Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
Two-time Grammy nominated Australian saxophonist and composer Troy Roberts, now based in New York City, maintains a busy performance and recording schedule around the globe with some of the great artists of today including Joey DeFrancesco and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts. He’s also performed with Christian McBride, Dave Douglas, Sammy Figueroa, Kurt Elling and others. Jazz Times magazine says Roberts “…is a force to be reckoned with no matter the setting. He is more than one to watch, he is one to follow closely.” Troy’s new release, “Nu Jive Perspective,” his eighth as a leader, is an eclectic concoction of soul, funk, R&B and gospel, all musically glued together by a deep sense of jazz etiquette.
Saxophonist Jerry Vivino’s history contains a who’s who list of artists he has performed or recorded with, including Stanley Clark, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Dr. John and Wynton Marsalis. For the past two decades, he’ s been a featured member of the house band for Conan O’Brien’s talk show, a band led by Jerry’s guitar playing brother Jimmy Vivino. He’s also been a part of bassist Will Lee’s Fab Faux band and has a regular spot at L.A.’s world-renowned progressive jazz club, The Baked Potato. For his new disc, “Coast to Coast,” Jerry enlisted the help of Bucky Pizzarelli, Brian Charette, Ron Stout, Mitchel Forman, and Lew Soloff among others.
Also this week, the Charles Pillow Large Ensemble celebrates the early electric period of Miles Davis with “Electric Miles”.
Reedman Tim Warfield, a one time member of Shirley Scott’s band, is back with his first recording in five years, “Jazzland”.
and saxophonist Tom Tallitsch unveils a captivating program of new compositions for his quintet on “Wheelhouse.”