jazz2love

Looking at composer-pianist Oscar Rossignoli, one would think the youthful glint in his eyes, the optimistic tilt of his smile denotes a pupil eager to learn his craft, undaunted by the possibility of being scarred by failure, as he ferries across the mercurial waters of jazz improvisation.  That is until Rossignoli sits at a piano and works the twinkling ivories and onyx bars, playing like a well-practiced soul, a multi-faceted creator.  Listeners swear they are in the presence of a seasoned pianist and contemporary maestro, exhibiting the mysticism of Chopin, the ingenuity of Thelonious Monk, the infectious allure of Amina Figarova, and delivering the unbridled passion of an operatic performer. His composing and playing leads one to believe he has a strong sense of himself, or perhaps an alter-ego emerges.  He admits, "Oh, I don't think about any of these things at all, but I'll say this: if I truly let the music speak for itself, it's a truly liberating experience....

Album:  Safe Travels Artist:  Jerry Kalaf Label:  Self-Released Website: jerrykalaf.com Safe Travels is jazz drummer Jerry Kalaf’s 2025 album.  A soothing collection of original compositions that blend the temporal voices of a piano trio with the airy textures of a string quartet. Comprised of arrangements and orchestrations by Doug Walter, the recording features the Chicago-based string quartet ATLYS, partnering classical influences with jazz sensibilities and improvised strokes. The outcome is a musical saga, laden with sonic impressions and emotive expressions. Recorded at Studio J in Studio City, California, by Jerry Kalaf, and at RAX TRAX in Chicago, Illinois, by Andy Shoemaker, the project is meticulously finessed with structured trimmings augmented by spontaneous wanderings.  Mixed by Jerry Kalaf and Doug Walter at Studio J and mastered by Scott Fraser at Architecture in Pasadena, California, the album delivers a multi-faceted listening experience, bustl...

Album:  Heart Mind and Soul Artist:  Randy Bernsen Label: Jerico Jams Website:  randybernsen.com Randy Bernsen exerts his prowess as a lyrical composer and versatile guitarist with this six-track release, Heart Mind and Soul , his 11th project as a leader.  The melodic motifs, as though glass-blown from his guitar, are scaffold by the clarion toots of saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Bob Franceschini, interspersed by the sleek flickers of Dan Davis's trumpet.  The rhythm section comprised of bass player Jimmy Haslip, drummer David Nizri, and keyboardists George Whitty and Uzi Nizri complement the harmonic forms. The octet create multifaceted soundscapes, parlaying an assortment of jazz fusion blends from smooth jazz clauses, bop-induced lobes, and improvised excursions.  Bernsen inseminates sizzling streaks across"Chant 881," giving the score a shot of spontaneity as his improvised fragments form unrestrained ruptures and agile curves along its progression....

Album:  Kind Mind Artist:  Josh Cole Label:  Cassiar Records Website:  https://joshcolebass.com/ Multi-instrumentalist and leader Josh Cole delves listeners into an esoteric realm in his recording Kind Mind from Cassiar Records.  Joined by Karen Ng on alto saxophone, clarinet, and synth, Michael Davidson on vibraphone, marimba, and pedals, and additional electronic effects provided by Sandro Perri, the recording brandishes experimental banter and independent responses between the musicians, creating otherworldly impressions on the listener. The mellow tone in Ng's saxophone driving "The subway" is augmented by the bluesy shimmers of Davidson's vibes, producing a calming, ambient mood.  From there, the recording shifts into irregular metrics through "Talking Makes It Worse" and "Expectations" as chord patterns carve enigmatic shapes and form eccentric improvisations.  Esoteric squeals arc across "Inside" and bellowing chimes echo along ...

Album:  Prime Vintage Artist:  Steve Snyder Trio Label:  DPU Records Website:  https://stevesnyder1.bandcamp.com/album/introducing-prime-vintage The Steve Synder Trio, led by pianist Steve Synder, embraces the smooth bluesy soundscapes, whittled by the organ trio format, notably following in the vane of Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, Leon Spencer, and Larry Young.  The trio's debut release Prime Vintage offers Synder the opportunity to present his original work plus his reworking of Leo Nocentelli's score "Message From The Meters."  A prolific improviser, Synder flexes his attributes as a leader and harmonizer, taking cues from his musical influences while branching out on his own, entrusting his imagination and ear for melodious chord patterns to lead him. Accompanied by Joel Tucker on guitar and Kenny Phelps on drums, the Steve Synder Trio take the leap into jazz improvisation, honing an ease of motion that makes their music pleasing. The harmony, which th...

