New Jazz Releases – 03/30/2026
By Russell Perry
Michael Rodriguez
A lot of music came in this week and seven of these caught my attention – a funky 1999 live date from Dr. John, a set of Dylan covers by Javon Jackson, the second release from Ulysses Owens Jr and Generation Y, a live date from Alex Claffy, inspiring duets from Marilyn Crispell and Anders Jormin, another cordless set from Mark Turner’s great quartet, and a belated addition to our library from trumpeter Michael Rodriguez.
FYI, Michael Rodriguez will be joining Professor Sharel Cassity’s quintet for a presentation on our Offbeat Roadhouse on Friday April 3 at 8:00 PM. The quintet is completed by pianist Richard Johnson (Warm Embrace, previewed 09/22/2025), bassist Michael Hawkins (On Bass, previewed 06/05/2023) and drummer Kofi Shepsu (Triogram, previewed 09/25/2023). Please join us – live in the studio, over the air, audio streaming at wtju.net or video streaming on WTJU’s YouTube.
Sylvie Courvoisier Trio – Eclat: Live In Europe(Intakt Records, release 03/27/2026). Sylvie Courvoisier – piano, Drew Gress – bass, Kenny Wollesen – drums / Wollesonics.
Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier (To Be Other-Wise, previewed 12/23/2024) brings nine original compositions to a live date with her longtime trio of bassist Drew Gress (Phil Haynes, Fred Hersch, Randy Ingram) and drummer Kenny Wollesen (Julian Lage, Jenny Sheinman, Nels Cline). At times bringing Cecil Taylor to mind, Courvoisier and her trio can also settle into a solid groove when they so desire.
Mark Wade Trio – New Stages (Dot Time Records, release 03/27/2026). Tim Harrison – piano, Mark Wade – bass, Scott Neumann – drums.
Drawing inspiration from classical compositions, bassist Mark Wade has composed 15 originals with roots in compositions like Concierto de Aranjuez and Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring. This is not a formula that always works, but in this case, yes.
Dave Adewumi – The Flame Beneath The Silence(Giant Step Arts, release 03/27/2026). Dave Adewumi – trumpet, Joel Ross – vibraphone, Linda May Han Oh – bass, Marcus Gilmore – drums.
Another fine live record in the series from Giant Step Arts (Mark Turner, Eric McPherson, Rico Jones, Jason Palmer), this time the debut of trumpeter Dave Adewumi. Adewumi could not have assembled a more sympathetic quartet that this one with vibraphonist Joel Ross (Gospel Music, previewed 02/02/2026), bassist Linda May Han Oh (Strange Heavens, previewed 08/25/2025), and drummer Marcus Gilmore (Trio of Bloom, previewed 01/06/2026). The trumpet – vibes front line is unusual and effective.
Review: Paris Move, Papadamus Redux, Jazz Times
Yelena Eckemoff – Rosendals Garden (L & H Production, release 03/27/2026). Yelena Eckemoff – piano / keyboards, Svante Henryson – cello / double bass / electric bass, Morgan Ågren – drums / percussion.
Pianist Yelena Eckemoff has joined forces with two Swedish musicians for an elegant and peaceful set of original compositions with strong classical overtones.
Dr. John – Live At Rockpalast 1999 (Made In Germany Musi, release 03/27/2026). Dr. John – piano / vocals, Bobby Broom – guitar, David Barard – bass, Herman “Roscoe” Ernest III – drums.
Dr. John made a heroic series of discs in the late 60s and 70s, then there was a fallow period in the 80s. The 90s were a period of renewal for Dr. John and he was in excellent form in 1999 when this live set was recorded. He tapped into many of his classic recordings for the set list and included an Ellington tune from the soon-to-be-released Duke Elegant. This is NOLA funk from the master and his lean quartet including guitarist Bobby Broom (Jamalot, previewed 06/03/2024) at his funkiest. Recommended.
Javon Jackson – Jackson Plays Dylan (Solid Jackson / Palmetto Records, release 03/27/2026). Javon Jackson – tenor saxophone, Jeremy Manasia – piano / keyboards, Isaac Levine – bass, Ryan Sands – drums, with Lisa Fischer – vocals, Nicole Zuraitis – vocals.
