New Jazz Releases – 06/29/2026
By Russell Perry
Yotam Silberstein – Ron Carter
This week we have some fine saxophone-led sets by veteran James Brandon Lewis and newcomer Ardeshir Pourkeramati. Vibraphonist Simon Moullier brings back his well-honed quartet. Great sets by several bassists – bassist / guitarist Tal Mashiach, David Ambrosio with a marvelous quintet and maestro Ron Carter in duet with guitarist Yotam Silberstein. Finally a 1984 set from Carla Bley rings my bells.
Marie-Paule Franke – Through the Cracks the Light is Born (MariPosa Records, release 06/26/2026). Amir Mankovski – saxophone, Dongfeng Liu – acoustic piano, Marcos Varela – double bass, Mathias Künzli – drums / percussion, Marie-Paule Franke – vocals.
Belgium-based vocalist Marie-Paule Franke can range from a smoldering intensity to an atmospheric wistfulness in this quiet set of seven originals backed by a solid saxophone quartet.
Review: JW Vibe, Scope Magazine
Mat Maneri Quartet – Mist (Sunnyside Records, release 06/26/2026). Lucian Ban – piano, Mat Maneri – viola, John Hébert – bass, Randy Peterson – drums.
The current release by violist Mat Maneri (Maneri / Surman / Ban – The Athenaeum Concert, previewed 09/08/2025) is the third in a trilogy, after Dust – 2019 and Ash – 2023, all with the same lineup of long-time collaborators. The writing is split between pianist Lucian Ban and Maneri. The music is slowly paced and thoughtful.
James Brandon Lewis Quartet – Omni (Intakt Records, release 06/26/2026). James Brandon Lewis – tenor saxophone, Aruán Ortiz – piano, Brad Jones – bass, Chad Taylor – drums.
What a beautiful pure tone tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis (Abstraction Is Deliverance, previewed 06/02/2025) has at his command! Bringing back the quartet from his last release (which was triumphant), Lewis et. al. have picked up right where they left off. This is a majestic set of originals and Lewis wears his spirituality on its sleeve. This is the work of one of the great tenor saxophonists of our time. Highly recommended.
Brad Goode Quintet Featuring Ernie Watts – Live Your Dream: Live At North Street Cabaret (Origin Records, release 06/26/2026). Brad Goode – trumpet, Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone, Adrean Farrugia – piano, Jay Anderson – bass, Adam Nussbaum – drums.
After an eight year hiatus, trumpeter Brad Goode (The Snake Charmer, previewed 01/27/2025) and tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts (Arrival, Mark Seales, Charlie Haden) are back together for this live recording – they released That’s Right in 2018. Its a classic quintet with a trumpet – tenor front line, powered by a pair of proven pros, yet it doesn’t really take off to my ears.
Review: Paris Move, Jazz Weekly, AllAboutJazz
Miguel Zenón and Barcelona Art Orchestra – Expressions: Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (Miel Music, release 06/26/2026). Miguel Zenon – alto saxophone, Barcelona Art Orchestra – Joan Mar Sauqué – trumpet, Òscar Latorre – trumpet, Álvaro Ocón – trumpet, Pau Valls – French horn, Alba Pujals – trombone, Anna Pujol – flute, Gabriel Amargant – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone / clarinet, Lluc Casares – tenor saxophone / clarinet, Jordi Santanach – baritone saxophone / clarinet, Néstor Giménez – piano, Lluís Vidal – piano, Vicente López – guitar, Carlota Amargós – violin, Sara Balasch – violin, Nina Sunyer – viola, Jordi Claret – cello, Miquel Casanova – double bass, Joan Vidal – drums.
Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon (Vanguardia Subterranea: Live at The Village Vanguard, previewed 09/02/2025) is the guest soloist for a third-stream / big band set with the Barcelona Art Orchestra. Each of the four artistic directors for the Orchestra has composed a movement of a concerto for alto saxophone that is rooted in classical music – each exhibiting a range of jazziness.
