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Regarded as one of Africa’s first international superstars, Zenzile Miriam Makeba elevated the spirit of a continent, including her native South Africa. Her courage, however, was met with three decades of political exile from her homeland followed by blacklisting in the U.S. after her marriage to civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael. Grammy-nominated vocalist and songwriter Somi’s lifelong love of Mekeba’s music and personal strength led to a new album, “Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba,” that she hopes will inspire a rediscovery of Makeba’s invaluable musical contributions and messages of social justice.
Calvin Keys doesn’t call a lot of attention to himself. Over six decades, the Oakland-based guitarist has established himself as one of jazz’s most eloquent six-string searchers, an improviser known for his lithe, beautifully crafted solos. Some of his most ardent supporters have been musicians who have hired him, like departed giants Earl “Fatha” Hines and Ray Charles. Fellow Midwesterner Pat Metheny described Keys as an early influence, writing the tune “Calvin’s Keys” in his honor. His new release, “Simply Calvin,” features his working quartet circa 1992.
Also this week, “New Dreams, Old Stories” is the latest release from the Toronto-based avant-folk-jazz quartet Way North;
trumpeter Sean Jones, saxophonist Ted Nash and singer Diane Schuur are guests of the United States Air Force band The Airmen of Note on the “2022 Jazz Heritage Series”;
and pianist and composer Lisa Hilton and her trio with Luques Curtis and Rudy Royston present an optimistic vision celebrating Lisa’s 25th Stateside album, “Life is Beautiful.”