I was skeptical of this release – I appreciate Dylan more as a lyricist and singer than as a writer of melodies over which players can improvise. As it turns out, there are a pair of vocals that celebrate the cleverness and beauty of Dylan’s lyrics for Gotta Serve Somebody (Lisa Fischer) and Forever Young (Nicole Zuraitis). Several of the instrumentals effectively mine the spare melodies for inspiration (Tombstone Blues). And the melody of Lay Lady Lay has rarely been more sensuous. To my surprise I liked this a lot. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Chill, AllAboutJazz
Simon Hanes – Gargantua (Pyroclastic Records, release 03/27/2026). Jen Baker, Jacob Garchik, Colin Babcock – trombones, Kevin Newton, Noah Fotis, Blair Hamrick – French horns, Anna Abondolo, Jesse Heasly, Trevor Dunn – bass, Jon Starks, Matt Bent, Kevin Murray – drums sets, Priya Carlberg, Isa Crespo Pardo, Jolee Gordon – voices.
Composer Simon Hanes has assembled a unique ensemble with three trombones, three French horns, three basses, three drum sets and three voices. Hanes leverages the multiple possibilities that this format allows for color and texture – vocal harmonies over a bed of brass, polyrhythms for three drummers, anthemic surges and meandering improvisation.
Miroslav Vitous – Mountain Call (ECM, release 03/27/2026). Miroslav Vitous – double bass, Michel Portal – clarinet, Jack DeJohnette – drums, Esperanza Spalding – voice, Bob Mintzer – clarinet, Gary Campbell – soprano saxophone, Gerald Cleaver – drums, CSNO Orchestra.
For his first recording in a decade, bassist Miroslav Vitous brings us selections produced between 2003 and 2010. The extended time period and several distinct ensembles has resulted in a disc that seems more like a sampler than a coherent album. That said, there are some lovely moments and fine playing with band members including Jack DeJohnette, Esperanza Spalding and Bob Mintzer. The duos with Michel Portal on clarinet are particularly strong.
Review: UK Vibe
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y – Around The World With U (Cellar Music, releases 03/27/2026). Anthony Hervey – trumpet, Erena Terakubo – alto saxophone, Tyler Bullock – piano, Yasushi Namamura – bass, Ulysses Owens Jr – drums with Nanami Haruta – trombone.
Ulysses Owens Jr (A New Beat, previewed 01/29/2024) is an exceptional drummer, but his greater legacy could be as a bandleader, in the mold of Art Blakey. The second release of Generation Y includes Anthony Hervey (Words From My Horn, previewed 05/29/2023) on trumpet, Erena Terakubo (Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra, Peter Lin & AAPI Jazz Collective, The Empress) on alto and Tyler Bullock (Eddie Allen & Push) on piano – each a decade or two younger than Owens, all of whom were featured on several tracks of the first release. While The Messengers lived on a steady diet of soon-to-be standards from Lee Morgan, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons and Benny Golson, only three of the selections on the new disc were composed by members of the band … perhaps that will change. The playing and lively spirit of this band make this release well worth your time, especially if bebop and mainstream hard bop tickle your ears (as they do mine). Highly recommended
Review: Jazz Weekly, Jazzwise
Alexander Claffy – Alive in Philadelphia Vol. 1 (Cellar Music, Release 03/27/2026). Jaleel Shaw – alto saxophone, Seamus Blake – tenor saxophone, Kevin Hays – piano, Alexander Claffy – bass, Bill Stewart – drums.
Philadelphia-born, New York-based bassist Alex Claffy brings us a terrific live quintet date with an exciting front line of alto saxophonist (and son-of-Philly) Jaleel Shaw (The Soundtrack Of Things To Come, previewed 09/22/2025) and tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake (Joe Sanders, Project O, Eric Reed). Always tasteful pianist Kevin Hays (Hays Street Hart – Bridges, previewed 10/16/2023) provides stellar moments as a soloist, while leading the world class rhythm section with Claffy and drummer Bill Stewart (Live At The Village Vanguard, previewed 04/28/2025). Highly recommended.
Review: Marlbank, Papadamus Redux
The BLCK Madonna (Ana Hoffman) – Between The Lines (Downtown Records, release 03/23/2026). Santosh Sharma – saxophone, Sam Towse – piano, Rafael Enciso – upright bass / electric bass, Miguel Russell – drums, The BLCK Madonna – vocals.
In her debut, Harlem-based vocalist Ana Hoffman AKA The BLCK Madonna has recorded a set of familiar standards with an expressive voice across a broad range.
Laurent Ziliani – Anyone Can Whistle, A Sondheim Journey (Self Produced, release 03/22/2026). Unidentified Big Band with Alexander Mathias – saxophone, Alex Terrier – saxophone, Zac Zinger – saxophone, Cédric Hanriot – piano, Nick Mancini – vibraphone, Michael Valerio – bass, Peter Erskine – drums.
