The Week in Jazz is your roundup of new and noteworthy stories from the jazz world. It’s a one-stop destination for the music news you need to know. Let’s take it from the top.
Noteworthy
New Book Profiling 33 Guitar Masters: Cymbal Press has announced the release of Pity the Genius: A Journey Through American Guitar Music in 33 Tracks by Joel Harrison. The book explores American guitar music and the lives of the musicians who shaped it across time and genre, including jazz, rock, blues, country, folk, roots music and more. The book will be available September 16 in paperback and Kindle editions.
Kurt Elling Surprise Album: Renowned vocalist Kurt Elling recently unveiled a surprise album, Wildflowers, Vol. 1. This spontaneous and creatively charged project features collaborations with the exceptional pianist Sullivan Fortner and includes a captivating version of Wayne Shorter’s “Ana Maria,” with Cécile McLorin Salvant. Released by Edition Records, the album kicks off a series of collaborations that the label describes as “highlighting the remarkable possibilities that arise when artists engage in open, collaborative dialogue.”
Charleston Jazz Receive NEA Grant: Charleston Jazz has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects $15,000 award. This grant will support an artist-in-residence program with Grammy-nominated vibraphonist, Stefon Harris. The NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totalling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
Previously Unreleased Roy Hargrove Album: Verve has shared “Priorities,” the first track from Grande-Terre, a previously unheard recording by influential trumpeter Roy Hargrove, which will be released on October 18, two days after what would have been his 55th birthday. Grande-Terre was recorded in October 1998 with Crisol, an all-star group of Cuban, American and Guadeloupian musicians that was the foundation to Hargrove’s unique blend of jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, soul, pop and funk that appears on the record. Listen to “Priorities” via the player below.
Compilation of Previously Unknown Charlie Parker Recordings: Verve Records will release Bird in Kansas City, an album showcasing a new compilation of rare recordings by the groundbreaking saxophonist Charlie Parker from 1941 to 1951. Set for release on October 25, the collection will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms. It traces Parker’s journey from a soloist with the Jay McShann Band to a pioneering improviser who revolutionized the genre.
New Albums
Michael Wolff, Memoir (Sunnyside): Pianist and composer Michael Wolff marks his life journey and recovery from cancer with Memoir, his first new album in four years. This eleven-track collection features new music along with fresh interpretations of some of Wolff’s cherished, previously unreleased original compositions. The album is brought to life by his trio, including bassist Ben Allison and drummer Allan Mednard.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Hamilton de Holanda, Collab (Sony Music Brazil): Renowned Afro-Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and virtuoso Brazilian mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda release Collab, their first full-length duo collaboration, taking listeners on a musical journey through diverse soundscapes. Blending tradition and innovation, the album is rooted in their shared African heritage and finds the duo offering a mix of covers and originals, with guest contributions from João Bosco and Gabriel Grossi.
Orquesta Akokán, Caracoles (Daptone): Orquesta Akokán continues its exploration of the depth and breadth of mambo, charting a bold and imaginative future for the music with their latest album, Caracoles, led by producer and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Plasse, and pianist, composer and producer Michael Eckroth. Showcasing orquesta gigante tunes infused with an advanced bebop language, Caracoles also introduces the band’s new singer and lyricist, Kiko Ruiz.
Shelly Berg, Alegría (ArtistShare): Pianist Shelly Berg intertwines personal narratives with the emotive force of music in his latest album, Alegría, featuring his longtime friends bassist Carlitos Del Puerto and drummer Dafnis Prieto, along with special guest Melvin Butler. Blending meticulous orchestration with spontaneous improvisation, the album highlights new compositions by Berg alongside innovative interpretations of classics by Leonard Bernstein and The Beatles.
Live Music and Festival News
Budapest Music Center Receives 13th EJN Award for Adventurous Programming: Europe Jazz Network (EJN) has announced Hungary’s Budapest Music Center (BMC) as the winner of this year’s EJN Award for Adventurous Programming. The award is bestowed each year by EJN to a European festival or venue that succeeds in creating visionary and fascinating musical programs for its audience. BMC was awarded for its strong commitment to developing creative music through its many activities, including its Concert Hall & Opus Jazz Club the music information center and archive, the BMC record label and more.
New Tank and the Bangas Release and Upcoming Tour Dates: Tank and the Bangas have unveiled the final part of their spoken word collection, The Heart, The Mind, The Soul, all three parts of which are now available digitally via Verve Forecast, with a physical release of the full project, plus a bonus track, set for physical release on October 11. The band will head out on and extensive tour, including co-headlining dates with Jamila Woods, beginning October 16, and a residency at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club from November 7-10. Check out all upcoming tour dates here.
Anat Cohen to Celebrate 50th Birthday at Jazz at Lincoln Center, March 14-15, 2025: Clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen will be marking her 50th birthday with a special set of four concerts taking place at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City on March 14-15, 2025. Tickets here. “Anat Cohen: Journeys – A 50th Birthday Celebration” will find Cohen performing in solo, duo, small group and large ensemble settings, including her Tentet and alongside her brothers, trumpeter Avishai Cohen and saxophonist Yuval Cohen.
Ekep Nkwelle Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald at 2024 Hudson Jazz Festival: Rising star vocalist Ekep Nkwelle will make her Hudson debut at the 2024 Hudson Jazz Festival and Hudson Hall on October 4. Her one-night-only concert, “Ella Fitzgerald: Against All Odds,” will showcase her talents in an evening of song drawing from Lady Ella’s own material and the timeless tunes of the Great American Songbook. More here.
Featured photo: Dave Stapleton.
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