Pianist Marc Cary has spent close to a decade honing a distinctive sound and improvisational approach with his enduring and much acclaimed Focus Trio. Despite a few shifts in the bass chair, and an ever-transforming array of acoustic and electronic instrumentation, the band’s original mission remains the same: “to bring indigenous rhythms together with American jazz to create new palettes of sound.” On “Four Directions,” the band’s first studio recording in eight years, Cary once again leads the boundlessly creative Sameer Gupta on drums and percussion with two new recruits, Burniss Earl Travis and Rashaan Carter, sharing the bass duties. Cary devotes the disc in part to an acoustic aesthetic—while also exploring a full range between organic and electronic sounds. This multi-dimensional approach has always been a hallmark of Cary’s musical identity.
New Music Monday for November 4, 2013
On his third release as a leader, “Don’t Be That Way,” clarinetist Dave Bennett shows that his skills and interests go far beyond that of channeling any of his stylistic predecessors like Benny Goodman, Pete Fountain or Artie Shaw. Once a member of the original Hot Club of Detroit, Bennett stays within the mainstream repertoire, covering several of Goodman’s most famous records. Together with his arranger Shelly Berger, Dave updates these songs with modern twists created specifically for his long-time band mates.
Also this week, trumpeter Carol Morgan realizes her dream of working with guitarist Mike Stern on her fifth leader date, “Retroactive”; guitarist Frank Potenza honors his friend and mentor Joe Pass with “For Joe,” which features members of Joe’s working band for many years, John Pisano, Jim Hughart and Colin Bailey; and Project Them brings reunites former high school mates Mark Sherman on vibes and Bob Franceschini sax and flute for their debut release with this new band.
Special Programs for the Week of November 4
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman, of the Chicago-based Deep Blue Organ Trio, has been blind since birth, but that seems to be no handicap. Foreman started out in the late 1970s at music bars on Chicago’s South Side, but is now a mainstay on the Windy City jazz scene. Long-time friend drummer Greg Rockingham and the legendary guitarist Bobby Broom have performed with Foreman over the years in different settings, but finally formed the Deep Blue Organ Trio permanently. Their “home base” is the renowned Green Mill Club.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Miles Davis, Part 2: ‘Kind of Blue’
Miles Davis’s album Kind of Blue is widely recognized as one of the most important jazz recordings ever. Out of two fairly routine recording sessions in 1959 came the modal jazz masterpiece that’s become one of the best-selling jazz recordings of all time. The inside story on the making of the work is told by the musicians, record personnel, critics and jazz fans.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Horace Silver in the 1950s – Part Two”
Craig takes a look at more of the recordings from pianist and composer, Horace Silver, that took place during the decade of the 1950s. We’ll hear Horace performing with Kenny Dorham, Milt Jackson, Art Farmer, Nat Adderley, and many others, as well as his many recordings as a leader.
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Grammy winning a-capella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock shines a new light on the work of Odetta, Abbey Lincoln and Nina Simone – and marks their own 30 year anniversary with something new: a backing trio. Performances include Midnight Special, Love Me Or Leave Me, and Feelin’ Good.
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Ray Anderson Pocket Brass Band’s “Sweet Chicago Suite”
The trombonist’s little New Orleans style band celebrates the windy city of his youth, in a New Jazz Work commissioned by Chamber Music America with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and played at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet
Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the Newport Jazz Festival 2013
by Patrick Jarenwattananon (npr.org)
“One of the original new-school New Orleans brass bands, a Dirty Dozen show guarantees a good time. This year actually marks three dozen years since the first incarnation of the group coalesced to resurrect a then-disappearing tradition — and infuse it with both bebop and funk. As with many a show since ’77, there was dancing and handkerchief-waving aplenty, and several original members were present to anchor the proceedings.”
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Anat Cohen
Israeli export Anat Cohen is equally fluent in modern and traditional jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban styles. She has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting voices of her generation on both the tenor saxophone and the clarinet. With a swinging rhythm section, she and host McPartland offer a beautiful version of “Don’t Explain” before rounding out the hour with “What a Little Moonlight Will Do.”
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“Jazz in 1973”
Craig gives us a taste of what was happening 40 years ago in the world of jazz. We’ll hear selections recorded during 1973 by a wide variety of artists including Herbie Hancock, Sun Ra, Billy Cobham, Flora Purim, Keith Jarrett, Charles Mingus, and many others.
Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
Class of 1930: Surviving on a Song
In 1930, everyone was affected by the Great Depression. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band and friends perform tunes from movies, theater, and radio that kept Americans entertained while they made do with less.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
New Music Monday for October 28, 2013
Joey DeFrancesco fondly remembers his work with legendary record producer Rudy Van Gelder ever since the keyboardist’s second release as a leader in 1990. “I could not resist the sound he would get on those Blue Note records and Prestige records,” the organist recalls. “And we hit it off. Everything was cool, man.” Joey D returned to Van Gelder’s revered studio for work on his 2012 release, “Wonderful! Wonderful!” When it was time to make his new CD, “One for Rudy,” he knew not only that he wanted to record again with Van Gelder, but that he wanted to do the whole project explicitly for Van Gelder. Many of the tunes were chosen from the Van Gelder catalog, including classics by Miles Davis, Gene Ammons and Sonny Rollins.
For years, the go-to pianist and arranger for such artists as Mongo Santamaria, Dave Valentin, Gato Barbieri, the Fort Apache Band and others, Bill O’Connell, has perhaps more than any other pianist developed a true melding of Latin and jazz music. His own playing—from its robust chordal comping to its exuberant and sometime knotty solos—combines rhythmic complexities with glittering single note runs in a sort of Bud Powell-meets-Chick Corea vibe. With Latin-tinged trombone great Conrad Herwig, O’Connell provides a thoughtful program of originals and a few re-imagined standards on his new disc, “Zocalo.” Saxophonist Steve Slagle, percussion legend Richie Flores and his regular rhythm section make up his Latin Jazz All-Stars on this joyous romp filled with energy and high spirits.
Also this week, drummer Gerry Gibbs is joined by jazz legends Kenny Barron piano and Ron Carter on bass as “Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio”; vocalists Cheryl Bentyne and Mark Winkler team up for some “West Coast Cool”; and contemporary jazz giants Spyro Gyro mark 35 years of recordings with their latest, “The Rhinebeck Sessions.”
Special Programs for the Week of October 28
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: “Baby Face” Willette
The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with a survey of the small but interesting discography of “Baby Face” Willette. His career was short—less than a decade—but his music is most listenable. His roots are in the gospel tradition; his father was a minister, his mother a church pianist. Willette played for touring gospel quartets before his jazz career. His first recordings included the great guitarist Grant Green.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Miles Davis Part 1: Miles’s Styles
Trumpeter Miles Davis dominated jazz for much of the latter half of the twentieth century. While his trumpet sound is instantly recognizable, he refused to be boxed in any one style, consistently developing fresh musical shapes and structures. Miles’s powerful influence did not end with his death in 1991; his restless spirit continues to intrigue and inspire artists of all kinds.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Warne Marsh Birth Date Anniversary Celebration”
Craig pays tribute to tenorman Warne Marion Marsh (born 10/26/27 in L.A.)….who, along with Lee Konitz, was the pre-eminent student of the musical philosophies of Lennie Tristano. We’ll hear Warne in a variety of settings, including performances with other Tristano students (Konitz, Ted Brown, Ronnie Ball, and others), also performances with Art Pepper, Hank Jones, Red Mitchell, Kenny Drew, and, of course, groups under his own leadership.
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis
Post-war America saw the hard edge of bebop evolve into Cool Jazz. The music flowed, bewitched and enchanted baritone sax man Gerry Mulligan and pianist John Lewis. They became twin pioneers of that sophisticated style. Now pianist Jonathan Batiste and baritone master Joe Temperly, with the Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra transport us to the 1950’s. The set includes Django, Delawny’s Dilemma, and Animal Dance.
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
PREMIERE of The Coastal Suite by Alan Blackman at Ibeam in Brooklyn
From sunrise to high noon to afternoon fog past sunset, The Coastal Suite links composed pieces for pianist Alan Blackman’s group and solo flights for each player – Donny McCaslin on sax; Max Murray and Frank Russo, bass and drums; and Rogerio Boccato, percussion. Paintings by Ruth Brownlee are the inspiration.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)
UI Jazz Repertory Ensemble / Latin Jazz Ensemble at The Mill (new)
The Jazz Repertory Ensemble is a student big band devoted to performing the works of the jazz mainstream. Directed by Brent Sandy, this ensemble covers the range between early swing and progressive jazz. Students learn the conventions of performance practice for each era and the skills for stylistic improvisations. Members of JRE are selected by audition in the fall of each academic year.
