Tom Tallitsch’s ‘Wheelhouse’ is all in a day’s work for this underappreciated tenor saxman, who once again demonstrates the continued vitality of the hard bop form. If that kind of jazz is in your wheelhouse, then this album is sure to be as well.

Thus far for the drummer, composer and bandleader Vinnie Sperrazza, it’s two albums, two different approaches, same high quality level jazz. The consistent ‘Juxtaposition’ justifies keeping Sperrazza on the watch list.

The graceful finesse that Haidu has mastered from countless gigs and mentoring from the likes of Kenny Barron and David Hazeltine bear sweet fruit on his composition “They Who??”.

With a classic tenor sax tone, top drawer backing band and great tunes and arrangements all present in ‘Gratitude’, it’s just hard to go wrong with this record.

The tenor ace Tallitsch delivers another mainstream jazz outing with a stellar supporting cast that’s dynamic, majestic and yes, a boatload of fun.

S. Victor Aaron picks the best of 2014’s modern and mainstream jazz albums, including Keith Jarrett, Brian Blade, Fred Hersch and others.