Album:  Living In A Daydream Artist:  Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion Label: Self-Released Website:  miguelespinozafusion.com Living in a Daydream is Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion’s third full length album, featuring original compositions by leader and guitarist Miguel Espinoza.  Along with Espinoza is cellist Dianne Betkowski and bassist Randy Hoepker at the group's core.  Also performing on the recording are guest musicians Howard Levy on harmonica and piano, Andy Skellenger on tabla, cajon, and vocals, Mario Moreno on congas, timbales and percussion, Linda Richardson on castanets, and Nabin Shrestha on tabla and vocals. The stimulating fusion of flamenco guitar with jazz improvisation, Latin dance grooves, and folkloric soul is an exciting blend that breeds merriment and liveliness through the swirling rustles of the strings from Espinoza's guitar, Betkowski's cello, and Hoepker's bass traversing across "Nagi Yaté."  Like celestial bodies sparkling in...

Album:  Puttin' On The Ritz Artist:  Rich Willey Label: Boptism Music Website: boptism.com/store Composer, arranger, and bandleader Rich Willey leads a big band of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments through a setlist of original scores alongside jazz standards and modern jewels in the rough in his offering Puttin' on the Ritz .  Part of the recording concentrates on Willey's acumen to parlay modern tunes into big band gems, giving Frank Zappa and George Duke's blues rock melody "Uncle Remus" a sophisticated sheen balancing recurring motifs with improvised passages. Playing the trumpet, bass trumpet, valve trombone, tuba and Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI), Willey demonstrates multiple facets in his musicianship.  Sometimes jumbling the horns like in sections of "Uncle Remus" and sometimes creating ambient swells like in "Song for Janet," dedicated to his wife.  One of Willey's original works, "Holy Trinity,...

Album:  What I Was For You: re.think Artist:  Nancy Goudinaki Label:  Self-Released Website:  http://jazzynancyg.com The easy listening tracks of What I Was For You: re.think from singer, songwriter and guitarist Nancy Goudinaki blend flamenco with soul, blues, and jazz improvisation.  Born in Greece, Goudinaki lives in New York City and performs around the world where her music has found a home.  Soothing, meditative, and cerebrally stimulating, Goudinaki's strumming and plucking is aesthetically pleasing and sonically elevating. The sleek whisking and refined whipping in her fretwork across "Fuoco" seeps into listeners thoughts, affecting them beneficially.  The soothing wisps of her guitar strings trundling along "Re-think" are layered in the silky wails of JD Allen's tenor sax, making for an emotive experience.  "Nereids," written by Goudinaki and her bassist Richie Goods is a lush soundscape that lifts listeners up, transporting them into a ...

Album:  Abiola Time Artist:  Abiola Label: Aladé Enterprises Website:  www.abiolatime.com Fraught in infectious Caribbean rhythms seamed in uplifting R&B trimmings and the soulful sonorous of Nigerian-born Abiola, Abiola Time offers listeners aural vistas that take them away to sweet retreats.  Abiola takes listeners back to a time when clubs were frequented after hours to unwind and let loose.  The track "Werey Style" does just that, inspiring listeners to body roll, shimmy their hips, and undulate their limbs with unbridled release.  Containing songs all written by Abiola, the recording keeps audiences in a state of blissful escape from the pumping beats of "What We'll Be" to the stirring sensations of "Free" and the sensuous cascade of R&B verses along "Ko Le To."  The palliative swells project an image of plush beachscapes while the hypnotic club beats piping through "Naked Talk" give the track a dancehall vibe.  The ca...

Album:  Trio Vol. VI Artist:  Takeshi Asai Label:  Fono Bono Records Websites: http://www.takeshiasai.com/index.html http://triov6.takeshiasai.com http://epk.takeshiasai.com Trio Vol. VI , the 6th trio album from pianist-arranger-composer-producer Takeshi Asai showcases his versatility as a jazz improviser, a straight-ahead jazz raconteur, and a torch song balladeer.  Joined by his longtime partners, bassist Bob Gingery and drummer Brian Woodruff, Asai takes audiences along a series of vignettes clad in daydreaming reflections and expressive phrasing.  The album includes 9 original compositions written by Takeshi, many of whom are dedicated to popular figures, and one popular song, "Fire and Rain" penned by James Taylor. A conceptual orator, Asai's performance affects listeners powerfully, rousing their mental sensibilities to conceive picturesque landscapes along the lulling swells of "Iota" and "Mes Demoiselles," which is dedicated to Pablo Picasso. ...

  Album:   BASSic Instinct Artist:   David Finck Label:   Burton Avenue Music Website:   burtonavenuemusic.com   Jazz bassist and bandleader David Finck presents a new collection of contemporary jazz tunes and original compositions entitled BASSic Instinct .   Accompanying Finck is a bevy of talented collaborators that include saxophonist Andy Snitzer, keyboardist Quinn Johnson, guitarist Bob Mann, trombonist Mike Davis, and pianist Meg Ruby, to name a handful.   Vocalists featured on the recording are Melissa Errico, Kelly Mittleman, Téka Penteriche and Trist Curless.   Together, Finck leads a big band orchestra through a cavalcade of playful tunes combining American swing and Latin jazz flavors. For starters, "Dearly Beloved" is adorned in the swirling toots of Snitzer's saxophone as the rhythm section layers the track in frothy ruffles and splashing effects.   The exuberance in the music shimmers with a multi-dimensional q...