Chucho Valdes, Cuba & Beyond
It’s been an unforgettable year for Chucho Valdes. The world class pianist celebrates 60 years as a musician with his latest album, Cuba & Beyond, his first full length album since 2016, and to cap off the year, Chucho, recognized for his contributions to jazz, was recently named an NEA Jazz Master, the highest honor a jazz artist can receive. Class was in session for the master pianist, as Valdes and his Royal Quartet ran through an interesting course of songs that range from originals, to Chick Corea and Mozart.
Nubya Garcia, Odyssey
You may have heard her smooth, dulcet tones already on Jazz24 performing with Blue Lab Beats. Now as a bandleader, saxophonist Nubya Garcia follows up her acclaimed 2020 album, Source, with her latest sonic journey, Odyssey. Coming from the large collective of UK musicians who blend multiple genres in their sound, jazz, hip hop, r&b, and reggae dub to name a few, Garcia’s original compositions feature UK talent like Joe Armon Jones, and others like Esperanza Spalding and Georgia Anne Muldrow. The album also serves as a personal anecdote for Garcia, and her odyssey of returning back to her love of composing music.
Charlie Parker, Bird in Kansas City
From a contemporary saxophonist, to a pioneer who many say laid the groundwork for saxophonist, and the sub-genre of bebop: Bird, Charlie Parker. This latest compilation captures rare recordings from Parker between 1941-1951. Set to release in late October, the album also highlights the tumultuous relationship Parker had with his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, with its history of segregation and Parker's strong ties to the city through family and friends.
