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By now the international jazz community knows the story that Maqueque came out of a jam session at the Cohiba Hotel in Havana that introduced renowned jazz musician Jane Bunnett with young women musicians and composers who had recently graduated from the Cuban conservatory. Over ten years now the band has created opportunities for composing and performing extraordinary jazz that has taken this all-female ensemble around the world and has expanded to include players from Zimbabwe, Latin America, Spain and Lebanon. Their newest project is “Playing With Fire.”

     Integrating rhythmic power with musical taste, drummer Steve Fidyk returns to his big band roots for the new CD, “Red Beats,” distinctly showcasing his dominant performance skills on this unique collection of original music with his Live Wire Broad Band. His fourth date as a leader features an all-star band of musicians who hail from the Buddy Rich Big Band, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau, the Army Blues and the Airmen of Note. Featured soloists include guitar legend Jack Wilkins, tenor sax titan Walt Weiskopf and contemporary organist Brian Charette.

Also this week, Jay Lawrence and the Platinum Jazz Orchestra features guests like Ed Calle, Wayne Bergeron, Bob Sheppard and Bob McChesney on “Payin’ My Dues”;

 the Riccardi-Flynn Quintet tackles their hard bop roots while adding some modernist touches on their sophomore outing, “Ghost Hits”;

     and bandleader, composer, educator and saxophonist extraordinaire Diego Rivera aspires to greater heights and unleashes the transcendent power of “Love & Peace” on his fourth release.