Sixth Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Stands Up For Real Jazz

Paul Carr

The Sixth Annual Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival returns Presidents’ Day Weekend to the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Put on by the Jazz Academy of Music, the motto of Mid-Atlantic Festival is “Standing Up For Real Jazz.” In this vein, the focus is on hard, swinging jazz with a number of national headliners mixed in with some of the finest musicians in the Washington DC area. The featured performers for this year include vocalists Tierney Sutton, Allan Harris and Carmen Lundy and instrumentalists including trumpeter Sean Jones; saxophonists James Carter, Jimmy Greene, Craig Handy and Marcus Strickland; bassist Rufus Reid; trombonists Delfaeyo Marsalis; and pianists Kenny Barron, Ellis Marsalis and Patrice Rushen. Local jazz favorites include vocalists Sharon Clark and Janine Gilbert-Carter; saxophonist Paul Carr; pianist Eric Byrd, and vibraphonist Warren Wolf. Performances are held both on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage as well as smaller club settings.

Sharon Clark

Friday night, February 13, the Ronnie Wells Main Stage opens with tenor saxophonist Paul Carr, head of the Jazz Academy of Music, and a marvelous player leading a group with vocalist Sharon Clark. Clark, arguably DC’s leading female jazz singer. Writing in the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote that she “evokes not Holiday but rather a less operatic Sarah Vaughan fused with the more animated side of Shirley Horn, a singer who also liked to take her time. Ms. Clark’s voice is rich, her phrasing unfussy, her jazz embellishments minimal.” They will be followed by another terrific singer Tierney Sutton, with trumpeter Sean Jones closing the evening with his group.

Main Stage activities resume late morning Saturday February 14 with the Mid-Atlantic "Jazz Voice"--Vocal Competition with six semi-finalists competing for a $2000 Grand Prize. Shortly afterwards an afternoon session features DC drummer Samuel Prather and Groove Orchestra with the marvelous vocalist Christie Dashiell. They are followed by Chelsey Green and the Green Project, led by the talented violinist. Saturday Evening’s Main Stage performance opens with a Tenor Saxophonist Summit with three of today’s most compelling tenor players: James Carter, Craig Handy and  Marcus Strickland. After their set, vocalist Allen Harris will captivate the audience followed by Ellis Marsalis and son Delfaeyo, on The Last Southern Gentleman Tour.

Craig Handy

Sunday on the Main Stage, Vuyo Sotashe, the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Vocal Jazz Competition winner, opens the afternoon show followed by the great bassist and composer Rufus Reid leading his Quartet. Craig Handy and Second Line Smith closes the session. Handy’s latest project mixes New Orleans grooves with a tribute to the great organist Jimmy Smith.

Sunday evening’s final Main Stage session opens with one of this writer’s favorite vocalists, Janine Gilbert-Carter backed by a trio that includes pianist Eric Byrd with a saxophonist to be named. Carter brings plenty of warmth and a touch of Dinah Washington to a varied selection of material. Next is  tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene whose backing group includes the legendary Kenny Barron on piano and will focus on music from Greene's latest album, “Beautiful Life” on Mack Avenue Records. Greene is a masterful saxophonist with a robust tone and this recording is part of his ongoing grieving process at the sudden and tragic loss of his 6-year old daughter, Ana Marquez-Greene, who fell victim to the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass murder in Newtown, CT. After this performance, vocalist Carmen Lundy will close out the Main Stage with the great Patrice Rushen on piano and keyboards.

Marcus Strickland

Throughout the festival, there will be plenty of music in the MAJF Club and the MAJF Juke Joint rooms. Friday night the Marcus Strickland Quartet performs two sets in the MAJF Club while David Cole will be laying down blues in the Juke Joint. Saturday shows in the MAJF Club include the Terry Koger Sextet, vocalist Chad Carter, and the great drummer Winard Harper, while Memphis Gold will be in the Juke Joint. Sunday evening Shirletta Settles, Anthony Compton, and Sarah McKenzie are among the MAJF Club room performers while Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark will be blowing his harmonica and shouting the blues in the Juke Joint.

Additionally there will be free performances in the Hotel Atrium including Big Band and Combo competition performances. There will also be interviews with a number of the artists and workshops for students that are led by some of the performers. One can see how packed the weekend will be. For more information with fuller artist biographies, information on accommodations and tickets along with special features on several of the performances visit, http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org.

