Jazz music can have many moods and themes, but as we soon round off our second year in a global pandemic, our hosts found themselves turning to joyful and expressive music.
Feel the many moods of the year through the top jazz songs of 2021, hand-selected by CapRadio’s jazz hosts.
Mike LeDonne: “It’s All Your Fault” — Rock with You
I can’t think of a contemporary musician who better relates the history of jazz to its future than Mike LeDonne. Skilled as a versatile pianist and a master of the Hammond B3 organ, LeDonne plays with passion, grace, and fire.
Having worked with Milt Jackson and Benny Golson, LeDonne brings the influence of jazz masters such as Wynton Kelly and Jimmy Smith to a contemporary format.
His latest CD is dedicated to Dr. Lonnie Smith. Mike works in both a quartet and big band setting. On the big band treatment of Michael Jackson’s hit “Rock With You,” LeDonne’s organ burns with shearing intensity. The swinging arrangement is by Dennis Mackrel.
— Gary G. Vercelli, Jazz Music Director
Louis Hayes: “Crisis” — Arab Arab
Born in Detroit, drummer Louis Hayes arrived in New York at the age of 19 to join Horace Silver's jazz group.
Since his auspicious recording debut with that jazz master, Hayes made a 60-year-long career of backing an elite group of jazz masters, including Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Peterson, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Rollins and Woody Shaw.
On his latest album, Hayes -- this time as a bandleader -- pays tribute to several of his colleagues, including saxophonist Joe Farrell, who composed the straight-ahead cooker, "Arab Arab." Also, on this track, saxophonist Abraham Burton and vibraphonist Steve Nelson take worthy solos.
— Gary G. Vercelli
Ray Obiedo: “The Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2” — Viva Tirado
Veteran Bay Area guitarist Ray Obiedo composed many satisfying originals on his latest project, collaborating with some of the top players in the region, like David K. Matthews, David Belove, Sheila E and David Garibaldi.
However, It’s Obiedo’s soulful treatment of Gerald Wilson’s cha cha cha “Viva Tirado,” that steals the show. I’m sure the late big band leader would approve of Obiedo’s update of this classic arranged here for a smaller group and featuring a great trumpet solo from Mike Olmos.
— Gary G. Vercelli
Brandee Younger: “Somewhere Different” — Reclamation
The second full—length album from the talented budding harpist, Brandee Younger, is also her debut on the Impulse! record label. The classical history of the instrument certainly doesn’t keep Younger from exploring jazz, rock, and a hard groove. The driving beat of the first track, Reclamation, is undeniably full of floating lines and rich texture.
— Avery Jeffry, Jazz Announcer
Emmet Cohen: “Future Stride” — Future Stride
Emmet Cohen has quickly become a staple of the New York jazz scene. Through Mack Avenue Records, he kicked off 2021 with a blast from the past and one rooted squarely in the Big Apple.
Stride piano is a style born from 1920’s Harlem pianists. The new treatment from Cohen is both solid in tradition and refreshingly innovative. Check out the title track to see just how responsive and fun his trio is with bassist Russell Hall and drummer Kyle Poole.
— Avery Jeffry
Christian McBride: “Live at the Village Vanguard” — Stick and Move
It wouldn’t truly be a list of mine without a bit of Christian McBride. It’s not hard either, considering the sheer volume of output from the legendary bassist.
This time around, it’s another live cut from the famous NYC nightclub, The Village Vanguard, but with his band called Inside Straight. Saxophonist Steve Wilson, pianist Peter Martin, vibraphonist Warren Wolf and drummer Carl Allen together form a powerhouse of swing with McBride.
My favorite tune is the last of the set, Stick and Move, because it features a solo trade between bass and drums that will keep you on the edge of your seat for a good 5 minutes straight.
— Avery Jeffry
Samara Joy: “Samara Joy” — Stardust
Samara Joy’s self—titled debut record is particularly striking. The vocalist just turned 22 years old and already has the grace and poise of a seasoned veteran. In this rendition of Hoagy Carmichael’s classic "Stardust," she eloquently demonstrates why this song is timeless.
— Andrew Mills, Jazz Announcer
Alexa Tarantino: “Firefly” — Mindful Moments
When saxophonist Alexa Tarantino conceived of her third solo album in 2020, she wanted to capture the myriad emotions surrounding the isolation so many of us were experiencing at the time. She certainly accomplished that with "Firefly."
This cut composed by vibraphonist and bandmate Behn Gillece helps remind us that as difficult as it was, there often were cracks of light that shone brightly through the darkness.
— Andrew Mills
Julian Lage: “Squint” — Etude
Julian Lage is my favorite guitarist. His sound. His technique. His artistry. The unmitigated and infectious joy he derives from being a guitar player — It’s inspiring.
There are a lot of fantastic tracks on his Blue Note debut "Squint," but this solo guitar opening cut demonstrates everything I love about Julian Lage and more.
— Andrew Mills
Gretchen Parlato: “Flor” — Rosa
This is vocalist and composer Gretchen Parlato’s first release since 2013, and the wait was absolutely worth it as this record is nothing short of stunning.
"Rosa'' is my personal favorite track. The counterpoint between Parlato’s voice and Artyom Manukyan’s cello creates a hypnotic texture that’s not often heard on an album labeled "jazz." This music is genre—defying and beautiful.
— Andrew Mills
