Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Generation Y is a band concept that was conceived in 2019 with the goal of promoting the next generation of dynamic talent from the top conservatories in New York City and beyond. The group is led by Grammy-winning drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr., who has served in the role of Small Ensemble Director within the jazz department at the Julliard School for the last eight years. The band is an updated model of the Jazz Messengers, and many of its members also perform in Ulysses’ big band. Their album “A New Beat” is a culmination of repertoire that’s been performed by Generation Y around the world for the last four years.

Over his vast and varied 40-year career, Bill Anschell has released six recordings under his own name, all being jazz projects featuring him solely on acoustic piano. “Improbable Solutions” changes all of that as Anschell blends the sounds of the acoustic jazz trio with layered electronics, creating unique and spacious soundscapes. His nine original compositions have an open sensibility, driven by memorable melodies and evocative grooves. Along with his long-time trio mates Chris Symer on bass and Jose Martinez on drums, special guests include the stellar and searing guitarist Brian Monroney and percussionist Jeff Busch.

Also this week, saxophonist Bob Mintzer joins up with good friend Dave Stryker and his trio on “Groove Street”; award-winning pianist and composer Marius Van Den Brink’s new album, “New York Knock,” features a supergroup of musicians including Sean Jones, Stacy Dillard, Matt Penman and Willie Jones III; and Seattle-based Italian pianist and composer Francesco Crosara selected 10 of his compositions from the last 40 years for “Circular Motion,” with the idea of highlighting the nexus between early work, with its simplicity and youthful appeal, to later works where he expressed richer harmonic textures and possibilities.