03 May

[ May 10th, 2024 release via Tonal Conversations: Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Exuberance ]

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Composer and bandleader Christopher Zuar takes a bold leap forward with the dazzling second album by his 22-piece Jazz Orchestra

Exuberance, due out May 10, 2024 via Tonal Conversations, vividly traces Zuar’s personal evolution through his relationship with his wife and collaborator, animator Anne Beal. Album release concert May 11, 2024 at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture, featuring the full ensemble and projected animations

Exuberance is “a mature statement by a great composer in his prime, performed by a stellar ensemble with passion and care.” – pianist/composer Fred Hersch in the album’s liner notes

“[Zuar’s] music, artfully crafted and expertly rendered by a forward-thinking jazz orchestra, manages to harness and refract the sounds of struggle, hope, affirmation, humor, and youth.” – Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

“Zuar’s compositions soar with a richness and beauty that demand reflection and leave a deep sense of serenity.” – Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition

05 Jun

[ June the 10th, 2022 release: John Yao & Triceratops’ – Off Kilter ]

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release date: 10.06.2022

“Yao’s compositions hold the kind of steady, swinging cadence of classic Blue Note bop, but with a definite post-bop edge in their spikey harmonies.” – Jackson Sinnenberg, DownBeat

“[Yao’s] music swings, lopes and races forward. All five of the bandmembers share command of their instruments and a likeminded sense of joy that makes the album feel like an amusement park ride: energetic, exciting, yet safe.” – Franz A. Matzner, All About Jazz

Trombonist/composer John Yao and his audacious three-horn quintet Triceratops release their bold, inventive second album Off-Kilter on June 10, 2022 via See Tao Recordings.The album features Yao with saxophonists Billy Drewes and Jon Irabagon, along with bassist Robert Sabin and drummer Mark Ferber. They celebrate the album on Sunday, June 12 at Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Avenue, Long Island City, NY.

12 Jun

[ June the 18th, 2021 release via Capri Records: The Mark Masters Ensemble – Masters & Baron Meet Blanton & Webster ]

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release date: 18.06.2021 via Capri Records

“Mark Masters is an accomplished arranger who comes up with hip, unusual ideas for jazz concerts and recordings.” – Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes

“Masters paints complex, intricate, detailed jazz landscapes, and he has always invited some of the most adventurous and innovative players into his ensemble.”
– Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

Featuring veteran trombonist Art Baron, the last trombonist hired by Ellington himself in 1973, the album presents arranger/bandleader Masters‘ fresh, contemporary re-interpretations of Ellington’s iconic 1940-1942 work, when his orchestra featured bassist Jimmie Blanton and tenor sax master Ben Webster.

04 Mar

[ March the 13th release from Outside In Music Records: Alex Goodman – Impressions in Blue and Red ]

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release date: 13th of March 202o via Outside in Music

New York-Based Guitarist Alex Goodman Presents a Vividly Evocative Double Album, Impressions in Blue and Red, Featuring Two Distinct Quartets. An album includes deft band performances of Goodman’s color-rich originals and left-of-center choices of interpretative material, along with intimate solo takes on two standards. Album Release Concert Sunday, March 8 at The Owl, Brooklyn

10 Oct

[ October 18th release on See Tao Recordings: John Yao’s Triceratops – How We do ? ]

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release date: 18th October 2019

“Boldly diverse, Yao’s compositions cut across the swath of contemporary jazz’s field, [amalgamating] a surprising range of styles and periods—sometimes within a single composition.” – Franz Matzner, All About Jazz

“John Yao makes it clear he’s not content to stand still.” – Jeff Potter, DownBeat