New Jazz Releases – 08/17/2026
By Russell Perry
Miki Yamanaka
As summer winds down, the pace of releases is picking back up. Highlights this week include a wonderful vocal set from NicoleYvette, a quartet date led by pianist Miki Yamanaka with tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, and a fine Jazz Is Dead set from Samba artists Joyce and Tutty Moreno.
Terri Lyne Carrington & Social Science – Trip The Night Fantastic (Candid Records, release 08/17/2026). Aaron Parks – piano / keyboards, Matthew Stevens – guitar, Morgan Guerin – bass / organ / keyboards / EWI / saxophone, Terri Lyne Carrington – drums / drum programming / percussion / keyboards with cast of thousands.
Percussionist Terri Lyne Carrington brings back her quartet Social Science (Waiting Game, 2019) for a song cycle that moves from one progressive cause to the next, featuring more than a dozen vocalists and prominent instrumentalists such as harpist Brandee Younger and vibraphonist Simon Moullier. RnB, jazz and African influences co-mingle in a rich mix.
Review: Marlbank, Women in Jazz Media
Irene Schweizer – Piano Solo, Prelude to A Kiss And More (Intakt Records, release 08/14/2026). Irene Schweiser – piano.
Swiss free-jazz pianist Irene Schweizer passed in 2024 at 83 years old. Now Intakt Records brings us a solo date from February 1986 featuring six originals and covers of Monk, Duke and Ornette. Powerful and inventive player.
NicoleYvette (Nicole Yvette Walters) – Say Yes (Bright Fame, release 08/14/2026). Dawn Clement – piano, Larry Goldings – organ, Andrew Renfroe – guitar, Jermaine Paul – bass, Christian Euman – drums, Nicole Walters – vocals with Kurt Elling – vocals, Joel Ross – vibraphone, Keyon Harrold – trumpet, J Ivy – spoken word, Terri Lyne Carrington – drums, Lenard Simpson – drums, Paul Cornish – piano.
There is a comfortable retro feel to vocalist NicoleYvette’s debut album – classic soul jazz vocal vibe bringing to mind Dianne Reeves or Nneena Freelon or even Nancy Wilson. NicoleYvette is a warm and engaging singer with a top notch band featuring keyboardist Dawn Clement (Delight, previewed 07/21/2025) and guitarist Andrew Renfroe (Aberdeen Blues, previewed 12/09/2024). The presence of several guests enhanced the experience of the set, especially duets with Paul Cornish and Terri Lyne Carrington. The disc reaches its peak in the warm and casual gospel-inflected duet with Kurt Elling, Such Is The Love. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Weekly, Paris Move
Justin Pierce – Sway (Self Produced, release 08/14/2026). Justin Pierce – saxophone, Sean Michael Giddings – piano, Young Heo – bass, Matt Love – drums, Ashley Pierce – vocals.
Texas tenorist Justin Pierce, in his debut, brings us straight-ahead jazz in a set of familiar covers. The leader’s wife and long-time musical partner, Ashley Pierce, adds a lovely spirit and fine voice to six of the ten tracks.
Jim Pugh – New American Symphonies (Anderson Audio, release 08/14/2025). Jim Pugh – trombone, Ted Nash – saxophone, Bill Charlap – piano, Jim Beard – piano, Marin Alsop – conductor.
In 1938, at the peak of the Big Band era, Tommy Dorsey commissioned Roy Harris to write a New American Symphony for his band. The project was abandoned after the bandleader determined the piece was too ambitious for the ensemble. Now trombonist Jim Pugh (John Scofield, Jim Hall) has brought the piece out of hiding, performing it with a jazz quartet supported by a symphony orchestra under the baton of Marin Alsop (formerly of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.)
Nicki Adams / Michael Eaton / Francisco Mela – Arrival (J-Man Records, release 09/10/2026). Michael Eaton – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Nicki Adams – piano, Francisco Mela – drums.
Long-term collaborators saxophonist Michael Eaton and pianist Nicki Adams (The Transcendental, 2024) bring in Cuban drummer Francisco Mela to form an unusual bass-less trio. Together they tackle some knotty themes including Andrew Hill’s Black Sabbath
Review: Paris Move, Skope Magazine
Alex Roitman Tango Ensemble – La Cocina De Tango (Arte-Fl Records, release 08/25/2026). Mayu Funaba – piano, Alex Roitman – bandoneon, Nayiri Piloyan – violin, Carlos Maldonado Cisneros – double bass.
Bandoneon (a type of concertina) player Alex Roitman brings a traditional tango ensemble (bandoneon – piano – violin – bass) to a set of originals and archival compositions on his debut recording. As expected, there is an Astor Piazzolla track as well. The set ranges from lilting and gentle to brisk and driving, but always danceable.
Review: Scope Magazine
Denise Donatelli – Take My Breath Away (Savant Records, release 08/14/2026). Kenny Rampton – trumpet, Siya Charles – trombone, Donny McCaslin – tenor saxophone, Ron Blake – soprano saxophone / bass saxophone, Sarah Hanahan – alto saxophone, Geoffrey Keezer – piano, Yotam Silberstein – guitars, Lady Jess – violin, Orlando Wells – violin, Andrew Griffin – viola, Susan Mandel -cello, Chris Johnson – bass, Reuben Rogers – bass, Terreon Gully – drums, Daniel Sadowick – percussion, Denise Donatelli – vocals with Chien Chien Lu – vibraphone, Arnold McCuller – background vocals.
