Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Drummer Joe Farnsworth celebrates the fortitude of New York City’s jazz community with “City of Sounds,” featuring legendary pianist Kenny Barron and stellar bassist Peter Washington. Still in masks at the time, separated by plastic barriers, playing in an empty club for an audience of virtual listeners streaming the music live at home—none of these inconveniences are reflected in the incredible music. In fact, the trio plays with as much or more vigor, wit, and musicality than if the place were packed, delivering a rollicking set that spans the stylistic spectrum.
With seven critically acclaimed albums and three Grammy nominations, vocalist Kate McGarry is recognized as a jazz artist who brings authenticity and vitality to every song regardless of genre. Guitarist and arranger Keith Ganz is a 2019 Grammy nominee known for his uniquely melodic voice on both electric and acoustic guitars. Kate and Keith have been musical and life partners for 17 years, producing six critically acclaimed albums together. Their new disc, “What to Wear,” features vibrant, jazz-fueled rearrangements of songs by iconic songwriters of the ‘70s.
Also this week, saxophonist Eric Wyatt is joined by drum legend Jeff “Tain” Watts, bassist Eric Wheeler and pianist Donald Vega for “A Song of Hope”;
baritone saxophonist David Larsen follows up his Gerry Mulligan tribute disc with an album of his own compositions on “Deviate from Standards”;
and guitarist Graham Dechter displays his compositional prowess on “Major Influence.”