Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify 
The newest recording from renowned guitarist and composer Roni Ben-Hur includes a fascinating collection of “Stories” from his genre-busting 40-year multicultural musical journey. “Recording ‘Stories’ has been a unique and very fulfilling experience,” the Israeli-born Ben-Hur says, “allowing me to incorporate songs I loved since my childhood, and ones that speak to social issues that are important to me.” Joining him is the legendary George Cables on piano, esteemed trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and the steadfast rhythm section of bassist Harvie S and drummer Victor Lewis.

     The legendary Hammond B3 organist Dr. Lonnie Smith has recorded over 30 albums as a leader, but his favorite setting to document his creativity is live. During the 2017 celebration of his 75^th birthday, Smith settled into the Jazz Standard in New York City for a live recording date with his steady trio mates Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar and Johnathan Blake on drums. That celebratory week has now yielded a second fantastic album, “Breathe.” The disc is bookended by two remarkable studio collaborations between Smith and the legendary vocalist Iggy Pop.

Also this week, Jane Monheit celebrates 20 years as a jazz vocalist with “Come What May,” her first disc in five years;

pianist Shai Maestro expands his trio of fellow Israeli Ofri Nehemya on drums and bassist Jorge Roeder with the addition of trumpeter Philip Dizak for the quartet session, “Human”;

     and trombonist Michael Dease delivers up his eighth release for Posi-Tone Records, “Give It All You Got.”

     Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify 
Award-winning pianist Michael Wolff, known for an impressive and eclectic career that has spanned nearly five decades, presents “Live at Vitellos.” Surfacing a decade after its capture at the iconic Los Angeles club Vitellos in 2011, the disc showcases the dazzling chemistry between exquisite instrumentalist and composer Mark Isham, who joins here on trumpet and flugelhorn, and the ever-lyrical Wolff. Though the pair’s friendship dates back to the 1970s, this stint marks their first official collaboration.

     The Out to Dinner band is a tribute to the vintage Blue Note Records ethos in general and to Eric Dolphy’s classic “Out to Lunch” album in particular. “Play On” is a second helping of auditory delights from the ensemble. Featuring a musical menu of inspired selections, this engaging quintet date is highlighted by front line performances from vibraphonist Behn Gillece, trumpet prodigy Giveton Gelin and rising star tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, all moving freely together over the solid harmonic foundation of bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Donald Edwards, both established jazz veterans.

Also this week, saxophonist Kamasi Washington and trumpeter Erik Jekabson join their long-time collaborators in Throttle Elevator Music on the band’s final original recording, “Final Floor”;

the Jazz Worms out of Denver, Colorado, featuring trumpeter Ron Miles and saxophonist Keith Oxman, reunite for their first release in more than thirty years, “Squirmin’”;

       and pianist Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets releases a beautiful new trio album, “Inflexion.”