On this show recent releases from Skip Grasso, Eldad Tarmu, Jim Witzel, Diego Rivera, and Trevor Tomkins Sextant. Also a dip in the archive for music from Jane Ira Bloom, Agustí Fernández, and, Oliver Schwerdt with Baby Sommer and Barry Guy
Skip Grasso – Don’t Forget – Becoming ( Barking Coda Music) : Skip Grasso is a local legend in the Baltimore/Washington DC area where his guitar playing has been heard in a wide variety of settings, ranging from unaccompanied solos and jazz combos to big bands. Becoming is his recording debut as a leader, featuring Grasso as both a soloist and a composer. He introduces eight diverse originals and is joined by Anthony Pocetti on piano, organ and electric piano, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Billy Drummond.
Eldad Tarmu – Mating Calls – Tarmu Jazz Quartet (Queen of Bohemia Productions} : Eldad Tarmu is one of the most original vibraphonists in jazz, an improviser with his own sound and approach both as an improviser and a composer. On Tarmu Jazz Quartet, the formation with alto saxophonist Adam Hutcheson, bassist Sam Bevan, and drummer Cengiz Baysal, digs into the leader’s nine rhythmically adventurous yet accessible pieces, mixing together concise and heated solos with lightly funky (and often surprisingly danceable) ensembles that are full of telepathic interplay.
Jim Witzel – Feelin’ It – Feelin’ It (Joplin & Sweeney ) : Guitarist, composer and educator JIM WITZEL has long enjoyed the “organ trio” format in jazz (Hammond B-3 organ, guitar and drum set) as both a listener and as a working guitarist. In his second album he puts his own spin on those great recordings of the 50s and 60s (up to the present day) with a project comprising four standards, three of Witzel’s originals and a well-known pop tune. He is joined by two great musicians based in Northern California, BRIAN HO on the Hammond B3 and JASON LEWIS on drums
Tethered Moon – Little Abi – Triangle – 1991 release on King Records – GARY PEACOCK bass,
PAUL MOTIAN drums, MASABUMI KIKUCHI piano – Recorded 16, 17, 18 November 1991 at Power Station, New York
Diego Rivera – Alabama – Love & Peace (Posi-tone) : Bandleader, composer, educator and saxophonist extraordinaire Diego Rivera aspires to greater heights and unleashes the transcendent power of “Love and Peace” on his fourth release for Posi-Tone Records. With a program of exciting original compositions and a few heart-felt covers, the session swings swiftly into action and shines with bright moments from the get go. Also on the date is an all-star rhythm section of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Rudy Royston.
Skip Grasso – Gary On A Bike Ride – Becoming
Eldad Tarmu – Cafe Sole – Tarmu Jazz Quartet
Trevor Tomkins Sextant – The Right Moment – For Future Reference (Jazz in Britain) : Never-before-released early 1980s sessions by a band of top British players and composers which never released an album, led by drummer Trevor Tomkins. Full release in March. This is, in effect, Trevor Tomkins debut album release as leader, as well as his memorial as he sadly died last year. Recorded May 1981 – Jimmy Hastings – soprano & tenor sax, flute & bass flute, Chris Pyne – trombone & valve trombone, Phil Lee – electric guitar, 12 string guitar, John Horler – piano, Paul Bridge – bass, Trevor Tomkins – drums
Jane Ira Bloom – Blue Poles – Sometimes The Magic (Arabesque Jazz) : 2001 release with drummer Bobby Previte and bassist Mark Dresser.
Jim Witzel – Ms. Information – Feelin’ It
Oliver Schwerdt, Baby Sommer, Barry Guy – On The Road Again Ausflüge Zum Interhotel – One For My Baby And One More For The Bass (Euphorium Records) : Recorded Live December 09, 2018, naTo, Leipzig, Germany. A double album with two different mixes – that was the Robert Amarell mix from CD2.
Skip Grasso – Belew’s Knot – Becoming
Eldad Tarmu – Kinda Elegant – Tarmu Jazz Quartet
Agustí Fernández Ensemble – Part 2 – Via Augusta (Sirulita Records) : Recorded Live July 11, 2019, Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona. Marc Vilanova: alto saxophone, Don Malfon: alto saxophone, Baritone saxophone, Per-Äke Holmlander: tuba, Sarah Claman: violin, DoYeon Kim: gayageum
Agustí Fernández, piano, Barry Guy: bass, Lucía Martínez: drums, percussion, voice
Jim Witzel – Softly As In Morning Sunrise/The Old Country – Feelin’ It
Different Noises 