Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
The legacy of Joey DeFrancesco was solidified decades ago, not only by single-handedly resurrecting the organ’s prominence in jazz, but through the passion and power of every note he played on any instrument he touched. “Live at Keystone Korner,” the first posthumous album from the legendary organist and multi-instrumentalist following his untimely passing in 2022, was recorded only weeks before his transition and stands as his final known recording as a bandleader. With his extraordinary talents on organ, trumpet, tenor saxophone, and a rare vocal feature in the spotlight, it is safe to say Joey’s influence on the musical community will resonate far beyond our lifetime, inspiring generations to come.
“25 Years of Phatness,” the 13th album from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, celebrates 25 years of fearless writing, powerhouse playing, and a distinctly modern approach to the big band tradition. It features the intricate ensemble composing, serious grooves, ridiculous chops, burning solos, and the humor and musical personality that have defined the band from the beginning. The album combines newly imagined versions of Phat Band favorites with new compositions, showcasing Gordon’s range as a composer, arranger, pianist and bandleader. It also serves as a fitting homage to Mr. Goodwin, who passed away in December at the age of 70.
Also this week, Denise Donatelli returns with “Take My Breath Away,” a celebratory new recording that finds the multi-Grammy nominated vocalist bringing together contemporary songcraft, Brazilian music and intimate balladry in a program as deeply personal as it is musically expansive; The Flying Horse Big Band celebrates its 10th album, “Swingin’ with The Flying Horse Big Band,” blending original compositions with rarely heard classics, moving effortlessly from hard-swinging Basie-inspired ensemble work and sophisticated arrangements by Harry Allen, Mark Taylor and Bill Finegan, to bossa nova and blues; and “From the Heart” is a new album from renowned tenor saxophonist Houston Person featuring classic American standards and ballads backed by an all-star sextet.