New Releases Spotlight: Week of May 11, 2015
This week in The Music Lounge, music director Paul Abella takes a look at new releases from Chicago jazz pianist/composer/impresario Bradley Williams, as well as a couple NYC guys, Vincent Herring and Harry Allen:
First up, Chicago pianist, vocalist and bandleader Bradley Williams has a new two-disc set out called Investigation. One disc features his band’s instrumental prowess on a disc of mostly originals and another features the fine vocalists that sing with him on a collection of originals, pop classics and jazz standards. The instrumental disc is fascinating, brimming with some tight playing, inventive songwriting and some nice solo work. If you like what you’re hearing (and you will), remember to come see Bradley and his band at the next WDCB Night at the Jazz Showcase on May 19th when they do the CD release party for Investigation!
Saxophonist Vincent Herring has a new disc out on Smoke Sessions called Night and Day. Like virtually everything Smoke Sessions has put out, this is right in the pocket with an all-star band featuring pianist Mike LeDonne, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Together, they run through an excellent program with two tips of the hat to Herring’s former employer, Cedar Walton ("Walton’s Theme for Jobim" and LeDonne’s tune "Walton"), a great version of "Night and Day" and a solid take on Cannonball Adderley’s "Wabash."
Finally, speaking of right in the pocket, saxophonist Harry Allen also has a new disc out. It’s a dedication to Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and George Gershwin, and it’s called, obviously enough, For George, Cole and Duke. There are some interesting choices here that I was really impressed by…Duke Ellington’s "Purple Gazelle," and a Latin tinged take on "Mood Indigo," and one of my favorite (and under-recorded) Gershwin songs, "They All Laughed." Allen’s got the kind of sound and approach that nearly everyone seems to like, so expect to hear this one a lot in the coming weeks!
Paul will have more new releases next week in The Music Lounge from three fantastic pianists: Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Green and 12 year old phenom Joey Alexander. ‘Til next time… keep your ears open!
