Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
In the grand tradition of jazz piano trio records, Lafayette Harris returns to Van Gelder Studios for his latest effort, “Swingin’ Up in Harlem,” covering a wide spectrum of tunes by composers ranging from Hoagy Carmichael to Stevie Wonder. Harris’ sympathies have always been wide-ranging, as one would imagine from his stints with Max Roach, Donald Byrd, Ernestine Anderson and others. Bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash bring the insight that only their decades of experience can give. The disc also boasts the participation of saxophonist Houston Person, this time in the producer’s chair.

     “The Layers” is a stunning companion piece to guitarist Julian Lage’s acclaimed album of last year, “View With a Room.” The collection features six original pieces recorded during the same sessions which found Lage discovering new orchestrational possibilities by augmenting his deeply attuned trio of bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King with the addition of guitar icon Bill Frisell. Intimate and gorgeous, exploratory and embracing, imbued with vibrant colors and exquisite interplay, “The Layers” is a welcome additional offering from this meeting of two of modern jazz’s most distinctive voices with one of the music’s most skilled and inventive rhythm sections.

 Also this week, saxophonist/composer Don Aliquo charts his personal and professional growth living and performing in the Nashville area and reflects on the expansion of the jazz scene in that city on his new disc, “Growth”;

 Pittsburgh-based saxophonist Jason Kush offers up eight new compositions on “Finally Friday”;

     and Josh Lawrence picks up his trumpet and steps boldly back into the spotlight with steadfast determination and emotional earnestness on his aptly-title fifth release, “And That Too.”  

    Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify 
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.”