The Week In Jazz Sketches! • Nov. 17, 2024 Edition
Jazz Hidden Gems & ‘Spinning Tales’ in Your Inbox Every Week!
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Here’s what’s been filling our speakers this week:
The Old Country: More From The Deer Head Inn
by Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Paul Motian
Label: ECM Records
Recorded: September 16, 1992
Release Date: November 8, 2024
The impending release of The Old Country: More From The Deer Head Inn offers a new glimpse into a legendary night from 1992, when Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Paul Motian came together in a rare, one-time-only performance at the Deer Head Inn. For anyone who loves Jazz, this is more than just another archival release. It is an unexpected window into the trio’s singular chemistry, bringing to light previously unheard pieces from a performance that has already attained near-mythical status.
Recorded in the intimate confines of the historic Deer Head Inn, nestled in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, the album revisits a storied chapter in Jazz history.
Breathe: Music for Large Ensembles
Peter Lenz
Label: gambsART
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Peter Lenz’s Breathe: Music for Large Ensembles is an ambitious new release that promises to expand the possibilities of Jazz orchestration. Set to release on November 8, 2024, the album reflects Lenz's vision of bringing a fresh orchestral palette to the Big Band tradition, pulling from his extensive background in Jazz, composition, and performance. Recorded in April 2023 at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, the album features a staggering lineup of 21 musicians—including celebrated names like Chris Speed, David Leon, Keisuke Matsuno, and Jim Black—collaborating under Lenz's direction to breathe life into his intricate compositions.
Duke & Strays Live
Phil Haynes with Drew Gress & Steve Rudolph
Corner Store Jazz
Released: November 8, 2024
The Day Dream trio returns with Duke & Strays Live, a rich exploration of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s timeless repertoire. Captured in a rare live session, the album showcases the profound synergy between pianist Steve Rudolph, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer Phil Haynes. Rudolph’s exquisite touch, Gress’ lyrical basslines, and Haynes’ inventive rhythms breathe new life into classics like Perdido and Lush Life. The album opens with a haunting rendition of African Flower, slowly unfolding into a dreamlike reverie, while Take the 'A' Train closes with vibrant swing. Balancing elegance with daring improvisation, this performance radiates both reverence and freshness— a heartfelt tribute steeped in the spirit of Ellington and Strayhorn.
• BandCamp •
Ese Momento
Daniel Pardo
Released: November 8, 2024
Colombian flutist Daniel Pardo steps into the spotlight with Ese Momento, a lush tribute to the romantic world of Latin American boleros. Partnering with pianist and arranger Sergio Pamies, Pardo reimagines 11 classic boleros through a blend of Jazz, Latin, and classical influences. The album dazzles with its diverse instrumentation—from the sultry haze of fourteen layered flutes on Bésame Mucho to the vibrant orchestral flourishes of the Czech National Symphony on Como Fué. With contributions from an impressive lineup of international musicians, this project beautifully showcases Pardo’s artistry, seamlessly merging tradition with innovation. Ese Momento is a captivating journey through timeless melodies, masterfully infused with contemporary flair.
• Spotify •
Little Big Top
Guy Klucevsek & Volker Goetze
Motéma Music
Recorded: October 3-5, 2023, at Casa Klucevsek, Staten Island, NY
Released: November 8, 2024
Guy Klucevsek and Volker Goetze's Little Big Top is a high-wire act of musical ingenuity, blending accordion, trumpet, and woodwinds into a carnival of sound. The album opens with the title track, a cheeky nod to Nino Rota's circus scores, before diving into a whirlwind of Eastern European folk motifs, jazz-infused improvisations, and genre-defying explorations. Standout pieces like Fez Up and The Sun, the Moon and the Truth showcase Doug Wieselman's clarinet and Goetze’s resonant flugelhorn, evoking both nostalgia and innovation. From polkas to gospel-tinged tributes, this album is a kaleidoscope of global influences, proving that Klucevsek remains an unrivaled maestro of the accordion's many voices.
She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth
Vanisha Gould
Cellar Music Group
Released: November 8, 2024
Vanisha Gould’s She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth is a raw celebration of embracing imperfections, delivered with the help of her trusted bandmates—Chris McCarthy on piano, John Sims on bass, and Jongkuk Kim on drums. The album opens with the eponymous track, laying out Vanisha's ethos: she’s not perfect, and she doesn’t want to be. Tracks like Demure playfully push back against societal expectations of shrinking femininity, while the groove-laden Get Out Of My Way offers a no-nonsense stance against toxicity. Gould’s intimate vocals are complemented by McCarthy’s lush harmonies and Kim’s dynamic drumming, creating a seamless interplay. This release is as much about the joy of playing with flaws as it is about Jazz itself—refreshingly human, fiercely honest.
