New Jazz Releases – 09/14/2026
By Russell Perry
Linda Sikhakhane
This is an abbreviated posting this week as I prepare the overnight broadcasts for the Jazz Marathon. Of note this week, are the tribute to Diane Schuur by vocalist Jonathan Karrant and another terrific set from South African saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane.
The Jazz Marathon is coming Monday September 28 – Sunday October 4, 24 hours a day*.
Isabelle Olivier & Raphael Olivier – Open (Rewound Echoes, release 09/12/2026). Isabelle Olivier – harp, Raphael Olivier – guitar / voice / cello with Jacques Dor – voice.
At the intersection of jazz and classical music, harpist Isabelle Olivier records with her son guitarist / vocalist Raphael. Their sound moves into singular territory with the sound of harp and electric guitar.
Gretchen Parlato – The Wise Ones (Edition Records, release 09/11/2026). Gretchen Parlato – voice, Mark Guiliana – drums / percussion, Alan Hampton -voice / guitar / piano, bass with Robert Glasper – piano / Rhodes, Gerald Clayton – piano / Rhodes / Wurlitzer / celeste / pump organ, Meshell Ndegeocello – voice / bass, Amber Navran – voice / woodwinds / synthesizers, Becca Stevens – voice / kora, Jacob Mann – synthesizers, Josh Mease – guitar, Max Bryk – synthesizers, Marley Guiliana – voice, Lauren Desberg – handclaps.
Vocalist Gretchen Parlato last recorded as a leader five years ago and continues to mine a personal vein of jazz flavored with neo-soul, R&B, and pop with a latin overlay.
Review: Marlbank
Janel Leppin – The Realist(Out Of Your Heads Records, release 09/11/2026). Janel Leppin – cello / Prophet 5, Devra Hoff – bass, Chad Taylor – drums / mbira.
The last release I heard from Janel Leppin was a sprawling affair from a large ensemble of Mid-Atlantic avant-jazz players (Volcanic Ash Ensemble, previewed 01/23/2023). This time out, the ensemble has been reduced to a trio with Leppin’s cello out front as the primary melodic instrument in the company of bass and drums. With the shreading frenzy of the larger group traded in for a more sedate trio, I find this release more satisfying and accessible.
Rich Halley 4 – A Distant Land (Pine Eagle Records, release 09/11/2026). Michael Vlatkovich – trombone, Rich Halley – saxophone, Andrew Jones – bass, Carson Halley – drums.
Fiery Portland saxophonist Rich Halley (Dusk To Dawn, previewed 11/11/2024) returns with his trombone & sax-led cordless quartet. The set features open-blowing structured loosely around compositions by the leader.
Jonathan Karrant – Full Circle: To Diane Schuur With Love (Green Hill Productions, release 09/11/2026). Kye Palmer – trumpet, Rickey Woodard – saxophone, Tamir Hendelman – piano, Graham Dechter – guitar, Alex Frank – bass, Kevin Kanner – drums, Jonathan Karrant – vocals with Dianne Schuur – vocals / piano.
San Diego vocalist Jonathan Karrant (Live In Concert With Joe Alterman Trio, previewed 09/15/2025) pays homage to his mentor vocalist Diane Schuur as she steps away from touring and recording at the end of a long career. I first became aware of Schuur’s remarkable singing from her 80s work with Stan Getz and, admittedly, had lost track of her. She returns now as guest on this disc and sings with power and grace on two tracks. I’d love to hear another disc from her before she drops the mic. Karrant is a powerful and emotional singer who brings a supple voice to the set. Lovers of vocal jazz will find lots to appreciate here. Recommended.
Review: Wild Mercury Rhythm
Linda Sikhakhane – Linda (Blue Note, release 09/04/2026). Linda Sikhakhane – tenor saxophone, Cameron Campbell – piano / Rhodes, Conway Campbell Jr. – bass, Kabelo Mokhatla – drums with Ludwe Danxa – keyboards, Omagugu – vocals, Zuluboy – vocals, Phila Dlozi – vocals, Thabo Sikhakhane – vocals, Ovuyonke – vocals.
