Muriel Grossmann is a really fascinating saxophonist who has been putting out many fantastic recordings over the last few years. This latest one, Devotion, is really interesting! Heavy blues influence this time.
The Wailing Mall - Alan Palomo
So far, I know nothing about Alan Palomo, but I’ll definitely be learning more after this track
Sandwich - Louie & The Lunch Special
Really enjoyed this album by the multi-talented Louie Zong. Turkey Club was particularly standout.
Laufey
I am really really loving Laufey right now; I’m just in the perfect head space for everything she’s doing.
Shot and Chaser, New and Old
Moanin' - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Watching this, I was struck by how professional this band looks, compared to the picture in my head of casual people hanging out in a smokey room in a basement somewhere.
I Try to Introduce Jazz: Part II: Contemporary
In this part, I try to introduce you to Jazz artists who (at least as far as I know) are working in the here and now. These are people releasing new albums, who you just might be able to find in concert somewhere should you be in the right place and right time (May I be so lucky some day!)
Unlike my last list, this isn’t focused on a particular locale, more a particular time: Our time, now.
This one was hard to keep to a semi-reasonable length. I may do a followup another day!
I Try to Introduce Jazz: Part I: The UK
I want to try to introduce you to Jazz. Of course, I don’t have a good definition of what I'm trying to introduce. Even Wikipedia largely throws its hands up and shrugs. Let’s just say: Jazz is as Jazz Does.
I could labour on about my feelings on Jazz; my history with it, and how I see the genre; but I really don’t feel like that’s a valuable service. If you ever want me to talk about jazz and my feelings about it though, definitely ask me. It’s something I find fascinating, despite being a neophyte.
A brief note before I start just dumping music on you: First and foremost, let me encourage you: When it comes to Jazz, feel absolutely free to ride the skip button. Jazz can be a pretty strong flavour at times, and while you might end up loving it after years of working towards it, it’s totally OK if you don’t get or love a piece of jazz the first time you listen to it. Myself, I have strong feelings about certain types of jazz, and I’ve discovered that some things work best live. All I really want out of you for this post dear reader is: Please, give this a try.
Since I have to start somewhere, let me start with the United Kingdom. For reasons I don’t fully understand, the UK has an incredible jazz scene, full of incredible performers making really fascinating music that bends genre often.
I've included an Apple Music playlist below; please, if you're not a subscriber, try to find the songs on Youtube or Spotify (also: I'd accept tranliterations of this podcast to Spotify if anyone wanted to provide that!). Edit: Here's a Tidal Playlist if you subscribe there. Thanks so much to Gloria for that!
I can't guarantee I won't update the playlist after posting, but hopefully that's a good fill for now.
Literally today, I also found this track, which is worth sharing, and is sufficiently new, that as near as I can tell it’s not up on streaming just yet: Emanative & Tamar Collocutor - Energy