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

Bill O’Connell – Touch (JoJo Records)

You could be forgiven if you only associate the name Bill O’Connell with WDCB’s host of New Vintage on Sunday nights, who is also a fantastic drummer. And you could also be forgiven for thinking that pianist Bill O’Connell is a Latin Jazz specialist; after all, he’s put out numerous Afro-Cuban styled albums on his own, and played with Conrad Herwig, Charlie Sepulveda and other heavyweights in the Latin Jazz space. But here, on Bill O’Connell’s latest album, Touch, we hear him with a sensitive and straight-ahead trio, featuring bassist Santi Debriano and drummer Billy Hart. That’s a lot of talent in one room, and none of it goes to waste. “85th Street” is just one example. O’Connell’s piano chops are on full display, and Debriano and Hart swing hard behind him. “Cay-Man” has a lively bounce to it, and “Three Little Words” lulls you into thinking you might be listening to a ballad before it kicks in with an impressive chug. Nearly every song on Touch is just that remarkable.

Leon Anderson – Live at Snug Harbor (Outside In Music)

New Orleans drummer Leon Anderson recently released his debut album, Live at Snug Harbor, recorded at the legendary Jazz club in his hometown. Joined by John Michael Bradford on trumpet, Ricardo Pascal on saxophones, Oscar Rossignoli on the piano, and Rodney Jordan playing bass (we’ve also been enjoying his recent release, Memphis Blue). Together, they are a swingin’ ensemble, with the grit and gravy we’d expect from a New Orleans drummer, and the sophistication we’d expect from artists who have played with Ellis Marsalis, Terence Blanchard and Victor Goines. “P.J.’s,” “Lil’ Miss Ariel,” “Lil’ Froggy’s Blues” are all finger snapping burners that are hard to ignore, and “Understanding” is a lovely ballad that proves that Leon Anderson isn’t just a great drummer off to a solid start, but a well-rounded artist introducing himself to the world.

Johnny O’Neal – Everybody Loves Johnny O’Neal (Cellar Music)

At first thought, the title Everybody Loves Johnny O’Neal might seem a bit much. But then you hear the first track on this live album, “Chicago,” and you get it. For 11 minutes, O’Neal’s piano playing draws you in, gets you moving, and at multiple moments, you might find yourself grunting, “well, alright!” Similarly, his ballad playing on “Come Sunday” before moving into “Did I Ever Really Live?” is a tremendous highlight of the album. On “Love Letters” and “Destination Moon,” he proves to be a captivating vocalist as well. Johnny O’Neal is indeed a treasure. Everybody Loves Johnny O’Neal offers ample proof as to why.