Musical theater singer Laurant Ziliani has recorded a set of compositions of Steven Sondheim with a big band.
Marilyn Crispell & Anders Jormin – Memento (ECM, release 03/20/2026). Marilyn Crispell – piano, Anders Jormin – double bass.
What a beautiful release. American pianist Marilyn Crispell (Joe Lovano, Tyshawn Sorey) and Swedish bassist Anders Jormin (Arve Henriksen, Bobo Stenson, Charles Lloyd), in their debut as a duo, quietly bring out the best in each others playing, hers as bright as his is dark. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Trail, AllAboutJazz, The Big Takeover
Hendrik Meurkens – Samba Tonto (Cellar Music, release 03/20/2026). Hendrik Meurkens – harmonica / vibes, Misha Tsiganov – piano / Fender Rhodes, Eduardo Belo – bass, Portinho – drums / percussion with Justus Heher – trombone, Laura Dreyer – flute.
German harmonica / vibraphonist Hendrik Meurkens lived in Brazil in the 80s and returns now to that rich source of inspiration. In addition to his harmonica/vibes – piano – bass – drums quartet, Meurkens adds depth to much of the record with contributions from Laura Dreyer on flute and Justus Heher on trombone. The mix of harmonica and trombone is particularly rich.
Review: Papatamus Redux, Jazz Weekly
Mark Turner – Patternmaster (ECM, release 03/13/2026). Mark Turner – tenor saxophone, Jason Palmer – trumpet, Joe Martin – double bass, Jonathan Pinson – drums.
Reprising his chordless quartet from Return From The Stars (2022) and Live At The Village Vanguard (2023), tenorist Mark Turner presents six original compositions with groove and clarity. The front line of Turner and trumpeter Jason Palmer (The Cross Over: Live in Brooklyn, previewed 12/09/2024) has an identifiable sound that is both driving and unpredictable. Highly recommended.
Review: UK Vibe, Jazz Trail, Jazz Views
Beto Paciello – The Stoic Suite (11 Moons Arts, release 03/12/2026). John Ellis – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone / flute / bass clarinet, John Patitucci – bass, Eric Harland – drums, Rogerio Boccato – percussion, Anne Boccato – voice.
São Paulo-based composer Beto Paciello has assembled a fine ensemble of mostly proven players to record a program of his compositions. The sound is heavily influenced by the melodic wordless vocals of Anne Boccato (who is new to me) in concert with the reeds of John Ellis (Fireball, previewed 01/26/2026).
Jeff Hamilton Trio – A New Chapter (RMI Records, release 03/05/2026). Tadataka Unno – piano, Jon Hamar – bass, Jeff Hamilton – drums.
Drummer Jeff Hamilton, co-founder of storied big band The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (And So It Goes, previewed 02/19/2024), records regularly in a trio format (Coast To Coast, previewed 07/14/2025). Pianist Tadataka Unno is new to the trio while bassist Jon Hamar joined back in 2018 – both contribute compositions to the program.
Dominic Walker Trio – Hurricane Summer(Self Produced, release 06/13/2025). John C O’Leary III – organ, Dominic Walker – guitar, Paul Gavin – drums.
Last summer, guitarist Dominic Walker released an organ trio set that has just now reached us. The program includes two originals plus soul jazz versions of several standards and covers of Lennon / McCartney (She Loves You), Jagger / Richards (Satisfaction) and Rod Argent (She’s Not There).
Michael Rodriguez – Pathways (RodBros Music, released 05/12/2021). Michael Rodriguez – trumpet / flugelhorn, John Ellis – tenor saxophone, Gary Versace – piano, Joe Martin – bass, Obed Calvaire – drums.
The most recent release (2021) from trumpeter Michael Rodriguez has a classic Blue Note line-up and vibe with John Ellis (Fireball, previewed 01/26/2026) joining in the front line on tenor. Pianist Gary Versace, who we hear as often on organ these days, actors a solid rhythm section, while contributing some exciting solo work. Note that Michael Rodriguez, who is featured on Maria Schneider’s latest (American Crow) will be joining Sharel Cassity’s quintet for a presentation on our Off Beat Roadhouse on Friday April 3 at 8:00 PM. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Weekly
See you on Friday 04/03/2026 for Sharel Cassity Quintet live on WTJU’s Offbeat Roadhouse.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
