Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
One of the Bay Area’s most dynamic multi-genre trumpeters for over four decades, Bill Ortiz recorded and toured the world with Santana for 16 years, and has recorded/or performed with legends of jazz like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea and Tito Puente. “Points of View,” the title of his first solo album since leaving Santana in 2016, perfectly reflects the great array of influences and the freewheeling playing and stylistic approach he brings to a wide range of classic pieces while leading an ensemble of fellow Bay Area greats.

     Pianist Jeremy Manasia has been a fixture on the New York City jazz scene for over 20 years. He’s performed all over the world with many of the greatest living jazz musicians and can be seen regularly in NYC venues. As an educator, Jeremy has mentored several generations of jazz pianists, coupling a harmonic approach derived from Barry Harris and his studies abroad, and a philosophy inspired by more than 15 years practice of Zen Buddhism. His 6 records as leader spotlight more than 40 compositions and his bebop rooted, soulful, impressionistic sound on the piano. The trio on his new release, “Butcher Block Ballet,” includes bassist Ugonna Ukegwo and drummer Charles Ruggiero.

Also this week, pianist and composer Cyrus Chestnut remembers his dad with a lasting and loving tribute, “My Father’s Hands”;

“Ella at the Hollywood Bowl” is a previously unreleased live concert, discovered in Norman Granz’s private collection, featuring Ella Fitzgerald performing songs from her beloved Irving Berling songbook with a full orchestra;

       and John Stein celebrates a musical career as one of the most diverse jazz guitarists of his generation with “Lifeline,” featuring selected highlights from his varied discography.

    Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
 Last year, organist Brian Charette had the idea for a new recording that would be more traditional then his other albums, which often placed the organ in a more unconventional role with electronics and wind ensembles. He wrote some swinging bebop tunes with a classic approach that would give a nod to all his biggest influences: Jack McDuff, Melvin Rhyne, Don Patterson, Larry Young and Jimmy Smith. The resulting disc, “Jackpot,” features Cory Weeds on saxophone and an NYC powerhouse rhythm section of Bill Stewart on drums and Ed Cherry on guitar.

       Albare started playing music at the age of 8 when his mother bought a classic acoustic guitar for his birthday. Living in Israel at the time, he became one of the first students of the freshly opened conservatory in Dimona. His love of the instrument only became obvious as his parents moved to France when he turned 10. His discovery of Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and, later, Antonio Carlos Jobim, set Albare into a lifetime of study, composing and playing the instrument. The songs presented on his new album, “Freedom,” are all original compositions or his collaboration with pianist Phil Turcio, which has been ongoing for over thirty years.

Also this week, Melissa Stylianou, accomplished vocalist and one-third of the powerhouse vocal trio Duchess, explores well-loved standards on an intimate trio disc, “Dream Dancing”;

  “John Scofield” is the first solo recording of the guitarist’s 50-year career;

     and trumpeter Tom Harrell’s “Oak Tree” features one of his most symbiotic ensembles, including pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Adam Cruz.