Fred Hersch – Sarabande (1987, 2016 reissue)
If Fred Hersch has attained legendary status, then the legend began nearly thirty years ago. ‘Sarabande’ makes that clear, and the new, remastered edition makes it even more so.

If Fred Hersch has attained legendary status, then the legend began nearly thirty years ago. ‘Sarabande’ makes that clear, and the new, remastered edition makes it even more so.

‘Three Times Three’ is the Antonio Sanchez showcase album that leaves no doubts as to his vast abilities as leader, composer and — not least — elite drummer.

Robin Eubanks’s ‘More Than What Meets The Ear’ might be just what big band jazz needs to get revitalized for the 21st century.

With his composing pen, leadership and guitar, Scott DuBois has painted a Monet with ‘Winter Light’.
For the Matthew Shipp Trio’s first album with drummer Newman Taylor Baker, ‘The Conduct of Jazz’ honors the real jazz tradition of breaking outside of previously placed constraints.

The bop delight ‘Past Present’ is a new classic to go alongside those vintage John Scofield Quartet classics.

Full of moments of beauty and offbeat explorations, Kari Ikonen Trio’s ‘Beauteous Tales and Offbeat Stories’ goes beyond their sublime prior release ‘Bright’.

Trying to make sense of the surprises that lurk around every corner on Halvorson’s solo guitar outing ‘Meltframe’ is much of the fun in listening to this.

Master bassist Michael Bisio and his Accortet flat out thrive in unusual settings and while they often stretch out, they never lose their grip on tradition.

Kait Dunton’s creative, embraceable, contemporary take on the ol’ acoustic jazz trio makes the jazz idiom fresh and exciting again.