Janine Gilbert-Carter At Last

I was at the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival performance by Janine Gilbert-Carter which was recorded and released under the title “At Last." Carter is among a number of wonderful vocalists that can be heard in the Mid-Atlantic region, regularly performing around Washington DC and its suburbs. Carter, has toured internationally and as I write this, about to appear at the Metropolitan Room in New York City. She was mentored by the late Washington vocal legend Ronnie Wells. and brings a background in gospel, blues and jazz together with singing that is full of heart and passion delivered with humor or pathos and with her wonderful intonation and timing. On this self-produced recording, before a packed audience of friends and fans, she is backed by pianist Eric Byrd, bassist Wes ‘Sugah’ Biles, drummer Jeff Neal and saxophonist Brian Lee Settles.

She gets the audience involved in a call and response on a lively “Let the Good Times Roll,” while captures the indigo mood of the Ellington classic, “Don’t Get Around Much More,” with  tenor sax from Settles. This is a set list of favorite songs including a nice “Stormy Monday” (Byrd is outstanding on piano); a  reworking of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”; lovely ballad renditions of “Since I Fell For You” and “My Family Valentine”; and some strong scatting on “How High the Moon.” Much of her interpretation of “Fever” is a duet with bassist Biles followed by a rocking “I Don’t Hurt No More,” (with more outstanding playing from Settles) before closing with “At Last,”  a song that is always being requested by those attending her performances. Eric Byrd takes us to church during his solo here.

The performances that evening were marvelously recorded, mixed and mastered by Bluehouse Productions. Some folk might question the inclusion of so many well-known and familiar songs, but these are the songs that are her bread and butter and favorites of those who came for to see her that night. In her voice, these are not tired standards, but heartfelt renditions of classic songs. All that were at that show received this recording that stands up as more than a souvenir. This is available at cd.baby.com. Her website is http://www.janinecarter.com.

Here is Janine Gilbrt-Carter singing "Stormy Monday" at Westminster Church in Washington DC as part of their weekly Friday night Jazz series.

One Week From Today - Full Day of Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

This is the second of my daily previews of this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival for which I had a preview on January 15.  Today I am focusing on the programs that are scheduled to take place next Saturday, February 16.

Today's headliner is one of the legends of the Hammond B-3, Dr. Lonnie Smith (in the clip above),  who will be coming on at 10:PM after a full day of jazz. The main stage starts at noon with bass clarinetist Todd Marcus leading a group which will have as special guest, clarinet master Don Byron. Then there is a vocal summit with Sharon Clark, Lynette Washington and former Count Basie singer Carmen Bradford, backed by the Chris Grasso Trio. Saturday afternoon concludes with the Akira Tsuruga Quartet, featuring the Japanese born organist who is a mainstay on the NYC scene. In  addition to her performance, she will also be interviewed. Other interviews on saturday include Orrin Evans and Tim Warfield being interviewed.

Saturday Night’s on the Main Stage opens with the Larry Willis Quintet (in the clip above) with trombonist Steve Davis, saxophonist Joe Ford, bassist Steve Novosel and Billy Williams on drums. This is quite an impressive grouping including former McCoy Tyner saxophonist Ford and Rashaan Roland Kirk bassist Novosel in addition to the leader. It will be followed by a supergroup, Women In Jazz, which includes vocalist Sharon Clark, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, pianist Helen Sung, bassist Amy Shook and drummer Allison Miller.

Other performances at the Festival on Saturday include saxophonist Marshall Keys, vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter (seen in the clip above) with a group that includes saxophonist Brian Settles and saxophonist Bruce Swaim.  In the Juke Joint, Clarence 'The Bluesman' Turner will be performing. Turner is a past winner of the DC Blues Society's Battle of the Bands, and played the DC Blues Festival and other regional blues events. Like the other nights at the festival, Wes Biles conducts a jam at Midnight.

This promises to be another spectacular program for jazz lovers.

