Wayne Alpern

Modern Music

Henri Elkan, 2025

9/10

Listen to Modern Music

The inimitable composer Wayne Alpern sure is prolific, and this 11th album reimagines and reinterprets different musical styles, historical genres and vernacular idioms in a solo piano setting.

The dancing keys of “March” opens with firm chords and melodic passages that are captivating, and it isn’t long until “Variations” emits a bouncy energy via the rhythm and Broadway nods.

“Novelette” arrives closer to the middle and is a swift bout of cinematic qualities and playful gestures, while “Courante” is set in 6/8 meter and is full of harmonic moments amid an intricate delivery.

Landing near the end, “Fughetta” puts a modern spin on the 18th century track, where an old versus new appeal is charming, and “Sonatina” exits swiftly via the colorful and complicated progressions.

Hints towards Chopin, Mozart, Stravinsky and Haydn won’t be hard to spot or appreciate, as Steven Beck’s detailed piano playing illuminates Alpern’s always impressive vision.

Travels well with: Wayne Alpern- Rezurrektion (String Quartets); Wayne Alpern- Gotham

Duende Libre

Invocation

Self-Released, 2025

8/10

Listen to Invocation

The Seattle trio, Duende Libre, are back with a 4th album, where their inimitable take on jazz touches on Cuba, Brazil, and Mediterranean influences.

The stylish mood of “Songs For Seales” opens with Jeff Busch’s thumping drums and Alex Chadsey’s playful keys emitting warmth, and “Ahmadish” follows with a quick pace, where Farko Dosumov’s frisky keys add much to the playful delivery.

Landing in the middle, the darker spirit of “Invocation” pays close attention to atmosphere and builds into a dreamy ambience, while “Chick” benefits from Chadsey’s lively keys that suit the meticulous rhythm section.

The last tune, “Eulogy”, is a more intimate moment of beauty and grace, where the stirring keys, gentle bass and light drums tug on the heartstrings.

A thoughtful and sometimes adventurous effort, Duende Libre’s jazz vision is progressive, worldly and memorable from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Duendre Libre- The Dance She Spoke; Russ Spiegel- Nitty Gritty

Kevin Brunkhorst

After The Fire

Calligram, 2025

8/10

Listen to After The Fire

The Canadian guitarist and composer Kevin Brunkhorst knows his way around a melodic tune you won’t soon forget, and along with Tom Easley, Kenji Omae, Tom Roach and Paul Tynan we’re treated to 7 originals here.

“As Fate Would Have It” starts with Brunkhorst’s bright guitar alongside Omae’s rich sax prowess in the melodic climate, and “One Spring” follows with Roach’s agile drumming amid Tynan’s soulful trumpet.

In the middle, “Daydream Manual” is indeed dreamy thanks to the soft wind and harmonic guitar, while “The Roaring Twenties” uses Easley’s playful bass lines in a way that suits the meticulous guitar and animated trumpet.

“The Passing Months” exits the listen with each player’s skills radiating grace and adventurousness.

A really intriguing effort that highlights the often overlooked acoustic guitar in a jazz setting, Brunkhorst and company flesh out joy, warmth and optimism in response to challenging times.

Travels well with: José Gobbo Trio- Confluence; Chris Varga- Breathe

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra

A Celebration Of Maurice Hines: Tappin’ Thru Life

DIVA Jazz, 2025

9/10

Listen to A Celebration Of Maurice Hines: Tappin’ Thru Life

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra and many others come together for this tribute to Maurice Hines, which is basically the soundtrack to his celebrated life.

The animated “Tappin’ Thru Life Overture” begins with the frisky drums and playful winds and brass, which gives us a taste of what’s to come, and “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” follows with John Manzari’s smooth voice alongside Jennifer Krupa’s well timed trombone.

Further on, “Ballin’ The Jack” allows for Leo Manzari’s playful pipes amid Jackie Warren’s frisky keys, while “All The Way” offers an intimate moment via Clint Holmes’ expressive pipes that suit the emotive piano.

Deeper still, the lively spirit of “L.O.V.E.” welcomes a frisky duet between Holmes and Ann Hampton Callaway that also recruits Jami Dauber’s animated trumpet, and “Too Marvelous For Words” exits with rich piano that’s paired with many vocals in a festive climate.

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra are in fine form, and the appearance of original cast members makes for a swingin’ good time that pays tribute to a life well lived.

Travels well with: The DIVA Jazz Orchestra- ‘30’ Live At Dizzy’s Club; The DIVA Jazz Orchestra- DIVA Swings Broadway

José Gobbo Trio

Confluence

Calligram, 2025

9/10

Listen to Confluence

This 2nd trio album from the guitarist/composer José Gobbo brings us 6 originals via a distinct harmonic language that recruits Max Beckman and Jay Ferguson.

