New Releases Plus A Focus On Yells At Eels And Ivo Perelman
World of Jazz 737
Trombonists kick off a show packed with new releases which are followed by a focus on the work of Yells At Eels on Ayler Records and more from the massive set of releases from Leo Records featuring Ivo Perelman.
SHOW AUDIO
PLAYLIST
Reggie Watkins “Rivers” from Rivers (Bynk Records) 00:00
Altin Sencalar “17 West” from Unleashed (Posi-tone Records) 06:37
Ronan Guilfoyle “At Swing Two Birds” from At Swing, Two Birds (Livia Records) 14:28
Los Angeles Improvisation Ensemble “Igor's Infernal Rite To Sacrificial Square Dancing” from Insubordinate Lunar Transgressions (Denouement Records) 20:36
Steve Knight “For Years Gone” from For Years Gone (Self Released) 25:19
Peter Smith “Swagger Waggle” from Smitty Straightens Out (Real Magic Records) 30:28
Eva Novoa “Palomitas De Maiz” from Novoa / Kamaguchi / Cleaver Trio - Vol. 2 (577 Records) 36:03
Pitch, Rhythm and Conciousness “Whose Tears Are These” from Sextet (Reva Records) 40:02
Albare “All Night Blues” from Eclecticity (ALFI Records) 47:07
Dennis González Yells At Eels + Rodrigo Amado “Crow Soul” from The Great Bydgoszcz Concert (Ayler Records) 53:38
Dennis González Yells At Eels + Louis Moholo-Moholo “Cape of Storms 1 & 2” from Cape of Storms (Ayler Records) 01:09:00
Dennis González Yells At Eels + Alvin Fisher “A Cobra On Clinton Avenue” from Resurrection and Life (Ayler Records) 1:26:51
Pinkish Black & Yells At Eels “Meditation” from Vanishing Light in the Tunnel of Dreams (Ayler Records) 1:37:15
Ivo Perelman-Borah Bergman “Equal Angles” from Geometry (Leo Records) 1:49:33
Ivo Perelman-Joe Morris “Imperial” from Strings (Leo Records) 1:53:45
Ivo Perelman Trio “Zero Expectancy” from Seeds, Vision And Counterpoint (Leo Records) 1:57:58
Ivo Perelman Quartet “Sieiro” from Sieiro (Leo Records) 2:04:02
Ivo Perelman Quartet “Singing the Blues” from The Hour Of The Star (Leo Records) 2:10:09
SHOW NOTES
Reggie Watkins
Few cities have a jazz legacy as deep and influential as Pittsburgh—a place that shaped the sounds of Art Blakey, Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams, Ahmad Jamal, and countless others. Trombonist Reggie Watkins has been a part of that lineage for over two decades, collaborating with jazz giants like Orrin Evans, Roger Humphries, and Maynard Ferguson.
But Rivers isn’t just about paying homage—it’s about moving jazz forward from within the city’s beating heart. Recorded in Pittsburgh with a tight, intergenerational quartet, the album represents a musician’s journey through time, place, and experience. The compositions reflect Reggie’s deep roots in the Steel City, his time spent honing his craft during the pandemic, and his commitment to keeping jazz alive in the place that raised him.
From the fire of "Blues in 3-D" (a tribute to modern trombone greats) to the spiritual depth of "Dream Walker" (dedicated to Reggie’s father) to the title track "Rivers" (inspired by Sam Rivers and dedicated to his mother), the album captures the undercurrents of jazz—tradition, influence, and artistic evolution.
This isn’t music made for industry trends—it’s honest, unfiltered jazz that connects deeply with both the past and the present.
Released March 28, 2025
Personnel:
Reggie Watkins – Trombone
Michael Bernabe – Piano
Eli Naragon – Bass
Jason Washington Jr. – Drums
Altin Sencalar
From the Artist's notes...
"Unleashed" represents my playing, my personality, and my overall attitude towards my career development. I take many chances that I would not have done in the past specifically playing the trombone in an aggressive manner that showcases both my vision as a soloist, and as an up and coming innovator. This album showcases my love for playing at difficult tempos, extended ranges, passages that are unusual for trombone, some extended techniques, and my compositional process, which is now taking a large turn from what I have written in the past”.
Altin Sencalar - trombone
Behn Gillece - vibraphone
Greg Tardy - tenor saxophone clarinet
Bruce Williams - saxophones
boris Kozlov - bass
E.J. Strickland - drums
Ronan Guilfoyle
A new album from the innovative bassist with seven original compositions. Completing the quartet are alto saxophonist Sam Norris, guitarist Chris Guilfoyle (Ronan’s son) and highly experienced drummer Darren Beckett. The compositions feature typical jazz characteristics – swing, groove, blues, standard form, chord changes, solos, drum trades, shout choruses etc. within atypical rhythmic shapes, showing that innovation and jazz tradition are compatible, and the music can swing with non-standard time signatures and structures. The album title references Irish humourist Flann O’Brien’s classic book, At Swim Two Birds, while blending rhythmic and harmonic ideas from two Charlie Parker tunes.
