New Jazz Releases – 08/25/2025
By Russell Perry
Paul Cornish
August is coming to a close with a monster pile of new releases. Eric Alexander & Vincent Herring’ third pairing is a hard bop tour de force. Linda May Han Oh has an inspiring trio with Ambrose Akinmusire and Tyshawn Sorey. Guitarist Nadav Remez (with Greg Tardy) and Ben Thomas’ Tango Project have international roots. Paul Cornish’s debut is a winner. Roger Glenn has released his first as a leader after a fifty year gap. Benny Golson’s wonderful Gone With Golson has been reissued. And finally, Art Hirahara brings the Posi-tone team back for another round. Whew!
Jim Black & The Schrimps – Better You Don’t (Intakt Records, release 08/22/2025). Asger Nissen – alto saxophone, Julius Gawlik – tenor saxophone, Felix Henkelhausen – acoustic bass, Jim Black – drums.
A veteran of the New York downtown scene, drummer Jim Black (Peter Evans, Natsuki Tamura, Gordon Grdina) has released his second set with Berlin-based trio The Schrimps. Expressive, experimental, and richly improvisational, the quartet is driven by rock-ish beats.
Review: Jazz Trail
Adegoke Steve Colson And Iqua Colson – Glow: Music For Trio… Add Voice (Silver Sphinx, release 08/22/2025). Adegoke Steve Colson – piano, Mark Helias – bass, Andrew Cyrille – drums, Iqua Colson – voice.
Fifty plus years a member of AACM, pianist Adegoke Steve Colson has released a surprisingly accessible trio / quartet date in the company of bassist Mark Helias (Jane Ira Bloom) and venerated drummer Andrew Cyrille (Jakob Bro, Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas) with Iqua Colson, his wife off 50 years, on four tracks.
Review: Post Genre, New World ’n’ Jazz, The Big Takeover
Eric Alexander & Vincent Herring – Split Decision(Smoke Session Records, release 08/22/2025). Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone, Vincent Herring – alto saxophone, Mike LeDonne – piano, John Webber – bass, Lewis Nash – drums.
For the third time in 20 years saxophonists Erik Alexander and Vincent Herring pair up for a live “battle”, this time with a stimulating program of covers including Horace Silver, Steve Turre and two (!) Hank Mobley tunes. These are two of the most recorded players in jazz today, due to their amazing skill, adaptability, durability and reverence for the tradition. If your ears are tuned to straight-ahead hard bop, it is hard not to hear this as a triumph. The great tradition of sax duels lives! Highly recommended.
Review: Marlbank, Post Genre, Making A Scene
Linda May Han Oh – Strange Heavens (Biophilia Records, release 08/22/2025). Ambrose Akinmusire – trumpet, Linda May Han Oh – bass, Tyshawn Sorey – drums.
In-demand bassist Linda May Han Oh (The Glass Hours, previewed 07/10/2023) is out with the fourth release featuring her lovely sound so far this year. In a stripped down trumpet – bass – drums trio, she incorporates the compelling sounds of Ambrose Akinmusire and Tyshawn Sorey. Akinmusire, an ideal partner, joined her for her 2009 debut (Entry), also a trio recording. Sorey also communicates powerfully with Oh reprising their work together last year in Vijay Iyer’s trio (Compassion, previewed 02/19/2024). Introspective and aggressive by turns, these are three first-rate players making inspiring music. Highly recommended.
Review: Jazz Trail, The Guardian, All Music
Nadav Remez – Summit (HaRamaz Music, release 08/22/2025). Greg Tardy – saxophones / clarinet, Guy Moskovich – piano, Nadav Remez – guitar, Ben Tiberio – bass, David Sirkis – drums.
Israeli guitarist Nadav Remez combines modern jazz, Jewish folk music and a stirring tone for a rich and satisfying mix. Tenor saxophonist / clarinetist Greg Tardy (Abide In Love, previewed 07/28/2025) brings his tender sound on both his instruments. With Altin Sincalar’s Unleashed (previewed 04/07/2025), this makes three releases featuring Tardy in the past five months which is wonderful. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move
Paul Cornish – You’re Exaggerating(Blue Note Records, release 08/22/2025). Paul Cornish – piano, Joshua Crumbly – bass, Jonathan Pinson – drums with Jeff Parker – guitar.
Gifted young Houston pianist Paul Cornish (Joshua Redman) is thrilling in his debut as a leader. There is a lot of church in his playing, spiced by a dedication to the late (and wonderful) pianist / educator Geri Allen. While his technique is head turning, his playing is mostly introspective. He has composed all the tunes on the release and he shows himself to be a gifted melodicist as well. Highly recommended.
Review: Marlbank, Jazzwise, The Big Takover
Jen Allen – Possibilities (Truth Revolution, release 08/22/2025). Jen Allen – piano / Rhodes / Wurlitzer, Dan Liparini – guitar, Matt Dwonszyk – bass, Jonathan Barber – drums, Leala Cyr – vocals, Alejandra Sofia – vocals.