Early Times – Border Crossing (Dealer’s Choice Records, release 06/26/2026). Craig Handy – flute / saxophone, Zaccai Curtis – piano, Early Times – guitar, Luques Curtis – bass, Steve Gadd – drums.
Guitarist Early Times (apparently his name) was assembled a band of well known players – multi-reedist Craig Handy (Richard Baratta, Mike clark, Towner Galaher), pianist Zaccai Curtis, bassist Luques Curtis (Lisa Hilton, Harold López-Nussa, Conrad Herwig), drummer Steve Gadd (70 Strong, 2014) – for what might be his debut (certainly the first I have heard.) Recently we have heard pianist Zaccai Curtis playing latin bebop (Cuban Lives, 2024), exotica (The Waitiki 7 – Exotica Reborn, 2025), and straight ahead jazz (Brian Landrus – Just When You Think You Know, 2026) – now we hear him excelling in a soul jazz setting.
Review: Paris Move
Tal Mashiach – Who’s Around (Anzik Records, release 06/26/2026). Itamar Borochov – trumpet, Yonathan Peled – trombone, Khondzi – saxophone / vocals, Anat Cohen – clarinet, Itai Kris – flute, Benjamin Furman – piano, Gabriel Chakarki – piano / keyboards, Gadi Levi – piano / organ / keyboards, Tal Mashiach – guitar / bass / electric guitar / percussion, Konstantinos Revelas – bouzouki, Maya Belsitzman –-cello, Panagiotis Andreou – bass / vocals, , Ofri Nehemya – drums, Vagelis Karipis – percussion, Victor Pablo – percussion, Elibo Imerlishvili – doli, Dana Herz – vocals.
Bassist Tal Mashiach (Anat Cohen, Gilad Barakan, GTO Trio) debuted in 2022 with Tiyul – a solo guitar set – and has returned primarily to the guitar for his sophomore release. This time he invites his steady bandleader, clarinetist Anat Cohen, to guest on two tracks, among the highlights of the set. Flutist Itai Kriss is also among the guests for two tracks, also enlivening the record. Mashiach is a fluid and percussive guitarist and this release is very satisfying. Highly recommended.
Ardeshir – Introducing…(Cellar Music, release 06/26/2026). Julian Borkowski – trumpet, Ardeshir Pourkeramati – tenor saxophone / flute, Winston Matsushita – piano, David Caballero – bass, Graham Villette – drums with Juan Encinales – percussion, Cory Weeds – tenor saxophone, Steve Kaldestad – tenor saxophone.
While the label is very familiar, I know of none of the players in the quintet of tenor saxophonist / flutist Ardeshir Pourkeramati’s debut. That the leader covers Sonny Stitt, Hank Mobley and Miles and dedicates one to Art Blakey (Bu’s Message) gives you a sense of his musical influences. The set includes six hard-driving originals in this hard bop romp. Ardeshir is a powerful player who connects solidly to the fifties Blue Note sound. I loved this. Highly recommended.
Amanda Tosoff featuring Emilie-Claire Barlow – Where the Joy Is (Cellar Music, release 06/26/2026). Allison Au – alto saxophone, Amanda Tosoff – piano, Jon Maharaj – bass, Morgan Childs – drums, Emelie-Claire Barlow – vocals.
Toronto-based pianist has released a set of six tunes that feature vocalist Elilie-Claire Barlow on four originals and covers of Joni Mitchell and Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer. The emphasis is on the singing and the lyrics are clearly stated over a welcoming background.
Miles Okazaki – Boomtown (Pi Recordings, release 06/26/2026). Jacob Garchik – trombone, Kalia Vandever – trombone, Caroline Davis – alto saxophone, Anna Webber – tenor saxophone / flute, Jon Irabagon – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Matt Mitchell – piano, Miles Okazaki – guitars, Chris Tordini – bass, Hannah Marks – bass, Dan Weiss – drums.
Guitarist Miles Okazaki (Miniature America, preview 10/08/2024) brings ten of the best known names in the New York outside jazz scene to a recording of twelve of his compositions. He applies a lot of structure to these pieces but there is plenty of space for creative improvisation.
