James Suggs; For All We Know

For several years Arbors Records released loads of swing jazz specialties. All great stuff too. In the current times their numbers have dropped. So it's a pleasure to welcome a new Arbors product. This time it's trumpet titan James Suggs leading a swinging pack of pleasure through a list of tunes I'd suspect all will enjoy hearing. Those selections chosen here represent quite a broad range from “Grazing In The Grass” to “You've Got A Friend” in the pop arena, to “My Shining Hour” and the title song “For All We Know” from the standard book, to “St. James Infirmary” and “Moten Swing” from the blues era. Several less well known choices complete this super collection. Let's put it this way: if these musicians are ever investigated it will only be because they're having such a good time! Thanks, Arbors. Let's hear from you more often!

Arbors Records; 2025; appx. 68 min.

Brandon Sanders; Lasting Impression

Brandon Sanders; Lasting Impression

There are so many jazz artists being introduced to me these days that I learn of new talent on an ongoing basis. I love it! So, friends, make way for drummer Brandon Sanders and his associates, most of whom are new names to me. His consistently straight ahead approach features a rhythm section with vibes, lots of piano, a couple of hip vocals and, most importantly, a complete journey down the jazz road from the first note to the last. These impressive players “get it” and perform their assignments with authority and obvious attention to tradition. Stay in the groove, guys!

Savant; 2025; appx. 46 min.

Bijan Taghavi; Cactus Sessions

110 years ago Irving Berlin wrote a song called “I Love A Piano”. And for the record, so do I! Apparently pianist Bijan Taghavi shares that sentiment. On this solo piano performance of acclaimed and beloved songwriting, he offers us eight examples of gentle, pristine, pure piano pleasure. Taghavi is the player you'd hear in a black tie and linen restaurant while wishing that the customers would chill their chatter and listen to the exquisite melodies surrounding them. The artist begins and ends his recital with two Jobim gems, “Wave” and “Desafinado”. In between, his feathery touch lands between such winners as “I Should Care”, “I'll Remember April”, “Have You Met Miss Jones”, “East Of The Sun”, and two favorites from the jazz book, Horace Silver's “Peace” and Thelonious Monk's “Ask Me Now”. Taghavi's melody lines are efficient and respectful, and his improvisations are letter perfect. Solo piano played this way is something special and, in these times, rather unique. Piano lovers, don't let this one escape your attention.

Self produced; probably 2025; appx. 50 min.

Maria Corsaro; Love Makes The Changes

Sometimes one can make a guess as to “jazz hipness” by simply noting choices of tunes and their composers. In this stunning, well chosen collection, singer Maria Corsaro turns to heroes like Sam Jones, Bill Evans, Antonio Carlos Jobim, McCoy Tyner, Michel Legrand, Oliver Nelson, Gerry Mulligan, and Roger Kellaway, among others. Does that tell you something? I would think so! The titles provided to us by the above named artistic high-enders include “Chan's Song”, “You Taught My Heart To Sing”, “No More Blues”, “Stolen Moments”, “Walkin'”, and big kudos for Kellaway's “I Have The Feeling I've Been Here Before”. Beyond all that, Corsaro just puts it all down with no extraneous show-biz activity. Considering all the above information regarding choices, it's no surprise Maria Corsaro “gets it”. The essence of jazz singing is here. You'd be wise to check it out.

Lola Records; 2025; appx. 45 min.

Ted Rosenthal; Classics Reimagined:Impromp2

Over the years others have attempted “swinging the classics” with varied results. But in the talented hands of pianist Ted Rosenthal it works to high toned perfection. His trio is rounded out by bassist Noriko Ueda, and the drum chores are split by Quincy Davis and Tim Horner. Also on hand but not on every cut are visitors Ken Peplowski, clarinet, and Sara Caswell, violin. Rosenthal's exhilarating piano technique leads his established friends through jazz drenched but always tasteful classical melodies. Composers include Chopin, Dvorak, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Beethoven, Elgar, and Satie. This album is pleasantly balanced, never excessive and I must say, Ted Rosenthal and friends make it all happen with respect and brilliance. 

TMR Music; 2025; appx. 60 min.

Chris Rottmayer; Playing Favorites

Chris Rottmayer; Playing Favorites

Here is a swingin' straight ahead trio led by pianist Chris Rottmayer and featuring singer Kelsey Wallner on selected tracks. Rottmayer's comrades include Clark Sommers, bass, and Matt Endres, drums. The favorites referred to in the album title include songs from both the standard book and those from the highly admired jazz repertoire. As a result we go from a rather spirited version of “Everything Happens To Me” to Tom Harrell's new era classic, “Sail Away”. On that concept, we are treated to “On The Street Where You Live” but soon arrive at Kenny Barron's colorful track, “Voyage”. The remaining familiar selection is the rarely performed Frank Loesser ballad “Never Will I Marry”. Wallner's vocals are polished and pleasant, and Chris Rottmayer sounds like the ultimate, tasteful, dedicated, well-schooled jazz pianist that he is.

Pilars Jazz; 2025; appx. 68 min.

ANSWERS:

1. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
2. Charlie Brown
3. Only You
4. Sixteen Tons
5. on golden sands
6. with every wave that breaks
7. Mona Lisa
8. Love And Marriage
9. Heartbreak Hotel
10. It's All In The Game