The Latin Jazz Ensemble is a student group ranging from 10-15 members dedicated to playing the music of the Caribbean and South America. Its programs each semester are often centered around one country or region, and regularly feature an expanded rhythm section. LJE records an album every other year, and presents an annual Latin Jazz Festival each December. This group is directed by James Dreier, a founding member of Orquesta Alto Maiz and is widely regarded as a resource for Afro-Cuban drum styles. Members of LJE are selected by audition in the fall of each academic year.
Both performances from April of this year at The Mill Restaurant in Iowa City were part of KCCK’s celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month.
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Carli Muñoz
Pianist Carli Muñoz’s musical journey has taken him from Puerto Rico to the studios and clubs of Los Angeles and back to the island of his birth. His musical career has followed a similar trajectory. He left jazz to gig with big names in pop, such as the Beach Boys and Rickie Lee Jones, then returned to his first love in the role of a jazz club owner. Muñoz plays his tune, “Mia,” and joins McPartland for Cole Porter’s “So in Love.”
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“Horace Silver in The 1950s – Part Two”
Craig takes a look at more of the recordings from pianist and composer, Horace Silver, that took place during the decade of the 1950s. We’ll hear Horace performing with Kenny Dorham, Milt Jackson, Art Farmer, Nat Adderley, and many others, as well as his many recordings as a leader. More great fun!
Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
Silver Shoes & Green Spectacles: A Jazz Interpretation of The Wizard of Oz
A listener favorite — The Jim Cullum Jazz Band and actor Vernel Bagneris return to the Emerald City with a script from the original L. Frank Baum book and music from Harold Arlen’s legendary movie score.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
Special Programs for the Week of October 21
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: Johnny “Hammond” Smith
The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with Johnny “Hammond” Smith whose middle name separates him from the guitarist of the same era. Early on he was influenced by the great jazz pianists and, surprisingly, the classical pianist, Arthur Rubenstein. His first major gig was accompanist to singer Nancy Wilson. It was during that time that he heard organist Wild Bill Davis and that experience changed Smith’s direction. Though Smith would go into retirement in the late 1970s, his music had significant impact on jazz listeners.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Art Tatum, ‘The Musician’s Musician’
Though Tatum was almost completely blind from birth, it never held him back. He often doubled and even tripled the tempo of a piece without losing any articulation or sacrificing his light touch. This technique enabled him to express an enormous flow of ideas in just a few measures, in a way that no one before or since has been able to duplicate.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Impulse! Records in 1963”
Craig Travels back 50 years to look in on some of the recording activities that took place for IMPULSE! RECORDS during 1963. We’ll hear a number of jazz classics from the 25+ sessions that were recorded for Impulse! that year….by John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Shirley Scott, Chico Hamilton, McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus, and several others.
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Dianne Reeves
Singer Dianne Reeves turns every note into an alluring story. In Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room, she’s joined by guitarist Peter Sprague, pianist Peter Martin, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Terreon Gully. We’ll hear the enchanting strains of Blue Prelude, I’m In Love Again, Good Night Sweetheart and more.
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Lost and Found New York by Chris Lightcap
The vistas and feelings, smells and sounds of five of Chris Lightcap’s favorite locations comprise our JazzSet edition of his exuberant suite for NYC from the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA. They are the Nine South highway, Arthur Avenue, The Village Vanguard a/k/a the Epicenter, Fort Tryon Park, and Stillwell Avenue a/k/a Coney Island. The band is Bigmouth.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)
Jazz Under the Stars 2013: Dennis McMurrin and the Demolition Band (new)
Dennis McMurrin, known in the music community as “Daddy-O”, is a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. His most recent CD release is 2009’s “They Call Me Daddy-O.”
McMurrin has been entertaining audiences for more than 45 years. He first picked up a guitar when he was 9 years old, influenced by his maternal grandfather, who played guitar as a hobby.
“My first paid gig was in 1963 for the Boddicker School of Music Christmas Party at the Danceland in Cedar Rapids.” says McMurrin. He was 10 years old. “My first band was called The Plannets.”
McMurrin’s biggest influences include James Brown, B.B. King, Johnny Winter, and Tower Of Power.
