Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
Known for his charismatic performances, Israeli saxophonist-composer-bandleader Eli Degi
bri has recorded and performed extensively since the mid-1990s. He has been called “an exceptionally melodic improviser with a big, bold tenor tone” by Jazz Times, and “a bewitching fellow who shows impressive chops, as both a player and a composer” by the Philadelphia Inquirer. He’s shared stages as an integral member of pianist Herbie Hancock’s sextet for three years and legendary drummer Al Foster’s band for 9 years. He has also led bands which included Aaron Goldberg, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gary Versace, Ben Street and others, resulting in six critically-acclaimed recordings under his name. His new disc, “Cliff Hangin’,” features his current quartet consisting of two young and promising musicians, the pianist Gadi Lehavi and the drummer Ofri Nehemaya, together with Degibri’s longtime music collaborator and best friend, the bassist Barak Mori.
It’s hard to believe that, after a 20-year recording career, anyone in the jazz world might still need an introduction to Dena DeRose and her music. She is one of the most accomplished and creative singer-pianists on today’s jazz scene. Dena swings hard, delivers a ballad with great emotional nuance, plays substantive piano and also writes savvy arrangements and smart originals. Addressing repertoire both familiar and obscure, she brings a conversational ease to her vocal phrasing, finding a satisfying balance of off-the-cuff invention and focused storytelling. On her new release, “United,” Dena is back with her regular trio mates Martin Wind and Matt Wilson along with guest artists Peter Bernstein on guitar and Ingrid Jensin on trumpet.
Also this week, 80-year-old trumpeter Al Muirhead, long an iconic figure on the Canadian jazz scene, offers up a project of favorite jazz standards with “Oop!”.
Saxophonist David Murray, pianist Geri Allen and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington team up on “Perfection”.
Pianist Chris Ziemba, who has performed and recorded with some of the
leading voices on today’s jazz scene, including Ted Nash, Marcus Printup and Ron Blake, leads is own quartet for the first time on disc with “Manhattan Lullaby.”