Blue Isle Smooth Jazz

Pianist/vibraphonist Karl Berger and guitarist m: Dom Minasi are both forward-thinking and experienced composers, improvisers and educators, with discographies that goes back to the 1960s–including, in the case of Berger, collaborations with m: Ornette Coleman , m: Don Cherry and Carla Bley ; and, with Minasi, 1970s work with m: Joe McPhee and m: Matthew Shipp …

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Karl Berger and Dom Minasi: Synchronicity

Necessity is not only the mother of invention, but also of direction. French pianist Matthieu Marthouret initially took on the task of mastering the organ because of problems finding bass players for rehearsals, but he found his own voice on the instrument and discovered a world of possibilities in the process. The debut album from his organ quartet–Playground (MuSt, 2009)–served as a launching pad for his explorations in this arena, but the group is in full flight throughout Upbeats…

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Matthieu Marthouret Organ Quartet: Upbeats

After immersing herself in the New York jazz scene, English singer/songwriter Joanna Wallfisch decided to return to the city in December 2011 to record her debut album, Wild Swan. A great decision–Wallfisch’s soaring and expressive voice combines with superb playing from Big Apple musicians to create a fascinating and original set of songs…

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Joanna Wallfisch: Wild Swan

Norwegian trombonist Erik Johannessen is a very busy musician: he is a member of the left-of-center Norwegian jazz outfits m: Trondheim Jazz Orchestra , m: Jaga Jazzist , m: Lord Kelvin and Magic Pocket, and contributes to recordings by artful songwriters such as Susanne SundfA r and Synne Sanden, so it is no surprise that he has only now released his first solo album…

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Erik Johannessen: Inkblots

For over a decade, Joel Harrison has been steadily expanding his palette as a composer, although his penchant for unorthodox instrumental combinations and multicultural folk forms encompass only one facet of his inclusive aesthetic. Harrison’s most recent efforts have borrowed heavily from Western neo-classical tenets; The Wheel (Innova, 2008) included an expansive five movement suite for jazz quintet and string quartet, while The Music of Paul Motian (Sunnyside, 2011) featured stately arrangements performed by two electric guitarists and a traditional string quartet…

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Joel Harrison 7: Search

Up-and-coming Chicago pianist Jim Holman channels all his musical influences into his debut recording without losing his own personal identity. The resulting Explosion! is an intriguing album that treads the border between hard bop and bolder styles. Recorded in two sessions, the disc features Holman in the company of more established musicians like saxophonists m: Frank Catalano and m: Richie Cole .

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Jim Holman: Explosion!

A 21st Century jazz aficionado really shouldn’t be surprised about where his/her jazz is coming from. That said, the whole concept of an Icelandic jazz scene may well bring a wry smile. Known primarily for innovative rockers BjA rk and Sigur RA^3s, and smooth jazzers m: Mezzoforte , the volcanic island nation has also borne innovative jazz artists such as guitarist Hilmar Jensson and bassist SkA li Sverrisson, both former musical associates of Berklee-educated saxophonist/composer JA^3el PA lsson who, unlike Jensson and Sverisson, returned to Reykjavik, where he’s tapped into the fertile local scene to create some highly distinctive and very appealing modern jazz…

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Joel Palsson: Horn