Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II is a jazz saxophonist you should get very familiar with, especially once his debut album Akuma hits the streets on February 11. You don’t have to remember that name though, “Sly 5th Ave” will work just fine. You May Also Like: Lara Bello, “Sola” from SikameRead More

The thing about Matt Wilson isn’t that he leads a band from behind a drum kit…shoot, man, that’s been done at least since Chick Webb in the 1930s. You May Also Like: Matt Wilson Quartet – ‘Hug!’ (2020) Jeff Cosgrove, with John Medeski + Jeff Lederer – ‘History Gets AheadRead More

Ensemble, Et Al. is a four-piece band that could have just as easily been named “Percussion, Unlimited” for its makeup of all-percussive instruments: marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums, Indian cowbells and Tibetan Bowls. You May Also Like: Mike Pride – ‘Marimba, July’ and ‘Drums, August’ (2019) Kate Gentile + International ContemporaryRead More

That Archie Shepp’s newest iteration of this striking song cycle arrives in the wake of the death of LeRoi Jones (known later as Imamu Amiri Baraka) is fitting You May Also Like: Jon Irabagon – ‘I Don’t Hear Nothin’ But the Blues Vol. 3: Anatomical Snuffbox’ (2020) Rachel Therrien: TheRead More

A past winner of the Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, Helen Sung knows her way around eighty-eight keys, and after five well-received albums, this NYC residing, Houston, Texas native is bringing her talents to the Concord Music label. You May Also Like: Thelonious Monk – Mønk (2018) Ryan Blotnick –Read More

The West Coast ensemble The Ocular Concern meekly touts their product as “Music for the Curious Listener,” but that belies a whole lot of adventure contained within their songs. You May Also Like: Norah Jones – ‘Pick Me Up Off the Floor’; Puss N Boots – ‘Sister’ (2020) Butcher BrownRead More

Jazz Messengers-alum and sideman trombonist of choice Steve Davis makes his fourth Posi-Tone disc For Real yet another enjoyable collection of no-bullshit, genuine hard bop. You May Also Like: Ken Fowser – ‘Right On Time’ (2019) Tom Tallitsch – Gratitude (2016)

Fareed Haque’s masterful fluidity is all over Out of Nowhere, the guitarist’s latest record. For this round, the Chicago-based musician forges ahead through a collection of standards and originals You May Also Like: Greg Ward – Touch My Beloved’s Thought (2016) Caroline Davis – Heart Tonic (2018) Rob Dixon Trio,Read More

In his debut album as a leader, saxophonist Scott Jeppesen showcases all he’s learned on the journey thus far. You May Also Like: Dave Meder, “I Look for Religion in War” from ‘Unamuno Songs and Stories’ (2021): Video premiere Dave Stryker – Eight Track II (2016) Dave Stryker – Strykin’Read More

Rich Rosenthal developed a love for not just jazz but for the most adventurous kinds of jazz when he was barely a teenager, and the budding guitarist aspired early on to be among the ranks of Sun Ra, Sam Rivers, You May Also Like: Rich Halley and Carson Halley –Read More