South African tenor saxophonist Linda Sikhakane follows his terrific debut (Iladi, previewed 12/16/2024) with an equally wonderful sophomore effort. The spiritual vibe continues to pervade Sikhakhane’s music, this time with a new quartet and several vocalists. When Sikhakhane’s younger brother Thabo joins for one track, Hugh Masakela is brought to mind. Fellow South-African Nduduzo Makhathini was the pianist on the first release and he steps way this time while remaining as producer, leaving space for Cameron Campbell who makes a soulful addition to the quartet. Sikhakhane is a memorable saxophonist and I hope we hear much more of him going forward. Highly Recommended.
Geof Bradfield / Myra Melford / Ben Goldberg / Dana Hall – Open Or Close (Calligram Records, release 09/04/2026). Geof Bradfield – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone / bass clarinet, Ben Goldberg – clarinet / contra alto clarinet, Myra Melford – piano, Dana Hall – drums / cymbals.
Building on their 2020 release General Semantics, the trio of tenorist Geof Bradfield, clarinetist Ben Goldberg and drummer Dana Hall adds pianist Myra Melford for a live quartet date this time around. In the hands of these four highly skilled improvisors, the challenging compositions played that night move in-and-out of the realm of the predictable with consummate skill. All members of the band contribute compositions and there are two tracks from outside – one by Ornette Coleman and another by Johnny Dyani.
Review: Paris Move
Jamie Safir – Momentism (Chill Tone Recordings, release 09/04/2026). Iain Bellamy – saxophonist, Jamie Safir – piano, Conor Chaplin – bass, Luke Tomlinson – drums.
British Pianist Jamie Safir has released his debut as a leader – an elegant set of originals for tenor – piano quartet. The tenor chair is ably occupied by sensuous horn player Iain Bellamy.
Review: AllAboutJazz, UK Vibe, Marlbank
Greg Chako – Hard Bop: For The Records (Mint 400 Records, release 09/04/2025). Spencer Merk – trombone, Brooks Giles – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Greg Chako – guitar, David Lloyd – bass, Alex Mark – drums.
Guitarist Greg Chako (A Place For Bass: Chamber Jazz Duets, previewed 06/12/2023) pays homage to the music he loves with a set of ten originals evoking the classic hard bop of the 50s and 60s. By choosing to record in a two horn pianoless quintet, the leader’s guitar is the anchor to this lovely set. While the balance of the players are all new to me, they acquit themselves well.
Review: Paris Move, Jazz Weekly
Mike Catalano – A Trio Affair (Catman Records, release 09/02/2026). Randy Brecker – trumpet / flugelhorn, Lou Marini – saxophone / flutes, Mike Catalano – piano, Eddie Gomez – bass, Steve Gadd – drums with Birch Johnson – trombone, Rob Mounsey – shakers / congas / maracas / clave, Bashiri Johnson -triangle / shaker / rainstick / per / chimes, Armando Marcal
tamborim, George Whitty – tambourine / keyboards, Bob Mann – nylon guitar, Clint de Ganon – drums, Marivaldo dos Santos – pandeiro.
Pianist Mike Catalano has surrounded himself with some well-known musicians (trumpeter Randy Brecker, multi-reedist Lou Marini, bassist Eddie Gomez, drummer Steve Gadd) for this mostly smooth jazz affair characterized by washes synthesizer-produced strings sounds.
* The Jazz Marathon brings special programming 24 hours a day?
Really?
Really. This year (again), I am pre-recording the overnight programming for the Jazz Marathon featuring music from the 2026 centenarians – Ray Brown, Jimmy Heath, Tony Bennett, Randy Weston with Melba Liston, Brother Jack McDuff, Bud Shank and Sweet Poppa Lou Donaldson – plus my own contributions to the Miles and Trane-O-Thon.
You can sleep in October. Please stay up all night and join me.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
