Two new national jazz shows have debuted on KCCK’s PrimeTime Lineup weeknights at 6 p.m. New Orleans Calling airs Tuesdays and comes to us from the New Orleans heritage music station WWOZ, hosted by George Ingmire. Each week, George explores the Crescent City with exclusive New Orleans stories, interviews and music. Jazz Night in America airs Wednesdays and is produced by Lincoln Center, NPR and WBGO. Hosted by jazz bassist Christian McBride, the show will travel all over the country, bringing you live concerts and other features. Designed as a multi-platform endeavor, there will also be a live videocast of the show as it is taped, and on-demand features as well.
New shows on KCCK Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
New Music Monday for January 12, 2015
The New York City-based saxophonist Michael Blake has built his reputation by producing albums that “make the familiar sound fresh” (Jim Macnie, Downbeat). That statement couldn’t be applied better than to Blake’s new release, “Tiddy Boom,” his nod to the magnificent tenor saxophone innovators Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. The title references Young, who had a vernacular all his own. While watching an old video of Pres, Blake picked up on him requesting the drummer to give him a “little tickity boom, please.” The disc reunites him with two of his former Jazz Composers Collective colleagues, bassist Ben Allison and pianist Frank Kimbrough, who, along with drummer Rudy Royston, provide effortless support for Blake’s tenor sax to flow in any direction he chooses on his program of originals.
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The jukebox was one of the most ubiquitous devices that adorned many African-American barbershops, beauty salons, lodges and restaurants throughout the many waypoints of the Great Migration of the early to mid-Twentieth Century. The infinite musical inventions and dimensions emanating from jukeboxes back in the day form the conceptual core of Allan Harris’ new CD, “Black Bar Jukebox,” his heartfelt tribute to Harlem. The 13-track journey displays the wide range of Harris’ mellow bari-tenor voice that was forged by and pays homage to the infinite variety of Upper Manhattan, the Sepia Panorama Citadel that gave artistic birth to him.
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Also this week, trumpet virtuoso Brad Goode, whom the Chicago Tribune calls “the lyrical genius of the trumpet,” creates a rich and distinctive group dynamic with his quartet on “Montezuma”; Seattle-based composer, arranger and woodwind multi-instrumentalist Jim Norton returns to the Bay Area to reunite with a stellar cast of former bandmates for a wide-ranging exploration of the compositions of Bill Evans on “Time Remembered”; and the funk/Afrobeat ensemble The Funk Ark, comprised of the best jazz musicians from the Washington, D.C. area, create music that is gritty, soulful and invigorating on their new disc, “Man is a Monster.”
New Music Monday for January 5, 2015
Hailed by DownBeat magazine for his “quick-witted harmonic reflexes, fluid command of line and cut-to-the-chase sense of narrative logic,” Aaron Goldberg has made his name as one of jazz’s most compelling pianists, both as a bandleader and frequent collaborator with Joshua Redman, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Guillermo Klein and many more. On his new release, “The Now,” Goldberg reunites with bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Eric Harland, the virtuoso rhythm team going all the way to his 1998 debut. On their fifth outing together, the trio foregrounds a central truth about the art of playing jazz: that no two performances will be the same because the music is created, in Goldberg’s words, “in the dynamic plane of the present.”
Philadelphia trumpeter Duane Eubanks unveils his first recording as a leader in over 10 years with “Things of That Particular Nature.” The late, great pianist Mulgrew Miller provided a brotherly role model for Eubanks as he began his career as a professional musician, a relationship that became more akin to that of mentor and friend. Upon leaving Philly, Eubanks made an immediate splash on the New York jazz scene by forming his own quintet and releasing a pair of CDs. He has collaborated on projects with a diverse array of highly respected musicians, including his brothers Robin and Kevin, Elvin Jones, Dave Holland and Miller.
Also this week, saxophonist Geoff Bradfield, trumpeter Chad McCullough, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Kobie Watkins come together as The Spin Quartet for their debut release, “In Circles”; saxophonist Oliver Lake debuts his organ quartet on “What I Heard”; and L.A.-based trumpeter Carl Saunders and his quintet celebrate “America”.
