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Mike Conrad, Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa, believes that the bonds formed through musical experiences can be incredibly strong and enduring. For his debut jazz trio album, “Reconnect,” the pianist wanted to connect with some of his favorite musicians from his past to bring eight of his original tunes to life. Chicago bassist Katie Ernst lends her lyrical, buoyant approach to the project. She and Conrad met at a jazz band camp in high school, and both have a connection to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Over ten years after Indianapolis-based drummer Cassius Goens III released his debut album with Conrad on piano, he rejoins the pianist to bring both fire and sensitivity to this new release.
Keyboardist Ronnie Foster first caught the ear of Blue Note Records co-founder Francis Wolff when he made his first-ever recording as a sideman on guitar legend Grant Green’s album “Alive” in 1970. After Wolff passed away a few months later, Ronnie was officially signed to the label, making him the next in an illustrious lineage if Hammond B3 organists the label had presented which included Jimmy Smith, Larry Young and Dr. Lonnie Smith. The 2022 return of Foster to Blue Note is an event of synergistic quintessence, completeness and cool. The organ great’s dynamic new disc, “Reboot,” arrives on the 50th anniversary of his 1972 Blue Note debut, “Two Headed Freap,” which is also being reissued this year.
Also this week, singer Tierney Sutton returns with “Paris Sessions 2,” reuniting her with her husband, Parisian guitarist Serge Merlaud, and bassist Kevin Axt with special guest Hubert Laws on flute;
singer Lia Booth, who has shared the stage with Arturo Sandoval and Jeff Goldblum, makes her recorded debut with “Life Can Be Beautiful”;
and Taiwanese-American saxophonist Tim Lin unveils his debut release, “Romance in Formosa,” featuring Bob Sheppard, Billy Drummond, Jay Anderson and Andy Laverne in his quintet.