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For years, the Brazilian bossa nova queen Rosa Passos has had a devoted global following, including fans who proclaim she is Brazil’s answer to Ella Fitzgerald or the female Joao Gilberto. She began playing piano at age 13, but after listening to Gilberto and Dorival Caymmi, she abandoned the instrument to become a singer. Rosa recorded her debut album in 1978, and has since worked with the likes of Ron Carter and Kenny Barron among many others. Expectations were high when she performed two sets at Copenhagen Jazzhouse in 2001. The tracks on her new CD, “Samba Sem Voce,” come from the second set of that concert.
Christian McBride’s New Jawn, featuring trumpeter Josh Evans, reedman Marcus Strickland and drummer Nasheet Waits, is back with their highly anticipated sophomore album, ”Prime,” the follow-up to the Grammy-nominated debut disc from the Philly-centric named group. With the release of this exhilarating second album, and seven years as a band under their collective belts, New Jawn isn’t quite so new anymore. Featuring original compositions from each band member as well as fresh takes on songs from Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman and Larry Young, the quartet offers a space of exploration for the 8-time Grammy Award bassist to stretch his veteran wings.
Also this week, pianist Bill Cunliffe is joined by bassist Martin Wind and drummer Tim Horner on “Border Widow’s Lament,” featuring original compositions by the trio’s members;
trumpeter Jeremy Pelt unveils the follow-up to his 2020 release with “The Art of Intimacy Vol.2: His Muse”;
and guitar virtuoso Kingsley Grant’s focus is on the electric guitar and eight new compositions for “Convertible.”