First transforming the iconic music of Cedar Walton into stellar big band arrangements, followed by a dive into the idiosyncratic rhythmic mastery of Ari Hoenig, pianist and composer Ben Markley's two big band albums displayed a formidable voice, always searching for challenges while reveling in surprise. With Tuesday Morning Feeling, Markley steps decisively into his own voice, delivering seven originals and several new arrangements of Thelonious Monk and Cedar Walton. He balances authority and openness, pairing strong melodic ideas with flexible frameworks that invite conversation, risk, and momentum. The band itself is a blend of long-standing Front Range collaborators and world-renowned guest artists, including Terell Stafford, Steve Nelson, Steve Davis, Bijon Watson, and David Wong, whose presence adds both fire and depth to the ensemble sound. Solos burn, the ensemble breathes as one, and the rhythmic engine never loses sight of swing. Tuesday Morning Feeling captures a big band in it's stride: grounded, evolving, and driven by the joy of making music. "a depth of melodicism and harmonic sophistication at work amidst rhythmic brilliance" DownBeat"classic big band sounds, an upbeat take on the format, full of adept arrangements and intricate soloing" DownBeat

The Value of Choices is the long-awaited new work by composer, guitarist, and storyteller Gabriele di Franco-a project shaped by years of reflection, doubt, vision, and the courage to choose. Written for a remarkable ensemble of musicians whose personalities and sounds inspired every line of ink on the score, the album unfolds as a collection of narratives where jazz meets classical colors, folk sensibility, and contemporary imagination. Across eight compositions, di Franco explores how every decision-musical or personal-carries weight. Each piece opens a small universe: a dreaming fly, an ancient Sardinian chant reframed through a woman's eyes, a lullaby for two children, the heaviness of loss, the intimacy of doubt, the breath that becomes creation. Voices, improvisation, and orchestral textures weave into a sound world where emotion and craftsmanship coexist. The album features gripping solos, rich orchestrations, and collaborations with guest vocalists François Vaiana, Vanesa Diaz Gil, Lieselot de Wilde, and Federico Pecoraro. Through them, di Franco expands the ensemble's timbral palette, giving story and sound equal expressive force. At the heart of this project lies a simple yet profound idea: "In composition, as in life, every choice shapes meaning." Holding this record-whether physically or digitally-is already one such choice. And for di Franco, it means everything. The Value of Choices is dedicated to his family and to mentor Kris Defoort, whose guidance has deeply influenced the composer's artistic path. Alongside his work as a composer, di Franco has built an international profile in musical theatre, opera, and contemporary music. His works-acclaimed by prestigious competitions across Europe and Asia-reflect a passion for narrative, structure, and emotional honesty. His libretti and musical theatre works, including the award-winning LULELA, reveal an artist who moves fluidly between mediums while staying rooted in the poetic power of sound. With this album, Gabriele di Franco invites listeners into a space of reflection: a place where stories breathe, choices resonate, and music becomes a shared moment of meaning.