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Guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland, two of jazz’s contemporary masters, have played together over the years in contexts including projects with Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson and a spirited co-led band with Joe Lovano and Al Foster. “Memories of Home” is their first duo album together. It was recorded last year after extensive touring activity and features tunes each composed, some old, some new.
Colin Hancock’s Jazz Hounds team with three-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Catherine Russell on “Cat & the Hounds,” reimagining the sound of early 1920’s Black jazz and blues through historical research and contemporary interpretation. Drawing from rare archival recordings and obscure material alongside canonical pieces, the group approaches these century-old traditions not as re-enactment but as restoration, exploring the complex, cosmopolitan roots of Black popular music in the early recording age.
Also this week, the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective reflects the musical heritage of Puerto Rico mixed with the sophistication of modern jazz on their fourth album, “Cortadito”; Toronto-based pianist Anthony D’Alessandro’s sophomore album “City Lights” was inspired by the many cities his music has brought him to; and “Speaking of Gravity” melds modern jazz styles, forms and aesthetics to create an aural representation of pianist Andrew Carroll’s compositions.