Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
Pianist Aaron Goldberg was introduced to drummer Leon Parker’s singular playing alongside keyboard icons including Kenny Barron, Brad Mehldau and Jacky Terrasson in the early 1990s. Parker was a trailblazer on the kit, intent on developing a distinct language and sound all his own. The pair had a memorable gig in 1992 but then lost touch. Goldberg went on to make a name for himself in the bands of Joshua Redman, Al Foster, Wynton Marsalis and Kurt Rosenwinkel, all while developing his own highly regarded trio. Parker, on the other hand, left New York in 2001 for France, where he stopped playing and nearly disappeared from the jazz world. Over a decade later, Goldberg found himself in France without a drummer and was curious to see if Parker would be interested in playing again. Leon still remembered him well after 20 years and the two experienced an instant musical reconnection. Parker became a full-fledged member of Goldberg’s band and now the two, along with bassist Matt Penman, unveil their debut disc, “At the Edge of the World.”
About five years ago, trumpeter Brad Goode met celebrated tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts when they found themselves sharing a concert stage. The experience was so good that they made efforts to work together whenever possible. Those efforts include a seat for Watts in Good’s longtime quartet—now a quintet. If their first recording together, “That’s Right,” is any indication, the band (with pianist Adrean Farrugia, bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Adam Nussbaum) is a force to be reckoned with. Although it’s Goode’s 18th album as a leader, he doesn’t’ see it that way. “I think of this as a debut album by a new band…I feel this is a pretty special act.”
Also this week, the latest and most daring from Grammy nominated lyricist and vocalist Lorraine Feather, “Math Camp,” which uses physics as a metaphor for modern love;
Toronto based drummer Ernesto Cervini offers up the third release with his band Turboprop, “Abundance”;
And veteran drummer Chip White’s new CD, “New Dedications and Latin Moods,” features an all-star ensemble including trumpeter Terell Stafford, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Renee Rosnes and bassist Peter Washington.