Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart celebrate over three decades as a trio with “Perpetual Pendulum,” a program combing their clever originals with fresh takes on jazz classics. The disc is also their debut release on Smoke Sessions Records, which has some historical significance related to their origins as trio. Smoke Jazz Club, the label’s parent venue, was opened on the former site of Augie’s Jazz Bar, where Goldings, Bernstein and Stewart first performed together in 1989. They also recorded their new disc at the same studio where they recorded their second outing together in 1992 and thirty years after the release of their debut album.

     The Roxy Coss Quintet evolves and refines its sound on “Disparate Parts,” the long-awaited follow-up to their highly successful 2019 album. The new release reveals a new phase of Coss’ life and her creative expression. “Everything for me goes back to being a woman in jazz,” says Coss. “I’m still feeling this idea of having disparate parts of my myself represented in different areas of my life, but it’s even more prevalent now that I’m a new mom. I’m exploring and expressing this idea through my music—especially in this particular moment.”

     Also this week, Canadian guitarist and composer James Brown returns from a 13-years hiatus with “Song Within the Story,” his fourth album and his first since 2009; Cyrille Aimee, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra come together for “Petite Fleur,” telling the beautiful love story between France and the city of New Orleans; and Indianapolis-based guitarist and composer Brent Laidler offers up “Wouldn’t Be Here Without You,” featuring trumpeter Mark Buselli and saxophonist Ned Boyd.

The regular meeting of the Kirkwood Board of Trustees will take place April 14, 2022.  Time, place, and meeting agenda can be found at this link.