NEW IN MUSIC THIS WEEK: DECEMBER 5th

New releases are slowing down as we get closer to the end of the year. But don’t fret, there are some great options to be found in New In Music This Week: December 5^th.

My top pick this week is:

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL:  BRASS CONCERTOS – Corea/Higdon/Warnaar/Nashville Symphony/Giancarlo Guerrero – Naxos American Classics

Last month I extolled the virtues of the Nashville Symphony’s recording of Conquest Requiem by Gabriela Lena Frank and Cantata Criolla by Antonio Estévez.

They are back with an equally exciting new album of brass concertos. There are two world premiere recordings to be explored and enjoyed on this album.

It opens with the first recording of the Cornet Concerto composed by Brad Warnaar. It is a playful work that harkens back to a time when brass bands were a more regular part of American music. Warnaar says in the press notes that he wanted to “have some fun with” the cornet. He does and so do we. José Sibaja is the soloist and he’s quite good.

The second work is Chick Corea’s Trombone Concerto with Joseph Alessi as the soloist.  This was Corea’s last composition before passing away from cancer in 2021. Alessi gave the world premiere performance seven months after Corea passed away. Guerrero, who conducts on this album, led the premiere which took place in Brazil.

It’s a four-movement that moves effortlessly from movement to move with great music for both the soloist and orchestra. Fans of Corea’s writing will immediately hear this as quintessential Corea music.

The last work and second world premiere recording on the album is Jennifer Higdon’s Low Brass Concertowhich features an ensemble of musicians front and center: Sibaja on cornet; Alessi, Paul Jenkins and Derek W. Hawkes on trombone; Steve Brown on bass trombone and Gilbert Long on tuba.

Already a fan of Higdon’s compositions, this is another inventive piece from her. I can’t recall other works that celebrate the brass section of an orchestra as effectively and persuasively as she does here.

There’s something new for everyone here and all of it is new, innovative and refreshing. I love this album.

Here are the other fine recordings that are New In Music This Week: December 5^th:

JAZZ: AROUND THE WORLD – Oscar Peterson – Mack Avenue Music Group/Two Lions Records

I’m always amazed how often previously unreleased live recordings get found. This seven-track album finds pianist Peterson performing solo, as part of a duo and in a trio. The recordings range from live performances captured from 1969 to 1981.

Amongst the songs Peterson performs are A Child Is Born, Here’s That Rainy Day and Stella By Starlight (the latter with Joe Pass).

The 37 minutes of this album fly by quickly. A testament to Peterson’s enduring legacy. So keep the discoveries coming. Who knows what other jewels might be uncovered that we can hear and appreciate.

JAZZ: EVERYTHING CHANGES – The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis/Ashley Pezzotti – Blue Engine Records

This live album is really an EP – it only runs 21-1/2 minutes. Don’t let the length fool you. This is a fascinating new work by Vincent Gardner. He calls it a bebopera.

As Gardner says in the press releases, “Everything Changes … pays tribute to three of the masters that taught Dizzy Gillespie about Afro-Latin music: Alberto Socaras, Mario Bauza and Chano Pozo.”

Vocalist Ashley Pezzotti is front and center singing and scatting powerfully. The JLCO is also joined by Bobby Allende on bongos and Isaiah Bravo on congas for one track.

JAZZ:  MOTION II – Out Of/Into – Blue Note

Almost exactly one year ago, supergroup Out Of/Into released their first record. The group features bassist Matt Brewer, pianist Gerald Clayton, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott and saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins.

Their second record comes from the same recording sessions that gave us the first album. Clayton composed three of the songs (Finding Ways, Familiar Route and Nacho Supreme). Wilkins wrote the opening track, Brothers in Arms; Brewer wrote Juno and Scott wrote The Catalyst.

As with the first album, this is a strong and cohesive recording.  As one would expect since this material was played extensively on the road when this group toured as the Blue Note Quintet.

Individually these guys are all amazingly talented. Together they coalesce into a superb ensemble that, to quote Muhammad Ali, floats like a butterfly. Don’t be fooled into thinking the ease and grace of this music is easy. It isn’t, but it sure feels like it. 

JAZZ:  OFF STILLNESS – Thomas Strønen/Time Is a Blind Guide – ECM

This is an album for those who like to think and breath alongside the music. The title tells you straight away what to expect from drummer Strønen and his ensemble Time Is a Blind Guide.

