Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
“Wobbly Dance Flower” is the newest project by the versatile, multi-talented John Daversa, the internationally respected trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, bandleader, and educator. Daversa is one of the leading forces of large ensemble jazz today but is adept at writing and arranging for bands of any size. For the new disc, he brought on board some old friends who just happen to be some of the finest musicians on the scene today, including legendary reedman Bob Mintzer. The sextet also includes keyboardist Joe Bagg, bassist Jerry Watts, drummer Gene Coye and guitarist Zane Carney. All the tunes were composed by Daversa except for one bebop standard from Charlie Parker.
Every so often a musician and his ensemble come along and stamp their name on today’s musical landscape. With their new release, “This Is the Moment,” bassist Nathan Brown and his trio do just that. Nathan has performed with world renowned artists such as Frank Morgan, Jon Faddis, Paquito D’Rivera, Lewis Nash and many others. He’s performed at esteemed venues and festivals worldwide including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Detroit Jazz Festival. Nathan is joined on the new disc by Felix Lemerle and guitar and Peter Traunmueller on drums on a collection of original pieces along with interpretations of selections from Grant Green, Leslie Bricusse, Walter Davis, Jr. and Frederik Hollander.
Also this week, Grammy Award-winning vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant unveils her third album, “Dream and Daggers”.
Guitarist Andrew Scott offers up a set of original comp
osition with his quartet on “The Brightest Minute”.
Negroni’s Trio brings a Brazilian flavor to a set of pop tunes and jazz standards on “New Era.”