Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify. 
Inspired to make his biggest statement yet, Cuban-born drummer, composer, bandleader, and 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Dafnis Prieto unveils the Dafnis Prieto Big Band’s debut album, “Back to the Sunset.” The band made its world premiere at New York’s Jazz Standard last August, followed by recording sessions where the DPBB was joined by special guests Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman and Brian Lynch. Prieto composed and arranged nine works for the disc which honor his musical heroes and mentors including Eddie Palmieri, Chico O’Farrill, Bebo Valdes, Jane Bunnett and Michel Camilo.
Recorded between 2003 and 2007, “United We Swing” finds an array of musical talent that collectively boasts 94 Grammy Awards joining the Wynton Marsalis Septet on a program of blues-inflected versions of iconic American repertoire. These one-night-only live performances have never been released before and include the Blind Boys of Alabama, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Jimmy Buffet and more. Together these artists raise their voices to highlight jazz’s importance to America’s cultural heritage and to remind us that, even in divided times, music can unite us all.
Also this week, “You’re Driving Me Crazy” finds the iconic Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison collaborating in the studio with organ master Joey DeFrancesco and his band on a variety of jazz and blues standards along with fresh interpretations of songs from Van’s own catalog.
The Flying Horse Big Band puts their own spin on themes from the classic “Batman” television series composed by Nelson Riddle and Neal Hefti on “The Bat Swings”.
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Former Headhunter drummer Mike Clark teams up with longtime friend, keyboardist Delbert Bump, on an album of Hammond organ based grooves, “Retro Report.”