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

Monty Alexander – A Jamerican in Paris (PeeWee Records)

Few Jazz fans need a reminder that Monty Alexander is a monster of a pianist, and to me, some of his most compelling work has come from those moments where he’s tied his home of Jamaica to his home of the U.S. Those Jazz/Reggae fusion moments do what the best fusion is supposed to do: lift both artforms. And so it goes on Alexander’s latest album, A Jamerican in Paris. Luke Sellick is the bassist along for the ride, Jason Brown is the drummer and Bobby Thomas, Jr. is the percussionist. At 82, Monty Alexander shows no signs of slowing down, and if anything, is as swinging, funky and stone cold as ever. “Sketches of Aranjuez” leaves no doubt as to what it’s referencing, but sounds fresh nonetheless. “What’s Going On” throws a curve ball at the listener before settling down in more familiar territory. “Come Fly with Me” features Alexander swinging hard with an empathetic rhythm section, while “Marcus Garvey” and “Look Up” lean into the Reggae side of things. “Just Wait” has fun by putting the two together, nearly seamlessly. A Jamerican in Paris is a seriously enjoyable album from front to back. 

Jocelyn Gould - So Delighted (self-released)

Guitarist Joceyln Gould has put out a mighty good album in 2026’s So Delighted. Joined by Chicago’s own Ben Paterson on the organ and drummer Fabio Ragnelli, as well as guest artists throughout, So Delighted is a swingin’ good time. Kicking off with Oscar Peterson’s “Cakewalk,” Ragnelli, Paterson and Gould are off to the races from the jump. Of course, they can do ballads, too, and the proof is found on Gerald Wilson’s “Teri.” Gould hops aboard the standards ship for “The Song is You” (with a clever stop-start arrangement of the melody), “Girl Talk” and “The Sweetest Sounds.” The rest of the album features Gould’s own work, which is all quite nice, from the lightly funky “Amethyst,” or the loping “Cleo’s Countdown,” to the down right gut bucket blues of “The Game Changer.” Jocelyn Gould is an impressive guitarist who assembled an impressive band for an impressive album. So Delighted, indeed.

Sean Mason – State of the Art (Taylor Christian Records)

Pianist Sean Mason has been making some great records for a minute. In late 2026, he’s back with State of the Art, a trio date with bassist Felix Mosehelm and drummer Domo Branch. This is one laid back record. From the first notes of “Secure the Bag,” you know that State of the Art is going to take its time doing whatever it’s going to do. If Dr. Lonnie Smith played acoustic piano, it would have this kind of groove to it. Slow, funky, full of stankiness, and when the trio does get swinging during the solos, they’re so right in the pocket that you can’t help but bob your head. Mind you, we’re only on the first track. “A Good Day” sounds like a summer breeze (when you hear it, you’ll hear what I mean). “Honey Pie” is a swinging good time, and Mason leaves so much space between his ideas that it’s almost discombobulating. “This or That” is our one visit with the standards, and “Nightcap” is a funky little lullaby that sounds just like its name. “One United” closes things out, live at Dizzy’s in New York City, for the extra adrenaline rush that only live Jazz can bring. State of the Art is definitely a statement that Jazz can be seriously fun.