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

Tawanda – Smile (Resonance Records)

When we look at the list of astounding vocalists who have won the Sarah Vaughan vocal competition in the past few years, it boggles the mind. From Chicago’s G. Thomas Allen (last year’s winner…let’s hope we hear from him soon!) to Jazzmeia Horn, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Quiana Lynell, and Samara Joy, the string of top-notch albums from Sarah Vaughan Competition winners has been superb. Well, let me introduce you to the next in that line: Tawanda. Her debut album is called Smile, and it cooks. Based in L.A. these days, she’s surrounded herself with some excellent west coast talent like Anthony Wilson (guitar), Kevin Axt (bass), Josh Nelson (piano) and Gary Meek (sax). The setlist on Smile is largely standards with great, swinging arrangements like “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Out of this World” and “You and the Night and the Music.”

Emmet Cohen – Uptown in Orbit (Mack Avenue)

Pianist Emmet Cohen continues to grow in myriad directions on his latest album, Uptown in Orbit. From slick stride to some of Cohen’s most ethereal playing to date, Cohen impresses throughout, whether he’s playing in a trio with bassist Russell Hall and drummer Kyle Poole or in a quintet with the addition of saxophonist Patrick Bartley and trumpeter Sean Jones. Considering how much reverence Cohen tends to have for the classics he plays (“Lil’ Darlin’,” Willie the Lion Smith’s “Finger Buster” or Gerry Mulligan’s “Venus de Milo” all come to mind), it’s a revelation to see how far out he’s willing to take Cedar Walton’s “Mosaic,” which largely functions as a feature for Kyle Poole, but some laser focus playing from the piano and bass, too. The whole band swings, grooves and gets deliciously rambunctious on “Uptown in Orbit,” which is a highlight for me, as is his set-ending take on Ellington’s “Bragging in Brass.” This is all to say, there’s lots to love here, and I’m sure you’ll find your own favorites, too.

Conrad Herwig – The Latin Side of Mingus (Savant)

Trombonist Conrad Herwig is an impressive player in multiple facets of the Jazz arena, but in the past three decades, he’s really made his mark with his Latin Side of… projects. From the music of Coltrane, Hancock, Shorter and Henderson to entire albums by Miles Davis, Herwig and the Latin Jazz specialists in his orbit have made some fantastic albums. The Latin Side of Mingus is no exception. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” gets recast in an almost danceable tempo, and the Latin-Funk groove on “Boogie Stop Shuffle” is a highlight for sure.