New Jazz Releases – 06/15/2026
By Russell Perry
Kenny Barron – Jazz Journalists Association Lifetime Acheivement Award 2026
A relatively quiet week for new jazz which is a relief after the full court press of the Charlottesville Jazz Festival a week ago. Of interest to me are big band discs from Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Helen Sung Big Band, two trio discs that couldn’t be more different from the Mediterranean-inflected Ize Trio (piano – cello – percussion) and Kenny Barron (vintage piano trio from 1995), and the lovely set from Austin vocalist Sarah Sharp. Enjoy.
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra – Ellington Masterworks (MCG Jazz, release 06/12/2026). Josh Kauffman, Barbara Laronga, Ally Hany Albrecht, Kenny Rittenhouse – trumpet, Jennifer Krupa, Matt Niess, Bill Holmes – trombones, Steve Williams, Bill Mulligan, Scott Silbert, Luis Hernandez, Leigh Pilzer – saxophones, Tony Nalker – piano, Amy Shook – bass; Ken Kimery – drums.
The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra celebrates the 125th Anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birth with a collection of eight arguably lesser-known works. Two of the selections come from rarely heard suites – Oclupaca from Latin America Suite and Madness in Great Ones from Such Sweet Thunder. Comprised of many members of DC-resident service bands (like Ally Hany Albrecht of the US Navy Band Commodores who killed it at the Jazz Festival last weekend), the band has mastered these charts and swings like crazy. These are compositions that deserve to be heard and this is a good place to start. Recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz, JW Vibe
Gergana Velinova – Free, A Soulful Journey (Cellar Music, release 06/12/2026). Kristian Alexandrov – piano / Rhodes / B3 / vibes / percussion, Peter Slavov / Miles Hills / Mojo Jones – bass, Joel Fountain – drums, Gergana Velinova – vocals with Cory Weeds – saxophone, Jon Bentley – saxophone, Ryan Oliver – saxophone, Malcom Aiken – trumpet, Vince Mai – trumpet, Cameron Wilson – violin, Shannon Gaye – background vocals, Gord Maxwell – background vocals.
Bulgarian-born, Canadian-based vocalist Gergana Velinova has recorded a very personal set of her own well-crafted compositions written as a new mother. The musical presentation leans in a pop-ward direction. Cellar Music founder Cory Weeds makes a spirited appearance on a pair of tracks.
Review: Jazz Weekly, Making a Scene, Paris Move
Ize Trio – Global Prayer (Self Produced, release 06/12/2026). Chase Morrin – piano, Naseem Alatrash – cello, George Lernis – percussion with John Patitucci – bass, Lihi Haruvi – sopranino saxophone, Vasilis Kostas – laouto; Yaniv Yacoby – bazouki; Layth Sidiq – violin.
The Ize Trio (Global Suites, previewed 08/05/2024) is back with their sophomore release of four compositions and five improvisations. As with the previous effort, the trio offers a unique international take on the traditional piano trio, comprised of California pianist / composer Chase Morrin, Cypriot percussionist George Lernis and Palestinian cellist Naseem Alatrash. John Patitucci joins them again for one track and an international trio of string players for another. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Views
Kenny Barron – Ray Drummond – Ben Riley – Live in Brecon: So Many Lovely Things (Elemental Music, release 06/12/2026). Kenny Barron – piano, Ray Drummond – bass, Ben Riley – drums.
Pianist Kenny Barron was just given the Jazz Journalists Association Lifetime Achievement Award and the fact that he sustained for over sixty years the kind of playing he recorded in this 1995 set is the reason why. Barron’s playing is often described as “classy” or “elegant” or “majestic” – all apt descriptors. This set features his working trio of drummer Ben Riley (Monk) and bassist Ray Drummond (Houston Person, Hod O’Brian, Royce Campbell), who have also been memorialized in two releases from the 1996 tour – Live at Bradley’s I and II. Barron and Riley share an affinity for Monk and two of his compositions made the set list. This is one of the great piano trios of jazz. Great sound – highly recommended.
Review: Paris Move, Jazz Views, AllAboutJazz
Helen Sung Big Band – Oracles(Sunnyside Records, release 06/12/2026). Tatum Greenblatt – lead trumpet / flugelhorn, Mike Rodriguez – trumpet / flugelhorn, Alex Norris – trumpet / flugelhorn, Nathaniel Williford – trumpet / flugelhorn, James Burton III – lead trombone, Sara Jacovino – trombone, Willie Applewhite – trombone, Gina Benalcázar López – bass trombone, Dave Pietro – first alto sax, Alejandro Aviles – second alto sax, John Ellis – first tenor sax, Nicole Glover – second tenor sax, Andrew Gutauskas – baritone sax / bass clarinet, Helen Sung – piano, Vicente Archer – bass, Adam Cruz – drums, Samuel Torres – percussion.
Pianist Helen Sung has taken the plunge into Big Band jazz with her debut in that format. Packed with leading New York players, this band plays masterfully. Soloists include such luminaries as Nicole Glover (Memories, Dreams, Reflections, previewed 07/07/2026), Mike Rodriguez (Maja Jaku, John Ellis, Maria Schneider), Alex Norris (Alton Sencalar, Todd Markus, Ryan Keberle), and John Ellis (Fireball, previewed 01/26/2026). Sung successfully pairs several tracks composed by heroes of hers with her parallel original compositions. Beautifully composed and played. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, The Arts Desk, AllAboutJazz
Sarah Sharp – Déjà Vu (Space Flight Records, release 05/15/2026). Sean Giddings – piano, Mitch Watkins – guitar, John Fremgen – bass, Masumi Jones – drums, Sarah Sharp – vocals with Oliver Stack – piano / cornet / accordion,.
Austin-based vocalist Sarah Sharp has a soft-spoken singing style that reminds me of what I love about Tierney Sutton. She has maintained a residency at the Elephant Room for almost a decade with this band and the regular performance schedule shows in the recording. Tracks by McCartney, Randy Newman and Dylan sit comfortably next to Jobim, Ellington and Hoagy Carmichael. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, Tribeza
Lou Marini and the Italian Groovers – Playtime (Azzurra Music, release 04/24/2026). Lou Marini – flute / soprano saxophone / tenor saxophone, Gianluca Di Ienno – Hammond C-3 / Fender Rhodes, Alessandro Chiappetta – guitar, Enzo Zirilli – drums / percussion.
Veteran reeds player Lou Marini (SNL Band, Blues Brothers, Frank Zappa) breaks out his flute, tenor and soprano for a set of ten originals and one standard recorded with an Italian rhythm section. I think of “Blue” Lou as primarily an RnB player, but this is, in fact, a fine jazz release with funky accents.
Fonville X Fribush featuring Alan Good Parker – What Day Is It (WarHen Records, release 02/27/2026). Sam Fribush – organ / keyboards, Alan Good Parker – guitar / pedal steel, Corey Fonville – drums / percussion.
Richmond drummer Corey Fonville (Butcher Brown, Kurt Elling / Charlie Hunter) is well-known around central Virginia, but I am only recently aware of his band mates – Greensboro, NC organist Sam Fribush and Richmond guitarist Alan Good Parker. Together they stake out their own corner of the world of organ – guitar – drum trios, one characterized by Parker’s pedal steel, Fribush’s soulful keyboards and Fonville’s genre-spanning trap-work.
Anthony Caceres – Let’s Take A Trip (Self Produced, release 02/27/2026). Tamir Hendelman – piano, Jostein Gulbrandsen – guitar, Anthony Caceres – bass / vocals, Joe Farnsworth – drums)
Bopping and crooning, bassist / vocalist Caceres and a piano – guitar quartet run through a set of three originals and six covers. Pianist Tamir Hendelman (Tierney Sutton, Cory Weeds, Jeff Hamilton) is sparkling, as always and drummer Joe Farnsworth (The Big Room, previewed 07/14/2025) moves things along with style. Caceres has a voice with ample warmth and presence.
Review: Jazz Weekly
Stay cool.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