“Wait” starts the listen softly, where Gobbo’s intimate guitar is surrounded by Ferguson’s light drumming and Beckman’s cozy bass, and “If The Sun Could Stay A Little Longer” follows with more emphasis on drums amid the frisky bass and warm guitar.

The middle belongs to “April 31st” and “Static”. The former is rhythmic and playful, while the latter is subdued, mesmerizing and displays a gripping interplay between the trio.

Residing close to the end, the harmonics and rich delivery from the rhythm section makes “Northeast” the best track, and “One Out Of Many” exits with Gobbo’s meticulous guitar playing that’s complemented by minimal drums and bass.

A really well thought mix of balladry and swingin’ ideas, Gobbo and company pay close attention to atmosphere and mood with excellent results.

Travels well with: McCullough/Spasovski/Tufecievski/Filipovski- Transverse; Alyn Cosker- Onta

Juliet Ewing

Simply ‘S Wonderful

HoneyDiva/Lexicon, 2025

8/10

Listen to Simply ‘S Wonderful

The Broadway theater performer and jazz vocalist Juliet Ewing interprets the work of Gershwin here, and she’s got some excellent players along for the affair.

The bright spirit of “‘S Wonderful” opens with Ewing’s animated pipes alongside Ron Drotos’ playful keys, which suits the cozy melodies, and “Love Is Here To Stay/They Can’t Take That Away From Me” follows with a romantic mood thanks to the expressive singing and David Finck’s playful bass.

Further along, “But Not For Me” offers a stylish and frisky moment that benefits from the pretty singing, while “A Foggy Day” trims the mood back with much elegance and grace, where the sublime keys align with the eloquent storytelling that builds into a lively album highlight.

Landing close to the end, “Naughty Baby” benefits much from Mark McLean’s strategic drumming amid the charming vocals, and “Summertime”, the only track that’s not Gershwin’s, exits with a lush and dreamy ballad that has Ewing showcasing her strong range.

Ewing’s performance is exceptional, where she makes each track her own thanks to her commanding voice and powerful presence that does justice to Gershwin’s work.

Travels well with: Shiri Zorn- Looking For The Light; Rosemary Loar- Coraçāo Vagabundo/Vagabond Heart

McCullough/Spasovski/Tufekcievski/Filipovski

Transverse

Calligram, 2025

9/10

Listen to Transverse

Chad McCullough, Gordan Spasovski, Kiril Tufecievski and Viktor Filipovski come together for these 8 involved jazz songs that carry Macedonian folk traces and illustrate superb chemistry.

“Lake Orchid Lament” opens with the swirling keys from Spasovksi that align with McCullough’s soulful trumpet, and “Falling Tide” continues the elegance via dreamy keys and Filipovski’s restrained drums that tug on the heartstrings.

Halfway through is where “For Leni” resides, and it welcomes upbeat keys and flowing brass amid Tufekcievski’s playful bass, while “The Forlorn Tale Of Tomorrow” offers intimacy and emotion thanks to the soft gestures and thoughtful environment.

“Twist” and “Real & Unreal” exit the listen. The former carries a rich and cautious bout of textured ideas, and the latter allows for the cozy rhythm section, warm trumpet and light keys to radiate much timelessness.

This is the quartet’s first recording on American ground and let’s hope it isn’t the last, cause their attention to rhythm, melody and swingin’ moments is very easy to enjoy.

Travels well with: Chad McCullough- in these hills, beyond; Alyn Cosker- Onta

Reptile Room

Jade

Om, 2019

8/10

Listen to Jade

A recently formed trio from Atlanta comprised of siblings Sean and Sami Michelsen, as well as Bill Zimmerman, on this debut the three bring their collective strengths to a very strong and memorable trip into electro-pop fun.

“Games” gets the listen off to a firm start of their crisp and slick electro-pop formula where smooth vocals complement the sleek instrumentation, and “Design” follows with a vocally expressive, more subdued version of their dreamy, pop prowess.

Further along, “Control” has the trio exploring darker textures of club friendly sounds, while “Midnite” resonates with a soulful aspect to the dynamic interplay between the trio.

Near the end, “Ghost” offers manipulated vocals in the highly creative tune, and “Talk” ends the quick listen with current indie-rock influences amid the dance friendly landscape.

While there’s no shortage of electro-pop outfits today, Reptile Room show much promise as far as standing out from the pack with smart wordplay and engaging, memorable musicianship that’s delivered with precision.

Travels well with: Walden- The Static; Magic Wands- Abrakadabra