It’s not just a preponderance of fresh ideas that makes Russ Lossing’s album ‘Metamorphism’ work so well; they are ideas that fit right with the people chosen to carry them out.

Inspired by Susan Alcorn’s pedal steel guitar, ‘Away With You’ keeps Mary Halvorson’s idiosyncratic ideas fresh and pushes forward her boundless conception of jazz on the frontier.

Never mind the studio setting, the highly lyrical and entrancing beauty of Fred Hersch’s piano and his empathetic rhythm section makes this another winning outing for this trio.

Continuing in the long line of jazz musicians who have molded and revitalized modern jazz from behind a drum kit, ‘The Passion of Color’ is Rob Garcia at his best.

Anglo-American outside jazz achieve near-perfect symmetry and empathy when pianist John Escreet expands his trio with the great Evan Parker. You May Also Like: John Escreet – ‘Seismic Shift’ (2022) John Escreet – ‘the epicenter of your dreams’ (2024) In celebration of the Evan Parker’s complex, trippy The Moment’s Energy

“Write for larger ensembles,” advised Anthony Braxton to one of his brightest protégés. You May Also Like: Mary Halvorson Octet – Away With You (2016) Mary Halvorson – ‘Cloudward’ (2024) Tomas Fujiwara, Ben Goldberg + Mary Halvorson – The Out Louds (2016)

Given the stature within improvised music circles of Taylor Ho Bynum (trumpet), John Hébert (bass) and Gerald Cleaver (drums), any new release by these guys should be greeted with great interest You May Also Like: Illegal Crowns [Tomas Fujiwara, Mary Halvorson, Taylor Ho Bynum + Benoît Delbecq] – ‘Unclosing’ (2023)Read More