February 2009 - Focus on Joe Henderson

Joe Henderson was unheralded in comparison with John Coltrane or Sonny Rollins and he spent many years in relative obscurity before finally winning the acclaim he deserved in the 80's and 90's. His work featured on many of the best jazz albums. Here is a summary of where he appears in our reviews: "In 'N' Out" Power To The People"Lee Morgan: "The Sidewinder""Bobby Hutcherson: The Kicker"Andrew

February 2009 Jazz New Releases

Is 2009 going to produce the best jazz of this decade?While still trying to take in four albums of sheer brilliance in January:Ravi Coltrane "Blending Times" (Savoy Jazz)Blue Note 7 "Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records" (Blue Note)Joshua Redman "Compass" (Nonesuch)Tom Harrell "Prana Dance" (HighNote)February brings still more important releases. February 3rd, Jeff "

Tom Harrell - Prana Dance

HighNote

Recorded at Bennett Studios, Englewood NJ on May 29th and June 10th, 2008

Release date: January 27th 2009

Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes



This much awaited album features the same band as on his successful 2007 record "Light On" - Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Wayne Escoffery (tenor sax), Danny Grissett (piano and Fender Rhodes) Ugonna Ukegwo (bass) and Jonathan

The Blue Note 7 - Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records

Blue Note

Release date: January 13th 2009

Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes



To celebrate the 70 year anniversary of the founding of the Blue Note record label by Alfred Lion, a stellar group – the Blue Note 7 – has been formed to release the album "Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records" and to undertake a wide ranging US tour.

The band is: Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Steve

Benny Golson - New Time, New 'Tet

Concord JazzRelease date: January 20th 2009Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes Benny Golson, who appeared on Art Blakey's "Moanin'" alongside Lee Morgan, one of the best jazz albums of all time, reaches 80 and celebrates with his first new album in five years. "New Time, New 'Tet" recalls the famous Jazztet with Art Farmer which Benny Golson co-founded in 1959.The new sextet is: Benny Golson

Joshua Redman - Compass

Nonesuch

Recording date: March 24th-26th 2008 at Avatar Studios, New York

Release date: January 13th 2009

Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes



While touring to promote his successful album "Back East", Joshua Redman found himself thinking about what further possibilities there might be for the pianoless saxophone trio format:

"Initially, my idea was to just find one trio, one drummer

Johnny Griffin - Introducing Johnny Griffin

Blue NoteOriginal release date: April 17th 1956Re-release date (RVG Edition): February 6th 2007 As a tribute to Johnny Griffin, we are republishing our review of his first album for Blue Note: "Introducing Johnny Griffin" Overshadowed by the acknowledged greats of jazz tenor saxophone such as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Johnny Griffin was the equal of most; a fine, fast, bop stylist with

Ravi Coltrane - Blending Times

Savoy Jazz

Release date: January 13th 2009

Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes



With this much anticipated release featuring his working quartet - Ravi Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Luis Perdomo (piano), Drew Gress (bass) and E.J. Strickland (drums) – Ravi Coltrane has taken a giant step forward.

Planned initially with input from his mother, Alice, and then coming to fruition after her

Peter Bernstein - Monk

Xanadu

Release date: January 13th 2009

Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes



For his first album as leader in over four years, guitarist Peter Bernstein is partnered by Doug Weiss (bass) and Bill Stewart (drums) in a pianoless trio playing twelve compositions by Thelonious Monk.

The dangers of attempting to prettify Thelinious Monk's work are evident. The point, of course, is that

Joris Roelofs - Introducing Joris Roelofs

Material Records

Recorded September 8th and 9th 2007, Peter Karl Studio, Brooklyn, New York

Release date: September 28th 2008

Availability: CD, MP3 Download, iTunes



Not yet 25, Netherlander Joris Roelofs has produced an album for the Material Records label that should propel him on to widespread recognition. Released so far in Japan and available on import, "Introducing ……" deserves a US