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Hans Sørensen: Coordinating Artists with Repertoire

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       Piano adjudicator Ashley Wass observed there is a "strong pedagogical presence in Singapore” < article found at https://www.sso.org.sg/press/young-virtuosos-shine-national-piano-violin-competition-announces-2025-winners >. This thirst for higher education gave birth to the Singapore Symphony Group (SSG) . A vehicle, which violin adjudicator Mira Wang encourages, “What a wonderful opportunity the Singapore Symphony Group has created for Singapore’s young string talents. Their dedication and artistry shine on stage, and I wish them every success as they grow.” The Singapore Symphony Group encompasses the performing groups: Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore National Youth Orchestra, and Singapore Symphony Chorus. Hans Sørensen has served as Director of Artistic Planning for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) from 2019 to 2025. During his term, he also worked on the artistic planning for the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Singapo...
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New Release: Agua Con Gas from Dave Schumacher and Cubeye

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  Agua Con Gas from Dave Schumacher and Cubeye Label:   Cubeye Music Release Date:   April 17, 2026 Website:   cubeyemusic.com   Baritone saxophonist and Chicago native Dave Schumacher leads his jazz ensemble Cubeye along a whirlwind ride on Agua Con Gas.   A mix of Schumacher's originals sprinkled with jazz standards, Schumacher entwines Latin jazz with swing, bop, and improvisation.  Their tailored creations are finely detailed and seamlessly threaded.  Schumacher's original tune "Al Rosé" is harnessed in a bopping strut as he performs a series of dynamic acrobatics on the sax while Alex Norris carves out a path of spiraling toots on the trumpet.  Their embellishments on B. Reid's softly ambient "The Gypsy" demonstrates Schumacher's nimble playing, threading sprightly curlicues along Silvano Monasterios's lightly stroking keys, followed by the billowy ruffles of Jesus Ricardo's trumpet.  "Amosaya,"composed and arranged by Schumach...
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New Release: Picc Pocket from Erica von Kleist

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  Picc Pocket from Erica von Kleist Label:  Self-Released Release Date: April 23, 2026 Website: https://www.ericavonkleist.com/ Composer and piccolo flute player Erica von Kleist charms audiences with her offering Picc Pocket, filled with swinging rhythms alongside her freestyle flutters.  The tone, texture, and bounce of her piccolo builds a friendship with the listener instantly.  She weaves mesmerizing stories with her piccolo, creating a world that suspends the listener above the ground.  The rhumba rhythm of "Let Me Picc Your Brain" is propelled by Yago Vazquez's elegant piano vamp, Noriko Ueda's smooth bass lines, and Anton Kot's light drumbeats.   "Bone 2 Picc" has a classic straight-ahead jazz vitality, foddered by Jennifer Krupa's bubbly trombone bellow, coasting into the summery mood of "Picc and Choose," cultivated by its friendly waltzing stride.  Moving into a perky rhythm along "Picc Up Lines," John Ellis's teno...
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New Release: Two Nights - Live from Steven Husted

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  Two Nights - Live from Steven Husted Label:  Self-Released Release Date: October 3, 2025 Website: stevenhusted.com A jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader, Steven Husted displays a dedication to traditional jazz idioms on his newest release Two Nights - Live, featuring mostly original works by Husted mixed in with a handful of jazz standards.   Starting off with the brisk flying pace of "This I Dig of You" by Hank Mobley, the track spotlights the impromptu maneuvers of Grant Teeple: on saxophone interlaced by the nimble doodles of Milo Hehmsoth on keys.  The bluesy vibe of Clifford Brown's “Sandu” is anchored by the light pulse of Husted's double bass fraternizing with Matt Berger's lyrical guitar strokes, as the blazing beats of Israel Yanez's drums inject a copious amount of octane into the gears.  Husted's original piece"Bop Top" is a nod to the seamless paddling and sleek musings of hard bop masters, while the creamy frothing of Berger...
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New Release: Songs of My Dreams from James Judson

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  Songs of My Dreams from James Judson Label:  Self-Released Release Date:  January 30, 2026 Website:  https://www.jamesjudson.com Swing jazz that once filled the casino halls along the Vegas strip is reignited by singer-songwriter James Judson on his debut recording Songs of My Dreams .  Endowed with the honey-soaked register of Joey Bishop, the charming eloquence of Steve Lawrence (of Steve and Eydie Gormé fame), and the deep resonance of Sammy Davis Jr., Judson's vocals shine with a smoothness that emotes intimacy with his audience on the handful jazz standards and originals written by him.  His duet with Laura Cole on “All of Me" vibrates a romantic lyricism akin to Steve and Eydie, and the elegant strut of his vocals along "Holding On" is reminiscent of the caressing crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck.  "Candlelight or Roses" is a warm serenade that bridges into the upbeat palpitations of "Walking a Sidewalk," swinging with bopping beats and a...
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New Release: Clay About Time from John Clay

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  Clay About Time from John Clay Label: ClayTone Music Release Date: January 23, 2026 Artist Website: www.johnclaymusic.com Jazz drummer and leader John Clay offers uplifting interpretations of a handful of daydreamy-themed jazz standards on his recording About Time , including "Alice In Wonderland," written by  Sammy Fain and Bob Hilliard, and "You Must Believe in Spring" from Michel Legrand.  Both are elegantly arranged and smoothly designed, bringing out the genteel demeanor of Clay's band.  The creamy suppleness of Matt Garrison's saxophone and the billowy solo of trumpet player Shunzo Ohno give Wayne Shorter's composition "Rio" a sultry flicker, while the pair indulge in exotic textures along "Dubai," penned by Billy Drummond.  The splashing tremors of Clay's drumming and the rustling beats of bassist Sean Conly support Enrique Haneine's frolicking keys through the track.  The relaxing, after-hours vibe sewn through Fred ...
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New Release: Bite Your Tongue from Interplay Jazz Orchestra

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  New Release: Bite Your Tongue from Interplay Jazz Orchestra Label:  Bigtime Records Release Date:  February 26, 2026 Website: https://www.facebook.com/InterplayJazzOrchestra IG: https://www.instagram.com/interplayjazzorchestra The youthfulness in Interplay Jazz Orchestra's performance penetrates the listener from the get-go.  The orchestra's present lineup sees their sophomore offering Bite Your Tongue out of the gate in 2026.  An assortment of covers and originals, the compositions are abound with bopping harmonies, swinging horns, jangly keys, and romping beats.  Layers of trombones, saxophones, and trumpets produce a party atmosphere that keeps the music bustling through numbers like "The Congregation," penned by Johnny Griffin and "Go Figure," written by the band's baritone saxophonist Chris Scarnato.  The bluesy cool jazz glaze of "My Foolish Heart," composed by Victor Young, is a wondrous serenade sprinkled in sparkling horns, coasting...
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