Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.      

Inspired to make his biggest statement yet, Cuban-born drummer, composer, bandleader, and 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Dafnis Prieto unveils the Dafnis Prieto Big Band’s debut album, “Back to the Sunset.” The band made its world premiere at New York’s Jazz Standard last August, followed by recording sessions where the DPBB was joined by special guests Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman and Brian Lynch. Prieto composed and arranged nine works for the disc which honor his musical heroes and mentors including Eddie Palmieri, Chico O’Farrill, Bebo Valdes, Jane Bunnett and Michel Camilo.

Recorded between 2003 and 2007, “United We Swing” finds an array of musical talent that collectively boasts 94 Grammy Awards joining the Wynton Marsalis Septet on a program of blues-inflected versions of iconic American repertoire. These one-night-only live performances have never been released before and include the Blind Boys of Alabama, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Jimmy Buffet and more. Together these artists raise their voices to highlight jazz’s importance to America’s cultural heritage and to remind us that, even in divided times, music can unite us all.

Also this week, “You’re Driving Me Crazy” finds the iconic Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison collaborating in the studio with organ master Joey DeFrancesco and his band on a variety of jazz and blues standards along with fresh interpretations of songs from Van’s own catalog.

The Flying Horse Big Band puts their own spin on themes from the classic “Batman” television series composed by Nelson Riddle and Neal Hefti on “The Bat Swings”.

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Former Headhunter drummer Mike Clark teams up with longtime friend, keyboardist Delbert Bump, on an album of Hammond organ based grooves, “Retro Report.”

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.      

One of the most highly acclaimed and prolific drummers in history, Steve Gadd has performed on literally thousands of sessions and live gigs over more than four decades. He has supplied the core rhythmic foundation on iconic recordings from an astounding A-list of artists including Chick Corea, B.B. King, George Benson, Al Jarreau and Steely Dan, to cite just a tiny percentage. The veteran drummer shifts once again into the position of band leader for his fourth release with the “Steve Gadd Band.” “All the guys in the band are good friends of mine…it’s great to be able play with guys you like and create more opportunities to keep playing with them.” The ‘guys’ are Walt Fowler on trumpet, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Michael Landau on guitar, and Kevin Hayes on keyboards.

Pianist and composer Monika Herzig delivers the second recording with her all-female band on “Sheroes,” featuring first-call talents like percussionist Myra Casales, guitarist Leni Stern and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Herzig is a Doctor of Music Education at Indiana University and has authored critically acclaimed books on Dr. David Baker and Chick Corea. Jazz critic Bob Blumenthal describes her as “a visionary artist and educator, a true jazz warrior.” Jazz phenom Terri Lyne Carrington calls it “a brilliant project…soulful and thoughtful, it captures the spirit of this group because there’s no stopping great artists from making great music as demonstrated by this stellar recording.”

Also this week, drummer Peter Erskine unveils the 3rd album with his Dr. Um Band, “On Call”. 

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence explores music as a healing force and the mystical connections between past and future on “Elementals”.

Drummer Fabio Augustinis, a product of the University of Iowa jazz program, is joined by others from the program, past and present, on his latest outing, “Sunrise.”