| Gary Bartz, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, Gary Bartz JID 006 (Jazz Is Dead) The newest entry in producers Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s acclaimed Jazz is Dead series is a collaboration with Gary Bartz, which also marks the legendary saxophonist’s first album in eight years. Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble, NOW (International Anthem) Multimedia artist/activist Damon Locks and his multi-generational Chicago-based collective of artists, musicians, singers and dancers respond to the unrest of recent times with a new album of uplifting, anthemic and highly animated musical performances. The Dave Weckl Band, Live in St. Louis Chesterfield Festival 2019 (Autumn Hill) Live in St. Louis Chesterfield Festival 2019 captures a very special reunion performance by The Dave Weckl Band with the great jazz fusion drummer at the helm and founding band members Jay Oliver on keyboards and Tom Kennedy on bass joined on guitar by Buzz Feiten for the first time in over 20 years. Pasquale Grasso, Solo Ballads (Sony Masterworks) Pasquale Grasso augments his 2020 EP Solo Ballads, Vol. 1 with five new solo takes on some of his favorite ballads. Solo Ballads is the first installment of a three-part album series set for release in 2021-2022, showcasing Grasso’s eloquent classical technique, jazz phrasing, bebop rhythms and nimble fret musings that have distinguished him as a celebrated 21st-century virtuoso. Vijay Iyer Trio, Uneasy (ECM) Uneasy presents pianist Vijay Iyer’s new powerful trio with two fellow key figures in creative music – bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. Together, they perform rediscovered Iyer original compositions and more. Norah Jones, ‘Til We Meet Again (Blue Note) ‘Til We Meet Again is singer/songwriter/pianist Norah Jones’ first full-length live album ever, featuring performances recorded in various parts of the world between 2017 and 2019. Dan Wilson, Vessels of Wood and Earth (Brother Mister/Mack Avenue) Dan Wilson calls attention to the beauty of often ignored structural foundations of music and life on his third album as a leader via eleven tracks, including originals and covers, as well as a nod to spiritual leader John Coltrane. Hasaan Ibn Ali, Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album (Omnivore) Omnivore has rediscovered a never-before-issued 1965 quartet recording by elusive jazz pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali. The recording was shelved by Atlantic after his incarceration on a narcotics possession and later thought destroyed. Michael Wollny, Emile Parisien, Tim Lefebvre and Christian Lillinger, XXXX (ACT) Michael Wollny, Emile Parisien, Tim Lefebvre and Christian Lillinger are four leading figures in today’s improvised music scene. XXXX is a live album emerging from their week-long collective, free improvisation sets at the A-Trane in Berlin, Germany, from December 2019. L Tony Allen, There Is No End (Blue Note) There Is No End is legendary and pioneering Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen’s first posthumous release and is out on the one-year anniversary of his passing. The album was produced by Allen, Vincent Taeger, and Vincent Taurelle and its 14-tracks feature guest vocals from Danny Brown, Sampa the Great and Lava La Rue, among many others. |
