Jazz is a quintessential art form. Progressive Jazz refers to a type of experimental and somewhat dissonant big-band music of the 1950’s. However, today’s progressive jazz often follows a theme such as what’s happening in the world today. Here are 6 new CDs to “jazz” up your life.
JAZZ PARTY:
For Valentines Day advicesisters.com suggested The Jazz Party CD by Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra and the impressive 10 Years 6-CD boxed set from the Fred Hersch Trio.
TWO CIGARETTES IN THE DARK:
For Mother’s (and others) day we suggested the soulful Saxophonist Keith Oxman’s latest CD, Two Cigarettes in the Dark (Capri Records, 20002). Get this CD on Amazon.
FOR NOW:
“For Now” featuring jazz musicians Brian Landrus (Baritone Saxophone), Fred Hersch (Piano), Drew Gress (Bass) and Billy Hart on drums, plus a host of other accomplished musicians.
If you’re not a jazz fan yet, you soon will be after you hear three more new jazz CDs worthy of mention:
NIGHT DEVOID OF STARS:
Released in June is Night Devoid of Stars (Cellar Music), a big band vision by composer Daniel Hersog. It features performers such as Noah Preminger on tenor saxophone and Frank Carlberg on piano. Hersog himself wrote many of the songs on this album. However, he doesn’t play, preferring to conduct the music.
My favorite song on the CD is a modern, jazzy version of “smoke gets in your eyes.” The composer was inspired to title the album from a Martin Luther King quote. ”Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
INTO THE SHADOWS:
New this July is Into the Shadows (Summit Records) featuring original compositions and a fresh take on standards with leader/trombonist John Fedchock and a sextet of other all-star soloists. For Fedchock fans, you will notice his distinctive style and a wide range of improvisation by the musicians.
Fedchock’s NY Sextet has been paying and enticing audiences for nearly 20 years. Mr. Fedchog wrote a number of the songs on this album for his 16-piece orchestra. To my ears, the music is exciting and almost exhausting. It takes you away on a wave of sound.
1962:
Also released this July is a really beautiful and somewhat dreamy album called 1962 by composer/guitarist Ricardo Grilli (Tone Rogue Records). According to the press release I received: “the guitarist cast his mind back to a time when bebop had fused with R&B to create the more raucous sounds of hard bop. Rock and roll was evolving from its freewheeling origins to take on the rich complexities that would lead to the British Invasion and psychedelia. Also what was going on in his homeland of Brazil, etc...”
Be prepared to hear a sexy, soulful potpourri of deliciously new and inventive music!
