Reflecting The Past Embracing The Future
World of Jazz 695
Jazz has been around long enough to allow for a massive library of ground breaking legacy music to build up. Current musicians often look back at that legacy, sometimes they use it, sometimes they build upon it and add a current perspective. In this way jazz is allowed to grow and develop whilst remaining true to the work of the innovators who went before. Several of this weeks pieces very much capture the spirit of past meets present, but also look to the future.
SHOW AUDIO
PLAYLIST
Show Intro 00:00
Steve Turre “Sanyas” from Sanyas (Smoke Sessions Records) 00:26
Kevin Sun “That Light’s A Star” from Quartets (Endectomorph Music) 13:40
Song Yi Jeon Trio “Water Fog” from Solitary Bloom (Self Produced) 19:37
Oded Tzur Quartet “Last Bike Ride In Paris” from My Prophet (ECM) 24:48
Yosef Gutman Levitt “Why Ten?” from Why Ten? (Soul Song Records) 31:48
Greg Skaff “Green Chimneys” from Re Up (Soulmation Records) 36:18
Tone Forest “The Mother Tree” from Tone Forest (Outside In Music) 40:13
Jon De Lucia “Fugue on Bop Themes” from The Brubeck Octet Project (Musæum Clausum Recordings) 50:48
Lee McKinney “The Bebop Vampire” from Reflection in Two Shades (Summit Records) 54:50
Markus Howell “Counterattack” from Chosen Path (Posi-tone) 59:14
Daniel Carter, Ayumi Ishito, Eric Plaks, Zach Swanson, Jon Paniikkar “Open Question Improvisation #3” from Open Question Live At Scholes Street Studio (GauciMusic) 1:04:11
Gonçalo Marques Quartet “The Hunger Artist” from Birds And Cages (Robalo Music) 1:13:02
GoGo Penguin “Parasite” from From The North : GoGo Penguin Live In Manchester (XXIM Records) 1:19:40
Pat Thomas and BleySchool “Ida Lupino” from BleySchool : Where? (577 Records) 1:25:26
Andrew Wilcox “Dear Mr. Hill” from Dear Mr. Hill (Truth Revolution Recording Collective) 1:41:30
Eyal Vilner Big Band “Afternoon At Smalls” from Swingin’ Uptown (Self Released) 1:49:43
Tyler Cooney & Steve Newcomb “Witch Hunt” from Jazz in Meanjin 011 : Live at JMI (4000 Records) 1:54:41
SHOW NOTES
Steve Turre - Throughout 2024, Smoke Jazz Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary, its post-pandemic rebirth and renovation, and the first decade of its record label, Smoke Sessions, with a series of live recordings by some of the acclaimed artists who have called the club home. The latest entry in the series is historic for another reason – Sanyas, released on June 28, marks the first live album as a leader from legendary trombonist and shell master Steve Turre, a landmark in a career spanning more than 50 years.
Recorded over an electrifying weekend at Smoke Jazz Club, Sanyas boasts a dream all-star band that continues the mission of Turre’s previous Smoke Sessions release, Generations, in bringing together stellar artists from multiple generations. Turre is joined by elders in the form of the iconic rhythm section of bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White; modern masters trumpeter Nicholas Payton and tenor saxophonist Ron Blake; and the rapidly rising star Isaiah J. Thompson on piano.
Kevin Sun - I’m featuring the lead single from saxophonist Sun’s forthcoming seventh release as a leader, Quartets. The album will be released October 18, 2024 via Endectomorph Music under exclusive license to La Reserve. Beginning with a percussive and heavily-syncopated solo saxophone introduction, “That Lights a Star” draws from both Jerome Kern’s “All the Things You Are” and Charlie Parker’s immortal rendition of the standard, which added the bebop-era introduction that has become a jam session staple. The track features a darkly simmering trio improvisation led by pianist Christian Li before launching into Sun’s effervescent saxophone solo. The rhythmic intricacies of the form bring out the best in Sun’s bandmates, with adventurous and buoyant contributions by bassist Walter Stinson and drummer Kayvon Gordon.