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Remembering Dr. Billy Taylor
Dr. Billy Taylor was a celebrated pianist, radio host, educator and longtime Artistic Director or Jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where this special Piano Jazz was recorded in 2007. Taylor performs a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., titled “His Name Was Martin” and McPartland improvises a musical portrait of Taylor.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“Warne Marsh Birth Date Anniversary Celebration”
Craig pays tribute to tenorman Warne Marion Marsh (born 10/26/27 in L.A.)….who, along with Lee Konitz, was the pre-eminent student of the musical philosophies of Lennie Tristano. We’ll hear Warne in a variety of settings, including performances with other Tristano students (Konitz, Ted Brown, Ronnie Ball, and others), also performances with Art Pepper, Hank Jones, Red Mitchell, Kenny Drew, and, of course, groups under his own leadership. Make sure that you catch this tribute to a truly unsung jazz master!
Craig pays tribute to tenorman Warne Marion Marsh (born 10/26/27 in L.A.)….who, along with Lee Konitz, was the pre-eminent student of the musical philosophies of Lennie Tristano. We’ll hear Warne in a variety of settings, including performances with other Tristano students (Konitz, Ted Brown, Ronnie Ball, and others), also performances with Art Pepper, Hank Jones, Red Mitchell, Kenny Drew, and, of course, groups under his own leadership. Make sure that you catch this tribute to a truly unsung jazz master!
Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
From Duke Ellington to Artie Shaw: Songwriting Bandleaders of the ’30s
The music of Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, and others gets the royal treatment from The Jim Cullum Jazz Band and Riverwalk’s “Queen of Swing,” Rebecca Kilgore.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
New Music Monday for October 21, 2013
Five-time Grammy Award winner and NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods returns with the long-awaited follow-up to his 1997 Grammy nominated “Celebration” CD, “New Celebration.” The disc features many of the same players along with a number of other world-class musicians from Woods’ Poconos home region comprising the 18-piece Festival Orchestra. All but two of the compositions were specially written and arranged by Woods for this recording. His extraordinary writing creates an ideal setting for his solo virtuosity, as well as some excellent contributions by other members of the orchestra.
“Shadow Box” marks acclaimed guitarist Bob DeVos’ fifth release as a leader. His last two discs ranked high on the jazz charts and appeared on many Top Ten yearly lists. DeVos was an essential part of the Charles Earland Quintet with Eric Alexander and has played and/or recorded with other jazz legends like Stanley Turrentine, Sonny Stitt, David Newman, Hank Crawford and Jack McDuff. Joining DeVos on this hyper hip collection of originals and standards are tenor saxophone great Ralph Bowen, the harmonically sophisticated Dan Kostelnik on the Hammond B-3 and hard swinging Steve Johns on drums.
Also this week, tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin, making the most of his late-career surge, reconfirms his status as a top-tier post-bopper with “Why Stop Now…Ubuntu”; pianist Tardo Hammer is accompanied by veteran bassist Lee Hudson and legendary drummer Jimmy Wormworth on “Simple Pleasure,” a live set recorded at Klavierhaus Recital Hall in New York City; and guitarist Will Bernard features an inspired cast of sidemen for his newest disc, “Just Like Downtown,” including versatile reedman John Ellis and the explosive drummer Rudy Royston.
Special Programs for the Week of October 14
Short List with Bob Naujoks
Mon. – Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM
The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: John Medeski
The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with the ever-reaching John Medeski. Almost from the start he has been a part of a trio with two compatible companions, drummer Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood and they are the popular trio, Medeski-Martin-and-Wood. Even while a teenager he was talented enough to perform with the jazz singer Mark Murphy and the outstanding bassist Jaco Pastorius. Medeski is a multi-talented musician—if it has a keyboard, he can play it—piano, organ, electric pianos, and synthesizers of various kinds.
Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson
Monday at 6:00 PM
Ella Fitzgerald: ‘First Lady of Song’
You recognize that voice instantly. The sound is youthful, exuberant, and swings! And when you hear Ella Fitzgerald, you don’t just recognize her – you feel good! This show celebrates the music of one of the greatest singers of our time with interviews that include Ella herself; vocalists Betty Carter, Jon Hendricks and Joe Williams; writers Gene Lees and Albert Murray; and pianist Oscar Peterson.
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Monday, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)
“Prestige Records in 1963”
Craig jumps back 50 years to look in on some of the recording activities of Bob Weinstock’s PRESTIGE RECORDS label in 1963. We’ll hear some tasty goodies from the 35+ recording sessions from that year, including classics from Jack McDuff, Shirley Scott, Booker Ervin, Etta Jones, Roy Haynes, and many others!