2013 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Will Bring Its Strongest Line-up Yet To Rockville

The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival returns to Rockville, Maryland February 15 through the 18th. This year is the Festival’s 4th edition and takes place at the Hilton Executive Meeting Center in Rockville for a weekend of jazz music, workshops, interviews and a High School Band competition. The festival combines internationally renowned artists along with both established and up-and-coming acts from the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Paul Carr - Photo  Ron Weinstock

This year’s festival will have a special focus on the Hammond B-3 and feature performances by organists Pat Bianchi, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joey DeFrancesco. In addition, there will be performances by pianists Orrin Evans, Helen Sung and Larry Willis; saxophonists Bobby Watson, Paul Carr, Sharel Cassity and Tim Warfield; vocalists Gregory Porter (singing the title track of his album Be Good in video above), Carmen Bradford and Stephanie Jordan; as well as the supergroup The Cookers. That only cracks the surface of the performers appearing.

Friday evening, February 15, the Festival’s Ronnie Wells Main Stage kicks off with pianist Orrin Evans and his trio with special guest, saxophonist Tim Warfield. Evans, a former finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition, has become one of the most acclaimed young pianists, rooted in the tradition but also quite forward looking. Following Evans will be the Grammy nominated Gregory Porter accompanied by the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Paul Carr, which features some of Paul’s students from the Jazz Academy of Music and special guests from among the Mid-Atlantic’s finest musicians. Porter is among the most talked about new names in the jazz vocal circles and brings a warmth reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway to his soulful jazz styling. The main stage will close with saxophonist Paul Carr with B3, a group consisting of organist Pat Bianchi, guitarist Bobby Broom and drummer Bryon Landham. 

Carmen Bradford

On Saturday afternoon bass clarinetist Todd Marcus will lead his group which will have as special guest, clarinet master Don Byron. That will be followed by a vocal summit featuring Sharon Clark, Lynette Washington and former Count Basie singer Carmen Bradford, backed by the Chris Grasso Trio. Grasso is among the DC area’s most in demand accompanist for singers. Saturday afternoon concludes with the Akiko Tsuruga Quartet, featuring the Japanese born organist who is a mainstay on the NYC scene.

Saturday Night’s performances on the Main Stage opens with the Larry Willis Quintet that includes trombonist Steve Davis, saxophonist Joe Ford, bassist Steve Novosel and Billy Williams on drums. This is quite an impressive grouping including former McCoy Tyner saxophonist Ford and Rashaan Roland Kirk bassist Novosel in addition to the leader. It will be followed by another supergroup, Women In Jazz, which includes vocalist Sharon Clark, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, pianist Helen Sung, bassist Amy Shook and drummer Allison Miller. The Main Stage closes that night with the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith on the Hammond B-3.

Sunday’s Main Stage opens in the afternoon with saxophonist Bruce Williams leading a group with Pat Bianchi on organ. Williams, a Washington DC native, is a member of Ben Riley’s Thelonious Monk Legacy Septet as well as being the newest and youngest member of the World Saxophone Quartet in addition to leading several ensembles on his own. San Francisco area saxophonist William O’Neill will lead a group that also features vocalist Kenny Washington, and the afternoon closes with the Jazz super-group, The Cookers. The Cookers comprise of true jazz legends including pianist George Cables; tenor saxophonist Billy Harper; drummer Billy Hart; bassist Cecil McBee; trumpeter and flugelhorn player Eddie Henderson; flautist and alto saxophonist Craig Handy; and trumpeter David Weiss. 

Stephanie Jordan
Photo © Ron Weinstock

The final night on the main stage opens with saxophonist Bobby Watson. New Orleans vocalist Stephanie Jordan will be singing a Tribute to Lena Horne, but hopefully she will also sing her wonderful rendition of Shirley Horn’s Here’s To Life. The Ronnie Wells Main Stage closes with the multiple poll-winning organist Joey DeFrancesco for more hot Hammond B-3 grooves. The Festival’s Main Stage Line-Up is arguably the strongest yet, and a musical feast for those who want to hear real, straight-ahead jazz.

In addition to the main stage line-up, the Festival hosts a High School Jazz Band competition and performances by a number of up and coming performers in MAJF Club room. Friday night saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed performs. He has just released his first album, “Checking In,” which is certainly going to gather much attention for his robust playing and his thoughtful, impassioned solos. Also in the Club that night is vocalist Chad Carter. Saturday in the club will be saxophonist Marshall Keys, vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter and saxophonist Bruce Swain. On Sunday Janine Gilbert Carter will be doing a gospel brunch show in the Hotel Atrium along with performances in the MAJF Club by Darius Scott, Ivy Ambush and Cloudburst.