Song Yi Jeon Trio - a unique and dynamic bass-less. trio that features voice, piano, and drums. Fronted by Song Yi as both a composer and a leader, the group's music is strongly inspired by modern Jazz, classical music and modern Brazilian music. Song Yi uses her voice as an instrument and sings mostly without lyrics, except one piece, which is sung in Korean. On the piano is young Italian multi-award-winning musician Lorenzo Vitolo, and on the drums is Brazilian musician Paulo Almeida, who brings an authentic flavour to the music. Recorded in April 2022 this self released album was eventually released on April 1st 2024.
Oded Tzur - A new programme of five extensive pieces plus an introductory miniature, presenting saxophonist Tzur in a manner that balances extremes - fiery playing vs. ruminative passages. In the process, the saxophonist exhibits some of his fiercest playing yet. Accompanied by his quartet of pianist Nitai Hershkovits, bassist Petros Klampanis and the new group member Cyrano Almeida on drums, the saxophonist continues on his idiosyncratic musical path balancing written sections with fascinating improvisation.
Yosef Gutman Levitt - From the the recently formed Soul Song Records, bassist and composer Yosef releases his new one Why Ten?. Featuring one of the world’s finest jazz guitarists, the renowned Gilad Hekselman. Why Ten? follows up Levitt’s captivating 2023 release Soul Song. This remarkable showcase finds the Tel Aviv–born, New York–based Hekselman in the company of Levitt on upright and acoustic-electric bass, Ofri Nehemya on drums and Gilad Ronen on additional woodwinds, playing mainly Levitt-Ronen originals in a refined and deeply melodic setting. Award-winning engineer Stefano Amerio recorded and mixed the album.
Greg Skaff - A regular on the New York scene since the late ‘80s, guitarist Greg Skaff has shared the bandstand with such jazz greats as Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, David “Fathead” Newman and Ralph Peterson Jr. Skaff’s latest, Re Up, recorded with bassist Ugonna Okegwo and young drumming sensation Jonathan Barber, follows the guitar trio format he explored on 2021’s Polaris. Skaff explores a varied program of swinging originals along with two well-chosen covers by revered jazz elders (Thelonious Monk’s “Green Chimneys” is featured and Duke Ellington’s “Fleurette Africaine,” rendered as a sublime solo guitar piece). Along with his bluesy meditation, “Southern Pacific,” the buoyant, Ornette Coleman-influenced “No Cover,” the energized swinger “Faith” and the flowing title track, Skaff also performs separate trio and solo renditions of his dreamy “Peace Place.”
Tone Forest -a contemporary jazz ensemble co-founded in 2018 by Miro Sprague (piano) Jason Ennis (guitar), and Marty Jaffe (bass). Drawing from jazz, world music and free improvisation, the trio cultivates a fresh sound that is adventurous, lyrical, and grounded in a deep sense of beauty and groove. Their collaboration stems back decades from their common roots in western Massachusetts, where they developed deep chemistry and a rich musical bond. Their debut album of original music will be released on Outside in Music on August 30, 2024.
Jon De Lucia - Ever curious about the underexplored corners of jazz history, alto saxophonist Jon De Lucia breathes new life into one important such chapter with The Brubeck Octet Project, released July 12 on his own Musæum Clausum Recordings imprint. The album documents De Lucia and his octet’s rediscovery and reconditioning of the arrangements played by the Dave Brubeck Octet, the innovative 1946-1950 unit with which the iconic West Coast pianist began his career. Lucia’s octet predates The Brubeck Octet Project. He formed the band in 2016 for another project at City College of New York (where he then taught), but it quickly became a weekly reading band, leaving the saxophonist constantly in search for new (old) repertoire. It was this quest that led him to the archives at Mills College (Brubeck’s alma mater), where he found many of the Brubeck Octet’s original handwritten charts in the papers of the band’s tenor sax and arranger, Dave Van Kriedt.
