Brief Notes On New Jazz Releases

Music helps us get through tough times. No question about it. And though we thought with the availability of the vaccine that we were well on the way out of this mess, those who refuse to get the vaccination are ensuring that the troubles continue for a while. Fortunately, there is more great music to help ease our tensions and keep us from tearing the heads off those imbeciles who aren’t yet vaccinated. Here are some notes on a few new jazz releases you might want to check out.

Dr. Mike Bogle: “Let There Be Light” – Ah yes, after the darkness of the last administration and the pandemic, we are ready for some light, and Dr. Mike Bogle provides it on this new album. He plays both keyboards and trombone on this release, and also provides vocals on the title track and “Eat Your Vitamins.” Joining him are Dana Sudborough on vibes, Andy Barrus on steel pan and percussion, Buddy Mohmed on bass, and Harrel Bosarge on drums. There are only six tracks, so you know there is a decent amount of jamming, of stretching out. These are mostly original compositions, with only one cover. The album opens with “Voyager’s Dream,” which establishes a good groove, and features not only an exciting lead on piano, but also a really nice lead on vibes and a cool lead on bass. That’s followed by the album’s title track, which features vocal work (though no lyrics), and has an uplifting vibe about it, which of course is fitting for its title. Interestingly, there is a second take of this tune at the end of the album, this version without vocals. “Eat Your Vitamins” has a funky element, particularly in that work on bass, which is wonderful. This one also includes vocal work, this time with lyrics. “Each your vitamins/And take your vegetables.” There is also some excellent work on drums. And partway through this track, we are treated to a strong lead on trombone, helping to make it one of the disc’s highlights. “Positano” has a really pleasant atmosphere, and features some seriously good work on keys, often interacting with the vibes, as well as a wonderfully expressive lead on bass. The album’s only cover is Pee Wee Ellis’ “The Chicken,” and Dr. Mike Bogle delivers an interesting and fun rendition that features some great work on bass. This album was released on July 1, 2021.

Wayne Coniglio & Scott Whitfield: “Faster Friends” – In 2014, trombone players Wayne Coniglio and Scott Whitfield released an album titled Fast Friends, and now are following that up with Faster Friends. As with the earlier release, this album is designed to celebrate the trombone, and contains a mix of covers and original material. Coniglio and Whitfield also have the same musicians backing them as on the previous release – Ken Kehner on piano, Eric Warren on bass, and Kevin Gianino on drums. There are also special guests on a few tracks. The album opens with a delicious cover of Dexter Gordon’s “Fried Bananas” (Fast Friends contains an original tune titled “Fried Pickles,” so there you go). This track moves at a good clip, with a cheerful energy. That’s followed by an original number composed by pianist Ken Kehner, “Swirling,” which has a more somber vibe and contains a rather pretty lead on piano partway through, and then a cover of “Girl Talk,” which has a wonderfully romantic feel. For the cover of “Mimi,” the group is joined by Jacob Melsha, Debbie Lennon and Elsie Parker on vocals near the end, a nice touch. This disc contains three tracks composed by Wayne Coniglio, the first of which, “Step Checkitude,” has an easygoing groove and features enjoyable leads on both trombone and piano. The second, “The Determinator,” swings and moves, having an undeniable sense of play, and is one of my favorite tracks. It even includes a cool, though short, drum solo. Jacob Melsha joins the group on trombone for this one. The third track written by Wayne Coniglio, “You’re My Dream Come True,” is a sweet and romantic number that makes you want to turn off the lights and cuddle with that special someone. It is another of the disc’s highlights. My other personal favorite is the group’s version of “Free And Easy,” which is a total delight from beginning to end, and ought to shake the worst of moods from the most stubborn of souls. This is a lot of fun. The album concludes with a lively rendition of Joe Henderson’s “Recordame,” featuring Jacob Melsha on trombone. This album was released on June 11, 2021.

