“The Lion, Camel & Child” is the second release from Toronto saxophonist Johnny Griffith’s all-star quintet—a band made up of four of Toronto’s leading jazz lights, along with legendary New York trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. Griffith drew inspiration from the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche—specifically his book, “Three Metamorphoses.” As the reedman explains, “Metamorphoses is concerned with what propels each new phase of human growth, so it seemed fitting to frame this as a suite—each track individual unto itself, yet when listening to as a whole representing the arc of the personal struggle to know more and be more.”

Doug MacDonald’s career as a jazz guitarist and composer has taken him from Hawaii to Las Vegas, Los Angeles to Manhattan, and to Spain, Finland, Estonia and the U.K. Playing in clubs, concert halls and recording studios, Doug has been a featured soloist, as well as an accompanist for some of the greatest jazz luminaries of our time, including Joe Williams, Bill Holman, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich and Ray Charles. For his thirteenth release as a leader, “A View of the City,” he’s back in New York City working in a trio format with bassist Harvie S and drummer Steve Williams.

Also this week, the Toronto Jazz Orchestra celebrates its 20th anniversary by showcasing the composing and arranging work of artistic director Josh Grossman on “20”;

Throttle Elevator Music producer Gregory Howe returns with “Counterweight,” featuring the soaring lead trumpet work of Erik Jekabson;

and and pianist Adrean Farrugia and tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm explore the exciting and intimate world of duo performance with their new album, “Blued Dharma.”

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

     German-born, Canada-raised Johannes Wallman spent his twenties and early thirties making his living on the New York jazz scene, teaching at NYU and the New School. He moved to Oakland in 2007 and, since 2012, Wallman’s been based in Madison, where he serves as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin. On his eighth album as a leader, he returns to his roots with a modern take on the classic quintet. “Day and Night” features an intergenerational cast of New York heavyweights. Grammy-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, bassist Matt Pavolka and drummer Colin Stranahan join Wallman on original compositions and re-imagined jazz standards.

     New York City-based tenor saxophonist Lucas Pino has led the inventive No Net Nonet for the better part of a decade, maintaining a monthly residency at Small’s Jazz Club since 2013.  “That’s a Computer” is the Nonet’s third release. The disc takes its title from a comment made by one of Pino’s professors at the Juilliard School. The teacher, himself a respected instrumentalist and revered jazz veteran, dismissed the work of one of Pino’s idols with those sneering three words. The same professor had derided Pino’s own playing in similar terms, despite never sharing his wisdom with Pino directly. “…he would apparently hear me play and always infer that I had a lot of brains but not a lot of heart,” Pino explains. “He apparently had no interest in trying to help me with whatever deficiencies he thought I had, which has been a piece of sand in my clamshell for years.”

 Also this week, guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and bassist Harvie S offer up “Introspection” with drummer Tim Horner;

Singer and writer Robin McKelle mixes timely social commentary, intimate lyrics and a thoughtful call to action on “Melodic Canvas,” blending soul, jazz, gospel and more into her sound;

 and pianist and composer Brad Whiteley unveils his sophomore album, “Presence,” a set of artfully textured originals tailor-made for his top flight band featuring Michael Eaton on sax, Tom Guarna on guitar, bassist Matt Pavolka, and longtime drummer Kenneth Salters.