Lee McKinney - Featuring critically acclaimed saxophonist Greg Abate, this recording, driven by McKinney’s tunes, drums and leadership, is a major step forward in his career for it not only has him playing drums in a world-class quartet but it features his compositions. He says “I’ve had it in the back of my mind for a long time that I wanted to make a CD of all-original material. These songs were written over a long period of time. In fact, while some are new, a couple were originally assignments in composition class in college that I’ve updated.” For the project, Lee was particularly happy to have altoist Abate aboard. “Greg and I have been friends for over 20 years and he is a masterful player on all of his instruments. A piano friend of mine from Oregon, Matt Cooper, was my first choice and was fortunately available. He was actually a teacher of mine during my senior year in college. And I was also lucky enough to get one of the best bass players in this area, Chris Berg.”
Markus Howell - Alto saxophonist Markus returns with his second release on Posi-Tone. Following the leader along this musical journey of delight is the first call Posi-Tone Records All-Stars rhythm section of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston. Characterised by dynamic performances with a balance of exciting original compositions and engaging arrangements this sophomore release demonstrates considerable progress for Howell.
Daniel Carter, Ayumi Ishito, Eric Plaks, Zach Swanson, Jon Panikkar - The band formed organically in 2020 from weekly jam sessions in Harlem. Later on, Daniel named the band Open Question and released two studio albums on 577 Records. Since then the band continued performing and developing their sound. This is their first live recorded album at Stephen Gauci’s free improv music series at Scholes Street Studios. The band members are also members of the excellent Playfield collective.
Gonçalo Marques Quartet - Marques on trumpet and flugelhorn is joined by Jacob Sacks - piano, Masa Kamaguchi - double bass, and Jeff Williams - drums. Of the release he says “As a teenager I read “The metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka. Since then, I have been pulled into the author’s universe. His dark, surreal and slightly humorous stories somehow resonate with me. The music of this album is inspired by the feelings and atmosphere of his writings (mostly short stories) and events of his life. With the exception of a few pieces, the writing was kept short. The artistry of my musical partners, help me to create the right environment for each song”
GoGo Penguin - a rarity, some new jazz from my neck of the woods, the big metropolis a 30 minute tram ride from this very location where I am sat writing. A live recording from the Old Granada Studios in Manchester centre. It’s an iconic studio complex, and during the heyday of regional TV broadcasting (70s-90s) it was home to the legendary Granada Television (now relocated to the adjacent city of Salford at the Quays - a 15 minute tram ride away again from here) and it’s most famous export the soap opera Coronation Street. ‘From the North’ was Granada Television’s original strapline, an institution that prided itself on a strong regional identity. This is where Tony Wilson handed live TV debuts to many local bands, The Fall and Joy Division are two key examples. The old Granada TV building and its iconic sign was a prominent part of the Manchester skyline until it closed in 2013. Following the closure, the studios became a temporary home to Low Four Studios, whilst both Mr Scruff and 808 State took up residence in the building, the latter in the old Granada transmission suite.
