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April Varner

A slew of worthwhile releases this week from composer Javier Nero and his Jazz Orchestra, composer Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing, veteran bassist Harvey S, four terrific singers Kate McGarry / Lois Deloatch / Nneena Freelon / Lenora Zenzalai Helm, brave young singer April Varner, hard-bopper Arvind Ramdas, trumpet phenom Adam O’Farrill, and composer Naoya Ogura with his big band.

Michael Moody – The Ecstasy Of Love (Self Produced, release 03/20/2026).  Paul Bollenback – guitar, Neal “Sugar” Caine – bass, Michael Moody – vocals.

Vocalist Michael Moody brings an elastic approach to melody to a set of standards with a lean drummer-less guitar and bass accompaniment.  Paul Bollenbach (Art Hirahara, Brian Ho, Something else!) is masterful on guitar.

Review: AllAboutJazz, Paris Move

Brian Landrus – Just When You Think You Know (Blue Land / Palmetto Records, release 03/20/2026). Brian Landrus – baritone saxophone / tenor saxophone / bass clarinet / flute / alto flute / bass flute, Zaccai Curtis – piano / Rhodes, Dave Stryker – acoustic guitar / electric guitar, Lonnie Plaxico – acoustic bass / electric bass, Rudy Royston – drums / percussion.

Low-end reed specialist Brian Landrus has made a reputation with his interpretations of the Ellington – Strayhorn catalog and with scorching hard bop.  In a departure, he has recorded this set with the shimmering electric piano of Zaccai Curtis (Cubop Lives, previewed 05/27/2026) and the electric guitar of Dave Stryker (Blue Fire, previewed 01/12/2026).  With Lonnie Plaxico on bass and the omni-present Rudy Royston on drums, this is a highly credentialed ensemble but the results of the collaboration fall a little short to my ears.

Review: Jazz Views, Papadamus Redux

Michael Formanek – New Digs(Intakt Records, release 03/20/2026).  João Almeida – trumpet, John O’Gallagher – alto saxophone, Chet Doxas – tenor saxophone / clarinet, Alexander Hawkins – Hammond B3, Mary Halvorson – guitar, Michael Formanek – double bass, Tomas Fujiwara – drums.

To his bandmates in Thumbscrew (Mary Halvorson – guitar, Tomas Fujiwara – drums) bassist Michael Formanek has added Alexander Hawkins on B3 and three horn players for a septet.  The result is one of the more accessible releases from the leader, but not without edge and occasional discord.

Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra – Alkebulan (Outside In Music, release 03/20/2026).  Josh Kauffman, Chris Burbank, Graham Breedlove, Ken McGee, Noah Hocker, Alec Aldred – trumpets / flugelhorns, Javier Nero, Luke Brimhall, Aaron Eckert, Jake Craft – trombones, Daniel Andrews, Daniel Dickinson, Xavier Perez, Clay Pritchard, Lucas Pino, Dustin Mollick – woodwinds, James Collins, Alex Brown – piano, Kyle Athayde – vibraphone, Adam Moezinia, Michael Kramer – guitars, Regan Brough – bass, Kyle Swan – drums, Murph Aucamp, Fran Vielma – percussion, Danielle Wertz, Javier Nero – voice with Randy Brecker, Sean Jones – trumpet / flugelhorn,  Warren Wolf – vibraphone, Veronica Swift, Nicole Zuraitis – vocals, Shawn Purcell – guitar, Nate Skinner – mallet station.  

Expanding on his big band debut (Kemet, previewed 06/12/2023), trombonist Javier Nero brings us seven new compositions plus two covers (Veronica Swift on Softly As In A Morning Sunrise).  Once again Nero is writing a paean to ancient African civilizations.  Plenty of guests spice up the proceedings – Randy Brecker, Sean Jones, Warren Wolf, Nicole Zuraitis in addition to Swift.  The composing is rich in variation and color; and the playing lives up to the material.  Highly recommended.

