Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
“Kinda Out West” is Edmonton bassist Aretha Tillotson’s second album as a leader, an ode to the musicians of her native Alberta and the neighboring province of British Columbia—artists whose work is fueled by the prairies and grasslands; by the ocean and the mountains. Tillotson’s quartet follows in the tradition of the great chordless bands of saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman from the 1950’s and ‘60s. The lineup includes the Jensen sisters, Ingrid on trumpet and Christine on alto sax, and drummer Dave Laing.
Trombonist extraordinaire Michael Dease goes with the “Flow” for his 11th album for the Posi-Tone record label. For this session, he features some old friends, like keyboardist Geoffrey Keezer and alto saxophonist Sharel Cassity, while introducing the arrival of newcomers bassist Jared Beckstead-Craan and drummer Gary Kerkezou to his musical family. From start to finish, Dease’s performances remain insightfully straight-ahead as he guides listeners through a well-balanced program of original compositions and thought-provoking arrangements.
Also this week, pianist Lafayette Harris Jr. and his trio are joined by special guests Jeremy Pelt and Houston Person for “All in Good Time”; pianist and composer Enoch Smith Jr. brings sacred jazz into the modern era, fusing gospel roots, swing, and spiritual depth on “The Book of Enoch, Vol. 1”; and trumpeter James Suggs brings together jazz standards, blues, New Orleans grooves and soulful classics in a vibrant and personal statement, “For All We Know.”