For the first time, the Festival will have a Juke Joint with blues performances over the weekend from David Cole, Clarence ‘The Bluesman’ Turner and Linwood Taylor. There will be workshops by some of the performers and interviews with Gregory Porter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Cookers and Joey DeFrancesco. Each night will conclude with Wes Biles leading a midnight jam. 

It is a music packed weekend with much more details on the performers as well as the schedule, ticket information, accommodations info and more at www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org. Hope to see many of you there.

Janine Gilbert-Carter's "Inside a Silent Tear"

One of the many fine singers around the Washington DC area, Janine Gilbert-Carter “lives at the intersection where jazz, blues and gospel all come together,” according to Jeff Gruber, who engineered Janine’s most recording, Inside a Silent Tear. Recorded at the Historic Blair mansion, she is backed by a terrific quartet comprised of Eric Byrd on keyboards, Wes ‘Sugar’ Biles on bass, Jeff Neal on drums and Brian Lee Settles on tenor sax on a set of some well known standards mixed with less familiar items to showcase her soulful singing.

A solid Ain’t Misbehavin’ opens this performance up with Eric Byrd’s piano providing the proper foil before taking a nice solo showing his touch, technique and restraint. I was not familiar with Bill Withers’ Grandma’s Hands, with its gospel-funk groove set by Wes Biles on an electric bass and Byrd on electronic keyboards showcases another side of Carter’s vocals on this gem of a song. The title song, from Blossom Dearie’s songbook, features some nice tenor sax from Brain Settles caressing Carter’s wistful vocal that displays the wonderful control and tone of her interpretation here. The tempo picks up for a relaxed, swinging All of Me, with a brief section which is almost a duet with bassist Biles. Carter, matched by the gospel-laced piano of Byrd, is quite impassioned here on a solid interpretation of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come.


Everything Must Change is perhaps her finest performance of the many excellent ones here finding her on a reflective mood and followed by a swinging How High the Moon, with some nice scatting before another fine solo from pianist Bryd. There are nice accents in his playing and the arrangement here brings freshness to her wonderful take on this. Don’t Touch Me, another of the highlights, allows Carter to show her bluesy side, and Byrd’s solo here reminds me of the great Charles Brown. Nice and Easy is enlivened by its light latin groove. Carter gives this classic a more intimate feel than the well-known Sinatra recording. There are some understated tenor sax embellishments on this by Brian Settles. Settles solos with a feathery tone on both Our Love Is Here to Stay, and the closing Teach Me Tonight, in addition to Carter’s heartfelt vocals. 


Inside a Silent Tear shows why so many in the Washington DC area regard Janine Gilbert-Carter as a ‘local’ treasure. Her vocals are honey-toned, yet full of personality and soulfulness and the backing provided by her band is marvelous. Her website is http://www.janinecarter.com/index.php from which this can be purchased and it is also available at cdbaby.com. For those in Washington DC area, she is regularly at LaPorta’s in Alexandria, Virginia.


I purchased this CD.

Nasar Abadey Will Be at Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

091007 Duke Ellington Fest Gala-1143
Originally uploaded by NoVARon

Its less than 24 hours from when I post this, when the terrific Nasar Abadey (seen here at the 2007 Duke Ellington Festival Gala) will be leading his band, Supernova at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. Its a terrific line-up with Jimmy Heath, Kirk Whalum, Janine Gilbert-Carter, Randy Brecker, Paul Carr and so much more. I am looking for some terrific music and hope to post some blog entries about it. All this takes placing at the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, MD. For more information visit http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Standing Up For Real Jazz

Its less than two weeks until this year’s Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival taking place at the Rockville, Maryland Hilton Hotel over the President’s Day Weekend. Under the auspices of Washington DC area saxophonist and educator, Paul Carr, the Festival has a focus on not simply bringing some of the best local and national jazz performers to the area, but to help nurture and support Jazz Education.

The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival was attempt to continue the legacy of the East Coast Jazz Festival that ran for 15 years starting in 1992. The ECJF originated in honor of Elmore “Fish” Middleton, a Washington, DC jazz radio programmer, whose commitment to promoting jazz music and supporting emerging jazz artists became the guiding principle behind the festival. The driving force of the ECJF was the late Ronnie Wells, a Washington DC jazz icon. After her passing, so did the ECJF.

