Jason Stein has made many very good records before, but in reaching deep inside himself, he came forth with a truly great one with ‘Anchors.’

The genius of Steve Lacy isn’t that easy to articulate but Phil Sudderberg, Charlie Kirchen and Jason Stein take great care of the soprano saxophone legacy when they play his ‘Clinkers’ solo masterpiece with all the invention and attitude of the original.

Jason Stein and Adam Shead’s ‘Synaptic Atlas’ is not at all about notes and charts but rather, making a metaphysical connection and exchange through their instruments.

Threadbare finds Jason Stein expanding the bass clarinet into more areas previously thought off limits to the instrument.

Some current notables from Chicago’s progressive music scene got together and formed 85bears, named after the town’s the most celebrated football team.

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

Here is S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2018 list for modern and mainstream jazz releases.

With the unusual structure of the electro-acoustic trio Hearts & MInds come opportunities to implement ideas you couldn’t really pull off in a ‘normal’ trio setting. ‘Electroradiance’ adroitly exploits those opportunities.

Ivo Perelman and Jason Stein’s ‘Spiritual Prayers’ provides a symbiotic, seemingly effortless demonstration of free improvisational playing.

Ivo Perelman, that endless fountain for saxophone phraseology, is finally slowing down.