Preston Frazier’s Best of 2019 Jazz includes MaiGroup, Alan Evans, Catherine Russell, Jon Herington and Jim Beard, Bob Sheppard, Oz Noy and Kelley Suttenfield, among others.

The original songs by Jim Beard and Jon Herington are powerful, and the covers on ‘Chunks and Chairnobs’ stand the test of time.

Right on the heels of “This Is My Building” comes another candidate for inclusion in Walter Becker’s ‘Circus Money’ that somehow didn’t survive the primaries.

‘Trip’ is not Mike Stern’s ‘return to form’ but rather, a reaffirmation of form. And for that, we can be grateful.

After hearing Jim Beard playing “The Gentleman and Hizcaine” unaccompanied, I think my own attraction to it has grown once again.

Jon Herington gets to show off sides of him you won’t hear on a recent Steely Dan-related album or see live when he’s touring.