New Music Monday for December 29, 2014
After leading his legendary group Quest in the 1980s and after over two decades of the Dave Liebman Group, the NEA Jazz Master unveils a brand new band, Expansions. The adventure features members of a new generation of talented musicians eager, like their bandleader, to alter the language of jazz. These musicians, heard on the new CD, “Samsara,” include Bobby Avey on piano, Matt Vashlishan on reeds, Tony Marino on bass and drummer Alex Ritz. The directions are unpredictable and dazzling, with an emphasis on collective improvisation…a milieu seemingly built for Liebman as evidenced in his extraordinarily diverse stylistic career.
As a saxophonist and composer, Newhall, Iowa native and Luther College grad Chad Eby has earned widespread critical acclaim as “a consummate improviser” (Jazz Times), who “has tremendous poise and natural melodic sense” (Ottawa Sun), and whose “tone is boundless, blues-inflected, and wholly satisfying” (All About Jazz). His commissioned works have been performed by Wynton Marsalis, Bill Charlap and Kurt Elling, and various jazz orchestras across the country. He is currently assistant professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Music, Theatre and Dance. For his new CD, he’s put together a quartet to present his music inspired by the work of poet Shel Silverstein on “The Sweet Shel Suite.”
Also this week, trombonist/composer/arranger Jamie Dubberly and Orquesta Dharma present “La Clave Del Gumbo,” combining the rhythms and sound of New Orleans brass bands with Afro-Cuban jazz and salsa; trombonist Jason Jackson unveils his second disc as a leader, “Inspiration,” featuring Roy Hargrove, Terell Stafford, Pete Christlieb, Dick Oatts and others; and contemporary jazz trumpeter Rick Braun offers up “Can You Feel It.”
New Music Monday for December 22, 2014
Legendary alto saxophonist Richie Cole first heard the Washington DC-based Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet in 2012 and immediately declared them “my new discovery, the whole package.” Cole, who has worked extensively with the Manhattan Transfer, instantly recognized the vocal appeal of the UVJQ and the unique songwriting and arranging talents of their leader, Ginny Carr. A lover of swinging vocal harmonies and a prolific songwriter himself, Cole invited Carr to arrange his own songs for her group and collaborate with him on “Vocal Madness,” a recording featuring their collective original compositions with arrangements by Carr.
2013 Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Manual Valera is a 34-year-old powerhouse who has taken New York by storm since relocating there from his native Cuba in 2000, and has worked with many of today’s finest artists in Afro-Cuban jazz. For his third release with his band New Cuban Express, “In Motion,” Valera offers up a selection of originals that cover a good deal of ground, touching on both Latin and swing sensibilities. Yosvany Terry on alto sax, Tom Guarna on guitar and Alex Sipiagin on trumpet make strong statements while Valera tastefully uses the Fender Rhodes to add new colors to the ensemble mix.
Also this week is the brand new disc from Eastern Iowa’s Lynne Hart on clarinet, Richard Wagor on bass and Pat Smith on guitar for their debut release as a trio, “Roots of Rhythm”; Gary Urwin and his L.A.-based Jazz Orchestra welcome special guests Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb and Carl Saunders to the proceedings for “A Beautiful Friendship”; and Phil Brown and the New Arts Jazztet out of Southern Illinois University present an engaging set of originals on “Arkadia.”
New Music Monday for December 15, 2014
A lot of commitment is required for a band to develop musical ESP, and it was in this spirit that saxophonist Jeremy Udden and trumpeter John McNeil began to meet regularly in 2011 to work on their concepts of composition and improvisation. Over time, they added a rhythm section of bassist Aryeh Kobrinsky and drummer Anthony Pinciotti and Hush Point was born. The Brooklyn quartet’s acclaimed 2013 self-titled debut was named by the New Yorker as “among the most substantial jazz albums of the year” and the New York times described it as “…surprising music, much of it a kind of x-rayed blues.” Their brand new disc is “Blues and Reds.”
