Jawanza Kobie’s Weekly Wednesday Jazz Playlist June 7, 2023
Massimo Biolcati
Massimo Biolcati, On a Misty Night (Sounderscore): Bassist Massimo Biolcati’s fourth solo release, released on May 19, features saxophonist John Ellis and drummer Johnathan Blake. On a Misty Night showcases his unique blend of traditional and modern jazz, with a repertoire of lesser-known standards highlighting the trio’s virtuosity and musical chemistry. I remember a young Johnathan Blake who at the time was playing trumpet as a young teenager whom was one of the students I tutored at the Mill Creek Community Center in West Philadelphia in the early 1990’s. ‘On Misty Night’ featuring also John Ellis is the track heard here.
Isaiah J Thompson
Isaiah J. Thompson, The Power of the Spirit (Blue Engine): Emerging generational talent, pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, released his very first live album on March 17. The Power of the Spirit is a hard-swinging album recorded live at Dizzy’s Club that captures a pivotal moment in the young artist’s ongoing evolution. This is the robust titled track ‘The Power of the Spirit’
Michael Rabinowitz
Michael Rabinowitz, Next Chapter (Blue Ridge Bassoon): Jazz bassoon soloist Michael Rabinowitz performs a celebratory set of mostly straight-ahead jazz originals that are both swinging and explorative on his new album, Next Chapter. Featuring his regular quartet, the new album was released on March 1 and finds Rabinowitz continuing to blaze new paths for the bassoon. Check out ‘One Four All’ from this amazing Jazz bassoonist.
Richie Goods, Chien Chien Lu
The road that led veteran bassist Richie Goods and fast-emerging vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu to the provocative musical and verbal conversations that drive their socio-politically charged dual album Connected, Vol. 1 began with a casual chat about Roy Ayers. Along with their mutual love of funk, these would be just a few of the inspiring, surprising things Goods — who came to prominence touring and recording with Mulgrew Miller — would learn about Lu, a classically trained percussionist who in 2015 moved from Taipei to complete her Master’s in Jazz Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Like many stellar contemporary jazz albums that have popped up during the past few years, Connected, Goods and Lu’s first full-length dual album, has its roots in — and was by and large made possible by — the pandemic lockdown. As we kept writing and recording, we realized we had enough to do a full album."‘Treasure Mountain’ is the track heard here from their new release.
Mike LeDonne, Eric Alexander
Pianist Mike LeDonne and saxophonist Eric Alexander have played with many heavy hitters in the jazz world, their respective résumés peppered with names such as Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins and Benny Golson (LeDonne), and Harold Mabern, Cedar Walton and Charles Earland (Alexander). For their recent Heavy Hitters (Cellar Live) release, the longtime colleagues assembled an ensemble of close confederates who more than live up to the album title. Alto saxophonist Vincent Herring and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt join LeDonne and Alexander on the frontline, and the unrelated Washingtons, Peter and Kenny on bass and drums respectively, provide the rhythmic muscle. The prime directive of the quintet was to capture the raw energy and musical excellence of classic jazz albums, particularly those from the Blue Note label. ‘A New Day’ is a track from their new 2023 recording.
I hope you enjoy
JK