Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Among the vanguard of today’s contemporary composers and big band arrangers, trombonist Ben Patterson and his Washington, DC-based band deliver with a new hard-driving set of funky electrified jazz on “Groove Junkies.” His music is just as comfortable harnessing the power of the traditional big band horn section as it is with the intermingling of electronica to achieve a singular, complex vison. Trumpeter Randy Brecker says, “Ben Patterson never disappoints, and these new ‘groove’ big band compositions and arrangements are in da’ pocket…creatively written with twists and turns both in the charts and in his trombone playing…Super Hip!”

Kandace Springs—praised by her late mentor Prince as having a “voice that can melt snow”—pays tribute to her late father with the new album, “Run Your Race.” Kenneth “Scat” Springs was a college track star and legendary Nashville session singer who passed away two years ago. Ms. Springs recruited her longtime touring band and special guest flutist Elena Pinderhughes for the most personal and heartfelt record of her career to date.

Also this week, Ghost-Note, a band led by Snarky Puppy’s multi-Grammy winning percussion duo of Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, presents an expansive roster of next-level musicians on it’s third release,” Mustard n’ Onions”; the Michael O’Neill Sextet brings a sweet set of classic pop, soul and standards all infused with great Latin energy on “Synergy,” featuring 11 time Grammy award winner and longtime lead singer with Santana, Tony Lindsay; and flutist Lori Bell and her quartet pay homage to the musical acumen and articulate imagination of jazz great Joe Henderson on “Recorda Me: Remembering Joe Henderson.”

  Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Rachel Z is a renowned, virtuoso pianist, keyboardist, composer and electronic musician with a star-studded resume, as well as 13 records as a leader. As a performer, she’s had longstanding careers with Wayne Shorter, Mike Mainieri and Steps Ahead, and Stanley Clarke, all of whose influence she carries with her.  As if this plethora of brilliance wasn’t enough, Rachel Z’s partner in life and music is the legendary Omar Hakim, who’s discography spans the likes of Weather Report, Miles Davis, and John Scofield. The new release, “Sensual,” is a sonic love letter from Rachel to her husband and the musicians in her life.

Embracing his love for a variety of stylistic genres, two-time Grammy nominated saxophonist Troy Roberts is quickly becoming one of the most widely recorded tour artists of his time. As a go-to first call reedman, his name adorns several essential recordings ranging for the legendary Joey DeFrancesco to the iconic Van Morrison to the quintessential Jeff “Tain” Watts to the tireless Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band, and numerous other jazz veterans. The Australian-born and now long-time New York City resident is also a prolific leader with sixteen releases to his credit, his latest being “Green Lights,” featuring Paul Bollenback, John Patitucci and Jimmy Macbride.

Also this week, the Oakland-based guitarist and composer Ray Obiedo brings together his talent for composing originals with his flair for reimagining classics on his 11^th release, “Twist”; vibraphonist Behn Gillece showcases how to “Stick Together” with several of his favorite musicians—pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston—to celebrate the power of collaboration and synergy; and the award-winning trumpeter and composer and one of the latest additions to the University of Iowa’s Jazz Department, Curtis Taylor, unveils his third release as a leader, “Taylor Made.”