Monday, May 2, 2011

HEADS UP

I receive advance copies of new jazz albums daily. I want to share with the readers of I Dig Jazz some   attractive jazz albums that will be available soon.

Pianist Gerald Clayton is the offspring of the great Clayton clan. His dad is bassist John Clayton. Alto “sax-smith,” Jeff Clayton, is the pianist’s uncle. “Bond the Paris Sessions” is Gerald Clayton’s second album as the boss, and first for Decca/ Emarcy Records. As a sideman, Clayton earned a bulletproof reputation. “Bond the Paris Sessions” is a straight up jazz trio date, and it goes public May 10, 2011.


Trumpeter Sean Jones is Mack Avenue Records’ franchise player. This is Jones’ fifth outing and one of his best to date. Jones steps outside of his hard-bop comfort zone on several songs. Which gives his fans a sample of the new direction he’s contemplating. “No Need for Words” street date is May 24, 2011.


One of the top jazz singers on the planet Roseanna Vitro is signed to Motema Records. The company has a lineup of stellar jazz musician Geri Allen, Marc Carey, and Rene Marie are ones with household reputations. For her Motema debut, “The Music of Randy Newman,” Vitro chose to honor the songwriter Randy Newman. Newman’s songs have a literary quality and the ones Vitro selected suit are voice perfectly. Motema releases “The Music of Randy Newman May 17, 2011.

Many solo piano recordings are an exercise in self-indulgence. I’ve come across some that could cure insomnia. Neither applies to “Faith,” the new solo offering from Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Technically Rubalcaba is a genius and he’s a discreet improviser. 5Passion Records is Rubalcaba's new home. “Faith” will be available June 1, 2011.

In less than a decade, Mack Avenue Records has become a big time record company. Ron Blake, Tia Fuller, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, The Yellow Jackets, Gerald Wilson, and Terry Gibbs work for the company. A few months ago, vibraphone apostle Gary Burton joined the company. Burton inaugural album for the company is “Common Ground”. Burton is still sharp, and he’s found a soul partner in guitarist Julian Lage. “Common Ground” hits the streets on June 7, 2011

No comments: