New Releases Spotlight: Week of October 24, 2016

This week in the Music Lounge, our music director Paul Abella reviews three new releases!

Hey everyone – this week, let’s take a look at an up-and-coming trumpeter, a legendary trumpeter, and a great new disc from drummer Jordan Young…

Trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg just wrapped up a weekend at the Jazz Showcase promoting her latest release, Bria.  By far, this is the most “traditional” disc she’s put out, featuring her vocals on a bunch of standards ("Que Sera Sera," "Midnight Sun," "From This Moment On," and others) and putting her trumpet dead center in the spotlight on "Malaguena."  She’s got an all-star group with her featuring Stefon Harris (vibes), Aaron Diehl (piano), Reginald Veal (bass) and Ali Jackson (drums).  Enjoy!

Also playing trumpet, Tom Harrell has a new disc out called Something Gold, Something Blue.  Tom brought in some extra top notch firepower on this one, as it also features another trumpeter, Ambrose Akinmusire.  The rhythm section of Charles Altura, Ugonna Okegwo and Jonathan Blake, on guitar, bass and drums, respectively, is pretty potent as well.  These five have crafted a pretty unique sound here.  The grooves throughout the disc are deep, and the interaction between the trumpets and the rhythm section is a joy to hear unfold on each tune.  Personally, I’m a big fan of the first two cuts on here, "Circuit and Travelin’," and the version of "Body and Soul" is beautiful. 

Finally, the fine folks at Posi-Tone are back with another grooving organ disc featuring Brian Charette.  This time, the leader is drummer Jordan Young on a release titled Jazz Jukebox.  Guitarist Matt Chertkoff and saxophonist Nick Hempton round out a rather interesting set of jazz classics, re-arranged pop tunes and a couple of originals.  Everything here is very much in the pocket.  The most interesting choice on here is "The Theme from The Love Boat."  I snickered a little when I saw that, and thought it couldn’t possibly be…wait a second, it is!!!  And as a Latin-tinged, 3-minute groove fest, it works!  That, alongside great tunes from Jimmy Smith, Larry Young, Count Basie, The Beatles and Thelonious Monk make this one jazz jukebox that I’d happily drop a few quarters in.

Next week, we’ll have more great discs to talk about, including the latest from Norah Jones and Mike LeDonne!  ‘Til then… Keep your ears open!