The last couple of years have been transformational for trumpeter-singer Ilya Serov both musically and personally. Having released three albums centered on his modern interpretations of tunes culled from the Great American Songbook, Serov’s newly released Silky Sound Records album, “Colors,” is his first collection comprised entirely of original songs that he had a hand in writing. This artistic rebirth happened simultaneously to Serov becoming a father for the first time. Both life-changing events celebrate the maturation of the man and the musician. The ten songs that make up “Colors ..read more

You can find Julius Rodriguez in many places. You could walk into a packed jazz haunt and bear witness to him behind the piano with energy practically surging from his fingers through the room. You might scroll up on social media and catch him alternating from drums to bass to guitar at the speed of a jump cut. You may also step onto festival grounds and see him on stage either solo or accompanying another likeminded visionary, jamming like his life depends on it. No matter where, the New York-born and Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer electrifies any lane. By do ..read more

Ever since R&B/jazz guitarist Gregory Goodloe scored his first Billboard No. 1 hit five years ago, he’s maintained a consistent presence on the national singles charts and on playlists everywhere. He released a half-dozen singles since, each of which was a collaboration with a chart-topping producer such as Adam Hawley, Darren Rahn, Jeff Canady and Bob Baldwin. For Goodloe’s new Hip Jazz Records single, “Groovin’ On,” he tapped Grammy winner Michael Broening to co-write and produce the effervescent track that recently began collecting radio and Spotify playlist adds.  Goodloe has ope ..read more

MASK" is the latest offering from songwriter extraordinaire ERIC ROBERSON. The beautifully-written song serves as a continuation of Eric Roberson's mission to release a new piece of work either every month and or every other month, in an effort to keep inspiring music afficionados around the world. "MASK" was written by Eric Roberson, Daniel Crawford and Jairus "JMo" Mozee and produced by Eric Roberson, Brett "B Dubb" Baker and Zachariah "SlimKat78: McGant. “This was probably my hardest song to write and record this year. Even though I didn't feel it was my story, I dove deep into the charact ..read more

Guitarist and composer Brad Shepik will release his ninth album as leader on October 11, 2024. The new offering, Human Activity: Dream of the Possible, is a ten-movement meditation on the climate challenges we face, seeking to inspire action for a sustainable future. This piece, composed and premiered by Shepik in 2021, builds on his earlier work, Human Activity Suite (2007). Human Activity: Dream of the Possible features Shepik on guitar, tambura, and saz, along with a talented ensemble including Layale Chaker on violin, Amino Belyamani (Dawn of Midi, Innov Gnawa) on piano, Sam Minaie (Tigra ..read more

Emiliano Lasansky’s melodies have the potential to simultaneously serve as vehicles to memories and past experiences, and to evoke optimistic anticipation for the future. Lasansky elaborates, “my work attempts to unify elements of the past and present in exciting and unexpected new ways. I also strive for my work to be accessible to a wide audience with hidden layers of subtlety for those that desire to take a closer look.”  The title track, “The Optimist,” mirrors life, presenting the soloist with trials and tribulations challenges, and rewards, with sections of challenging chords, cr ..read more

Pianist and keyboardist Dan Siegel has covered a broad swath of the jazz spectrum over the course of his four-and-a-half decade career, from straightahead swing to sleek contemporary sounds. While that’s a testament to Siegel’s multi-faceted talents and restless curiosity, it’s also the result of the diverse array of collaborators that have joined him along the journey – a staggering roster that includes Bela Fleck, Steve Gadd, Larry Carlton, Ernie Watts, Ottmar Liebert, Lee Ritenour, Brian Bromberg, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Boney James, Alex Acuña and others.  Siegel’s twenty-thir ..read more

Since making his international debut for Blue Note in 2020 with Modes of Communication: Letters From the Underworlds, the South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini has earned widespread acclaim for the genuinely spiritual transcendence of his music. For Makhathini, a Zulu healer and educator who has delved deeply into the histories and traditions of his ancestors, improvised music has never been merely about aesthetics or idioms. As the New York Times put it when naming Modes of Communication one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2020: “In a moment when spiritual jazz has become a danger ..read more

Craft Recordings and Jazz Dispensary celebrate the five-decade-long career of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Patrice Rushen with a reissue of her long-out-of-print debut, Prelusion. While the three-time GRAMMY® nominee became best known as an R&B singer and barrier-breaking musical director, this 1974 album showcases Rushen’s talents as a jazz musician, composer, and improviser and features such esteemed sidemen as Joe Henderson, Oscar Brashear, and George Bohanon.  Set for release on August 23rd and available for pre-order today, Prelusion marks the latest title in Ja ..read more

Meshell Ndegeocello has released the inspiriting new single “Love,” the second song to be revealed from her forthcoming Blue Note album No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin, a striking homage to the eminent writer and activist James Baldwin to be released Aug. 2 on his Centennial. Ndegeocello will be marking the album release with a headline performance at the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival on Aug. 2. Ndegeocello performs songs from the new album on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert as part of their Black Music Month celebration of Black women artists. Last month saw the release of the al ..read more