Alex Martin: “Folk Songs, Jazz Journeys” – On his new album, guitarist Alex Martin pays tribute to the folk traditions that influenced his musical career. The songs he chooses to cover here come from different parts of the world. There are also some original compositions on this album, and together they create a musical journey for the listener to go on. Alex Martin opens with one of the original tunes, “Postal De Bata,” a gentle and loving message to his wife, featuring some wonderful work by Uasuf Gueye on balafon. Tyler Sherman is on bass, and Keith Butler Jr. is on drums. That’s followed by “Wayfaring Stranger,” an American folk song. Maya Rogers provides the vocals, her performance deftly combining jazz and gospel styles. Alex Martin delivers some excellent work on guitar, and this track also features a really good lead on bass by Tyler Sherman. Maya Rogers also sings on “Viceversa,” Mario Benedetti’s poem set to music. Alex Martin then turns to a Brazilian song with “Asa Branca,” this one featuring Elin Melgarejo on vocals. Ethan Foote’s work on bass is excellent, and this track also features some wonderful percussion. Deepak Shenoy is on tabla, and Bruno Lucini is on triangle. They both also play on “Triangulo,” an original song which follows “Asa Branca,” and again features Elin Melgarejo on vocals. There is something cheerful about this track, both in that vocal work and in the song’s groove that is really appealing. Keith Butler Jr. gets a chance to cut loose a bit on drums toward the end. And, as is true of all the tracks, it features some excellent work on guitar. Ethan Foote gets “Rue Des Ursulines” off to a very cool start on bass, and the track never loses that great vibe. Then from France, Alex Martin delivers a nice rendition of “Le Temps Des Cerises,” based on a poem by Jean-Baptiste Clement, and featuring a wonderful vocal performance by Lynn Véronneau. That is followed by “I Once Loved A Lass,” which features some beautiful work by Jodi Beder on cello, an instrument I am always happy to hear. Gaby Kerdoncuff plays trumpet on a lively, exciting version of “Laridé,” and the album concludes with another original number, “Estamos Aquí Para Colaborar.” This album was released on March 22, 2021.

Dave Miller Trio: “The Mask-erade Is Over” – Pianist Dave Miller celebrates the end of the pandemic (a bit prematurely, as it turns out) with this totally delightful album, kicking it off with a hopping and breezy rendition of “Anthropology” that features some excellent work from all three musicians. Andrew Higgins is on bass, and Bill Belasco is on drums. That’s followed by Irving Berlin’s “Be Careful It’s My Heart.” Yes, most of the tunes chosen for this album are ones most folks will be familiar with, and that seems to be the point, to provide some music we can all enjoy as we try to emerge from this pandemic and eventually leave the masks at home. The album’s title track (sort of), “The Masquerade Is Over,” begins slowly, as you might it expect it to, with some pretty work on piano, but then suddenly picks up the pace and becomes rather cheerful. That’s followed by a bright, swinging rendition of Bill Evans’ “The Opener.” The mood turns more serious with the Dave Miller Trio’s contemplative rendition of “You Don’t Know What Love Is.” And then things immediately begin swinging again with Dave Miller’s rendition of Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite,” which includes a good lead on bass. This disc also contains a nice version of Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” and a lively rendition of “Hallucinations” that includes a drum solo. There is one original composition on this album, “Dusty,” which according to the liner notes was written in memory of a dog. It eases along at its own pace, in no hurry, but not going slowly either, and will likely bring a smile to your face before the end. It is one of those tunes that feel the way you want life to feel. This album was released on July 16, 2021.

Chris Standring: “Wonderful World” – Guitarist Chris Standring covers other composers on this album, delivering mostly standards, which is something new for the musician who is known for his own compositions. Most tracks feature a core trio of guitar, bass and drums (though with different musicians on bass and drums for various songs), backed by strings. The orchestra is conducted by Geoff Gascoyne. The album opens with a thoughtful and pretty rendition of Jobim’s “How Insensitive,” followed by a version of Cole Porter’s “Night And Day” that swings gently. His guitar works so well with the strings, and in particular on “Night And Day” with the harp. In the second half of that track, there is a good bass lead by Chuck Berghofer, at first backed by just the others of the trio, and then suddenly involving the strings, a really nice moment. There are also a couple of special guests on this album. For its title track, for example, Kathrin Shorr joins on vocals. That track, one of my personal favorites, actually opens with the orchestra, a beautiful introduction. It’s a great time to revisit this song, for we can use a reminder of all the beauty in the world, and Kathrin Shorr delivers a moving and gentle performance. The other guest is Randy Brecker, who plays flugelhorn on “Sunrise,” the album’s one original track composed by Chris Standring. This is another of the disc’s highlights, creating a wonderful and soothing mood, a track that seems to tell us to relax and not let mundane troubles ruin us. This album also includes a sweet rendition of “Falling In Love With Love,” the strings giving it a magical quality at times. The disc concludes with a beautiful and somewhat contemplative rendition of “My Foolish Heart,” the only track to not include drums. This album is scheduled to be released on September 3, 2021.