Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
“The Rhythms Continue,” saxophonist T.K. Blue’s new suite, is dedicated to the memory of T.K.’s longtime bandleader, NEA Jazz Master Dr. Randy Weston, who passed away in September of 2018. Blue performed in Weston’s African Rhythms band for thirty-eight years, for most of which he was musical director. The disc, says T.K., “is my humble offering to say thank you for being a mentor, elder and teacher by sharing your infinite wisdom.” Made up of compositions by T.K., Weston and Melba Liston, it features an ensemble of ten musicians who are well-versed in the African Rhythms, jazz sensibility and passionate intensity that is the hallmark of the compositions of Mr. Weston.
Leslie Pintchik first surfaced on the Manhattan jazz scene in a trio with legendary bassist Red Mitchell, and in the ensuing years formed her own trio which performs regularly at New York City and East Coast jazz venues. In a personal note that follows the liner notes of her vibrant new CD, “Same Day Delivery: Leslie Pintchik Trio Live,” the pianist/composer writes, “In some ways, the release of this CD is a happy accident. It was recorded casually—on a Wednesday evening gig at Jazz at Kitano in Manhattan—just so that I might listen back, at my leisure, to the live performance. When I did listen, it felt like a special evening; we were fortunate to have a packed house as well as supportive listeners with generous ears, and they obviously spurred us on. The name of the CD reflects the relative ease and speed with which the project came together.”
Also this week, “Nothing Ever Happens” spotlights the compelling songwriting, smoky vocals and blistering trumpet playing of Juno Award-winning Bria Skonberg;
guitarist Randy Napoleon, who’s played on nearly 80 records and has spent years touring international stages, but in recent years has expanded his musical role to include becoming a professor in the jazz program at Michigan State University, unveils “Common Tones”;
and flutist Haruna Fukazawa is joined by saxophonist and flutist Steve Wilson for her second release as leader, “Departure.”