Pianist John Escreet took his great L.A. group and made it even better for the epicenter of your dreams.’ Call it addition by sweet addition.

On ‘Juba Lee,’ Avram Fefer’s Quartet picks right up where 2019’s ‘Testament’ left off, resulting in another excellent entry from the underrated saxophonist, composer and leader.

John Escreet’s first trio album ‘Seismic Shift’ is that rare record where both massive chops and innovative harmonic ideas both come in spades.

‘Testament’ leaves me wondering why Avram Fefer isn’t more widely noticed. He consistently brings the goods in composition, technique and sidemen – and delivers.

The Jason Stein, Greg Ward-led project ‘Nature Work’ is highly recommended for those who like adventurous, impulsive jazz.

Full of vigor and moxie from start to finish, ‘Sing Me Some Cry’ harnesses the savvy of its participants, but that vast potential is reached only because Eric Revis has the insight to get so much out of them, and they in turn get the most out of Revis’ compositions.

The main draw of Avishai Cohen’s artistry throughout his varied output is his restlessness. The inward-looking and reflective ‘Into The Silence’ contrasts with earlier work but is exactly right for the moment.

While the tactics might be altered for each time out, Aruán Ortiz’s sophisticated, ultra-modern style of composing, arranging and improvising emerges each time.

The first-call acoustic bass player best known in five words or less as “Branford Marsalis’ bassist since forever” is preparing to release his own led-date In Memory of Things Yet Seen (March 25, 2014, Clean Feed Records). You May Also Like: Eric Revis – Sing Me Some Cry (2017)

Before even learning that multi-reedist Avram Fefer is a Harvard grad, I could detect a lot of intelligence in his playing style. Avoiding clichés, adapting to the music and injecting just the right amount of feel, Fefer is one of the most diverse sax players around You May Also Like:Read More