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John Beasley’s musical journey has been a whirlwind of creative activity since the 1980s. As a keyboardist, arranger, composer, educator, conductor, record producer, and music director, he has contributed to countless memorable, critically-acclaimed projects. “Returning to Forever” is another standout achievement in his illustrious career, this time working with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. Before starting the project, Beasley reached out to Chick Corea for his blessing and got Chick’s original handwritten charts. Chick asked Beasley to share his big band arrangements with him. Beasley wrote four arrangements, but before he could send them to Corea, the world learned of his passing on February 9th, 2021.
Grammy-nominated clarinetist Anat Cohen, renowned for her expressive virtuosity and infectious charisma, has been an international jazz star for some two decades now, with a long string of releases via her Anzic Records label ranging from hard-swingers to lilting balladry, from small groups to larger ensembles and back again, exploring a world of music along the way. Her newest release is “Bloom,” the second album by her foursome Quartetinho. The band name is Portuguese for “little quartet,” although the players make a big, color-rich sound, each an ace on multiple instruments: Anat on various clarinets, Tal Mashiach on bass and guitar, Vitor Gonsalves on piano and accordion, and James Shipp on vibraphone and percussion.
Also this week, “Alegria” is an uplifting new trio album by Grammy-nominated arranger, pianist and visionary educator Shelly Berg; the Captain Black Big Band builds on back-to-back Grammy nominations, returning with “Walk a Mile in My Shoe,” led by the acclaimed pianist Orrin Evans; and New York City composer, arranger and scholar Wayne Alpern returns with his brass ensemble for “Gotham.”