New Jazz Releases – 02/23/2026
By Russell Perry
Ben Rosenblum
After a couple of weeks uncharacteristically under snow, Central Virginia has returned to normal and the new Jazz is flooding in. Of particular note this week are pianist Ben Rosenblum’srelease with his Nebula Project, bassist Corcoran Holt’s very personal quintet date and, Bob Reynolds’squartet tribute to fellow-tenorist Eddie Harris.
Dave Holland – Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler) (Edition Records, release 02/20/2026). Mark Lockheart – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Nikki Iles – piano, John Parricelli – guitar, Dave Holland – bass, James Maddren – drums, Norma Winstone – voice.
Legendary bassist Dave Holland and UK vocalist Norma Winstone have tackled a set of the final compositions of trumpeter Kenny Wheeler (1930 – 2014). The ensemble is a tenor quartet with Winstone’s vocals plus a vocal choir. Mark Lockheart (Smiling, previewed 03/18/2024) is a standout on tenor. Winstone has written some of the lyrics and others are poems by Stevie Smith, Lewis Carroll and William Blake for which Wheeler composed musical settings. While I respect the effort, the 25-voice choir did not resonate with me. Perhaps it is your thing. Give it a listen.
Brandon Seabrook – Hellbent Daydream (Pyroclastic Records, release 02/20/2026). Elias Stemeseder – piano / synthesizers, Brandon Seabrook – guitars / banjo, Erica Dicker – violin, Henry Fraser – bass.
Once again, guitar / banjo player Brandon Seabrook (Object of Unknown Function, previewed 10/21/2024) comes out armed with angst and agitation. While the instrumentation is unconventional, but not that unusual – keyboards / banjo / violin / bass – something in the way these are played gives the sense of a toy orchestra at work. This is unconventional and challenging music which, despite the instrumentation, makes only oblique reference to American roots music.
Review: Post Genre, Jazz Trail, Jazz Views
Ben Rosenblum’s Nebula Project – The Longest Way Round (One Trick Dog Records, release 02/20/2026). Wayne Tucker – trumpet / flugelhorn, Jasper Dutz – soprano saxophone / alto saxophone, clarinet / bass clarinet / flute, Ben Rosenblum – piano / accordion, Rafael Rosa – guitar, Marty Jaffe – bass, Ben Zweig – drums / percussion with Gustavo Di Dalva – percussion, Brad Duty – percussion.
In his third release with The Nebula Project, pianist / accordionist Ben Rosenblum touches on Irish, West African, Caribbean and straight ahead vibes with his sextet, reduced from a septet last time around (A Thousand Pebbles, previewed 02/13/2023). With multi-reedist Jasper Dutz (Ever After, previewed 06/17/2024) switching among five instruments and the leader moving from piano to accordion, a wide range of instrumentation enriches the offering. The set of eleven originals in well-composed and well-played. Highly recommended.
Review: Making A Scene, Jazz Views
Nicole McCabe – Color Theory (Self Produced, release 02/20/2026). Nicole McCabe – alto saxophone, Yvonne Rogers – piano / synthesizer, Kanoa Mendenhall – bass, Eliza Salem – drums with Adam O’Farrill – trumpet, Maya Paredes – cello, Christie Dashiell – vocals, Justin Brown – drums.
LA-based alto saxophonist Nicole McCabe has released her sixth disc, a spirited affair with significant contributions on four tracks from trumpeter Adam O’Farrill and wordless vocals on one from Christie Dashiell.
Review: The Old Grey Cat, The Vinyl District
Corcoran Holt – Freedom of Art (Hothouse Music, release 02/20/2026). Josh Evans – trumpet, Stacy Dillard – tenor saxophone, Benito Gonzalez – piano, Corcoran Holt – bass / keyboards / vocals, Kweku Sumbry – drums / djembe with Lewis Nash – drums, Kathy English Holt – vocals, Raven G Holt – vocals, Art Mekhi Holt – vocals, Seth Finch – keyboards, Thomas Glass – drums, Sharp Radway – vocals.
