Michael Leonhart, Chris Greene and Catherine Russell are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately:
CATHERINE RUSSELL – SEND FOR ME (JAZZ/VOCALS): Accomplished song stylist Catherine Russell changes things up just a bit on her April 1, release, Send For Me. Not that the Steely Dan band vocalist needs to fix anything regarding her prior releases: 2019’s Alone Together made my best-of list for that year, and I always catch Russell’s invigorating live show whenever I can. This, her eighth studio release, has a bigger feel. Produced by Russell with long-time collaborators Katherine Miller and Paul Kahn, Russell’s classic-yet-expansive vocals are enhanced by the horn section on “Send for Me” – a song closely associated with Nat “King” Cole. Her bluesy take adds elements to the song I’ve never noticed before. “Going Back to New Orleans” is another favorite, with strutting rhythm, touches of banjo and tuba all supporting Russell’s laidback vocal. Here’s another example of Catherine Russell transporting the listener to other locales with her delightful vocals and stunning arrangements. I guess some things never change.
MICHAEL LEONHART ORCHESTRA – THE NORMYN SUITES (JAZZ): Calling trumpeter, composer, producer and bandleader Micheal Leonhart a musical journeyman would be an understatement. Maybe genius is over used in this day and age, but Leonhart is closer to that term on the talent scale. If you only know Leonhart from his more than 25-year tenure with the Steely Dan band, then you are doing yourself a disservice. Leonhart touches on rock (2010’s Seahorse and the Storyteller), acoustic guitar-based jazz (2002’s Slow), and straight-ahead jazz (1995’s Aardvark Poses). The constant in every Leonhart project is his excellent gift of melody, and ability to draw the listener in. “Shut Him Down,” the album opener co-written with guest vocalist Elvis Costello, combines all Leonhart’s melodic gifts with Costello’s powerful and expressive baritone. Leonhart’s horn chart is sparkling and powerful, and frequent collaborator JSWISS provides a power rap to further move the song forward.
The Normyn Suites is dedicated to Leonhart’s dog who recently departed, and serves as a testament to connection and love. Michael Leonhart’s “The Normyn Suite #2 (Love and Loss)” was constructed during the dog’s final days and displayed a range of emotions and musical dynamics. Guitarist Bill Frissell is prominent on “Waking For Sedation,” and keyboardist Larry Goldings also lends his magic. These special guests never distracts or overwhelms Leonhart’s composition. He is a remarkable arranger and bandleader, melding heady pieces to create a cohesive and emotionally compelling album. These 17 songs are yet another example as to why Michael Leonhart is among the best jazz composers and arrangers today.
CHRIS GREENE QUARTET – PlaySPACE 2: Play Harder (JAZZ): Bassist/composer Marc Piane’s composition “Diver” kicks off PlaySPACE 2: Play Harder, out via Bandcamp on May 6, 2022. It’s an adventurous jump into Chris Greene Quartet’s new live album. The song’s rhythmic punch provided by Paine and longtime drummer Steve Corley is dynamic and at times frantic. They are equally matched by Chris Greene’s in-your-face soloing, and the deep tone of the tenor saxophone. Damien Espinosa helps with the mid-song change in tempo and feel, then builds in intensity along with the rhythm section. “Divers” demonstrate changes and tones throughout its more than 13 minutes, giving each member a solo spot to enhance the integrity. As an opening track, it’s quite a dive in the deep end.
Available now if you preorder is “Samba Fu Maga” which demonstrates the band’s stunning versatility. This Chris Greene original represents the only studio recording on the album, and combines Greene’s wonderfully excessive tenor weaving magic with the rhythm section in 7/8. PlaySPACE 2: Play Harder also contains worthy covers of “Caravan,” Hank Williams’ (yes, that Hank Williams) “You Win Again” and “Omi (Fresh Water),” which is available as an immediate download if your preorder now. My only complaint of the album is that I didn’t witness any of these live performances at Space in Evanston, Ill.
ALEX ‘APOLO’ AYALA – BAMBULA (FUSION JAZZ): Bambula is the daring debut of composer/bassist Alex “Apolo” Ayala, who combines African/Puerto Rican influences and acoustic jazz to create a powerful original body of work. The album touches on current-day social unrest, as well as blending more personal musings on family and culture. “Cafe y Bomba Eh,” which features a stunning vocal by Anna Louise Andersson, offers different shades compared to the instrumentals such as “Bozales.” The musical interaction between Ayala and his band – including Fernado Gacia on drums, Nelson Mateo Gonzalez on percussion and Ivan Renta on sax – is stunning, highlighting Ayala’s challenging compositions. Bambula, a Bantu word, means memory of a forgotten place. This wonderfully warm and powerful album is out now on Truth Revolution Records.
SONNY SINGH – CHARDI KALA (FUSION JAZZ): Ozomatli bassist Wil-Dog Abers provides his gifted ear as a producer to the debut album of Sonny Singh. Chardi Kala, out on May 13, combines challenging rhythms with eclectic music and lyrics, some of which are pulled from Gurbani, which is Sikh devotional poetry. Singh’s vocals are unmistakably nuanced and robust, even if you don’t speak the language or understand the context. Singh’s prowess on trumpet moves his compositions to another level, and he and Abers bring in a cast of musicians befitting these challenging compositions. Check out the single, “Mitar Pyare Nu” and the title track. Chardi Kala will free your mind.
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