Review: Avant Music News
Reid Hoyson Project – Home (Self Produced, release 06/12/2026). Keith Bishop – saxophone / flute, Billy Test – piano / B3 organ, Dan Wilson – guitar, Tony DePaolis – bass, Reid Hoyson – drums, Hugo Cruz – percussion.
Pittsburgh drummer Reid Hoyston is back with his solidly swinging and comfortable sound, returning with most of the band from the last record (In Your Dreams, previewed 04/21/2026) – old-school saxophonist Keith Bishop, pianist Billy Test and bassist Tony DePaolis. To the mix this time, Hoyson adds guitarist Dan Wilson (Danny Sinoff) and percussionist Hugo Cruz. Lots of baritone here for the Juddermeister.
Sylvia Brooks – Soliloquy (SBM, release 06/05/2026). Farzin Farhadi – saxophone, Christian Jacob – piano, Grant Geissman – electric guitar / acoustic guitar, Kevin Axt – electric bass / acoustic bass, Kevin Winard – drums / percussion, Sylvia Brooks – vocals.
Classically-trained vocalist Sylvia Brooks has recorded six releases, but this is the first I have heard. She can swing and has little of the stiffness that one can experience with singers that similarly move from classical to jazz material. She takes a dramatic approach to a sensitively selected set of covers and adds five lyrics of her own.
Review: Making A Scene
Ron Carter – Yotam Silberstein – Duets (JoJo Records, release 06/05/2026). Yotam Silberstein – guitar, Ron Carter – bass.
Majestic bassist Ron Carter continues to document his prowess into his 80s. This lovely duo with guitarist Yotam Silberstein (Future Memories, 2019) illustrates what a duo record can be – sensitive, cooperative, inspiring, lyrical – two players at their best. Highly recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz, Marlbank, Jazz Weekly
David Ambrosio – Civil Disobedience (Blue Frog, release 05/15/2026). Ingrid Jensen – trumpet, Donny McCaslin – saxophone, Bruce Barth – piano, David Ambrosio – bass, Victor Lewis – drums.
Bassist David Ambrosio brings a remarkable quintet to this hard-driving release featuring five classic hard-bop compositions by Bobby Hutcherson, James Spaulding and Harold Land plus a pair by Joe Chambers. The front line of saxophonist Donny McCaslin (Lullaby For The Lost, previewed 10/06/2025) and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen (Landings, previewed 03/02/2026) is tight and powerful – some of the best recent work from both these aces. With only 5 tracks, this one will leave you wanting more. Highly recommended
Review: Jazz Trail, Downbeat, AllAboutJazz
Carla Bley – Joyful Noise – Live In Hamburg 1984 (MIG Music, release 05/15/2026). Michael Mantler – trumpet, Gary Valente – trombone, Vincent Chancey – french horn, Bob Stewart – tuba, Steve Slagle – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone / flute, Tony Dagradi – tenor saxophone / clarinet, Carla Bley – organ / glockenspiel, Ted Saunders – piano, Steve Swallow – electric bass, Victor Lewis – drums.
Bandleader and keyboardist Carla Bley passed away three years ago, but now we have a new recording, discovered from a live date in 1984 with an A-list Dectet. To a program of ten original compositions plus an amazing version of Monk’s Misterioso and one traditional piece, Bley brings a wicked sense of humor and the kind of arranging for specific players that we associate with Ellington and Mingus (good company!). This band captures the wit and warmth of Bley’s compositions and brings her delightful low-brass-heavy arrangements to life. Highly recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz
Simon Moullier – Ceiba (Self Produced, release 04/24/2026). Lex Korten – piano, Simon Moullier – vibraphone, Rick Rosato – bass, Jongkuk Kim – drums with Keita Ogawa – percussion.
Vibraphonist Simon Moullier (Elements of Light, previewed 09/30/2024) has reprised his quartet from his last well-received disc. As time goes on, he records more of his own compositions and this release consists of eleven originals. This band swings and plays with force. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Trail
Settle in a give these a listen.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