GoGo Penguin - From The North both celebrates that heritage and captures the Manchester-based trio at an exciting moment. The opportunity came out of the blue when the band were invited back to do a live session in summer 2023. Now operating as Versa Studio 4, the band felt that the studio had played a significant part of their own musical history – they had already filmed a performance in front of a live audience in 2016 and recorded their 2018 album A Humdrum Star there - and wanted to document both the space and also the fast-developing relationship with newest member, drummer Jon Scott. The decision was taken to get the cameras up close so fans can both see and hear the band at work. For the session the band decided to revisit a couple of tracks from Between Two Waves, their first EP on XXIM Records. The first track Wave Decay, features a slightly different arrangement to the original recording where Chris scrapped the muted piano and Nick played the Moog Grandmother synthesiser for the solo section instead of the double bass. And Ascent (also from Between Two Waves) has subtly evolved through gigging since its release. The rest of the material on this record is taken from their latest album Everything Is Going to Be OK. The band is Chris Illingworth (piano, synth, Make Noise Strega), Nick Blacka (double bass, bass guitar, Moog Grandmother) and Jon Scott (drums)
Pat Thomas and Bleyschool - Part Two of Pat Thomas’s creative spin on the works of legendary pianist Paul Bley. Thomas has forged a trio project with Dominic Lash and Tony Orrell to bring a part of history into the present moment without sacrificing tradition or inventiveness. BleySchool: Where? continues their tribute to this musical genius and features seven unforgettable tracks. Keeping true to the process Bley was known for, Thomas maintains a refreshing timelessness no matter which tunes his trio ventures into. The name of the project is a play on words from Play School, one of the artists’ favourite television series from their childhood. The show also inspires their childlike experimentation that blends so well with Bley’s approach to music. The album is packed with luscious, Latin-inspired grooves, beguiling melodies, and playful improvisations!
Andrew Wilcox - The title of Dear Mr. Hill, the debut album by the gifted, Hartford-based pianist and composer Andrew Wilcox, is addressed to the legendary Andrew Hill. But the album as a whole, a spirited mix of original compositions and keenly chosen standards, is a missive from Wilcox to the many mentors and influences that have guided him along his path. “The elements that are at the core of this album are the people, places and things that have inspired me along the way,” Wilcox says. “Andrew Hill's music hit me in a very deep, emotional place. It was the first time I’d heard somebody who was able to paint such complex emotional portraits in ways that I'd never heard before.” Due out August 16, 2024 via Truth Revolution Recording Collective, the album not only conveys the musical inspiration of those teachers and influences, but surrounds Wilcox with them. The album teams Wilcox with the veteran rhythm section of bassist Avery Sharpe and drummer Yoron Israel, both of whom have taken the young pianist under their collective wings. The date was produced by fellow pianist and Truth Revolution co-founder Zaccai Curtis.
Eyal Vilner - The band on this record – with all its distinctive personalities and carefully chosen musicians – was itself integral to the realization of this music. Comprising some of the top rising stars and young artists rapidly ascending in the New York jazz scene, the ensemble has, much due to the aforementioned extensive time on the road together, crafted their own, single identity on the bandstand, rather than merely being a collection of individuals. The Eyal Vilner Big Band consists of Eyal Vilner (a. sax, fl., cl., conducting, arranging), Julieta Eugenio (t. sax), Josh Lee (b. sax), John Lake (lead tp.), Brandon Lee (tp.), Ron Wilkins (tbn.), John Thomas (pn.), Ian Hutchinson (b.), Eran Fink (dr.), and featured vocalist, Imani Rousselle.
Tyler Cooney and Steve Newcomb - recorded on April 11th at Brisbane (Australia) jazz incubator, JMI (Jazz Music Institute). The pair performed two sets of intimate guitar / piano music, playing a heavy mix of Wayne Shorter, peppered by select originals. Tyler Cooney is a Brisbane based guitarist, composer, and educator. As well as leading and co-leading his own projects Monsterra, Headland, and as a solo artist, he performs as a sideman in a number of other diverse ensembles including Mosspaw, and Kerbside Collection. In 2022 he released his debut album of original compositions for guitar trio entitled ‘Modern Ideal’, and in 2023 he was a nominee in the Freedman Fellowship awards. Steve Newcomb is an Australian pianist and composer equally in demand for his unique touch on the piano, detailed writing, and comprehensive style of arranging that explores the realm shared by jazz and new music. He maintains an active solo career and shares the stage with a multitude of artists, performing in various styles and making “music in a knotty zone where Thelonious Monk meets classical music” (Sydney Morning Herald). Another release in the excellent Jazz in Meanjin series from 4000 records.
