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.”