That ensemble features Håkon Aase on violin, Leo Svensson Sander on cello; Ayumi Tanaka on keyboards and Ole Morten Vågan on double bass.

Off Stillness is not exclusively a quiet album, but it is certainly a reflective one. It opens with Memories of Pauland closes with In Awe of Stillness. What happens between those two tracks is sublime music – all of it composed by Strønen and played beautifully.

After so rancorous a year globally, this album is a perfect way to close out the year of new music.

JAZZ: RECKLESS METER – Convergence – Capri Records

This album gives a great look into the jazz scene in Colorado. The six guys who make up Convergence have been at it for over 30 years. This live album was recorded six years ago.

Those six guys are Greg Gisbert no trumpet and flugelhorn; Eric Gunnison on piano; John Gnther on saxophones, Mark Patterson on trombone, Paul Romaine on drums and Mark Simon on bass.

There’s some great music on Reckless Meter. I was particularly taken with the opening track Big Boot written by Simon. No doubt these guys have witnessed a lot of changes in jazz over their three decades of performing together. This album feels very much like it is in the tradition of jazz from a time long ago, but not without having its finger on the pulse of what’s going on today.

JAZZ:  VANCOUVER JAZZ ORCHESTRA MEETS BRIAN CHARETTE – Vancouver Jazz Orchestra – Cellar Music Group

Reckless Meter allowed us to explore the Colorado jazz scene. Now we can move further west and north and explore the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra which is a 17-piece ensemble. They are joined here by organist Brian Charette which makes for an entertaining combination of instruments.

If you’ve been a fan of artists like Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy McGriff and Jimmy Smith, you’ll find a lot to enjoy on this album.  

The music all comes from Vancouver-based composers: Chris Berner, Bill Coon, Daniel Hersog, Steve Kaldestad, Sharon Minemoto, Fred Stride, Jill Townsend, Brad Turner and James Danderfer who is the artistic director of VJO.

Looks like Vancouver has a lot going on. In the absence of being able to get there quickly, this album serves as a fine introduction to the jazz music scene.

VINYL REISSUES:

JAZZ: AFTER HOURS – Thad Jones, Frank Wess, Kenny Burrell and Mal Waldron – Craft Recordings Original Jazz Classics

Originally released in 1957, this four- track album features Jones on trumpet; Wess on flute and tenor saxophone, Burrell on guitar, Waldron on piano with Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums.

Waldron composed all four tunes on this album. This album has always been well-reviewed and one listen to it will tell you why.

JAZZ: AT THE HALF NOTE CAFÉ, VOL. 2 – Donald Byrd – Blue Note Tone Poet Society

This 1960 live recording features trumpeter Byrd (no relation) with Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Lex Humphries on drums, Lemon Jackson on bass and Duke Pearson on piano.

The album opens with Pearson’s Jeannine. That’s followed by Byrd’s Pure D. Funk and Kimays. The album closes with When Sonny Gets Blue.

I’m a big fan of Byrd’s, so this is definitely an album I’d want in my collection.

The Tone Poet Society is a subscription-based program of releases from Blue Note.

JAZZ: HOMEWARD BOUND – Jonathan Blake – Blue Note Tone Poet Society

This is a relatively recent release having come out in 2021. Drummer/composer Blake is joined by Dezron Douglas on bass, Joel Ross on vibraphones, David Virelles on keyboards and Immanuel Wilkins on saxophone.

Without a doubt the standout track on this album is the title track which was composed as a tribute to the daughter of saxophonist Jimmy Greene and flutist Nelba Marquez-Greene. She was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting.

The line-up alone makes this a must-hear album. The music itself makes it a must-have album.

JAZZ: SOUL JUNCTION – Red Garland Quintet – Craft Recordings Original Jazz Classics

How’s this for a lineup:  Garland on piano, Donald Byrd on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor sax, George Joyner on bass and Art Taylor on drums!

The album was recorded in 1957, but not released until 1960. Garland composed the title track and the rest of the album features songs by Duke Ellington with Paul Francis Webster, Dizzy Gillespie and Vincet Youmans.

Moody when it needs to be a lively at times, too. This is a hard bop masterpiece.

That’s all for New In Music This Week: December 5^th.

Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the music!

Main Photo: Part of the album art for Nashville Symphony’s “Brass Concertos” Recording