Jimmy Heath will be featured at the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. He is seen here at the 2005 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with brother, Albert 'Tootie' Heath as The Heath Brothers.

As stated on its website “The Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival (MAJF) represents an auspicious renewal of the spirit and intent of the ECJF, as a showcase for some of the DC area’s finest established and emerging artists, student ensembles, and a healthy dose of renowned touring jazz artists as well. MAJF is designed to take the ECJF mid-winter jazz festival tradition to the next level and to further enhance arts & culture in the Washington, DC region.”


This year’s MAJF has an auspicious program and here are links to the overview (http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/news/mid-atlantic-jazz-festival-2011-february-18th-21st)of the activities the festival website as well as a full schedule (http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/schedule).


Here are some acts of special interest to me.


Friday night, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Ronnie Wells Main Stage will be the explosive Nasar Abadey & Supernova, celebrating their brand new release Diamond in the Rough. This group with Joe Ford, James King and Allyn Johnson was also one of the group’s that participated in 2010 in “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad,” a program that Jazz at Lincoln Center administers for the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.


At 10PM that night, the great Jimmy Heath will be performing. One of the giants of modern jazz as a saxophonist, composer, big band leader, he has truly walked with giants which alludes to his recently published autobiography and he is an NEA Jazz Master. Earlier in the day Jimmy will be doing a JazzTimes magazine Before & After blindfold test with Larry Applebaum. Heath will be signing his autobiography, I Walked With Giants, on Saturday.


Saturday has many events.


Williard Jenkins will be signing African Rhythms, the autobiography of Randy Weston (Composed by Randy Weston, Arranged by Willard Jenkins).

Janine Gilbert-Carter at 2008 DC Blues Festival

At 1:30 the Festival presents an acclaimed program of the essence of jazz song: “Sistas Can Sang,” a tribute to female legends of jazz & blues featuring the voices of Lavenia Nesmith, Janine Gilbert-Carter, Bonnie Harris, Kristine Key, and Dottye Williams. I look forward to this. Of these ladies, I have only had the pleasure of seeing Janine Carter-Gilbert perform.


At 7:00PM, The Bobby Broom Trio will be performing on the Main Stage. I recently reviewed his CD of Sonny Rollins recordings and greatly anticipate this performance.


At 10:00PM the great Freddie Cole performs. Freddie is also participating in a JazzTimes magazine Before & After blindfold test during the Festival.


Sunday afternoon will include a gospel brunch and a performance by saxophonist Kirk Whalum who has a recent recording that is a tribute to the music of Donny Hathaway.


Sunday night the Jazz Academy Orchestra featuring special guest, trumpeter Randy Brecker, will perform at 7:00 PM.


Sharon Clark, one of the Washington area’s finest vocalists will be on the main stage at 8:30PM

Sharon Clark at 2007 Duke Ellington Jazz Festival

Paul Carr will lead his quintet featuring Bobby Broom, Allyn Johnson, Michael Bowie, and Harold Summey at 10PM.


Local High School Big Bands will be performing in the Hotel Atrium throughout the Festival and also a smaller venue, MAJF Club that will feature a number of performers.


As can be seen, this will be a pretty full weekend of music. The website for the festival with all the details is http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/.


I am looking forward to it and hope to post on the shows (hopefully with some photos).


I took the photos on this page.

Gilbert-Carter Will Jazz the Blues at DC Blues Festival

Here is a review of a very talented Washington DC based vocalist, Janine Gilbert-Carter that is of note. I also selected this as an outstanding recording of 2007. I found out that she and Sandra Y. Johnson will be appearing at the DC Blues Society's 20th DC Blues Festival as The Jazzy Blues Women, and be backed by a band that includes Vince Smith on keyboards and the legendary Dohn Nunley on saxophone. They are scheduled to appear at around 3:30PM

