Marking his sixth release in two years, Grammy-winning artist Steven Feifke steps into the spotlight on “Catalyst,” his most personal album to date. Following his recent victory as the youngest Grammy winner ever for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, the new disc debuts 10 brand new tracks which uniquely showcase Feifke’s multifaceted abilities as bandleader, composer, arranger, pianist and soloist. The all-star big band lineup is augmented with guest features by Tony-nominated drummer/vocalist Bryan Carter, vocalist Martina DaSilva, trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III and saxophonists Chad Lefkowitz-Brown and Alexa Tarantino.

On their latest release, “Synchronicity: An Interpretation of the Album by the Police,” the Hazelrigg Brothers celebrate the 40^th anniversary of this classic album and deliver an audiophile experience full of the fire, power and dynamics that has become their trademark. Perfectly expressing the political and social temper of the early 1980s, the original landmark album was the near-constant soundtrack to George and Geoff Hazelrigg’s upbringing and a huge influence on their artistic future.

Also this week saxophonist Don Braden interprets the music of Earth Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder for a second time on “Earth Wind and Wonder Volume 2”; Montreal-based saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen is joined by her longtime pianist friend Steve Amirault and her regular rhythm team of bassist Adrian Vedady and drummer Jim Doxas on “Day Moon”; and the Harry Allen Orchestra features the music of composer Roger Frankham and lyricists Bruce Brown, Roger Schore and Mark Winkler on “With Roses.”

                                    

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify

With a discography that stretches back nearly 60 years, pianist, composer and arranger Antonio Adolfo has recorded over 25 albums as a leader. On past albums, Adolfo focused on a particular composer, including Antonio Carlos Jobim and Milton Nascimento. It’s been 65 years since Bossa Nova was born on the south side of Rio, probably the most important musical movement to come out of Brazil in the 20^th Century. On his newest album, “Bossa 65: Celebrating Carlos Lyra and Roberto Menescal,” Adolfo turn his attention to two great composers who are on the frontline of the creation of this popular and beloved music.

Trombonist Michael Davis’ new recording, “Open City,” is a musical reflection on the inclusive, open nature of being a musician in post-pandemic New York City. “The joy of being back, performing live with other musicians, going into a studio to record our projects, sharing the challenges we all faced as performing artists and  building back the business we all share so much passion for,” says Davis. The new disc marks Davis’ fourteenth album as a leader, and his sophomore recording fronting his Hip-Bone Big Band.

Also this week, pianist Dred Scot, who’s played and recorded with the likes of Anthony Braxton, Joe Henderson and Joe Morello, has a new project, “The Pacific Jazz Group”; Eastern Iowa favorite Ray Blue is joined by special guests Kenny Barron and Bobby Sanabria on his new CD, “#People”; and the Brazilian singer and songwriter Nanny Assis features Ron Carter, Randy Brecker, Fred Hersch, Lakecia Benjamin and other luminaries on his new recording, “Rovanio.”