Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Jazz festivals worldwide have seen trumpeter Alex Sipiagin performing with the likes of Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, the Mingus groups, and many more. In 1990 he participated in the Thelonious Monk Institute’s International Louis Armstrong Competition, winning top honors. In his early career, Alex became a favored player for various bands including the Gil Evans Orchestra, the Dave Holland Big Band, Sextet and Octet groups, and the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty and Mingus Orchestra. He has also shared the front line with tenor sax giant Chris Potter, propelled by a nonpareil rhythm section of John Escreet on keyboards, Matt Brewer on bass and Eric Harland on drums. “Horizons” marks the 11th Sipiagjn-Potter pairing on a Sipiagin-led date since his debut in 1997.
As a second generation Chinese American whose parents do not play any instruments, Brian Ho has dedicated countless hours in learning the rich history of the Hammond organ on and off the bandstand while simultaneously putting his own voice and influences to the music. He’s been fortunate to record or play with musicians like Billy Hart, Troy Roberts, Gary Bartz and others and has played in jazz clubs and festivals all over the world. For his second full-length recording, “Bridges,” the keyboardist utilizes two thirds of Joey DeFrancesco’s original trio, guitarist Paul Bollenback and drummer Byron “Wookie” Landham.
Also this week, “Vinyl Brews” is the second live recording from the Gardyn Jazz Orchestra, featuring tracks inspired by the award-winning beers from the Von C. Brewing Company of Norristown, PA.; the Eyal Vilner Big Band’s new album, “Swingin’ Uptown,” is a big band celebration of Uptown Harlem and the dances that were conceived and popularized there; and “Where Do You Go” is the impressive debut from the Swedish drummer and composer Cornelia Nilsson.