Vocalist Denise Donatelli has released her first disc as a leader in over a decade. Her warm and expressive voice continues to make her ballad singing a highlight. While the ensemble varies from track to track, pianist Geoffrey Keezer (Live At Birdland, previewed 12/23/2024) makes his presence known on all tracks.
Review: Occhi Magazine
Miki Yamanaka – Breathe (Cellar Music, release 08/14/2026). Nicole Glover – tenor saxophone, Miki Yamanaka – piano, Tyrone Allen II – bass, Jimmy MacBride – drums.
Last time out pianist Miki Yamanaka (Chance, previewed 10/07/2025)brought her longtime trio Tyrone Allen II & Jimmy McBride) to the set. This time Yamanaka expands the possibilities with Tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover (Memories, Dreams, Reflections, previewed 07/07/2026)spicing up the session. Glover’s husky / breathy tone on the title ballad is a marvel. Highly recommended.
Review: Papadamus Redux
Zaccai Curtis – Sonoluminescence Vol. 1 (Truth Revolution, release 08/07/2026). Craig Handy – tenor saxophone / flute, Zaccai Curtis – piano / Rhodes / Yamaha Keyboards / vocals, Luques Curtis – bass, Joe Dyson – drums, Brevan Hampden – congas / percussion with Mike Boone – bass, Aurelien Budynek – guitars, Julie Acosta – vocals.
In his follow up to the Grammy-winning Cubop Lives (previewed 05/27/2026), pianist Zaccai Curtis brings diverse musical influences to an Afro-Latin sensibility. Expect more Rhodes and less acoustic piano.
Review: Downbeat, Jazz Views, Paris Move
Joyce & Tutty Moreno – Joyce e Tutty Moreno JID027 (Jazz Is Dead, release 08/01/2026). Serafin Aguilar – trumpet, Ido Meshulam – trombone, Scott Mayo – flute, Danny Janklow – tenor saxophone, Bryan Velasco – Fender Rhodes piano, Joyce Moreno – guitar / vocals, Adrian Younge – bass / guitar / vibraphone / percussion / Hammond B3 organ, Tutty Moreno – drums, Gibi Dos Santos – percussion
Jazz is Dead is out with their 27th release, all featuring some more-or-less neglected artist toward the end of their recording career. I have been critical of some of these sets for featuring an artist too far past their time, buried in layers of sound. That is not the case here. Brazilian Samba players, guitarist / vocalist Joyce Moreno and drummer Tutty Moreno, sound great and are supported by a nuanced small ensemble. At only 30 minutes, you may be left wanting more. Recommended
Review: AllMusic, The Guardian
Haruna Fukazawa – Plays At The Wrong Time (Orange Paws Records, release 07/31/2026). Haruna Fukazawa – flute / alto flute, Steve Wilson – soprano saxophone / flute, David DeMotta – piano, Bill Moring – bass, Steve Johns – drums.
Classically-trained Japanese flutist Hauna Fukazawa brings us a set of three originals and five respectful covers. The front line of two flutes or flute plus soprano makes for an unusual and lovely sound, in the creation of which Steve Wilson (Enduring Sonance, previewed 05/04/2026) is a fine partner.
Review: Jazz Weekly, Paris Move, BVS Reviews
Caesar Frazier – Alive / One Night In Savannah (Track Merchant Production, release 07/15/2026). Kirk Lee – trumpet / cornet, James Mahone – saxophone, Caesar Frazier – organ, Jacques Lesure – guitar, Vince Ector – drums.
Hammond B3 organist Caesar Frazier (Live at Jazzcup, previewed 03/11/2024) returns with another live set, this time with a trumpet – tenor – B3 – guitar – drums quintet. The set list brings us six familiar covers and a swinging good time.
Giveton Gelin – III of III (ID Records, release 07/10/2026). Giveton Gelin – trumpet / keyboards / synthesizer / piano, Cosmo Lieberman – saxophone, Esteban Castro – piano / synthesizer, Adrian D’Aguilar – bass, Giveson Gelin – drums, Neil Symonette – percussion with Jon Batiste – piano, Mathis Picard – piano, Micah Thomas – piano, Mats Sandahl – bass, Jeremiah Edwards – bass, Kyle Benford – drums, Leslie Smith – drums, Danielle Lee – vocals, Karrington McKenzie – vocals, Dorrica Vanessa – vocals, Stanesha Diligence – vocals, Almika Cates – vocals.
Bahamian trumpeter Giveton Gelin (Tyler Mitchell, Ben Wolfe, Carmen Lundy) has released a sprawling 17-track set that seems to be excerpted from a multi-disc LP box. Although there are some duets and smaller ensembles the release is at its best on the nine quintet and sextet tracks. Look out for the duet with Jon Batiste.
Jacques Lesure – Live At Lavender Blue (Kindred Rhythms, release 04/30/2026). Chris Lowery – trumpet, Mikal Majeed – Hammond B3 organ, Jacques Lesure – guitar, Marvin “Smitty” Smith – drums, with Will Blades – Hammond B3 organ, Wes Lowery – drums, Renée Neufville – vocals.
For thirteen years, guitarist Jacques Lesure has weekly fronted a trumpet – Hammond B3 – guitar – drums quartet at an Inglewood, CA club, Lavender Blue, as captured in this endearing live recording. I get the sense of being invited into a family gathering that convenes every Sunday night. Several decades ago, this would be an event replicated in neighborhood clubs in African American communities throughout the US. It is wonderful not only that this is still happening, but that we have this record. Finishing the set with Kenny Burrell’s Chitlins Con Carne seems completely appropriate.
Have a lovely week.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
