillip Manuel – vocals, Branford Marsalis – saxophone, Quiana Lynell – vocals, Aaron Narcisse – saxophone, Gralen Banks – spoken word.
Four journeymen jazz and funk musicians – veterans of Delfeayo Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, and The Headhunters – team with drummer Herlin Riley (Perpetual Optimism, 2019) to tackle four originals and covers of Mose Allison’s Everybody’s Crying Mercy and Twisted from Wardell Gray & Annie Ross (only credited to Ross). Branford Marsalis guests on one of the originals, the title tune Morpheus.
Charlie Apicella & Iron City – Live In NYC (Zoho, release 02/06/2026). Brad Whitely – organ, Charlie Apicella – guitar, Austin Walker – drums, Juma Sultan – congas.
New Jersey guitarist Charlie Apicella (Charlie Apicella & Iron City Meet The Griots Speak – Call To Action / Call to Prayer, previewed 05/22/2023) pays homage to several of his influences – BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana – in this guitar – organ – drums – percussion quartet that never strays too far from the blues.
Review: Paris Move
Pat Bianchi – Confluence (21H Records, release 02/06/2026). Troy Roberts – saxophone, Pat Bianchi – organ / keyboards, Colin Stranahan – drums.
Organist Pat Bianchi (Three, previewed 12/16/2025) brings his sax – organ – drums trio back for another soulful recording. Saxophonist Troy Roberts (Green Lights, previewed 05/06/2024) brings an extra reach to the format, expanding beyond typical soul jazz organ trio fare.
Review: Jazz Views, Jazz Fuel, Jazz Weekly
I hope something here is of interest.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
