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 The high-energy Bay Area jazz trio Charged Particles has displayed its versatility over the years in collaborations with such guest artists as multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless and guitarist Nguyen Lee. On their latest outing, the band joins forces with powerhouse Bay Area saxophonist Tod Dickow in a heartfelt tribute to iconic tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. “Live at the Baked Potato!” is a fitting testament to the late tenor titan’s greatness. No less an authority than Randy Brecker has given his stamp of approval. “Everyone’s at the top of their Mike game here.”

     “Songbook Vol. 1: Bus Stop Serenade” is the latest release from Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer and bandleader Brian Lynch. The first in a series of “Songbooks” intended to reclaim the many original compositions that Lynch has recorded for other labels throughout his distinguished career as a recording artist, this disc focuses on music originally written between the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s, configured for the classic quintet formation. It features Jim Snidero on sax, Orrin Evans on piano, Boris Kozlov on bass and Donald Edwards on drums.

Also this week, Dr. Damani Phillips, who heads the Jazz Studies Program at the University of Iowa, unveils his sixth album as a leader, “No More Apologies”;

 five-time Grammy-nominated singer and lyricist Lorraine Feather collaborates again with composers Eddie Arkin, Shelly Berg, Russell Ferrante and Dave Grusin on her latest batch of songs, “My Own Particular Life”;

     and seven-time Grammy finalists Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge celebrate the 25^th anniversary of their first recording on “Within Us: Celebrating 25 years of the Jazz Surge.”

     Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
The jazz world was stunned and saddened by the unexpected passing of legendary pianist Chick Corea in February. In a posthumous statement on his facebook page, Corea bid farewell to his compatriots and fans, thanking those who “helped keep the music fires burning bright.” Two of the gifted musicians who’d helped him do that were bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl, the pianist’s bandmates in the storied Akoustic Band. Chick had worked hard making sure everything was just right for the first release by the trio in over two decades. “Chick Corea Akoustic Band Live” was recorded in June of 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida, and serves as a celebratory reminder of Corea’s singular genius.

 Decades of friendship and the crossing of paths in the music industry does not necessarily guarantee opportunities for intimate, meaningful collaboration. But every so often, the chance to get a project together that is musically and emotionally rewarding comes about. The collaborative recording, “Say It Quiet,” by longtime friends John Ellis, Adam Levy and Glenn Patscha is the result of taking advantage of such an opportunity. Once the three united, they decided to bring together material in a sort of potluck dinner style, with each member suggesting music they would like play.

 Also this week, saxophonist Houston Person’s preoccupation with the art of melody is on full display on a new live recording, “Live in Paris”;

Polish pianist and composer Lukasz Pawlik is joined by guitarist Mike Stern, drummer Dave Weckl and others on his debut recording, “Long Distance Connections”;

    and trumpeter Theo Croker crafts a loosely conceptual atmosphere centered on themes of Black identity and reclamation of culture and ancestry on “Blk2Life/A Future Past.”