Colouring Hockets
by John Hollenbeck & NDR Bigband
Label: Flexatonic Records
Recorded at NDR Studio 1, Hamburg, Dec. 11-16 2023
Released: Nov. 15, 2024
In his ninth large-ensemble album, Colouring Hockets, John Hollenbeck elevates the big band format by exploring its untapped potential through a seamless integration of percussion. This collaboration with the esteemed NDR Bigband, recorded in Hamburg’s NDR Studio 1, captures Hollenbeck’s seasoned aptitude for large-scale composition while venturing into uncharted territory with a unique percussion quartet. Rooted in Hollenbeck’s tradition of melding the familiar with the avant-garde, the album’s distinctive percussion-centered approach adds an invigorating layer to the ensemble’s already potent brass and woodwind sections.
Encounters and Collisions
Sara Serpa
Biophilia Records
Recorded: April 8, 2023
Released: November 15, 2024
Sara Serpa’s latest work, Encounters and Collisions, sees the vocalist-composer at her most introspective, diving deep into themes of migration, motherhood, and personal transformation. The album features a stellar ensemble: Ingrid Laubrock on saxophone, Angelica Sanchez on piano, and Erik Friedlander on cello, all contributing to Serpa’s signature ethereal soundscapes. With poetic lyrics and rich, wordless vocalizations, Serpa turns her lived experiences—like moving from Portugal to the U.S.—into poignant musical narratives. The project extends beyond music, pairing with a book of hand-drawn illustrations, adding a visual layer to the autobiographical storytelling. It’s an ambitious, multilayered exploration of identity, filled with both quiet grace and emotional depth.
• BandCamp •
Entre Amigos
Recorded: January 29-31, 2024
Released: November 15, 2024
There’s something delightfully rare about the camaraderie captured on Entre Amigos, the self-titled debut from Chicago's jazz supergroup. Saxophonist Roy McGrath, pianist Hana Fujisaki, bassist Kitt Lyles, and drummer Gustavo Cortiñas showcase their deep musical bond, forged over a decade of friendship and refined through a whirlwind tour of Asia. Each track brims with a spirit of collaboration, from McGrath’s introspective The Almost-Mourning to Cortiñas’s vibrant Windy City. The album feels like an extended jam session, full of joyful spontaneity yet meticulously crafted. Every member’s voice shines, but it’s their unity—honed in countless rehearsals and live sets—that leaves a lasting impression.
• Spotify •
Eyes on the Horizon
Joe Fonda Quartet
Label: Long Song Records
Recorded: December 11-12, 2023
Released: November 15, 2024
Eyes on the Horizon by the Joe Fonda Quartet is a heartfelt tribute from bassist Joe Fonda to his mentor Wadada Leo Smith. This album, released via Long Song Records, assembles a powerhouse lineup with Satoko Fujii on piano, Tiziano Tononi on drums, and Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet. Far from a mimicry, Fonda’s compositions celebrate Smith’s artistic influence while remaining distinctly his own. Tracks like the title piece and We Need Members weave intricate layers of composed and improvised passages, showcasing each musician's spontaneous brilliance. The quartet captures moments of striking luminosity, reflecting Smith's enduring impact on Fonda's creative journey. It’s a testament to respect, resilience, and the shared pursuit of musical innovation.
• BandCamp •
I Hear Echoes
George Cables
HighNote Records
Recorded: January 30 and May 2, 2024, at Sear Sound, New York, NY
Released: November 15, 2024
George Cables, a venerable figure in the world of Jazz, returns with I Hear Echoes, a collection that reflects his storied career spanning over six decades. Backed by the rhythm section of Essiet Essiet on bass and Jerome Jennings on drums, Cables delivers a deeply personal exploration of memory and melody. The album opens with the stirring Echoes of a Scream, inspired by David Alfaro Siqueiros’s evocative painting, blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with dramatic pauses. The trio breathes new life into standards like Prelude to a Kiss and You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To, while Cables’ originals, such as Blue Nights, evoke a noirish atmosphere. With its mix of introspective solos and energetic grooves, this album stands as a testament to Cables' enduring artistry and the echoes of a lifetime steeped in Jazz.