Connecticut pianist Jen Allen goes beyond just writing seven of the nine tunes on this, her third release, she has written lyrics for the first time.
Review: New World ’n’ Jazz, 8495 Jazz
Zurhub – Countryside Motorways(Origin, release 08/22/2025). Mattan Klein – flute, Itay Simhovich – piano / Fender Rhodes, Ezequiel Hezi Jait – guitar, Assaf Hakimi – bass, Dani Benedikt – drums / percussion.
Ranking high in the most unusual disc of the month sweepstakes, Zurhub is an Israeli quintet playing Brazilian-inspired music with overtones of Jewish folk music. The result makes a good listen dominated by the beautiful synergies of flute and guitar, played by the two leaders.
Review: Paris Move, AllAboutJazz
Randy Napoleon – Walking Dream (OA2, release 08/22/2025). Rick Roe – piano, Randy Napoleon – guitar, Luke Sittard – guitar, Chris Minami – guitar, Jocelyn Gould – guitar, Ben Turner – guitar, Rodney Whitaker – bass, Quincy Davis – drums with Walter Blanding – tenor saxophone, Michael Dease – trombone, Anthony Stanco – trumpet, Langston Kitchen – bass, Michael J. Reed – drums, Lynne Brown – guiro.
Anytime five guitarists get together for a recording, the question “To what purpose?” has to be asked. In this case, although the compositions are lovely and interesting, my answer is “I don’t know.” I don’t hear much advantage to that much fret work, in fact, a casual listening wouldn’t leave one thinking that they had just heard a guitar tour de force. I’ll settle for two at a time – Joe Pass / Herb Ellis, Jimmy Raney / Jim Hall – that’s enough.
Review: Paris Move, Jazz Weekly
Nick Finzer – The Jazz Orchestra Vol. 1 (Outside In Music, release 08/22/2025). Augie Haas, Anthony Hervey, Nadje Noordhuis, Chloe Rowlands – trumpet, Nick Finzer, Rob Edwards, James Burton III, Sara Jacovino – trombone, Altin Sencalar – bass trombone, Michael Thomas, Jordan Pettay – alto saxophone, Lucas Pino, Evan Harris – tenor saxophone, Tony Lustig – baritone saxophone, Glenn Zaleski – piano, Alex Wintz – guitar, Dave Baron – bass, Jimmy Macbride – drums.
18-piece big band under the direction of trombonist Nick Finzer (Legacy, previewed 03/18/2024) with a robust five-piece ‘bone section. In addition to four originals, Finzer tackles two from his model JJ Johnson, whose legacy his nurtures with each coming release. I would like to have heard more arranging for the nine brass and five reeds. The sound seems focused on a small group setting more than I wanted. But what an amazing band this is.
Review: Jazz Weekly
Roger Glenn – My Latin Heart (Patois Records, release 08/22/2025). Roger Glenn – flute / vibes / alto sax / marimba / vocals, David K. Mathews – keyboards, Ray Obiedo – guitar, David Belove – bass, Paul van Wageningen – drums, Derek Rolando – percussion with John Santos – vocals / percussion, Michael Spiro – vocals / percussion.
Multi-instrumentalist Roger Glenn made his debut with Mary Lou Williams in 1969 and last released a disc as a leader in 1975. He has the interesting distinction of having played vibes with flutist Herbie Mann and flute with vibraphonist Cal Tjader! His new release is a latin jazz celebration with both Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian rhythms in abundance. He is compelling on vibes, marimba, alto and flute – amazing. Recommended.
Review: Jazz Views, AllAboutJazz
Jon Batiste – Big Money (Verve Records, release 08/22/2025). Jon Batiste – piano / guitar / vocals, Randy Newman – vocals, Andra Day – vocals.
Immensely-talented pianist / guitarist / vocalist Jon Batiste wants to take on re-patriating American roots music to the black music experience in his latest star turn. Now a certified celebrity, the web profile of this disc barely mentions any of the other players (notable exceptions are vocalists Randy Newman and Andra Day). Perhaps there will come a time when Batiste again brings his substantial chops to a jazz setting. Meanwhile, I’ll pass on his pop efforts.
Review: Glide Magazine, Marlbank
Ben Thomas Tango Project – The Hat With The Grin And The Chuckle (Origin, release 08/18/2025). Eric Likkel – clarinet, Gabe Hall-Rodrigues – piano, Ben Thomas – bandoneon / vibraphone / percussion, Laura Coronel – violin, Elizabeth Phelps – violin, Steve Schermer – bass.