Review: AllAboutJazz, Paris Move, Making A Scene

Noa Levy & The Paul Edis Trio – Portrait In Evans (Dot time Records, release 03/20/2026).  Alan Barnes – alto saxophone / clarinet / bass clarinet, Paul Edis – piano, Adam King – bass, Joel Barford – drums, Noa Levy – vocals.

Vocalist Noa Levy accompanied by reeds and a piano trio has performed vocal versions of ten compositions of Bill Evans.  An interesting idea, but I personally found the vocals distracting from the beauty of the compositions – but that’s probably just me.

Review: Paris Move

Owen Chen & Eternal Wind – The Ghibli Collection (OA2 Records, release 03/20/2026).  Owen Chen – electric guitar, Andrew Cheng – electric guitar / acoustic nylon string guitar / acoustic steel string guitar, Carlin Lee – piano, Sean Hannon – upright bass, Anton Kot – drums with Cy Leo – harmonica, Cole Palensky – tenor saxophone.

Guitarist Owen Chen has teamed with Andrew Cheng to form a two-guitar led quintet, interpreting music from the film scores of Joe Hisaishi featured in the Japanese animated films from Studio Ghibli.  There is occasional support from saxophone and harmonica (sounding accordion-ish), but mostly you’ll come for the terrific guitar work.

Review: Paris Move

Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing – Manifestations Of A Diasporic Groove & Spirit (Original Records, release 03/20/2026).  Steve Wilson – alto saxophone/ soprano saxophone / flute, Pete McCann – electric guitar / acoustic guitar, Simona Premazzi – piano, John Hébert – double bass, Rudy Royston – drums, Aimée Allen – vocals, Anthony Branker – composer.

Composer Anthony Branker has, in several releases (e.g. What Place Can Be For Us – 2023) expressed his outrage at the systemic racism that has metastasized in America.  The liner notes carefully outline the disgraceful episodes in American history that he explores musically in this, his latest suite.  The music is compelling, moving, well-composed and well-played by a first-rate sextet, anchored by multi-reedit Steve Wilson (Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Rin Sen Collective, Christian McBride Big Band), guitarist Pete McCann (Without Question, previewed 07/24/2023) and pianist Simona Premazzi (From What I Recall,  previewed 05/20/2025).  Recommended.

Review: AllAboutJazz, Paris Move, Jazz Blues EU

Harvie S – Bright Dawn (Origin Records, release 03/20/2026).  Miki Hayama – piano / Fender Rhodes, Peter Bernstein – guitar, Harvie S – bass, Matt Wilson – drums.

Masterful veteran bassist Harvie S, né Swartz, (Alan Broadbent, Cliff Korman, Paul Carlson, Jerry Bergonzi) appears on a lot of records, but this release has a more personal feel.  He relies on his arco chops perhaps more here than usual and the results are lovely.  Pianist Miki Hayama (The Sistering, below), guitarist Peter Bernstein (MTB – Solid Jackson, previewed 12/24/2024) and drummer Matt Wilson (Good Trouble, previewed 06/03/2024) complete a very satisfying quartet.  Recommended.

Review: Paris Move

Kate McGarry / Lois Deloatch / Nneena Freelon / Lenora Zenzalai Helm – The Sistering (Zenzalai Music, release 03/20/2026).  Miki Hayama – piano / organ, Keith Ganz – guitar, John Brown – bass, Kobie Watkins – drums / percussion, Kate McGarry – vocals, Lois Deloatch – vocals, Nneena Freelon -vocals, Lenora Zenzalai Helm – vocals with Paul Creel – bass, Robin Trowers – trombone, Shaena Ryan – baritone saxophone, Lynn Grissett – trumpet, Dexter Moses – alto saxophone.