• Spotify •
Samares
Colin Vallon
ECM Records
Recorded: 2023, Auditorio Stelio Molo, Lugano
Released: November 15, 2024
On Samares, Swiss pianist Colin Vallon leads his trio—rounded out by Patrice Moret on double bass and Julian Sartorius on drums—into a lush, contemplative soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. The album unfolds like a series of nature-inspired vignettes, each track carefully balancing melody and texture. From the atmospheric opener Racine to the dynamic crescendo of Mars, Vallon’s piano lines float with an effortless grace, often bolstered by Sartorius’s nuanced percussion and Moret’s resonant bass. The trio’s interplay, honed over years of collaboration and live performances, reaches a new level of cohesion here, with subtle rhythmic twists and harmonic explorations that push the boundaries of their chamber Jazz aesthetic. Samares is both meditative and invigorating—a poetic journey that captures the organic elegance of seeds dancing in the wind.
• Spotify •
The Myth of Katabasis
Hayoung Lyou
Label: Endectomorph
Recorded: January 20 and May 6, 2024, at Oktaven Audio, Mt. Vernon, NY
Released: November 15, 2024
In The Myth of Katabasis, pianist-composer Hayoung Lyou leads us into an underworld of sound, where the boundaries between structured composition and free improvisation blur. Accompanied by the ever-intuitive Thomas Morgan on bass and the dynamic pulse of Steven Crammer on drums, Lyou crafts a narrative that descends into the depths of human emotion and ascends toward transcendence. Tracks like “Introducing the Hero” and “Ascension” showcase her ability to blend lyrical poignancy with complex rhythmic interplay. Co-producer Seajun Kwon joins her on select compositions, adding layers to this sonic exploration. This album captures the audacity of modern Jazz while paying homage to the genre’s storied past—each piece a reflection of Lyou's fearless dive into musical darkness and light.
To the Rising Moon
Stephan Micus
ECM Records
Released: November 15, 2024
Stephan Micus continues his nearly five-decade journey of musical exploration with To the Rising Moon, his 26th solo album for ECM. True to form, Micus blends a stunning array of global instruments—ranging from the Colombian tiple to the South Asian dilruba—creating a soundscape that is as immersive as it is intricate. The album opens with the shimmering strings of To the Rising Sun, featuring dueling tiples, and flows into more meditative tracks like Dream Within Dream, where bowed dilrubas sing in haunting harmony. Micus’ use of voice as an instrument shines on tracks like In Your Eyes, adding an ethereal layer to his unique blend of East meets West. The closing title track beautifully merges the album’s plucked and bowed worlds, making for a transcendent listening experience that bridges tradition and innovation.
• Spotify •
Catching Moments
by Kim Cypher
Label: Mean Reedz
Released: November 22, 2024
Kim Cypher's new album, Catching Moments, set to release on November 22, 2024, is a testament to her journey as one of the UK's most innovative Jazz musicians. Known for her vibrant saxophone performances and rich vocal tone, Cypher has built a solid reputation as "one of the UK's most exciting saxophonists, vocalists, & composers" (All About Jazz). Her third studio album, following the success of Make Believe and Love Kim x, continues to showcase her passion for storytelling through music, capturing life's fleeting yet precious moments.
Upcoming Releases
November 22, 2024 • Kim Cypher • Catching Moments (Mean Reedz) • BandCamp
November 22, 2024 • Sun Ra Arkestra • Lights On A Satellite (IN+OUT Records)
November 22, 2024 • Spinifex • Undrilling the Hole (Trytone)
November 29, 2024 • Bill Evans • Bill Evans in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert (Elemental Music)
November 29, 2024 • Emily Remler • Cookin' at the Queens Live in Las Vegas 1984 & 1988 (Resonance Records)
November 29, 2024 • Arild Andersen • Landloper (ECM Records)
November 29, 2024 • Sun Ra • Lights on a Satellite: Live at the Left Bank (Resonance Records)
November 29, 2024 • Charles Tolliver Music Inc • Live At The Captains Cabin (Reel to Real) • BandCamp
November 29, 2024 • Thomas Strønen • Relations (ECM Records)
November 29, 2024 • Jakob Bro • Taking Turns (ECM Records)
November 29, 2024 • Al Jarreau • WOW! Live at the Childe Harold (Resonance Records) • BandCamp
Want to dive deeper into these picks? Check out our What's New playlist over on our blog or on Spotify—it’s packed with fresh tracks and hidden gems from this week’s releases.
That’s a wrap on this week's roundup! We know we can’t cover everything, but we hope you find something that resonates with you. Maybe you’ll even discover your next favorite artist.
Got an album you think we should spotlight? Hit us up at jazzsketches@pm.me—we’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for being part of the Jazz Sketches family. Enjoy the music, and we’ll catch you in the next edition!
Warm regards,
Jazz Sketches
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