Seattle-based bandoneon / vibraphone player Ben Thomas updates our assumptions about the tango in a dancing and danceable set that features the attractive combination of bandoneon, clarinet and violin. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, Making A Scene
Ira J Liss Big Band Jazz Machine – Unexpected Guests (Tall Man Productions, release 08/19/2025). Ira J Liss Big Band Jazz Machine with Vince Gill – guitar / vocals, Tina Guo – cello, Tali Rubinstein – recorder, Daniel Ho – ukulele, Leo Manzari – tap dancing, Nore Germain – violin, Chris Castellanos – French horn, Rocky Dawuni – vocals, Eva Scow – mandolin, Wade Culbreath – marimba, Paul Hanson – bassoon.
Ira J Liss has been leading his big band in San Diego since the 70s. His latest corrals a startlingly diverse collection of guests playing mostly instruments not commonly found in jazz – bassoon, ukulele, mandolin, French horn or recorder for example. The program is composed by LA film and TV composer Dan Radlauer.
Rachael & Vilray – West Of Broadway (Concord, release 08/01/2025). (Adam Dotson – trombone, Steve Wilson – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone, Jay Rattan – baritone saxophone / bass clarinet / clarinet, Warren Wolf – vibraphone, Vilray – guitar / vocals, Neal Miner – bass, John Riley – drums, Rachael Price – vocals with Stephen Colbert – vocals.
Singer Rachel Price has teamed with guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Vilray (he of only one name) in a retro-sounding collection of clever tunes. The instrumental support is exemplary, especially vibraphonist Warren Wolf (My Key To Gramercy Park) and altoist Steve Wilson (Love Comes Around). Note Stephen Colbert’s backing vocals on Off Broadway.
Review: Post Genre, Marlbank
Linda Dachtyl – Full Steam Ahead (Chicken Coup, release 07/25/2025). Ben Huntoon – trumpet, Mark Donavan – tenor saxophone / alto saxophone / clarinet, Linda Dachtyl – Hammond B3 Organ, Don Hales – guitar, Cary Dachtyl – drums, Patrick Ankrom – percussion.
Solid (mostly) organ – guitar – drums trio date from Ohio-based organist Linda Dachtyl. You just might hear the train-themed mash-up of James Moody’s Last Train To Overbook with Gene Ludwig’s Back On The Track on our Friday morning Jazz Messenger program (complete with train whistle).
Ken McIntyre / Eric Dolphy – Looking Ahead (Prestige/Craft/Concord, release 07/25/2025). Ken McIntyre – alto saxophone / flute, Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone / flute / bass clarinet, Walter Bishop Jr – piano, Sam Jones – double bass, Arthur Taylor – drums.
The conventional assessment of muti-reedist Ken McIntyre is that his brief association with Eric Dolphy diminished his reputation by comparison. Now Craft records has reissued their sole 1960 collaboration as an LP and you can hear the two for yourself. It is remarkable how, at this early date, Dolphy’s sound is so well-defined that, over six tunes, there is never any doubt which artist is playing alto or flute. This is Dolphy as he finishes his apprenticeship with Chico Hamilton and is preparing to join Mingus; an important time but not a critical recording.
Review: Glide Magazine, Audiophile Audition
Benny Golson – Gone with Golson (Prestige/Craft/concord, release 07/25/2025). Benny Golson – tenor saxophone, Curtis Fuller – trombone, Ray Bryant – piano, Tom Bryant – double bass, Al Harewood – drums.
A classic 1959 Benny Golson title has seen reissue as an LP. Featuring the front line of Golson’s tenor with Curtis Fuller’s trombone, this band set the stage for the 1960 formation of the Jazztet with trumpeter Art Farmer and pianist McCoy Tyner. Perhaps most celebrated as a composer (and this set includes three of his tunes), Golson should not be overlooked as a forceful and inventive improvisor. Recommended.
Review:Audiophile Audition
Art Hirahara – Peace Unknown (Posi-Tone Records, release 07/18/2025). Alex Sipiagin – trumpet / flugelhorn, Michael Dease – trombone, Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, Patrick Cornelius – alto saxophone, Markus Howell – alto saxophone, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums.
A wide-range of emotions are captured with the sparkling new set from Posi-tone Records pianist Art Hirahara. In the comfortable company of bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston, Hirahara’s self-penned works include deeply introspective ballads (Drawing With Light) to energetic swingers (Brooklyn Express) to Monkish strolls (Anonima). The arrangements by Hirahara and tenorist Diego Rivera make the most of the four-horn (!) front line. Recommended.
Review: Making A Scene, AllAboutJazz, JazzWise
Michika Fukumori – Eternity and a Day (Summit, release 06/20/2025). Michika Fukumori – piano, Steve Whipple – bass;,Adam Nussbaum – drums.
For her fourth release Japanese-born, New York-based pianist Michika Fukumori was teamed with bassist Steve Whipple (Reggie Watkins) and drummer Adam Nussbaum (Charles Chen, Dave Goldberg, Tom Harrell) for a set split between originals and covers. She has a lovely touch and drifts effortlessly from ballads to soul jazz that reminds me of Ramsey Lewis.
Review: Smooth Jazz Daily, Jazz Blues EU, Jazz Chill Music
So much music!
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
