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

Eliane Elias – Ao Vivo (Candid Records)

Eliane Elias, the fantastic Brazilian pianist and vocalist, was recorded live in San Francisco back in 2023, and the results are available for us all to hear now on the recently released Ao Vivo. Fans of Elias’ piano playing will have lots to love here, as she plays with fire in a variety of settings. Bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Rafael Barata are along for the ride from the first note, and they make some exciting music on “Brasil (Aquarela do Brasil),” and “Sambou Sambou.” Guitarist Leandro Pellegrino jumps into the fray at “Voce e Eu,” and the vibe gets a lot more mellow, and charming, even. “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” and “At First Sight” are a couple of instrumentals that give Elias and Pellegrino some room to shine. A couple of Antonio Carlos Jobim classics close out the album, “A Felicidade,” and “So Danco Samba.” Ao Vivo is a nice document that shows off just how talented Eliane Elias really is, and she’s put herself in some fantastic company, to boot. The results are a joy to listen to.

Brad Goode Quintet featuring Ernie Watts – Live Your Dream: Live at the North Street Cabaret (Origin Records)

Trumpeter, educator and one-time Chicagoan, Brad Goode, has released a couple of albums with saxophonist Ernie Watts, the latest of which is the live document, Live Your Dream: Live at the North Street Cabaret. Recorded live in Madison, Wisconsin in late 2025, the album captures a potent group of heavy hitters playing with passion, finesse and fire. Of course, you already know about the two gentlemen playing the horns. That leaves a top-flight rhythm section featuring Adrean Farrugia on piano, Jay Anderson on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums. Goode, Watts, Nussbaum and Farrugia all contributed songs to this live date, and they’re all fascinating compositions. Goode’s “COVID Nightmare” goes in quite a few different directions throughout its 8+ minute run time. Ernie Watts’ two songs, “For Michael” and “Live Your Dream” build up heads of steam and keep things interesting. Adrean Farrugia’s “Half Moon” may or may not sound like Chuck Mangione’s “Land of Make Believe,” but, man oh man, does it capture that vibe. “Lover Man” is a chance for Goode to show off and play pretty on a ballad, and he makes the absolute most of it. Ernie Watts gets his chance to do the same thing on “Someday My Prince Will Come.” That leaves the closer, another Farrugia composition, “Goose Dance.” If the previous song felt like it could have been written by Chuck Mangione, then “Goose Dance” sounds like it could have been written by Mangione’s one-time bandmate, Keith Jarrett. If Brad Goode and Ernie Watts come back through Chicago, make sure to catch them. But just in case they don’t, buy a copy of Live Your Dream so that you can enjoy what they sound like live no matter what.

Jan Harbeck Quartet – Conversation (Stunt Records)

Swedish saxophonist Jan Harbeck has just released a new album with his quartet called, aptly, Conversation. Joined by his fellow countrymen Henrik Gunde on piano, Eske Norrekykke on bass and Anders Holm on drums, the album sounds like you’ve just walked in on the soundtrack to a black and white 40’s private eye movie. It’s moody Jazz that never moves too quickly for the action, but always feels like something is about to happen. “Passing Clouds” is an interesting choice to start the album, as it’s pretty rare to kick off a disc with a ballad, but it’s a lovely choice indeed. “Out of the Blue” and “Odd One Out” are both what cemented my thoughts about the idea of Conversation as a crime noir soundtrack. “Sparkle Sight” has hints of Ellingtonia to its brisk tempo. “Airwaves” is another ballad that will sound great on WDCB’s, ahem, airwaves (sorry, that one was too easy). Harbeck’s love of Ellington returns on “Interaction” with a recurring piano motif that pulls the whole song together with a cool little bow. All in all, Conversation, with its nods to Ellingtonian songwriting, is a nice departure from the usual albums that come across my desk, and it’s a fun listen.