jazz2love

    New Release:  Uncharted Realms from Sean Imboden Large Ensemble Label:  Self-Released Release Date:  May 1, 2026 Website:  https://www.seanimboden.com/ Indianapolis-based saxophonist, composer and leader Sean Imboden returns with his 17-piece big band for his second recording with his orchestra entitled Uncharted Realms .  Their program reimagines traditional big band instrumentation with contemporary perspectives, multi-faceted improvisations, dynamic interplay, and harmonious phrasing.   Opening with "Flowing Currents," the arrangement moves steadily, seaming bulging horns that fluctuate from silky gliding to refined twirling, billowing and flaring.  The recording cruises into a melodic phrasing binding "When You Look Beyond," layering a marching cadence with blazing horns and piercing guitar patterns that transition into the serpentine curves of "Balcony," stringing tangoesque musings and a comfy rhythmic beat.  The album clo...

  Audiences  are acquainted with the the Great American Songbook, the Disney Songbook, the Reader's Digest Songbook, even the SongbookPro app that categorizes collections of songs to make them easily accessible to listeners.  Now, Toronto-based indie-soul artist, composer, vocalist, and producer Aaron Jensen has established the Countermeasure Songbook, a vast collection of songs he has written, co-written, and arranged for the 12-piece Canadian-based vocal group Countermeasure, of which he is also one of the vocalists. He asserts, "Countermeasure is first and foremost, a family. We've been making music together for sixteen years. We've seen each other through good times and bad. We've lived in the same house for five weeks at a time on tour. The music I write for the group is often inspired by experiences we've shared, or by major personal life events of group members." "In effect," he describes, "this means that we sing the soundtrack of ou...

    New Release:  Shifty Paradigms from Dave Slonaker Label:  Origin Records Release Date:  February 20, 2026 Website:  https://daveslonaker.com   Bandleader, arranger and composer Dave Slonaker presents his third recording, Shifty Paradigms , expanding on his perception of big band arrangements remaining true to tradition while exploring uncharted terrain.  He composed seven of the eight arrangements on the album, highlighting his extensive influences in the field of swing and writing for large jazz ensembles.  He opens the album with “Dash Cam,” structuring the composition to mirror the diverse flow among the instruments, moving between peaceful and bustling.  On the 1925 standard “Bye Bye Blues,” written by Fred Hamm, Dave Bennett, Bert Lown, and Chauncey Gray, Slonaker weaves a jazz waltz for baritone saxophonist, Adam Schroeder, traveling into a straight-ahead up-tempo section for Ron Stout on trumpet.  The title track is a che...

  Album:  Guest Sessions Vol II Artist:  Countermeasure Label:  Self-Released Release Date:  February 26, 2026 Website:  https://www.countermeasuremusic.com Guest Sessions Vol II   is the fifth studio album from 12-piece Canadian-based vocal group Countermeasure.  A cache of original works composed by Aaron Jensen, the arrangements fuse soul, R&B, smooth jazz, coffeehouse folk, choral vocals, and sonic pop into a rich blend that attracts a broad range of listeners.  Each track features one solo instrumentalist, supporting Countermeasure’s vocals, clasped in catchy hooks, soaring vocal harmonies, and personalized messages.  Each piece is tailor-made to compliment the sound and aesthetic of the guest artist.  "Half Way from Home" is spoked by Angela Schwarzkopf's floating harp strings paired with the ethereal timbres of vocalist Tara Park, drifting into the reflective musings of "My Way Back To You," featuring the soulful vocalese...

  Album: This Is Now Artist:  Pete Mills Label:  Mighty Ernie Records 1003 Release Date: April 3, 2026 Artist Website:  www.petemills.com Tenor saxophonist and Toronto-born Pete Mills fires up a swinging compilation of original material and one cover tune on his 2026 release This Is Now .   Joining him are drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Martin Wind, guitarist and co-producer Pete McCann, and pianist Kenny Banks Jr.   Moving in time with each other, Mills's band demonstrates a synchronicity that reels audiences in, spawning adventurous twists and honing smooth curves. The band blazes on the title track with a fun and swinging romp that slinks into a balmy samba through "Sunset STX" with STX referring to the airport code for St. Croix.  The bluesy swagger of "Daddies" has an easy-going fluidity, shifting to a succession of improvised excursions along "Up To Go Down," as Mills's sax carves out peculiar angles interlacing with McCann's guitar strin...

  Album:  Plaid Pants Artists:     Ron Cyger and Brent Butterworth, Label:   Outrageous 8 Records Release Date:   March 13, 2026 Website: https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/ https://www.angelamaeoneill.com/ao8records https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ron-cyger/1482212553   Plaid Pants from saxophonist Ron Cyger and guitarist Brent Butterworth moves along rhythmically, harmoniously, and collaboratively.   The duo's rapport produces a friendly environment for the listener, as they correspond casually between each other and their band mates: drummers Dimitris Terzpiis and Leo Oliveira, and bongo player Larry Salzman.     The pair spruce up " Pequeña Diabla " with a sexy, Latin salsa shimmy, while wielding a bluesy jazz gait along "Round & Round."   A slow trot drives "Clunky," contrasting the bopping beats propping the title track, as Cyger's saxophone seeds the track with a swinging pulsation.   The reflective mood of "L...