Jawanza Kobie’s Weekly Wednesday Jazz Playlist July 20,2022
The Cookers Quintet is a heavy-swinging Toronto-based quintet, whose sound is uncompromisingly footed in the ’50s and ’60s hard bop movement and whose name refers to Freddie Hubbard’s iconic 1965 album, The Night of the Cookers. "Undisputed" is a muscular track from their upcoming album, The Path and a tribute to some of the great boxing champions of the past that its composer, saxophonist Ryan Oliver, claims "adds another hard bop anthem to our ever-growing songbook." The Path will be released on August 12 on Do Right Music.
A multi-generational jazz supergroup formed by Wayne Shorter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Leo Genovese and Esperanza Spalding performed a one-night-only event at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2017. Five years later, Candid Records has announced that it will release a recording of this stellar performance on September 9. The announcement comes with the release of its single, the group’s take on "Drummer’s Song," composed by Geri Allen. The much-missed pianist/composer was originally to be part of this amazing group but passed away in June 2017.
Still Life is vocalist Sachal Vasandani and pianist Romain Collin’s deeply emotive, introspective and nuanced follow-up to their acclaimed 2021 album, Midnight Shelter. Produced with no edits or overdubs, this new intimate collection offers duo reworkings of classic and modern songs alike, interspersed with memorable original compositions.
Having focused on session work and production work for the past number of years, Ronnie Foster returns with his first album as a leader in 36 years. Reboot is simultaneously a celebration of the past, including the legacy of the much-missed Dr. Lonnie Smith, and marks a fresh new start for the legendary Hammond organist, featuring his son Chris Foster on drums and Michael O’Neill on guitar.
British singer Kay Young presents her version on the Roberta Flack classic ‘Feel Like Making Love’ written by one of my mentors Eugene McDaniel.
And some levity: Comedian Fred Amisen “is not a Fan of jazz” a short skit.
I hope you enjoy
JK