New Jazz Releases – 10/06/2025
By Russell Perry
JD Allen
Thank you to everyone who participated in the recently completed WTJU Jazz Fundraising Marathon – announcers, telephone answerers, live music producers, listeners and, significantly, donors. The quality of the programming was excellent and the station’s supporters came through beyond anyone’s hope. Thanks so much. If you missed your chance to contribute and have the desire, please go to here and join our supporters. And note that all the marathon shows are available in our archives for two weeks after broadcast.
And the music keeps coming. There is an excellent new release from JD Allen in a quartet. He is coming to town, see below. If you’ve got Mambo on your mind, check out the 19-piece Steven Oquendo’s Latin Jazz Orchestra and their tribute to Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez. Another fine large ensemble release has come from the 14-piece Rin Seo Collective. David Kikoski has a live trio date out with a guest appearance from Randy Brecker. Charlie Porter and Yoko Yates both have quintet releases out, the latter with Jamie Baum and Sam Sadigursky in the front line. Wonderful.
JD Allen – Love Letters, The Ballad Sessions (Savant, release 09/26/2025). JD Allen – tenor saxophone, Brandon McCune – piano, Ian Kenselaar – bass, Nic Cacioppo – drums.
Tenor saxophonist JD Allen (The Dark, The Light, The Grey and The Wonderful, previewed 10/28/2025) is no stranger to the Great American songbook generally and ballads in particular. In a quartet with Liberty Ellman on guitar, Allen ploughed this field before on 2018’s Love Stone. Seven years later, Allen brings his warm and luxuriant sound back to ballads, this time out with Brandan McCune on piano (known for his work as an accompanist for singers – Eugenie Jones, Charenee Wade, Abbey Lincoln). With this material, at this pace, Allen’s expressive playing brings satisfying memories of Charles Lloyd. While Allen hasn’t gone too far afield on recent releases and I have consistently appreciated his work, this is the most accessible record from the artist in a while. Loved this. Highly recommended.
Review: Dark Blue Notes
The Charlottesville Jazz Society and WTJU are presenting the JD Allen Trio (JD Allen, Ian Kenselaar, Nic Cacioppo) in concert at Unity of Charlottesville on 10/16/2025 at 7:30 PM. See you there.
Rin Seo – City Suite (Cellar Music, release 10/03/2025). John Lake – trumpet, Nick Grinder – trombone, Adam Unsworth – French horn, Steve Wilson – piccolo / flute / soprano sax / alto saxophone,Ethan Helm – soprano sax / alto saxophone, Dan Pratt – flute / clarinet / tenor saxophone, Andrew Gutauskas – clarinet / bass clarinet / baritone saxophone, Adam Birnbaum – piano, Sebastian Noelle – guitar, Joyce Hammann – violin, Sita Chay – violin, Orlando Wells – viola, Jody Redhage Ferber – cello, Matt Clohesy – contrabass, Jared Schonig drum set / percussion with Ingrid Jensen – trumpet.
Korean-born, New York City-based composer Rin Sen has written a picturesque three-part suite about The City which she has joined to four other original compositions and one Wayne Shorter cover for presentation by a solid NYC-based fourteen-piece ensemble, populated with familiar players, including guest appearances from trumpeter Ingrid Jensen (Artemis). This is a heck of a debut. Recommended.
Review: AllAboutJazz, Women In Jazz Media
Thom Rotella – Right Time Left (HighNote Records, release 09/26/2025). Wil Blades – organ, Thom Rotella – guitar, Lenny Castro – bass, Charles Ruggiero – drums with Jeremy Pelt – trumpet, Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone, Antonio Adolfo – piano, Tierney Sutton – vocals.
Guitarist Thom Rotella (Side Hustle, previewed 08/26/2024) brings a cozy warmth to this date dominated by a sweet organ – guitar – drums – percussion quartet. To be sure, several guests also share in this release including Ernie Watts on tenor (Marc Seales, Brad Goode, Charlie Haden), Jeremy Pelt on trumpet (Woven, previewed 02/17/2025) and Tierney Sutton on wordless vocals (Good People, previewed 04/23/2024).
Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra – A Centennial Salute To Tito & Tito, Live at Dizzy’s (Truth Revolution, release 08/29/2025). Steven Oquendo, Chris Thompson, Pete Nater, Julie Acosta – trumpets, Hommy Ramos, Michael Pallas, Juanga Lagunza – trombones, Alberto Toro, Evan Francis – alto saxophone, Patience Higgins, Carl Corwin – tenor saxophone, Pete Miranda – baritone saxophone, Antoine Alvear – piano, Jerry Madera – bass, Carlos “Carly” Maldonado – congas, Nelson Matthew Gonzalez – timbales, Jose Claussell – bongos, Leo Gruber – lead vocals, Alberto Toro, Julie Acosta, Pete Nater, Sergio “Chino” Ramos – vocals.
From its roots as a Bronx-based rehearsal band to a scorching hot Latin Jazz Orchestra recorded live at Dizzy’s in the Upper West Side, this 19-piece ensemble brings you all the Mambo you might ever want. Driving percussion, screaming brass, righteous singing … everything. That every one of these players is new to me just speaks to the depth of the amazing New York City Latin scene. The occasion for this recording is the centennial of Mambo pioneers Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente. Just try to keep your seat. Highly Recommended.
Donny McCaslin – Lullaby For The Lost (Edition Records, release 09/26/2025). Donny McCaslin – tenor saxophone, Jason Lindner – synthesizers / electric piano, Ben Monder – guitar, Ryan Dahle – guitar, Tim Lefebvre – electric bass / electric guitar, Jonathan Maronn-b, Zach Danziger – drums, Nate Wood – drums, Mark Guiliana – drums.
Saxophonist Donny McCaslin (I Want More, 2022) leapt to international fame after his defining contributions to David Bowie’s final recording, Blackstar (2019). Once again, McCaslin is fierce and high-energy with more than a little rock in his musical DNA.
Review: Jazz Trail, The Big Takeover, AllAboutJazz
Luigi Grasso & NDR Big Band – La Dimora Dell’Altrove (LP3 45, release 09/26/2025). Luigi Grasso – soprano saxophone / baritone saxophone / bass clarinet.
Italian composer / saxophonist Luigi Grasso has composed a suite for the German Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) Big Band of which he is a member. Knowing the other members of the ensemble well, the pieces were composed with the sound of particular players in mind.
Trio Of Bloom – Trio Of Bloom(Pyroclastic Records, release 09/26/2025). Craig Taborn – keyboards, Nels Cline – 6-string guitar / 12-string guitar / lap steel guitar / bass, Marcus Gilmore – drums / percussion.
The first encounter of three larger-than-life improvisers – Craig Taborn (Stemeseder Lillinger featuring Craig Taborn – Umbra III, previewed 01/06/2025), Nels Cline (Concentric Quartet, previewed 03/17/2025) and Marcus Gilmore (Jason Palmer, Patricia Brennan, Chris Potter) – is an electric affair, but a gentle one. Together these players map out a sonic world of wonder and lightness.
Review: Jazz Trail, Post Genre, Jazz Views
Simón Willson – Feel Love (Endectomorph Records, release 09/26/2025). Neta Raanan – tenor saxophone, Evan Main – piano, Simón Wilson – bass, Kayvon Gordon – drums.
Chilean-born, New York-based bassist Simón Wilson (Good Company, previewed 01/08/2023) has released a satisfying quartet date anchored by saxophonist Neta Raanan (Unforeseen Blossom, previewed 08/19/2024). Mostly quiet and played at a relaxed pace, these players are deeply in synch. Recommended.
Henry Threadgill – Listen Ship(Pi Recordings, release 09/26/2025). Brandon Ross – acoustic soprano guitar, Bill Frisell – acoustic guitar, Gregg Belisle-Chi – acoustic guitar, Miles Okazaki – acoustic guitar, Jerome Harris – acoustic bass guitar, Stomu Takeishi – acoustic bass guitar, Maya Keren – piano, Rahul Carlberg – piano.
Composed by Pulitzer-laureate Henry Threadgill, these 16 short pieces are realized by an ensemble of six acoustic guitars and two pianos. While I was unable to recognize specific voices among the players, Bill Frisell (Orchestras, previewed 04/23/2024 & Breaking
The Shell, previewed 12/23/2024)) and Miles Okazaki (Miniature America, previewed 07/08/2024) are somewhere in the mix. There are moments of bewitching beauty and virtuosic playing, but one’s appreciation for this music is likely to hinge on your ear for the abstract.
Review: Jazz Trail, Something Else Reviews
David Kikoski Trio – Weekend At Smalls (Cellar Music, release 09/26/2025). David Kikoski – piano, Joe Martin – bass, Billy Hart – drums with Randy Brecker – trumpet.
New York pianist David Kikoski brought his accomplished trio of bassist Joe Martin (Anat Cohen, Art Hirahara, Chris Potter) and drummer Billy Hart (Just, previewed 03/03/2025) to the storied club Smalls for the latest in the Smalls Live Living Masters Series (Dwayne Clemons, Rager Kellaway, Jack Walrath). And then he added trumpeter Randy Brecker with whom he recorded In The Idiom in 1986. Kickoski contributed four originals and Brecker two, plus one by Monk. Straight ahead and tasteful. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, Making A Scene
Charlie Porter – Cipher (PHP Records, release 09/26/2025). Charlie Porter – trumpet, Nick Biello – alto saxophone, George Colligan – piano, Garrett Baxter – bass, Alan Jones – drums.
Although trumpeter Charlie Porter (Hindsight, 2021) has relocated to the East Coast, his latest release continues to feature Portland-based players. This a straight up trumpet – alto quintet date, swinging and pensive by turns. Excellent playing and fine compositions, saxophonist Nick Biello (Vagabond Soul, 2017). I guess I should mention that the eight tracks somehow include nine clues and the lucky fan who cracks the secret will find $10,000 hidden somewhere (a contribution to the recently completed Jazz Marathon would be de rigueur.) You can skip the puzzle and still enjoy the music. Recommended.
Review: Audiophile Audition
Wolfgang Muthspiel – Tokyo (ECM, release 09/26/2025). Wolfgang Muthspiel – guitar, Scott Colley – bass, Brian Blade – drums.
Guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel is back for a third ECM release from his celebrated trio with Scott Colley on bass and Brian Blades on drums (Dance of the Elders, 2023 & Angular Blues, 2020.) The program is eight originals with one cover each of Keith Jarrett and Paul Motian. In Manfred Eicher’s hands the sound is spare and transparent, leaning into a chamber jazz feel.
Review: AllAboutJazz, Jazz Trail, Jazz Views
Charlie Rouse – Cinnamon Flower (Resonance Records, release 09/19/2025). Claudio Roditi, Waymon Reid – trumpet, Clifford Adams – trombone, Charlie Rouse – tenor saxophone, Lou Orenstein – flute, Dom Salvador – piano / Fender Rhodes, Albert Dailey – electric piano, Ted Dunbar, George Davis – electric guitar, Amaury Tristão – acoustic guitar, Jesse Levy, Ulysses Kirksey – cello, Wilbur Bascomb, Ron Carter – bass, Portinho, Bernard Purdie – drums, Carlos Martinez, Steve Thornton – percussion, Roger Powell – string synthesizer.
Tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse will forever be primarily remembered for his contributions to Thelonious Monk’s Quartet (1959 – 1970) filling the big shoes of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Johnny Griffin. This reissue is representative of his dozen or so releases as a leader and is not unusual in that discography for its foray into Brazilian music. As originally issued, producer Alan Douglas “enriched” the sound by overdubbing additional musicians. Here, the original 1977 recording has been reproduced and presented in parallel with the overdubbed version. Rouse is in fine fettle, strong and fluent. Keep an ear open for the then 31-year-old Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi.
Review: Paris Move, Jazz Weekly, Post-Genre
Yoko Yates – Eternal Moments (Banka Records, release 09/19/2025). Yoko Yates – piano, Jamie Baum – flute / alto flute, Sam Sadigursky – alto saxophone / clarinet / bass clarinet, Aryeh Kobrinsky – bass, Jeff Hirshfield – drums.
For her second release with this quintet (Mystic Nights, 2022), Japanese-born, New York-based pianist Yoko Yates has penned ten new tunes which are lyrically presented by flutist Jamie Baum (What Times Are These, previewed 03/25/2025) and multi-reedist Sam Sadigursky (Jamie Baum, Darcy James Argue). The choice of instrument for Sadigursky heavily influences the sound of each piece with the selections that combine flute with clarinet or bass clarinet being my favorites – they play beautifully together. Recommended.
Review: Paris Move, AllAboutJazz
Thanks for your participation in the WTJU Jazz Fundraising Marathon!
See you on Saturday 10/16 for the CJS / WTJU presentation of the JD Allen Trio.
Russell Perry
Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
