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To observers of the jazz scene in the late 1940s, Dodo Marmarosa would have seemed a safe bet to join the pantheon of bebop pianists alongside the likes of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. He had worked in bands led by most of the major swing-era bandleaders, recorded with Charlie Parker, and worked with Lester Young, Barney Kessel, Lionel Hampton and others. But by the end of the decade Marmarosa’s star had begun to fade. He returned to his native Pittsburgh for health reasons and became a near recluse for much of the rest of his life. Pianist Craig Davis pays tribute to his fellow Steel City native  with “Tone Paintings,” offering up gorgeous new interpretations of ten classic Marmarosa tunes featuring the stellar rhythm section of bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton.

     With over two dozen albums as a leader and multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy nominations, pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader Antonio Adolfo is an internationally recognized Latin jazz star. More than 200 of his original compositions have been covered by artists like Sergio Mendes, Earl Klugh, Herb Alpert, Stevie Wonder  and Dionne Warwick. Although the Brazilian jazz master often includes his own tunes on his recordings, Adolfo has now recorded an album that comprises only his original music. “Octets and Originals” is a brilliant showcase for the writing talents of an artist about whom jazz critic Travis Rogers has said, “Not only is Antonio a brilliant composer and pianist, he is also an arranger without peer.

Also this week, “Parallel Motion” is the new album from jazz fusion legends Yellowjackets, showcasing nine new originals from a collective in their prime;

 the Grammy-nominated Dave Slonaker Big Band returns with a dazzling collection of new music on “Convergency,” with an all-star cast of West Coast legends including Bob Sheppard, Peter Erskine, Wayne Bergeron, and Larry Koonse;

and pianist and composer Darren Litzie unveils his debut release as a leader, “My Horizon.”