Bassist Corcoran Holt (Kenny Garrett, Benjamin Boone, Theodross Avery) has recorded a set of nine original compositions with a trumpet – tenor quintet that features Stacy Dillard (Brandon Sanders, Cyrus Chestnut, Moppa Elliott) on sax and Josh Evans (Christian McBride, Lakecia Benjamin) on trumpet. The bass-forward quintet also tackles covers by Milt Jackson and Kenny Garrett. Interspaced through the music are the voices of members of Holt’s family (charming) and Benny Golson (surprising). Fellow Garrett alumnus and pianist Benito Gonzales ties everything together with characteristic swing. Recommended.
Baron Von FrankenPaul – Mirror Image (Self Produced, release 02/17/2025). Baron Raymonde – soprano saxophone / tenor saxophone, Frank Osgood – guitar, Paul ILL – bass with Jeremy Colson – drums, Steve Ferrone – drums, Riccardo Belletta – drums, James Gadson – drums, Dan Potruch – drums, Andrea Whitt – pedal steel guitar, Greg McMullen – pedal steel guitar, Wally Ingram – percussion, Richie Gadget Garcia – percussion, Victoria Berdy – percussion, Matt Abts – percussion, Olivia Morreale – vocals, Chris Wonsor – background vocals.
The principal trio of Baron Raymonde on saxophone, Frank Osgood on guitar, and Paul ILL on bass has deep rock, pop and blues roots and they have invited guests from similar orbits for a backbeat-heavy instrumental set – spacey, head-banging, shredding, thunderous.
Review: Jazz Weekly
Bob Reynolds – Eddie Told Me So(Nosahu Records, release 02/13/2026). Bob Reynolds – tenor saxophone, Andrew Renfroe – guitar, Mike Gurrola – bass, Charles Ruggiero – drums.
Saxophonist Bob Reynolds has taken a deep dive into the work of fellow tenorist Eddie Harris (1934 – 1996). The new quartet date is infused with the spirit of Harris even while it doesn’t attempt to replicate the historic repertoire. Expect soulful grooves, mid-tempo rhythms and a splash of funk. Fun and recommended.
Review: Papadamus
Darren Litzie – On My Own Time(Summit Records, release 02/06/2026). Darren Litzie – piano, Chris DeAngelis – bass, John Riley – drums.
Connecticut-based pianist Darren Litzie brings a trio to this sophomore set of nine originals and three covers (including Time Of The Season!). Lightly swinging.
Review: JW Vibe, Jazz Views
Mitch Dalton – Out of The Shadows (Regius, release 12/12/2025). David Arch – piano / keyboards, Mitch Dalton – guitars, Steve Pearce – bass, Tim Goodyear – drums with Bill Sharpe – piano, Edwin Bonilla – percussion, Sammy Mayne – alto saxophone, Jazz Morley – vocals, The SWR Big Band, the SWR Strings.
Veteran UK studio guitarist Mitch Dalton has teamed with a top London rhythm section and the German SWR Big Band for a varied program of pop, latin, funk, bebop and blues – four selections from the leader.
Review: Jazz Journal, Scope Magazine
Noah Peterson Soultet – The Real Deal (Self Produced, release 11/24/2025). Josh Peterson – trumpet, Ryan Espita – trombone, Noah Peterson – alto saxophone, Steve Mohacey – tenor saxophone, Ricky Hernandez – organ, Damian Rodriguez – bass, Mike Gomez – drums.
San Antonio tenor Noah Peterson has brought us an old-school soul jazz set anchored by the tenor – organ dialog with more than its share of funk and bits of NOLA rhythm section.
Review: Secret Eclectic, Indie Boulevard, Tunite Music
The Dana Legg Stage Band – Scoopin’ The Loop (Summit Records, release 10/24/2025). Michael Stewart, Randy Karon, Terry Guynes, Ivo Braun, Kenny Dixon – trumpets, Dana Legg, Russ Phillips, Tim Coffman, Dana Solt, Brad Payne – trombone, Jeff Ford, John Springbrunn – alto saxophone, Jim Johnson, Mike Knauf, Michael Bazan – tenor saxophone, Barry Winograd – baritone saxophone, Colin Drozdoff – piano, Chris Siebold – guitar, Mark Sorlie – bass, Frank Alongi – drums, Debbie Katz-Knowles – percussion, Jen Zias – vocals.
Trombonist / band leader Dana Legg has released a playful big band recording of mostly 60s / 70s pop tunes.
Maybe that will hold you for a week.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
