New Jazz Releases – 08/24/2026
By Russell Perry
Ran Blake
Hurray! The new jazz releases are streaming in. This week we have notable sets from pianist / vocalist Kelly Green, pianist Terence Collie, composer / conductor Jim McNeely & Frankfort Radio Big Band, and legendary pianist Ran Blake. In addition, guitarist Joshua Breakstone’s 1984 debut has been reissued. Enjoy!
Kelly Green – Eat Your Greens (Green Soul Studio / La Reserve Records, release 08/24/2026). Scott Robinson – tenor sax, Elijah J. Thomas – flute, Kelly Green – piano, Luca Soul Rosenfeld – bass, Evan Hyde – drums with Steve Wilson – alto saxophone, Wycliffe Gordon – trombone / vocals, Wallace Roney Jr. – trumpet.
The last release of pianist / vocalist Kelly Green (Corner of My Dreams, previewed 09/02/2025) was a very personal set of originals performed with her trio or a string quartet. This time out she starts with a piano trio and adds up to five horns from among some of the most prominent jazz players – Wallace Roney Jr, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Wilson, Scott Robinson, Elijah J. Thomas. The sound is glorious, especially when Scott Robinson is featured on tenor. In a departure, Green includes only two original compositions on this set. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move
Michael Brothers / Andy Nevala / Tim Aucoin – House Sessions (Girod Records, release 08/24/2026). Andy Nevala – piano, Tim Aucoin – bass, Michael Brothers – drums.
Last time out pianist Andy Nevala (El Rumbon (The Party), previewed 09/29/2025) explored a mix of Cuban folk, pop and jazz influences. This time, he brings us a straight-up-the-middle piano trio set of two originals and five well-selected covers from Buster Williams, Kenny Kirkland, et al. Well-played.
Co Streiff – Russ Johnson Quartet – Oracle (Intakt Records, release 08/21/2026). Co Streiff – alto saxophone, Russ Johnson – trumpet, Christian Weber – double bass, Gerry Hemingway – drums.
There’s a lot of Ornette Coleman – Don Cherry in this release from Swiss altoist Co Streiff and Chicago (formerly New York) trumpeter Russ Johnson (Reveal, previewed 08/14/2023) as they continue their 20-year long musical collaboration with a live cordless quartet date.
Terence Collie – DNA (Adhyâropa Records, release 08/21/2026). Terence Collie – piano, Ruth Elder – violin, Clare Kennington – viola, Jocasta Mudge – cello, Nick Lenner-Webster – bass, Ted Carrasco – drums, Cosimo Keita Cadore – percussion.
British pianist Terence Collie marries his piano – bass – drums – percussion quartet to a violin – viola – cello string trio to powerful effect. Collie writes and solos with great melodicism and effectively incorporates the string trio, often in a call and response relationship with the quartet. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Journal
Jim McNeely & Frankfort Radio Big Band – Expeditions (Sunnyside Records, release 08/21/2025). Frank Wellert, Thomas Vogel, Martin Auer, Axel Schlosser – trumpets / flugelhorns, Günter Bollmann, Felix Fromm, Christian Jaksjo, Robert Hedemann – trombones, Heinz-Dieter Sauerborn, Oliver Leicht, Steffen Weber, Denis Gäbel, Rainer Heute – reeds, Miroslava Stareychinska – harp, Sebastian Scobel – piano / Rhodes, Martin Scales – guitar, Hans Glawischnig – bass, Jean Paul Höchstädter – drums.
Jim McNeely was the resident composer for the Frankfurt Radio Big Band until his death in 2025 at 76. This is his last composition for the band which was premiered and recorded in 2024 under his baton. After thirteen years with the band, his compositions have specific parts for players well-known to the composer, following the model set by Duke Ellington. This is the work of a real pro with careful attention to mood and dynamics. Swinging, love it. Highly recommended.
Skinny Hightower – Feels Like Destiny (CastOver Records, release 08/21/2026). Charlotte Glasson – flute, Skinny Hightower – drums / bass / Rhodes / vibraphone / piano / clavinet / Wurlitzer / guitar / Hammond B3 organ / synthesizers / percussion / Moog bass with Althea Rene – flute
Although primarily a drummer and pianist, Skinny Hightower plays all the instruments on this release except for flute. Deep funk from the soul jazz universe.
Joshua Breakstone – Wonderful! (Capril Records, release 08/21/2026). Barry Harris – piano, Joshua Breakstone – guitar, Earl Sauls – bass, Leroy Williams – drums.
In the reissue of guitarist Joshua Breakstone’s debut from 1984, we hear a intense yet lively set of clean single-note playing uncluttered by the rock and fusion influences that colored the work of many of his contemporaries. The inclusion of piano maestro Barry Harris cements the bebop sound. Beside two originals are covers of George Gershwin, Tadd Dameron, Vincent Youmans, Lennie Tristano and Django Reinhardt. The knotty Tristano theme brings out the best in Breakstone and Harris. Recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz, Jazz Journal, Jazz Views
Mike Jones – Mike Jones with Strings (Capri Records, 08/21/2026). Mike Jones – piano, Graham Dechter – guitar, Alex Frank – bass.
Pianist Mike Jones (Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing?, previewed 08/14/2023) seems to be most comfortable interpreting the Great American Songbook in a piano trio. This time out he has returned to a piano – guitar – bass trio such as was made famous by Oscar Peterson or Nat King Cole. Expect some serious swing and forays into stride.
