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

With his career spanning almost three decades, Willie Jones III has become one of the jazz world’s most respected and highly accomplished modern jazz drummers of our time. His associations with legendary artists such as Cedar Walton, Milt Jackson, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins and Roy Hargrove speak volumes. Jones is also one of the music’s most sought-after producers. Jones, who “never fails to assemble a strong crew” (New York Times), brings together jazz masters Buster Williams (bass) and Eddie Henderson (trumpet), jazz virtuoso Eric Reed (piano) and iconic horn legend Ralph Moore (saxophone) for his new CD, “My Point Is…” The disc serves as an homage to his father, pianist Willie Jones II. The title phrase is one his father would often employ; sound wisdom followed thereafter.

The third in guitarist Corey Christiansen’s trilogy of albums exploring the grounds between jazz, blues and Americana, “Dusk” is focused on his original compositions—tunes written for people in his life, places been, characters imagined, landscapes seen and the captured feelings from these experiences. The rapport with his longtime band is at its most evolved and empathetic, while Corey’s already prodigious guitar work has found the fluidity and emotive qualities only obtained through their continued collective focus and dedication to concept. As JazzIz magazine describes it, “Christiansen and his quintet goose the Americana songbook with plenty of funk and fusion, teasing out dark edges and recontextualizing the music for new generations.”

Also this week, L.A.-based guitarist Jacques Lesure is joined by longtime associates drummer Willie Jones III, pianist Eric Reed and bassist Tony Dumas for his third release as a leader, “For the Love of You”.

Atlanta-based drummer Brian Hudson debuts with the jazz/fusion disc, “Next Level”.

Bassist Kent Miller and his quartet offer up a CD of standards and originals on “Minor Step.”