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Album Review: Strange Meadowlark from Mark Christian Miller

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  Album:  Strange Meadowlark Artist:   Mark Christian Miller Label:   Self-Released Release Date:   February 6, 2026 Website:   www.markchristianmiller.com   Jazz vocalist and Los Angeles native Mark Christian Miller releases his fourth album as a bandleader Strange Meadowlark .   In true crooner fashion, Miller blends vintage swing with modern sensibilities, engaging listeners by directing the lyrics to his audience, creating an intimacy that is magnetic.   His re-iterations of jazz standards display an amore for swing.   His phrasing is stylized and charming.   His delivery is upbeat and lyrical, in sync with the rhythmic swells.   His resonance is nuanced and animated, demonstrated in his rendition of "Mister Kicks."   A whistling flute embellishes "You Make Me Feel So Young" with elegant furls, turning reflective through the title track, accentuating the warm serenade.   The wandering ruminations of the saxophone ...

Album Review: The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant from Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson

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  Album: The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant Artist:   Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson Label: Adhyâropa Records Release Date: April 10, 2026 Websites:   https://www.adhyaroparecords.com www.RebeccaPattersonMusic.com www.RonWilkins.com   Partners and co-collaborators Ron Wilkins and Rebecca Patterson present their newest creation The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant , consisting of all original material by the pair.   Both are multi-instrumentalists and play the trombone on the recording with Wilkins contributing vocals.   The impetus for the compositions is Wikins's stint with COVID-19, causing him to be put into a medically induced coma for 37 days, followed by a regiment of rehabilitation to gain back his strength.   The first four tracks are Covid Suites, depicting Wilkins's medical event.   Beginning with "Covid Suite I:   Big City Livin'," Wilkins's improvisations on the trombone interact with Ed Nuemeister's trombone, amassing a vibrant bla...

Album Review: Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill from the Paul Keller Orchestra

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  Album:  Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill Artist:   Paul Keller Orchestra Label: Cold Plunge Records Release Date: March 27, 2026 Websites: https://www.coldplungerecords.com www.paulkellerjazz.com www.gregghilljazz.com   String bass player and bandleader Paul Keller helms an 18-piece orchestra on Thank You Notes: The Music of Gregg Hill .   Packed with interpretations of Gregg Hill's original works,   Keller's orchestra captures the opulence of classic big band vitality, liaising with a modern playfulness and easy-going repartee.     The classic big band finish of "Bopportunity" is liken to the orchestras of the 1960's with a contemporary arc.   The spirited vibe of Finkbeiner's trumpet trotting through "Dollah Hollah" has a striking flair, as though building a story about the day in the life of a single individual.   The listener can easily imagine the character being played by the late actor Jack Lemmon, mirroring the actor'...

Album Review: Asymmetrical Dot from Stephen Emmer

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  Album:  Asymmetrical Dot Artist:   Stephen Emmer Label:   Self-Released Release Date:   February 27, 2026 Website:   https://stephenemmer.com   Multi-instrumentalist, orchestrator, arranger, composer, and bandleader Stephen Emmer collaborates with like-minded creators and musicians on his ambitious endeavor Asymmetrical Dot . A deeply personal, musical journey that combines jazz noir ambiences, operatic silhouettes, vesper-like sonorous, lamenting expressions, and ghostly vocals.   Emmer whittles an inviting and eclectic amalgam that incites mass consciousness.   Beckoning the listener to travel into the cavernous soundscapes, fusing misty atmospheres and eerie missives.   Melancholic wisps sweep across "Accepting the Albatros," transitioning into a consoling tone in the circular strings of "Benja's Birth."   The brooding missive and lamenting tint of "Amboina (for Roekie Aronds)" is haloed in operatic vocals.   The track is ...

New Release: Ode to the Possible from Tom Lippincott

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  New Release:  Ode to the Possible from Tom Lippincott Label:  Self-Released Release Date:  February 27, 2026 Website: tomlippincott.com   Jazz guitarist and composer Tom Lippincott offers Ode to the Possible , a conceptual album that focuses on musical themes, portraying futuristic impressions and coursing improvised expeditions.  The recording features Lippincott's original compositions with him performing on 8-string guitar and electronics, and joined by David Fernandez on tenor and soprano sax, Marty Quinn on bass, and Lucas Apostoleris on drums.  Chilean guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza makes a guest appearance on "Zakir," a soothing ballad that emotes tranquility and reflection.   Her chanting vocals infuse a spiritual quality in the arrangement, encircled by the balmy ripples of Fernandez's sax, causing the atmospheric tune to standout.  Reverberating effects contour "Sisters and Brothers" with a soothing mist, as the litheso...

New Release: The Night Sky from The Robert Jospé Quartet

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  New Release:  The Night Sky from The Robert Jospé Quartet Label:   Self-Released Release Date:   January 11, 2026 Website:    www.robertjospe.com   The Night Sky from the Robert Jospé Quartet features nine original compositions and two interpretations of jazz standards.   Led by drummer-percussionist-composer-educator Robert Jospé, the quartet includes Daniel Clarke on piano and keyboards, Christ Whiteman on guitar, and Paul Langosch on acoustic bass.   Their music has a strong Latin flare in the samba grooves of   "Samba Sunrise" and the festive shimmies of "Pyramids," both original works by Robert Jospé.    His cool jazz tune "Desert Dream" fuses smooth blues with a classic jazz strut, cradled in Whiteman's funky guitar pumps and the sleek threads of Clarke's keys.   The title track weaves an adult contemporary vibe, hitching glistening keys to a light, frolicking beat.    The soft bluesy swells of Leonard Be...

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...