J.M. RECOMMENDS
Jazz Images - Francis Wolff Collection
BLUE NOTE AUDIOPHILE TONE POET SERIES
ECM TOUCHSTONES
Artist of the Month
Tom Harrell
A highly gifted jazz soloist, Tom Harrell is generally considered one of the top trumpeters of his generation, known for a sophisticated harmonic approach that combines the power of Clifford Brown with the lyricism of Chet Baker and Art Farmer. Following his emergence in the early '70s with Horace Silver, he came into his own in the '80s and '90s, playing with Phil Woods and issuing a steady stream of acoustic post-bop albums. Harrell has continued to further hone his sophisticated style, often working with younger musicians and releasing quintet dates like 2007's Light On, as well as more pared-down sessions like 2013's piano-less Colors of a Dream with bassist Esperanza Spalding.
Label of the Month
Steeplechase
The Danish label based in Copenhagen has a deep, solid and impressive catalogue which had its origins in the 70s when founder, Nils Winther started recording many American expatriates which came to play in Europe were they found a new life. Many of these musicians lost contracts with major labels in the US with the shift from contemporary jazz into more free and avant-garde explorations. This was viewed as a musical, political and social backlash to the structure of jazz music and of American society at the time. All these players found new recognition and the possibility to keep making a living in Europe. Steeplechase capitalized on this at the time and have one of the strongest backcatalogues around with superb albums by Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Nat Adderley, Kenny Barron, Stan Getz, Clifford Jordan among many more.
CD of the Month
Anat Cohen - Live in Healdsburg
On their debut recording as a duo Live In Healdsburg, Anat Cohen and Fred Hersch, two of most prolific and celebrated artists in jazz today display qualities they have in abundance: empathy, open hearts, big ears, quick instincts, and an ego-less approach to the music. These two expert collaborators combine virtuosity and beauty, which permeates every note they play.