What's New on WDCB... with Paul Abella

Grant Stewart – Next Spring (Cellar Music)

Saxophonist Grant Stewart recently released a new album on Cellar Music called Next Spring. Joined by pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist Paul Sikivie and drummer (and Grant’s brother) Phil Stewart, this is a gem of a straight-ahead record. Stewart picked a mix of lesser played standards like “I Know That You Know” alongside a few Jazz classics like Wayne Shorter’s “Nefertiti,” Thelonious Monk’s “Introspection,” and Barry Harris’ “Father Flanagan.” . It’s interesting to hear songs like “Kiss and Run” or “I Won’t Dance” without their lyrics, and that’s part of what makes Next Spring such a charming listen.  This quartet expertly plays these songs, with them all residing right in the pocket, making for an enjoyable listening experience from beginning to end.

Brandon Sanders – Lasting Impression (Savant Records)

Looking back at the classic Blue Note and Prestige records of the 50’s and 60’s, the formula actually seems pretty simple in retrospect: put together a hot group of musicians, have them pull together a selection of originals and classics that they really dig, and roll tape. Over the course of his three albums in three years, drummer Brandon Sanders has really seemed to take that formula to heart. On his latest album, Lasting Impression, he’s joined by saxophonist Stacy Dillard, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, pianist Eric Scott Reed, bassist Eric Wheeler, and on two tracks, vocalist Jazzmeia Horn. Kicking off with the Bobby Hutcherson barnburner “8/4 Beat” lets you know that Sanders has no intention of taking things easy over the course of the eight songs featured here. The title track is a buoyant swinger that just exudes joy. Jazzmeia Horn sounds just about perfect on “Our Love is Here to Stay” and Stevie Wonder’s “Until You Come Back to Me.” “Tales of Mississippi” is a hard-grooving Jazz waltz, and the take on Mal Waldron’s “Soul Eyes” is gorgeous. Three years and three Brandon Sanders records. I hope this is a streak that continues, because Sanders has figured out the formula to making some really listenable Jazz albums these days.

Mark Sherman – Bop Contest (Miles High Records)

Vibraphonist Mark Sherman has a new album out called Bop Contest. Joined by Donald Vega at the piano, Ron Carter on bass, Carl Allen on drums, and Joe Magnarelli on brass duties for a couple of tunes, Sherman has put together a solid package. With the exception of a beautiful vibes and piano duet on “Skylark,” this is an exciting and upbeat collection of songs, with gems from the pens of Oliver Nelson (“111-44”), Cedar Walton (“Bremond’s Blues” and “Martha’s Prize”) and a couple of originals in the mix, too. Even the arrangement of “My One and Only Love” kicks things up a notch from its usual sleepy pace. Of course, you can’t possibly ask for a better rhythm section than the one assembled here: Donald Vega, Ron Carter and Carl Allen swing hard no matter what you have them do, and that’s certainly the case on Bop Contest. I don’t know who was planning to win this particular contest, but I think you and I are the actual winners here. After all, we get to listen to the results.