Los Angeles Improvisation Ensemble
Featuring
Louis Stewart - Piano
Robert Hardt - Woodwinds
Andrew Shulman - Cello
Michael Valerio - Bass
An album of completely free improvisation
Steve Knight
His debut album Persistence garnered rave reviews, including four stars in Downbeat. All About Jazz said, “Engaging at every level: harmonic, melodic, rhythmic…this entire production works very well, whatever one's taste in guitar heroes might be.
Knight’s calendar is packed with a weekly residency at a swanky Chicago restaurant, a weekly performance for the community in a high school courtyard, and another dozen or so gigs each month at clubs around the city. Now, with the release of this new album he’s sure to be even busier.
He never tries to overwhelm the listener with blistering chops, although he’s perfectly capable of it. Instead, he draws in the audience with melody and groove and develops compelling improvisations from the fertile ground of the songs themselves. Supported by top, like-minded players, the new release is a showcase for Knight’s melodic guitar playing, compelling interpretations of well-known pop and jazz standards, and thoroughly original compositions.
Steve Knight - guitar
Justine Peterson - bass
Linard Stroud - drums
Peter Smith
The latest venture from Peter Smith focusses on “Soul Jazz:” straight, funky grooves harkening back to the great Jazz records of the early-mid 1960s. This is infectious music to get your feet tapping, invoking classic recordings like “Cornbread” by Lee Morgan and “Una Mas” by Kenny Dorham. This music has a special, funky feeling to it, possessed of insistent rhythms (but not too insistent) and fretted with a light touch (but not delicate). These popular "straight grooves" strip away the flighty catch of swing: less antic and ebullient, more chewy and groovy; less eager to please, more assured and insouciant. They are the smoke in the sauce, the corn in the muffin, the dirt in the martini ...
Peter Smith (piano/leader/composer) released his trio album “Dollar Dreams” in 2023 (also produced by Dante Polichetti). He has toured the world as music director for Molly Ringwald, and also fills that role for Keith David and Ty Taylor. Peter now presents concerts in his studio space where this album was recorded, and performs there with friends like Ralph Moore, Benny Benack, Joe LaBarbara, Graham Dechter, Clayton Cameron, Michael Carvin, and many others.
Roy McCurdy (drums) hopefully need no introduction, but at 87 years young, legendary Roy “sturdy” McCurdy was instrumental in the bands of Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Chuck Mangione, and countless others.
Rickey Woodard (tenor sax) spent his early years in the Ray Charles band, and has also played with Horace Silver, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, and countless others. He is currently in the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz orchestra, and is one of the first-call players in Los Angeles.
Trevor Ware (bass) has been holding the bass chair down in the Count Basie Orchestra for many years now, and he also was part of Molly Ringwald’s band for years (led by Peter). He is a top Los Angeles player who cut his teeth with Horace Tapscott, Pharaoh Sanders, Billy Higgins, and Dwight Trible.
Aaron Janik (trumpet) is the young lion in the group, tearing it up with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Patrice Rushen, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Earth Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, and many more. A top session player in LA, he recently performed in the band for the 2025 Academy Awards.
Eva Novoa
The wait is over. If you’ve been holding your breath since hearing Novoa Kamaguchi Cleaver Trio, Vol. 1, it is time to let it out. Vol. 2 is almost here! The group has returned to 577 Records once more, serving a heaping second helping of addictive musical brilliance that comes out in May.
Even The Wire magazine celebrated the trio's first album, calling it “a deep and thoughtful release” – and Vol. 2 is no different. Eva Novoa is the Barcelona-born pianist/composer taking the world by storm with her creativity and talent. And she is back to wow us again on the piano, Fender Rhodes, Chinese gongs, and a little whistling.
To complete the trio, she chose her longtime comrade and collaborator of some fifteen years, bassist Masa Kamaguchi, and Detroit drum wizard Gerald Cleaver. The group has performed live in NYC since 2017. They made their first record (Vol. 1) with 577 Records in 2024. Their highly anticipated Vol. 2 marks Eva's fourth album with the label.
In their upcoming release, Novoa steers the trio through elegant experimentation of its full potential, confidently grasping golden threads from great masters of music to shape her own melodic universe. The multi-instrumentalist says it’s where melodic density meets contrapuntal dialogue, a free interplay of rich textures and riveting, masterly improvisation. This smooth complexity is what gives rise to the group’s uniqueness.
Like Vol. 1, the album cover art features the work of Novoa’s friend and collaborator, popular street photographer Richard Sandler. It drops on May 23, 2025, and will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital download.
Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness
Pitch and rhythm are fundamental building blocks of music, but what about the third element in the name of the ever-growing improvisational ensemble Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness? For the band’s co- founders, tenor saxophonist Tony Jones and violinist Charlie Burnham, consciousness is perhaps the most essential, if elusive, factor in creating harmonious sounds in the moment. Released April 22, 2025 via Reva Records, the band's stirring new album, Sextet, draws inspiration from a variety of wisdom traditions – Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Taoist, Hindu, etc.
