Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
With “Honor Thy Fathers,” Laurence Hobgood embarks on a striking new chapter in what has already been a storied career. His 18-year tenure as musical director for singer Kurt Elling drew to a close in late 2013. He seizes that opportunity with a bold and original trio outing that pays homage to a selection of personal mentors, influences and father figures. The pianist is joined in this endeavor by bassist John Patitucci and drummer Kendrick Scott. Jazz Times magazine calls it “…a sublime statement,” and Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune says “…his seemingly effortless virtuosity is evident throughout the recording…poetic phrasing radiates from the opening track.”
According to Ken Pepl
owski, the quartet on his new CD, “Enrapture,” is the best group he’s ever worked with. “It’s a joy to be able to go in any direction you want to go musically. Almost every song was made in one take. We really felt that we captured the spontaneity of a ‘live’ performance on what were some challenging pieces of music. This is the culmination of sifting through a year’s worth of material that best highlights this band. We played as many live performances as we could leading up to the recording date. I care deeply about these songs and hope I’ve successfully conveyed hat to the listeners.” Peplowski’s fellow music makers include drummer Matt Wilson, pianist Ehud Asherie and bassist Martin Wind.
Also this week, C
uban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez deliver’s is third disc as a leader, “Tocororo,” the title referring to Cuba’s national bird; the young.
Japanese saxophonist Erena Terakubo makes her U.S. debut with “A Time for Love”; and Chris Merz leads the 2014-2015 edition of the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One with “Local Color.”
