Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
In Scott Yanow’s recently published book, “Swing,” Jon-Erik Kellso is described as being “one of the finest mainstream and trad cornetists to emerge during the 1990s.” He’s also featured in Yanow’s “Trumpet Kings” book. Now, after 16 years of Sunday nights at the historic Ear Inn in New York City, Jon-Erik Kellso and the EarRegulars have finally made a live recording. “Live at the Ear Inn” showcases the band’s freewheeling improvised ensemble interplay and daring solos, featuring saxophonist Scott Robinson and trombonist John Allred.
Although Detroit has long been recognized as a Midwest epicenter of jazz, from which many legendary players have emerged, the adjacent East Lansing, Michigan, should also be acknowledged for it notable pool of players, many of whom have ties in some way to the fantastic jazz studies program at Michigan State University. All members of the band TechnoCats have the MSU connection, including Professor Xavier Davis on piano. Their new CD, “The Music of Gregg Hill,” is focused on the work of Mr. Hill, who also has long ties to the MSU jazz scene and has produced multiple albums of his compositions by MSU professors Rodney Whitaker and Randy Napoleon.
Also his week, drummer Brandon Sanders, a successful professional musician for nearly three decades, makes his recording debut with “Compton’s Finest”; drummer Bob Holz blends jazz, funk, Latin, pop and classical on “Holz-Stathis: Collaborative,” featuring John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Randy Brecker, Ralphe Armstrong, Alex Acuna, Brandon Fields and Airto; and Superblue with Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter unveil their sophomore disc, “The Iridescent Spree.”