Originally from Pennsylvania, but a resident of the Washington D.C. area since 1988, vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter has distinguished herself both as a gospel and jazz singer. Jazz Karma has just issued her new album, A Song For You, Live at the 15th Annual FMJS East Jazz Festival that should hopefully make her better known outside of the Nation’s Capital. The February 2006 appearance at the East Coast Jazz Festival captured here has her backed by a wonderful band featuring saxophonist Paul Carr, guitarist Steve Abshire, pianist Chris Grasps, bassist Gavin Fallow and drummer Clyde Adams. And while Carr gets a number of strong solos here, with his Texas-based tenor playing being especially nice, Ms. Gilbert-Carter is front and center possessing a delivery that swings along with the band over a wonderful range of material that includes songs associated with Dinah Washington (What a Difference a Day Makes); Big Maybelle (Candy); Shirley Horn (Here’s to Life); Percy Mayfield (Please Send Me Someone to Love); Etta James (At Last); and Denise LaSalle (Someone Else is Steppin’ In). And then there are the standards like All of Me, and When I Fall In Love. No matter how familiar a song is, Janine Gilbert-Carter brings a breath of fresh air in her interpretations, with her phrasing and the sophisticated bluesy inflections she adds. I was familiar with Leon Russell’s A Song For You, from Donny Hathaway’s recording. The rendition here does evoke Hathaway’s prior recording but she provides an equally stirring performance. She transforms Denise LaSalle’s soul-blues classic, Someone Else is Steppin’ In, into a swinging blues as she belts out the lyric on a stunning performance (Carr’s tenor solo also deserves note). It must have been quite a night to see Janine Carter-Gilbert at the East Coast jazz Festival when this was recorded. The proof is this terrific album that that is available at cdbaby.com.

Some outstanding 2007 Jazz Releases

Completing my lists of recordings I found outstanding from 2007 is a list of Jazz. This list includes new and historical releases. I have linked several of the releases to appropriate prior blog entries.

Ahmed Abdullah - Solomonic Quintet - (Silkheart). Strong freebop session
Louis Armstrong - In Scandinavia (Storyville) 4 CDs that include 1933 performances said to be first live jazz recordings. Others date from 1952-1967.
Peter Brotzmann - The Complete Machine Gun Sessions - (Atavistic) Free jazz to cleanse your soul by in these reissued recordings.
Von Freeman - Good Forever (Premonition) Another great session by the great Chicago tenor.
Janine Gilbert-Carter - Live at the 15th Annual FMJS East Jazz Festival (Jazz Karma) She is DC artist and a terrific vocalist at 2006 performance.
Clifford Jordan - Glass Bead Games (Harvest Song) Reissue of legendary Strata East double album by neglected tenor saxophonist with two different quartets. Bassist Bill Lee (Spike's dad) is heard on some of these performances.
King Oliver - Off The Record: The Complete 1923 Jazz Band Recordings (Off the Record -Archeophone). Amazing reissue of legendary recordings. These recordings have never sounded as good as they do here.
Mel Martin/Benny Carter Quintet - Just Friends (Jazzed Media®) Marvelous album of live performances issued to help celebrate centenary of legendary Benny Carter
Frank Morgan - A Night in the Light: Live at the Jazz Standard Vol. 3 (HighNote) Recently he passed away and this is stupendous disc.
Houston Person with Bill Charlap - You Taught My Heart to Sing (HighNote)
Quintette Marianne Trudel - Live: Sands of Time (TRUD) Marvelous recording, mostly live by wonderful pianist and composer with a solo track, several trio tracks and her marvelous quintet. (link is to blog entry on her and not review of this disc)
Soul Con Timba - Live at Bohemian Caverns (DEJF) Recorded in DC and a terrific fusion of Latin jazz and hard bop.
Charles Tolliver Big Band - With Love (Mosaic/Blue Note) Superb big band album by trumpeter and composer who made a number of challenging recordings in the sixties and seventies that have never received the acclaim they merited. Hot big band with terrific arrangements and brings fresh approach to Monk's 'Round Midnight.
Various - Gypsy Jazz (Proper) 4CD reissue (with excellent booklet) of Django Reinhardt, his contemporaries, associates others including Baro Ferret, Oscar Aleman, and Stéphane Grappelli.
Bennie Wallace - Disorder at the Border (Enja/Justin Time) Great tribute to Coleman Hawkins by tenor player with superb band.
Larry Willis, Blue Fable (HighNote). Excellent quintet date with bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Billy Drummord, with three tracks also having saxophonist Joe Ford and trombonist Steve Davis.