Jihee Heo, Flow
Jihee Heo is back with her latest project, Flow, featuring the trio of Alexander Claffy (Bass) and Joe Farnsworth (Drums), and special guest appearance from saxophonist Vincent Herring. Based in New York City, the pianist and composer released her third album under Seattle based Origin Records (OA2). The collaboration also continues the hidden, but long standing relationship between musicians from the pacific northwest and east coast. Known for her classic, yet progressive style of jazz, Jihee Heo has become a fixture in the New York Jazz scene, and on her new album, flows through 8 tracks that include 6 original compositions, and two covers of a rare cuban standard from Adolfo Utera, and a fresh take on the Duke Ellington standard, “In a Sentimental Mood”.
Matt Wilson, Good Trouble
Perhaps, Good Fun should be the name for Matt Wilson’s new album. It’s a sly, cool album made cooler by the players. Wilson’s new quintet features alto/tenor sax duo Tia Fuller and Jeff Lederer, Dawn Clement (Piano/Vocals) and Ben Allison (Bass) get into some Good Trouble. Good Trouble’s the name of the band, and also words taken from the late great Congressman and civil rights activist, John Lewis. Each band member was able to showcase their personality as well as their serious musical chops, the album results in a fun listen, almost as if you’re in a studio, making some good trouble.
Eric Alexander, Timing is Everything
Another artist who mixes in bop and cool jazz into his own fresh, straight ahead style of jazz; Eric Alexander’s newest album, fittingly titled Timing is Everything, is just in time for fans of the tenor saxophonist. Alexander’s timing on his new project is flawless, as he mentioned on this project, “you can play all the right notes, but if you don't time them correctly, it's nothing...and when you do time them correctly, it's everything”. Eric and his quartet of Rick Germanson (Piano), Alexander Claffy (Bass), and Jason Tiemann (Drums) bop hard on a 9 album suite that features covers of John Coltrane and Rahsaan Rolan Kirk compositions.