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce
Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Regina Carter with Reverse Thread and Stefon Harris with Blackout
Reaching to their personal histories, innovative jazz fiddler Regina Carter and vibraphonist Stefon Harris create contemporary sounds. With kora and accordion, Carter explores the music of Africa – from Ugandan Jewish songs to traditional folk music of Madagascar and Mali. Harris and his band Blackout find inspiration in the funk and soul sound of the 70s. Wendell Pierce hosts.
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Melba! by Geof Bradfield at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
Trombonist Melba Liston (1926-99) played, composed and arranged for Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston, and more. She grew up in Los Angeles, lived in Detroit, taught in Jamaica, and came home to the Kansas City Women’s Jazz Festival. Geof Bradfield studied her music and wrote Melba! for his Chicago octet.
Wednesday Night Special
7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)
Jazz Under the Stars 2013: The Steve Grismore Quartet (new)
Guitarist Steve Grismore has had a long and successful career, both locally and nationally. He is the founding director of the Iowa City Jazz Festival, a 20-year veteran and original member of Orquesta Alto Maiz, and teaches at the University of Iowa and at Augustana College.
Steve has recorded several CDs of his own and this spring, he released an outstanding CD featuring Iowa Hammond B3 legend Sam Salamone, “Besame Mucho.” We were hoping Sam would be able to play at JUTS, but he was unable to do so because of health reasons.
So, Steve put together an exciting, new quartet featuring Coe College and Cedar Rapids Municipal Band director Steve Shanley on piano, Koplant No’s Drew Morton on bass, and Dave Tiede on drums. Dave is a Cedar Rapids native and UNI alum who recently returned to Iowa after playing professionally in the Twin Cities for many years.
“I have played Jazz Under the Stars a few times over the years and always had a great time” Grismore said, “Most recently was last year with the Salsa band’s last gig ever.”
Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Betty Buckley
Tony Award-winning actress Betty Buckley is a veteran of such Broadway hits as Cats, Gypsy and Sunset Boulevard. She’s lauded as one of the best voices in modern musical theater and has played many film and television roles. Buckley talks about her life on the stage to her home on the range and performs a collection of favorites with her musical director Kenny Werner, including “Stardust” and “Angel Eyes.”
Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler
Saturday, Noon – 4:00 PM
“Impulse! Records in 1963”
Craig Travels back 50 years to look in on some of the recording activities that took place for IMPULSE! RECORDS during 1963. We’ll hear a number of jazz classics from the 25+ sessions that were recorded for Impulse! that year….by John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Shirley Scott, Chico Hamilton, McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus, and several others. Don’t miss it!
Riverwalk Jazz
Sunday at 5:00 PM
The Great Innovator: Clarinetist Benny Goodman
Reedmen Allan Vaché and Harry Allen, with vibists John Cocuzzi and Lionel Hampton, join The Jim Cullum Jazz Band to celebrate the young Jewish boy from Chicago who changed the face of popular music in America. Benny Goodman is credited with transforming ’20s-style hot jazz into swing, and he set off a pop craze that spanned the Great Depression and WWII.
KCCK’s Midnight CD
The Monday – Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:
New Music Monday for October 14, 2013
Praising a previous incarnation of Steve Swallow’s quintet, The Times of London described the band “as near a perfect display of small-group jazz—robust yet exquisitely poised.” The description holds true for the latest edition of the bassist’s quintet and its album, “Into the Woodwork.” Swallow leads the group—including his longtime partner in music and life, Carla Bley, on organ—in multi-hued performances of a dozen original compositions. Rounding out the ensemble is saxophonist Chris Cheek, guitarist Steve Cardenas and drummer Jorge Rossy.
Award-winning pianist Geri Allen explores the Great American Songbook of her hometown with “Grand River Crossings: Motown and Motor City Inspirations.” Named for the major thoroughfare near her childhood home in Detroit, the disc is a highly personal reflection on an influential time and place in America—a cultural crossroads—with Motown at the center of it all. She carefully crafts a collection of songs into something truly personal. Compositions by NEA Jazz Master Gerald Wilson, Detroit drum legend Roy Brooks and Allen’s mentor Marcus Belgrave along with Allen’s own compositions, sit comfortably next to known anthems and pop hits. Belgrave on trumpet and David McMurry on alto sax are special guests of the pianist on this new one.
Also this week, New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint was recorded in the fall of 2009 at Joe’s Pub in New York City performing a program of his classic compositions for “Songbook”; Ted Nash presents a commissioned big band work dedicated to the seven Chinese chakras on “Chakra”; and saxophonist Diego Rivera offers up an exciting blend of originals and standards on his second release, “The Contender.”