New Jazz Releases – 05/20/2025
By WTJU
Many thanks to Rus for taking on these duties mostly year-round. It’s time consuming, but I hear some music doing this that I might otherwise not have checked out.
Jordan Glenn’s Beak, “The Party,” Queen Bee Records
Jordan Glenn is another percussionist, though of a completely different bent. He’s likely from the Bay area, because our friend Lisa Mezzacappa is the bassist here, and I believe she sent us the album, which is on her label. This one gets pretty weird. Track 1 has its moments, with repetitive percussion and guitar figures, approaching minimalism, before it devolves into abstraction. I like the song called Free Three Leaves of Tea, with its spacey vibes and intermittent electric guitar. Other pieces, with such odd percussion instruments as bundtmonica and tongue tube, are tougher to get into. Several other percussionists contribute, and 3 guitarists, including one who plays no string guitars and YEMERS (Yasmin Electro Magnetic Rhythm Sequencer).
Adam O’Farrill, “For These Streets,” Out of Your Head Records
O’Farrill is the trumpeter and composer featured in some of Mary Halvorson’s bands, which should tell you something. O’Farrill says “For These Streets is a suite of music that channels the creative and emotional currents of the 1930s through an ensemble comprised of some of the finest improvisers and interpreters of the modern era. Reconstructing the feelings, ideas, and motifs of artists of the era (notably Duke Ellington, Virginia Woolf, Igor Stravinsky, Anais Nin, and Carlos Chavez).” There are some beautiful sections courtesy of the great vibist Patricia Brennan, and flutist David LeoTn. Halvoson and several horn players, plus drummer Tomas Fujiwara, round out the octet. Try Swimmers or Nocturno 1932. I’ll listen to anything with Mary and Patricia on it.
Gustavo Cortinas, The Crisis Knows no Borders, Desafio Caliente Records
I guess David saved the avant pile for me. This is a quartet of great Chicago improvisers, all band leaders themselves. Cortinas is the drummer and composer, Mark Feldman violin, Dave Miller guitar and Jon Irabagon sax. You may have seen Gustavo with Emily Kuhn’s great band at the Front Porch. I like most everything on here, though there are some edgy sections, getting into rock territory. Try The Man of Flesh and Bone.
Christopher Damman Sextet, (eponymous), Out of Your Head Records
Another great Chicago band led by Charlottesville native Damman, who plays bass and composed the music. Jon Irabagon is again on alto sax, with the wonderful trumpeter James Davis, Mabel Kwan piano, Edward Wilerson Jr. on tenor and clarinet, and Richmond drummer Scott Clark. I’m very prejudiced toward Chris’ music, having followed him for many years, but I realize this is not for everyone. Chris says ““The sextet is interested in the possibility of non-linear time. I was hoping the compositions would allow for multiple pulses at once, making scenarios where we could go both backwards and forwards. Time travel is a theme of the record.” Chris is a very thoughtful composer obviously, and there are some thrilling ensemble sections here, interspersed with a lot of free improv. Try part 2 of No Hope at All….. Beautiful imo.
Paul Hecht, “Pyrography,” Ears and Eyes Records
More Chicago jazz! Works for me. This is the first album by pianist and composer Hecht. It’s a mostly quiet quartet date. The good news is that Cortinas and James Davis return, alongside Ben Dillinger on bass. There’s a bit of a chamber sound (James Davis is classically trained). I prefer the more uptempo numbers like (ironically) Idler. Femme R is also great and a showcase for Davis. By the way, check out his own albums with his group Beveled if you haven’t yet.
Joe Marcinek Band, “The Groove Session” Vintage League Music
Guitarist Marcinek leads a quartet sometimes augmented by Howard Levy’s harmonica and Tracy Silverman’s violin. Pleasant well written funk and straight-ahead tunes. Some nice piano work from Jesus Molina. Not my style but some folks might enjoy. Try Gimmie One Second.
Michael Waldrop, “Native Son,” Origin Records.
Yet another drummer-led band, Waldrop lives and teaches in Washington state. This is basically a piano trio featuring Serbian pianist Vasil Hadzimanov, and a bassist with another hard to pronounce name. What sets this music apart are some additional percussion accents from Brad Dutz and Jose Rossy. These include berimbau, bougarabou, and doumbek. I really enjoyed this album with its variety of styles. A bit of a Tyner-esq sound at times. “Vasconcuelos” is a tribute to one of Waldrop’s influences, and “Bitter End” gets a little funky. All you all will like this.
Premazzi Nasser Quartet, “From What I Recall,” OA2
Simona Premazzi is an Italian pianist, working with American saxophonist Kyle Nasser for the past few years. These folks can really play. They show off their bebop chops at times. The writing is angular but always lyrical, and the sax doubling the piano on several tunes adds interest. I think most all would enjoy this.
Lorraine Feather, The Green World, Relarion, Inc.
This is my one stab at reviewing a vocal album, as jazz vocals these days usually don’t compute with me. But I’ve enjoyed Lorraine Feather’s clever lyrics on some past albums. Here she writes most of the lyrics, with music by Eddie Arkin and others. Arrangements and side people are varied and top notch. Grant Geissman plays guitar on the title track, a rocker. “Unlike My Wife,” about dating sites, is a lot of fun, as is “Canoe.” The packaging is excellent, with a booklet containing lyrics and comments by Feather. Give it a listen.
