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

Paul Marinaro – Not Quite Yet (122 Myrtle)

Vocalist Paul Marinaro has taken his time between albums…seven years to be precise. But when it came time to release a new one, he certainly swung for the fences on Not Quite Yet. By far, his most daring release yet, it’s evenly split between an ensemble featuring the KAIA String Quartet and a large group featuring a who’s who of Chicago players, and arrangements by Mike Allemana. Put all of those pieces together and let them rip on “Invitation” and “Taking a Chance on Love,” and you end up with a bold CD that invites plenty of listens.

Roberta Brenza – It’s My Turn to Color Now (Origin)

A vocalist who grew up near Chicago, and now finds herself back here again, Roberta Brenza recently released her debut album on Origin Records, It’s My Turn to Color Now. She’s joined by Sheila Jordan (obviously a big influence) and a band assembled by Matt Wilson for a batch of originals like the charming title track and standards (she does a wonderful job on “Bye Bye Blackbird”). If this first album is an indication of what we can expect in the future from Roberta Brenza, I think we’ll be looking forward to some excellent albums down the road.

Steven Feifke & Bijon Watson’s Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra (Cellar Live)

The Generation Gap Orchestra is the latest big band effort from Steven Feifke, who has been down this road before. He’s clearly got a knack for making some excellent music with a large ensemble. Feifke (the pianist) and Bijon Watson (trumpet) have wrangled some all-stars for the proceedings, with appearances by Kurt Elling, Roxy Coss, one-time Chicagoan Christopher McBride, Sean Jones, John Fedchock and others. The results are swinging on selections written by Joe Henderson (“Inner Urge”), Hugh Masekela (“Dollar’s Moods”), Horace Silver (“Nica’s Dream”) and Kurt Elling (“Sassy”). Big Band fans who listen to WDCB are going to hear a lot to love with the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra.