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

Lynne Arriale – The Lights are Always On (Challenge)

Pianist Lynne Arriale’s latest album, the recently released The Lights are Always On, is an intriguing listen. Arriale is an inventive pianist with a fantastic sense of groove, and an interesting composer. Alongside Jasper Somsen on bass and E.J. Strickland on drums, this trio explores 10 of Arriale’s compositions with depth and grace, making for a beautiful batch of tunes.

Cory Weeds – Just Coolin’ (Cellar Live)

Saxophonist Cory Weeds keeps busy. And his latest recorded effort features him in a pared down quartet, swingin’ away with a young crew that keeps the energy level up throughout this new disc, Just Coolin’. Cory is joined by Tilden Webb on piano, John Lee on bass, and Jesse Cahill on drums. Featuring songs that run the gamut from 1950’s classics like Ray Bryant’s “Chicken ‘n’ Dumplins” to more modern fare like David Sanchez’s “Street Scenes,” this encapsulation of 50+ years of Jazz composition makes for a fun listen that I’ll be looking forward to sharing with you.

Tony Monaco – Four Brothers (Chicken Coup)

Organist Tony Monaco’s quartet has been busy in the studio, and the result is Four Brothers. Monaco’s long been an eclectic musician, pulling from anywhere that he can find a cool song. Four Brothers is no exception. There are Jazz-Funk classics here (“Jan Jan”), beautifully played standards (“My Shining Hour,” “Lush Life”) a song from legendary organist Don Patterson (“Brothers-4”) and a couple from Monaco himself, including the title track that has nothing to do with the Woody Herman gem. Monaco and Co. get funky, get swingin’ and play a pretty cool samba, too.