Alphabetical order: Artist(s) / Title / Label

Heads of State / Search for Peace / Smoke Sessions

Gary Bartz, Larry Willis, Buster Williams and Al Foster are definitely Heads of State when it comes to Jazz. Their new CD has this all-star quartet playing music from their generation of Post Bop contemporaries including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Benny Carter and Jackie McLean. These legendary musicians are some of the core architects and Jazz masters from an important time in Jazz from 1960’s-present.

Kait Dunton / Trio Kait / Real and Imagined

The electro-acoustic, third album from LA’s Dunton defies categorization as it explores many genres within a Jazz framework. it’s modern, funky, and energetic with all compositions by this multi-talented leader.

Charlie Haden and Gonzalo Rubalcaba / Tokyo Adagio / Impulse

A posthumous release was recorded live at the Blue Note Tokyo club in 2005. It is one of many albums that legendary bassist Charlie Haden and Cuban virtuoso pianist have collaborated on. Their musical relationship was telepathic and intuitive which is evident in their masterful improvisations on this recording – plus Haden referred to himself as “an adagio guy”.

Michael Malis Trio /Lifted from the No of All Nothing / Polyfold

One of Detroit’s outstanding emerging talents has studied with Geri Allen, Bess Bonnier and Marcus Belgrave. His new album brings together a unique collection of his original works that go beyond the ordinary. Malis is following his own muse -venturing into new territories utilizing non-traditional modes, odd meters and creative use of the keyboard.

Shaun Martin / 7 Summers / Ropeadope

Gifted Grammy winning drummer/pianist finally releases his first album. Known for his work with Snarky Puppy, Martin wrote, arranged and produced everything on this record that features large and small ensembles playing very inspiring “new” Jazz at its very best.

Cecile McLorin Salvant / For One to Love / Mack Avenue

This 26 year old multi-award winning French/American Jazz vocalist is one of the most impressive musicians performing Jazz today. Her pleasing and impressive vocal technique coupled with creative arrangements and her perfect intontation come into play as she makes each song her own. Pianist Aaron Diehl adds an additional layer of musical greatness. Musical perfection.

Danilo Perez / Panama 500 / Mack Avenue

The great Panamanian pianist reflects on the 500th anniversary of Balboa’s “discovery” of the Pacific ocean in 1513. The original pieces are expertly constructed and flawlessly performed. He uses two different bands on this new release with best of the best musicians among them, including Brian Blade on drums, Alex Hargreaves, violin, John Patitucci on Bass. It doesn’t get much better than this.  Check him out at the Detroit Jazz Festival.

Fred Randolph / Song Without Singing / Creative Spirit

This versatile Honolulu-born, Bay area bassist has played with an eclectic variety of folks from Ian Carey and Kenny Washington to Dan Hicks and Maria Muldaur. His album features a solid quintet with special guests along with Randolph on acoustic and electric basses, also writing all the pieces with the exception of Sting’s “King of Pain”.

Christopher Tin / The Drop that Contained the Sea / Warner

Award-winning film and video game composer wrote music for the sea in this new album that blends Jazz, Classical, World and other elements into a vocal/orchestral masterpiece. Utilizing some of the world’s most amazing choirs including the Soweto Gospel Choir, Anonymous 4, Schola Cantorum and more, Tin’s new album is beyond mesmerizing.

Various Artists / Supreme Sonacy Vol. 1 / Blue Note

This exciting album brings musicians form various generations together to express a positive trend in today’s music that is far from trendy. Jazz laced with elements of funk, R&B, and Electronic played soulfully by a expert band that includes Marc Cary, Kris Bowers, Marcus Strickland, and Igmar Thomas covering everything from Ravel to Lee Morgan. Excellent stuff.

*The Jazz playlist reflects Judy Adams’ personal recommendations and does not represent those of the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe or Mack Avenue Records

Detroit Public Radio mainstay, Judy Adams, is a trained pianist, composer and musicologist who hosts a Jazz and contemporary music show on CJAM 99.1FM and guest hosts on WRCJ 90.9FM.