Four terrific singers – Kate McGarry (What To Wear In The Dark, 2021) / Lois Dloatch (Love Always, previewed 02/19/2024) / Nnenna Freelon (Beneath The Skin, previewed 04/07/2025) / Lenora Zenzalai Helm – join forces for a set of original compositions (plus It Had To Be You by Gus Kahn and Isham Jones).  Each singer leads two of the tracks and the quartet collaborates on four.  There is deep synergy among the leaders and the ensemble is well anchored by Miki Hayama (Sharel Cassity, Don Braden, Nnenna Freelon) on piano and the wonderful Keith Ganz (co-leader on many releases from Kate McGarry – they are married) on guitar.  FYI, McGarry and Ganz have been in Charlottesville a couple of times over the years, most recently Ganz was here with Jenny Scheinman. Recommended.

April Varner – Ella (Cellar Music, release 03/20/2026).  Brian Lynch – trumpet, Nathaniel Williford – trumpet, Michael Cruse – trumpet, Jeffrey Miller – trombone, Jacob Melsha – trombone, Cleave Guyton – saxophone, Mark Gross – saxophone, Emmet Cohen – piano, William Hill III – piano, Yasushi Nakamura – bass, Ulysses Owens Jr – drums, April Varner – vocals.

Just as it is hard to imagine saxophone players who have not been influenced by Bird and Trane, Ella Fitzgerald changed jazz singing during her long and productive career.  Is there a woman singer who left behind more wonderful recordings than Ella?  Now April Varner (April, previewed 07/08/2024) has selected ten tunes from the repertoire of the First Lady of Song and rendered seven with a piano – bass – drums rhythm section.  The remaining three selections add seven brass and reeds in a powerful front line arranged by trumpeter Brian Lynch (7X7X7, previewed 11/11/2024).  Varner presents the music in three of Ella’s favorite formats – with Emmet Cohen on solo piano, piano trio, and big band, wisely eschewing the string orchestra that dominates Ella’s Songbook sessions. For her third release, this young singer has bravely tackled one of the great reps in jazz and has done so with flair and chops.  Highly recommended.

Review: Making A Scene, UK Jazz News

Adam O’Farrill – Elephant (Out Of Your Head Records, release 03/20/2026).  Adam O’Farrill – trumpet / electronics / Fender Rhodes, Yvonne Rogers – piano / synthesizer, Walter Stinson – double bass, Russell Holzman – drums.

Coming from a statuesque jazz lineage (grandfather Chico O’Farrill, father Arturo O’Farrill), trumpeter Adam O’Farrill got an early start in the music and at 31 is a very mature voice.  For the first time, he is releasing a record that has him as the sole front-line voice in a quartet (trumpet – piano – bass – drums).  His bandmates are a collection of similarly-young New York players.  This may be the Adam O’Farrill record I have been waiting for – lyrical, accessible, acoustic jazz.  Recommended.

Review: Something Else Reviews

Elan Mehler – Renee Said (Newvelle Records, release 03/17/2026).  Loren Stillman – alto saxophone, Scott Robinson – tenor saxophone, Elan Mehler – piano, Ben Monder – guitar, Tony Scherr – bass, Francisco Mela – drums, Matt Wilson – drums.

Pianist and Newvelle Records founder Elan Mehler brings us a release of a suite of new compositions (plus covers of Paul Motian, Frank Kimbrough and Billy Strayhorn) with a two-saxophone front line and a five-player rhythm section.  In addition to the leader, the deep rhythm section features the remarkable Ben Monder on guitar (The Bad Plus, Theo Bleckmann, Donny McCaslin) who is often placed in unison with one of the horns, Tony Scherr on bass (Jenny Scheinman, Bill Frisell) and both Francisco Mela (Nduduzo Makhathini, Santi Debriano) and Matt Wilson (Good Trouble, previewed 06/03/2024) on drums. 