Review: Paris Move
Rob Dixon – Naptown Soul (Strikezone, release 08/21/2026). Rob Dixon – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Sam Fribush – Hammond B3, Dave Stryker – guitar, Richard “Sleepy” Floyd – drums.
Lots of funk and lots of groove make this sax – B3 – guitar – drums quartet date a lot of toe-tapping fun. Led by Indianapolis saxophonist Rob Dixon (Rob Dixon / Steve Allee Quintet – Standards Delux, previewed 02/05/2024), the band captures an infectious soul jazz vibe, perfect for guitarist Dave Stryker’s Strikezone imprint. In addition to Stryker (Blue Fire, previewed 01/12/2026, the band includes the soulful playing of B3 maven Sam Fribush (Fonville X Fribush – What Day Is It, previewed 06/15/2026).
Review: Jazz Views, Papadamus Redux
Faye Carol – Faye Sings The Blues (Letdown Records, release 08/21/2026). Russell Gunn – trumpet, Wycliffe Gordon – trombone, Charles McNeal – alto sax, James Carter – tenor sax, Joe Warner – piano, Tarus Mateen – upright bass, Dante Roberson – drums, Faye Carol – vocals with Jubu Smith – guitar, Angelo Luster – alto sax, Mike Olmos – trumpet, Charles McNeal – alto saxophone, Craig Handy – tenor saxophone, Marty Wehner – trombone, Taj Mahal – vocals, Gerald Albright – tenor saxophone, Robert Randolph – pedal steel guitar, Eric Gales, Nicholas Payton – trumpet, Kirk Whalum – tenor saxophone, Jon Faddis – trumpet, Tia Fuller – alto saxophone, Jubu Smith – guitar.
Bay Area veteran Faye Carol (Forever Dynamic, previewed 04/20/2026) sings the blues … as advertised. Supported by an extensive cast of players (Taj Mahal, James Carter, Robert Randolph, Tia Fuller, Nicholas Payton, etc.), the veteran, in her 6th decade of performing, belts out twenty tracks with anywhere from eight to eleven players roaring behind her. Most of the tracks have three or four horns in the front line, giving the set a 70s BB King / Bobby Blue Bland feel.
Review: Paris Move
Jim Rotondi & Dena DeRose – Out Of The Past (Cellar Music, release 08/21/2026). Jim Rotondi – trumpet / flugelhorn, Dena DeRose – vocals / piano, Danny Ziemann – bass, Mario Gonzi – drums.
Ex-pat (Austria) trumpeter Jim Rotondi (Over Here, previewed 10/23/2023) and vocalist Dena DeRose (Mellow Tones, previewed 06/09/2025) began recording together in 2000 and this 2024 date represents the final installment in that relationship as Rotondi died two weeks later at 61. Rotondi’s warm tone and swing are memorialized in a final date as is his legendary chemistry with DeRose.
Review: Jazz Weekly, Papadamus Redux
Jeremy Monteiro Organ Quartet – Live Upon Nassim Hill (JazzNote, release 08/04/2026). Shawn Letts – tenor saxophone, Jeremy Monteiro – organ / vocals, Wesley Gehring – guitar, Hong Chanutr Techtananan – drums with Vanessa Shavone – vocals.
Singaporean pianist Jeremy Monteiro (Sean Hong Wei & Jeremy Monteiro – New Jersey Sessions, previewed 07/22/2024) is back – this time on organ with an tenor – organ – guitar – drums quartet. Fellow Singaporean Vanessa Shavone shines on vocals.
Review: AllAboutJazz
Ran Blake – Voices (Tzadik, release 06/19/2026). Ran Blake – piano.
A late career gem from 91-year-old Boston pianist Ran Blake. In a solo set, Blake interprets jazz, gospel, folk, standards and film noir with characteristically dramatic readings. The set tends to stately and quiet giving each piece added depth. A lovely disc. Recommended.
Suzanne Pittson / Bevan Manson – Conversations (Vineland Records, release 06/16/2026). Bevan Manson – piano, Suzanne Pittson – vocals with Wayne Bergeron – trumpet, Larry Hall – trumpet, Gary Grant – trumpet, Bob McChesney – trombone, Brian O’Connor – french horn, Matt Zebley – alto saxophone, Bob Sheppard – tenor saxophone, Brian Scanlon – clarinet, Tom Boyd – oboe, Ben Wendel – bassoon, Trey Henry – bass, Matt Gordy – drums, Wade Culbreath – timpani, Brad Dutz – antique cymbals / glockenspiel.
This release covers two incomplete projects that have been bought forward. The first four tracks are piano – voice duets that were recorded in 2002 and recently discovered. The final track is a piece that has been worked on in increments since 2009 and now includes a jazz big band and a string orchestra.
Charlie Hunter – Space Bomb (SideHustle, release 06/05/2026). DJ Harrison / Devonne Harris – keyboards, Charlie Hunter – guitar, Andy Randazzo – bass, Corey Fonville – drums.
Guitarist Charlie Hunter (Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter – SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree, previewed 08/21/2023) has collaborated with Butcher Brown’s keyboardist DJ Harrison AKA Devonne Harris (John D’earth, Charles Owens) and drummer Corey Fonville (Fonville x Fribush – What Day Is It, previewed 06/15/2026) on the SuperBlue releases. He came through Charlottesville recently with Fonville x Fribush. With the addition of Butcher Brown’s bassist Andrew Randazzo (R4ND4ZZO Big Band, Charles Owens) the quartet has laid down 15 funky tracks, with influences from samba to sci-fi and soul. The tracks tend to be short as studio sketches from a group of players exploding with ideas.
Review: Style Weekly
Much to consider.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
