(Crosstown)

Pianist-composer Tom Wetmore makes a fantastic debut with The Desired Effect. The player composition for this project is quite unique with a lineup that includes two lead guitarists in Brad Williams and Justin Sabaj, the two of whom weave a dense sonic fabric for Wetmore’s enchanting electric piano work. The Massachusetts-born leader of this outfit is also its primary composer. He creates a sound that is traditional and fusionesque. Also, joining him on this effort are saxophonists Jaleel Shaw and Eric Neveloff, bassist Michael League and drummer Garrett Brown. The musicianship here is quite high all around. With a debut this great, the future can only get brighter for this gifted artist.

(Naive)

On her latest, Tempo, the amazing vocalist and pianist Tania Maria teams with bass great Eddie Gomez for a wonderful album of duets. This work finds the Brazil native Maria playing as much as singing. Though the project consists of just two players, Maria’s rhythmic vocalizing and colorful playing makes the music sound much bigger. The duet covers a range of tunes by various Brazilian composers, with a musical synchronicity that makes the effort a near perfect work. Bravo.

(Concord Records)

Further Explorations is pianist-extraordinaire Chick Corea’s tribute to the genius of Bill Evans and his recording, Explorations, which was released 50 years ago. This 2 CD-set was recorded live at the Blue Note in New York in May 2010, along with Evans band alum Eddie Gomez on bass and the late Paul Motian on drums. The mastery of all three men combines into this kinetic aural landscape. Corea and company are heard casually deciding between songs what to play next and the performance that follows is flat-out brilliant. It’s like witnessing three great artists working on a painting together and the result can’t help but be fantastic. Don’t miss this!

(Motema)

Trombonist Dennis Rollins is no newcomer, but his sound is a true revelation on The 11th Gate his third release as a leader. Rollins and his Velocity Trio which includes Ross Stanley on Hammond organ and Pedro Segundo on drums and percussion, sculpt beautiful melodic soundscapes in a style that is both traditional and decidedly contemporary. Think J.J. Johnson meets Weather Report and Jack McDuff. The three players on the project have wonderful synchronicity, and Rollins’ gift as a songwriter is on full display with the UK native composing all the tunes on the project. This is an artful and terrific production.

(Emarcy)

Saxophonist James Carter leads a spirited session of music on At The Crossroads. The trio, comprised of Carter, who plays alto, tenor and baritone saxes, is enhanced by a rhythm section of Gerard Gibbs on organ and Leonard King, Jr. on drums. The unit is augmented on various tunes by the addition of Brandon Ross and Bruce Edwards on guitars, Vincent Chandler on trombone, and Kenyon Harrold on trumpet, among others. Miche Braden’s deep, earthy vocals on several tracks is a powerful addition to the project. The flavor here is music in the African-American tradition, from blues to spirituals, including compositions from Maybelle Smith, Ralph Bass and Jess Powell, Duke Ellington, and Julius Hemphill, as well as a couple of interesting titles from members of the trio. A thoroughly entertaining effort from start to finish.

(Mack Avenue)

Bassist Christian McBride gets by with the help of a few of his musical friends on his latest release Conversations with Christian.The recording is a collection of duets with a cross-section of musical talents, both past and present, in various genres. Among the collaborations featured here are two with the late, greats, Dr. Billy Taylor and Hank Jones. Other artists joining in conversation with McBride are violinist Regina Carter, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, vocalist and fellow bassist Sting, guitarist Russell Malone and on sizzling duet, singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. The expanse of artists and styles all serve to show the versatility of the Philadelphia-bred bassist.

(Mack Avenue)

Long past the years as a musical wunderkind, guitarist Stanley Jordan is still very much a solid practitioner of his craft. On Friends, he’s joined by a host of incredible talents, including saxophonist Kenny Garrett and Ronnie Laws, guitarists Russell Malone, Charlie Hunter, Russell Malone, Bucky Pizzarelli and Mike Stern, violinist Regina Carter, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and bassists Christian McBride and Charnett Moffitt, among many others. The musical set ranges from classical to jazz standards and pop, covering the gamut from Chopin to Katy Perry. Jordan is heard here in familiar guitar voicings and the blend of his sound with aforementioned talents produces a fantastically-entertaining result.

(Marsalis Music)

If you’ve turned on a television any time during the yuletide season in most of the last decade, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of The Happy Elf animated special. Pianist and vocalist Harry Connick Jr is out with a collection of the music from that production, for which he created the original music. The tunes which accompany the story of Eubie, an ebullient little elf who wants to be part of Santa’s sleigh team is now released for the first time in an album package. Connick provides a colorful narrative reading with music at the beginning of project, but it’s his evocative piano work that is at the center of this effort. Joining him are bassist Neal Caine and drummer Arthur Latin, both longtime players in his big band. Even with though title and theme are holiday related, the music here is swinging and bluesy enough to enjoy anytime of the year.

(BFM Jazz)

For her latest release, singer Tierney Sutton and her band for the past 18 years dust off range of songs from the American compositional songbook and give them a new coat of paint. American Road has Sutton and the band re-imagining a cross section of American-made compositions. The tunes are nicely re-worked standards, most of which were made famous on the Broadway stage. The band is comprised of Christian Jacob on piano, Kevin Axt and Trey Henry on acoustic and electric basses and Ray Brinker on drums. The talents of all involved make this a captivating collection of outstanding performances.

(Emarcy Records)

Guitar-impressario John Scofield has taken just about every twist and turn a recording artist can maneuver in music, for his latest he takes a route less traveled by him. A Moment’s Peace finds Scofield interpreting ballads associated with or recorded by Abbey Lincoln, John Coltrane, Nina Simone and Ray Charles, among others. He’s joined in this effort by a first-rate rhythm session, which includes drummer Brian Blade, organist Larry Goldings and bassist Scott Colley. The collection of incredible perfectly supports Scofield’s signature twangs and make this a fantastic addition to the Scofield musical archives.