jazz2love

  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...

  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: 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:  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:  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 ...