Sextet, as the title implies, features the most expansive incarnation of Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness to date. The project began more than a decade ago with drummer Kenny Wollesen on PRC’s 2011 debut, Trio. In 2019 they regrouped with cellist Marika Hughes for their follow-up, Quartet. Expanding once again, Sextet adds tenor saxophonist Jessica Jones and bassist Rashaan Carter. The results are profound and spirited, exulting in spontaneous creation while delving deep into a wellspring of emotions and thought.
Albare
An album that brings together two distinct ensembles, The Jazz Alchemists and The Harmonix Experience. Both of these ensembles have become fixtures of Melbourne’s jazz scene with their bi-monthly performances at Bird’s Basement. Produced by ALBARE, and with executive production by Phil Turcio, “Eclecticity” is an album that bridges styles, eras, and ideas. It stands as a testament to the creative vitality of Melbourne’s jazz scene and the musicians who continue to push its boundaries.
This project is more than just a collection of recordings; it is a convergence of musical identities. Both bands share core members -ALBARE on both the guitar and the guitar synth, Phil Rex on the bass and Salva Persico on percussion, yet each ensemble has its own signature sound. The Jazz Alchemists is driven by the fiery interplay of Mat Jodrell on the trumpet and flugelhorn and Phil Noy on the tenor saxophone. Their sound is raw, energetic and deeply rooted in the language of modern jazz.
The Harmonix Experience, on the other hand, leans into the soulful warmth of Jake Mason on the Hammond and Paul Williamson on the tenor saxophone, creating a groove-infused approach that blends rich harmonies with lyrical improvisation.
The rhythm section on this album features guest drummer, Felix Bloxsom, who previously played on ALBARE’s 2022 album, “Freedom”. While Andrew Swann is the regular drummer for both bands in their live performances, scheduling conflicts enabled Bloxsom to step in for these recordings, bringing his own dynamic energy to the session.
Additionally, this album features a special guest appearance by the masterful accordionist Joe Chindamo, who lends his signature touch to the track, “New Dawn”, adding yet another dimension to the eclectic nature of the recording.
“Eclecticity” marks a significant milestone as ALBARE’s 16th album, showcasing his distinctive voice as a composer. Each track thoughtfully balances structure and improvisation, providing a strong melodic and harmonic foundation that allows the musicians to explore and shape each piece in the moment while maintaining a clear artistic direction.
Each session was meticulously captured by engineers Phil Turcio, ALBARE and Pete Camilleri, ensuring that every nuance of the performances was preserved. The album was then brought to its final form by the legendary mastering engineer Leon Zervos at Studio 301 in Sydney, adding the finishing polishes to the sound.
Yells At Eels
A feature on this noted father and sons ensemble - Dennis Gonzalez and his sons, Aaron Gonzalez on bass and Stefan Gonzalez on drums - and their association with Ayler Records.
with Rodrigo Amado - The Great Bydgoszcz Concert : Recorded at Mózg, Bydgoszcz, Poland on March 10, 2008 and released the following year
with Louis Moholo-Moholo and Tim Greene - Cape of Storms : Recorded in Dallas and New Orleans on February 9, 10, and 13, 2010.
with Alvin Fisher - Resurrection and Life : In August of 2009, drummer Alvin Fielder, the legendary AACM founder, was near death, seemingly at the end of a long and productive life. Indeed he had already died several times, only to be brought back by doctors each time during a grueling seven months of grave illness. After his amazing recuperation, the 76-year-old living treasure travelled to Dallas during the summer of 2010 (and then again in September 2011), to work on this Yells At Eels project, with several days of rehearsal, recording and relaxation, along with the talented young trombonist Gaika James, joining the González clan on these occasions and providing the perfect sound to round out the quintet. The aptly named Resurrection and Life presents the most inspired moments of these Texan sessions.
with Pinkish Black - Vanishing Light in the Tunnel of Dreams : Pinkish Black are Daron Beck, keyboards, synthesizer and Jon Teague, drums, synthesizer from 2020. Ayler Records says “Since the early 2000’s, all personalities involved in both Yells At Eels and Pinkish Black have shared an elevated respect and admiration with one another. The idea of an eventual live and studio collaboration between the two long running musical projects finally came together after many years of discussing it in passing. Between these two titan level bands you may sense an understated tension or delicate insecurity not typically found in our often boisterous and/or brutal approach(es) to the art we make. I don’t see it as a hindrance as much as I do an humbling sense of surrender based on our mutual respect; paired with the looming issue of personal health which was compromised on both sides during the time of this recording. Despite these unsure and frightening obstacles, we came together with hearts full of both beaming love and bludgeoning despair to make this piece of music. A meditation amongst brothers. A soundtrack of nightmares, of beauty, and of perseverance.”
Ivo Perelman
Continuing my deep dive into Ivo’s releases on Leo Records with another five releases
with Borah Bergman : Geometry - from 1997
with Joe Morris : from Strings - from 1997
Ivo Perelman Trio with Dominic Duval and Jay Rosen : Seeds, Vision And Counterpoint - from 1998
Ivo Perelman Quartet with Dominic Duval, Jay Rosen and Tomas Ulrich : Sieiro - from 1999
Ivo Perelman Quartet with Joe Morris, Gerald Cleaver and Matthew Shipp : The Hour Of The Star - from 2011