Legendary organist Dr. Lonnie Smith says, “Jonathan Kreisberg is a creative guitarist who has been an integral member of my trio for many years. He is a passionate musician with great vision, and he is constantly in fiery pursuit of innovation.” Vibraphonist Joe Locke says Kreisberg “…is a great musician whose playing and writing always tell a story. His formidable technique and intellect never get in the way, but only serve the agenda of the heart.” “Wave Upon Wave” is Kreisberg’s new CD, his tenth as a leader.
Also this week, drummer Jeff Hamilton steps away from the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and leads his trio on “Great American Songs Through the Years”; Brian Charette, who has established himself as one of the most adventuresome yet respectful organists operating today, proves himself a “Good Tipper”; and singer Kenny Washington, recently dubbed “the Superman of the Bay Area jazz scene” by the San Francisco Chronicle, joins with saxophonist Michael O’Neill for “New Beginnings.”
New Music Monday for December 8, 2014
For many years, a special part of David Hazeltine’sChristmas Eve ritual was to go to the Village Vanguard and listen to Cedar Walton play. The pianist has been listening to and trying to incorporate aspects of Cedar’s style since 1974. He first met Walton in 1982 and saw him play many times after that but didn’t really get to know him until 1994 when Hazeltine moved back to New York City. Walton passed away in August of 2013. Hazeltine’s new trio CD, “I Remember Cedar,” is a testament to his deep love and admiration for the musical genius that was Cedar Walton.
Legendary Russian pianist, composer and arranger Nick Levinovsky is supported by his friend, saxophonist Igor Butman and his Moscow Jazz Orchestra on “Special Opinion,” a non-traditional session of music presenting funk, fusion, jazz-rock, a tinge of psychedelic, and straight-ahead jazz. The fourth disc in the Orchestra’s discography features special guests Dave Weckl on drums, Mike Stern and Mitch Stein on guitars, Bill Evans on reeds, Randy Brecker on trumpet and Tom Kennedy on bass. As allaboutjazz.com sums it up, “Levinovsky does a bang up job in melding influences of funk and fusion into traditional jazz orchestrations to produce a swinging sound that packs a punch.”
Also this week, drummer Louis Hayes leads his Cannonball Adderly Legacy Band “Live at Cory Weeds’ Cellar Jazz Club”; organist Tony Monaco introduces guitarist Fareed Haque to his trio on “Furry Slippers”; and veteran saxophonist Greg Abate is joined by bassist John Lockwood and drummer Mark Walker on “Motif.”
New Music Monday, Christmas Style
The Hammond organ may just be the musical instrument best suited to Christmas and holiday-themed music. It produces a gloriously warm, rich and full-bodied sound, the aural equivalent of a hug from Santa Claus. Place that instrument in the hands of a genuine virtuoso and you have the recipe for an instant classic of a Christmas album. Which is precisely what Joey DeFrancesco has produced with “Home for the Holidays,” the first holiday album of his 25-year career. Disc one of the two disc set features many of the most popular Christmas and holiday songs ever recorded, “the typical Christmas party songs,” as Joey puts it. DeFrancesco calls disc two “the more traditional liturgical side of Christmas music.
American soprano Renee Fleming’s first-ever holiday album celebrates the beloved and iconic Christmas season in New York City. From the holiday windows lining 5th Avenue to the red and green-lit spire of the Empire State Building, the essence of the city at the most wonderful time of the year is captured on “Christmas in New York.” Jazz notables Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Brand Mehldau, Gregory Porter and Chris Botti join Renee has she lends her sublime voice to a program of seasonal gems.
Also in the holiday spirit this week, guitarist Larry Carlton takes an intimate approach on nine new arrangements of classic holiday songs on “Four Hands and a Heart Christmas”; award-winning trumpeter and bandleader Irvin Mayfield debuts his first disc of holiday music with “A New Orleans Creole Christmas,” with his handpicked small ensemble the New Orleans Jazz Playhouse Revue; Mack Avenue Records celebrates the season with its brightest stars in a collection of familiar and not-so-familiar holiday tunes with “It’s Christmas on Mack Avenue,” including Sean Jones, Christian McBride, Cyrille Aimee, Hot Club of Detroit and Sachal Vasandani; and contemporary jazz vocalist Maysa unwraps “A Very Maysa Christmas.”