Bijan Tagham; Cactus Sessions

OK, I'll admit it. I'm a ring-it-up, heartfelt piano guy. Always have been. Always will be. So when an album like this comes to my attention, sign me up. Bijan Tagham keeps it completely in the standards column on eight solo piano selections that earn an A+ for this listener. Perhaps you'll feel the same way when you hear Tagham's clarity, creativity, and a real sense of the joy derived from 88 keys. So, breathe it all in on “Wave”, “I Should Care”, “I'll Remember April”, “Peace”, “Have You Met Miss Jones”, “Ask Me Now”, “East Of The Sun”, and “Desafinado”. Ira Gershwin put it this way: “Who could ask for anything more!”

Self produced; probably 2025; appx. 50 min. 

Joe Magnarelli; Decidedly So

Many years, ago, I visited a jazz club here in my Portland hometown to hear the very gifted trumpet player, Joe Magnarelli. He was appearing with a super local rhythm section and I recall a most rewarding evening of “the good stuff”. The club itself was seemingly gone in the blink of an eye, but you know how it goes with jazz clubs! Anyway, what a delight to hear this formidable trumpet ace on a new recording. To be clear, the music is split about evenly between Joe's straight ahead, accessible originals and a few dignified old surprises. His colleagues on the disc include Steve Davis, trombone; Jeremy Manasia, piano; Clovis Nichols, bass; and Rodney Green, drums. In addition to the satisfying, ideally constructed Magnarelli creations, we are treated to some blasts from the past like “This Nearly Was Mine”, “When I Fall In Love”, and even the ancient “When I Grow Too Old To Dream”. Magnarelli retains the great chops I heard way back when on SE Belmont Street. He and his well chosen teammates make for perfect jazz listening throughout. Hey, Joe---come on back to Portland anytime!

Cellar Music Group; 2026; appx. 50 min.

Scott Routenberg; Live At Merrimans' Playhouse:

Oscar Peterson Tribute Oscar Peterson, my first piano hero, to this day remains a swinging genius who will forever become a “top of the mountain” legacy in the jazz world. So just how wonderful is it that pianist Scott Routenberg has given us the gift of this beautiful remembrance of this giant of the art of jazz. Along with trio mates Michael Santos, bass, and Cassius Goens III, drums (Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen if you will) the three shine on nine of Oscar's classics. It is interesting to note that a few tunes date towards the latter part of his life with titles like “City Lights” and “Cool Walk”. I was also thrilled with the presence of two pieces from Oscar's beloved Canadiana Suite, “Wheatland” and “March Past”. But it doesn't stop there. He had more than a passing flirtation with Bossa Nova, and so we are treated to “The Girl From Ipanema” and “Corcovado”. Decades ago Oscar's trio spun my head around with a dazzler called “Blues For Big Scotia”. It acts as a perfect closing theme on this session. And here it is again! Thank you, Scott and friends, for keeping alive the true genius of Montreal's gift to the world, Oscar Emmanuel Peterson.

Chroma Note Records; 2026; appx. 56 min.

ANSWERS:

     1.   Oh look At Me Now; also I'm Beginning To See The Light

1. Close Enough For Love
2. How About You
3. Once In A Lifetime
4. There Will Never Be Another You
5. Here's That Rainy Day
6. Little Girl Blue
7. Twisted
8. Fascinating Rhythm
9. 76 Trombones
10. Sunrise, Sunset
11. You Are There

HAVE SOME FUN WITH GEORGE'S QUIZZES!

Here are some partial lyrics to randomely selected songs. How many can you identify? Answers tomorrow...

1. never cared much
2. not perfect yet
3. a Gershwin tune
4. a man knows a moment
5. how can they come true
6. those worn out wishes
7. count your  fingers
8. those double deckered buses
9. the man I used to be
10. the big parade
11. one season following another
12. the kettle's on for tea

GEORGE'S BRIEFS

Chad LB; The Shadow Of Your Smile

Tenor saxophonist Chad LB displays highest level energy on material ranging from Eric Clapton to Jimmy Van Heusen to Johnny Mandel to someone named JS Bach! Wow, talk about something for everyone! LB is tender and perfect on “Shadow” and nicely upbeat on “It Could Happen To You”. He also gets into screech and scream mode on other selections and is over the top for these ears.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 52 min.

Jung Stratmann; Confluence

This very cohesive quartet of piano, bass, drums, and guitar gives us five original compositions with every emotion ranging from jazz to some classical orientation, and even a new age thought. Very nice for a hot cup of tea on a rainy winter night.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 29 min.

Todd Zimberg; Not A Tango

This trio session is under the leadership of drummer Todd Zimberg and features the spicy and fresh presence of Michael Gotz on piano and Perry Thoorsell on bass. “Birk's Works” and “Beautiful Love” are the two familiar choices but the trio also provides several well served and spirited originals. Nothing earth changing here but certainly to these ears, this is in the realm of straight ahead piano trio tradition.

Spring Beach Music; 2025; times not indicated

David Sneider; Introducing David Sneider

David Sneider shows us a hard swinging trumpet style perhaps out of the Freddie Hubbard bag. On this session of five originals and standards “Bye Bye Blackbird” and Monk's opus “Hackensack”, Sneider is at times fiery and at others lyrical and lilting. With some up and coming playing mates, David Sneider is a trumpet ace to become acquainted with and enjoyed.

Cellar Music Group; 2025; appx. 48 min.

Francesca Prihasti; Beneath The Sun

Here is your opportunity to discover a fresh, melodic, and invigorating set of diverse original works led by pianist Francesca Prihasti. The group, comprised of piano, bass, drums, guitar, and saxophones (not every player is on every selection) lays down some occasional complex but accessible lines, with Prihasti's a leadership role. At times thought provoking and at other times openly swinging, you might enjoy your morning coffee with Francesca and friends.

Apra Amcos; 2024; 35:05

The Flying Horse Big Band Meets George Garzone

If you're on the trail of exciting, challenging charts, here's your album. Champion Berklee sax faculty member George Garzone joins this stimulating big band on four of the seven selections. The most familiar on the menu are “Giant Steps”, “Reflections”, and “Impressions”. This is a roaring hard working big band that lets us know they're solidly in the game.

Flying Horse Records; 2025; appx. 37 min.

Lafayette Harris; All In Good Time

Right off the bat I love the title of this CD and I wonder why I've never seen it---ever. And of course it's fitting. The players on the date are obviously having a good time and they are keeping good time. Lafayette Harris, Jr. is the ultimate swinging piano maven with rhythm and delight and fluidity emanating from every note. The session is mostly a trio affair with Harris on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, and Jerome Jennings on drums. Houston Person and his dependable tenor sax are on board for one track and Jeremy Pelt and his flawless trumpet helps out on three choices. To set the mood for this musical meeting, the opener is the 'ancient' “I Want To Be Happy”. The only other well known selection is a classic dating back to Billie Holiday, “Good Morning Heartache”. The remaining tunes are primarily upbeat “feel good” examples of a group playing for the joy of making “in the pocket”, real deal jazz.

Savant; 2025; appx. 42 min.