Featuring Tomas Fujiwara, Ben Goldberg and Mary Halvorson, the Out Louds aren’t always necessarily loud – but they are sure enough ‘out.’

Starting perhaps around the time Ben Goldberg assembled his New Klezmer Trio and The Klezmatics was formed, the clarinet went from being a meek instrument associated with the traditional and archaic — like trad jazz and Polish weddings — to becoming You May Also Like: Ben Goldberg School – VolRead More

No matter how much saxophonist Walt Weiskopf mixes things up for the vibes and organ-powered jazz ‘The Way You Say It,’ the craftsmanship shines through.

The elusive but exciting ‘Realization’ shows how original and visionary music from original and visionary musicians can be when all the constraints are lifted.

‘Spark’ is Hiromi’s fourth go aorund with a formula that might get a little tiresome by now if she wasn’t so danged daring and exuberant in how she goes about it.

‘Sound Is,’ released in March 2009 by the then-newly formed Rob Mazurek Quintet, remains a treat for those with big, open ears.

Once you accept the weird, wonderful microtonal world of David Fiuczynski, the universe gets much, much bigger. And better, too.

Iyer and Smith’s ‘a cosmic rhythm with each stroke’ is an encounter of two distinct voices from two distinct generations but of a single, spiritual mind.

Joe Bonamassa’s new record ‘Blues of Desperation’ is hard, gritty but soul-infused blues-rock with no tricks, just forthright musicianship and earnest passion. You can’t ask for anything more than that.

Rodriguez wrings a compelling, simple charm from a broken down piano that’s as undeniable as the weathered ’55 Bel Airs lumbering around downtown Havana.