Bernie Senensky – Duos (Cellar Music, release 03/13/2026). Bernie Senensky – piano with Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone, PJ Perry – alto saxophone, Campbell Ryga – alto saxophone, Vincent Herring – alto saxophone, Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone, Ryan Oliver – tenor saxophone, Kirk MacDonald – tenor saxophone, Pat Labarbera – tenor saxophone.

Toronto-based pianist Bernie Senensky has recorded ten duets with saxophone players, six Canadian and two from our side of the 49th parallel – Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring.  Senensky is steeped in bebop and this defines the session which includes seven originals and four covers.

Review: Jazz Weekly, Papatamus Redux

Champian Fulton – Flying High: Still Soaring (Songbook Ink, release 03/12/2026).  Champian Fulton – piano, Buster Williams – bass, Neal Miner – bass, Charles Ruggiero – drums, Fukushi Tainaka – drums with Klas Lindquist – alto saxophone / clarinet.

Pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton has reprised her pre-bop homage to women singers in the Swing Era (and before) following her 2025 release Flying High (previewed 07/22/2024).  While the subject of the tribute is big band singers, the new disc in mostly trios and the occasional quartet accompanying the singers.

George “Jerry” Gilliam – It’s Playtime Jerry (MetaJax Entertainment, release 03/08/2026).  Jonathan Barnes – brass, Rick Keller – saxophone, Elan Trotman – saxophone, George J Gilliam – guitar, Alex Bailey – drums / bass / rhythm guitar, Elena Gilliam – vocals, Kirston Bailey – vocals.

Guitarist George “Jerry” Gilliam has released a soul jazz set of seven originals and three covers mostly with trumpet or sax contributions and three vocals.

Arvind Ramdas – Here We Go (Cellar Music, release 03/06/2026).  Spencer Drody – trumpet, Tamas Balai – alto saxophone, Noah Franche Nolan – piano, David Caballero – bass, Arvind Ramdas – drums .

India-born, Vancouver-based drummer Arvind Ramdas brings a trumpet / alto quintet to a set of five covers and one original each by the front-line players.  This is straight-ahead hard bop in a classic Blue Note mode, as might be indicated by the covers of Monk, Kenny Dorham and Horace Silver. If you are looking to revisit hard bop – this is a good place to start.  Recommended.

Review: Jazz Weekly, AllAboutJazz

Naoya Ogura – Colors Of A Journey (Bandstand Presents, release 12/05/2026).  Naoya Ogura – trumpet, John Lake – trumpet, David Smith – trumpet, Brandon Choi – trumpet, Matthew McDonald – trombone, John Yao – trombone, Brandon Moodie – trombone, Andrew Gould – alto saxophone / flute, Aviv Blum – alto saxophone, Hina Oikawa – alto saxophone / flute, Tim Armacost – tenor saxophone / clarinet, Andrew Gutauskas – baritone saxophone, Skylar Hagner – baritone saxophone / bass clarinet, Ben Rosenblum – piano, Joe Martin – bass, John Sturino – drums.

Japanese-born, New York-based trumpeter / composer leads a NYC based big band in his debut recording.  The fine band is anchored by faculty members from Queens College (saxophonist Tim Armacost, trombonist John Yao, bassist John Martin).  The rest of the band is filled with younger New York players like Ben Rosenbaum (The Longest Way Round, previewed 02/23/2026).  Over the five originals and four covers, the band swings, croons and struts, reflecting the range of the composing / arranging of Ogura.  Some of the tracks bring Thad Jones to my mind (and give me a smile).  Recommended.

David Basse – The War Within (Big Head Productions, release 09/12/2025).  Stuart Elster – piano, Luther Hughes – acoustic bass, Davis Basse – drums / vocals. 

Kansas City drummer and singer David Basse brings Mose Allison to mind for his vocal approach and wry sense of humor.  Singing in the context of a lean piano trio in a live set, Basse is a warm and engaging host for an enjoyable night out.

Enjoy the spring weather with 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