The Game Changer, Brandon Sanders' latest Savant recording, finds the drummer doing what he does best: setting the pace, creating opportunities, and elevating everyone around him. Joining the ensemble for this outing are Stacy Dillard, with his uniquely exciting saxophone sound, and the imaginative pianist William Hill III, alongside longtime collaborators Warren Wolf and Eric Wheeler. With special guest artists vocalist Briana Swann, who brings "a little grit, a dash of soul, and a whole lot of midnight in her voice," and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, of whom Nat Hentoff wrote "It is the beat of Pelt's heart... that underscores the future of jazz," Sanders has assembled a band that brings both seasoned authority and youthful energy to a program of originals and carefully chosen favorites. Rooted in the hard-bop tradition, The Game Changer draws on a wide variety of musical genres and influences, which Sanders enhances and expands, reflecting his broad musical vision and his belief that it's all just music.

A visit to John Coltrane's home on Long Island, New York, ultimately became far more than a source of inspiration for alto saxophonist Jim Snidero. It catalyzed his continued evolution as both a composer and improviser, yielding deeply personal music while remaining firmly rooted in the tradition that shaped him. The result is an album that honors one of jazz's greatest visionaries while standing confidently as a compelling artistic statement in it's own right. Six originals reflect on various aspects of the home in which Coltrane composed A Love Supreme, with Snidero's choice of collaborators-pianist Stefan Karlsson, bassist Nat Reeves, and drummer Jason Tiemann-proving essential to transforming his vision into a distinctive musical statement.

After more than two decades as a sought-after sideman and collaborator, pianist and composer Andrew Toombs releases his long-awaited debut as a leader with Alloy. Blending jazz, soul, and hip-hop influences, the album features Makaya McCraven on drums, Junius Paul on bass, guest trumpeters Marquis Hill and Maurice Brown, and spoken word by J. Ivy. What emerges on Alloy is not a debut so much as a declaration: the sound of an artist stepping fully into himself.

Jack Wyllie, a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and co-founder of the Mercury Prize nominated Portico Quartet, debuts under his own name. The album radiates hope, mirroring nature's beauty and cyclical rhythms while weaving through contemporary jazz, ambient, classical, and post-rock. Collaborators include Hania Rani and Duncan Bellamy.

After more than two decades as a sought-after sideman and collaborator, pianist and composer Andrew Toombs releases his long-awaited debut as a leader with Alloy. Blending jazz, soul, and hip-hop influences, the album features Makaya McCraven on drums, Junius Paul on bass, guest trumpeters Marquis Hill and Maurice Brown, and spoken word by J. Ivy. What emerges on Alloy is not a debut so much as a declaration: the sound of an artist stepping fully into himself.

Jack Wyllie, a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and co-founder of the Mercury Prize nominated Portico Quartet, debuts under his own name. The album radiates hope, mirroring nature's beauty and cyclical rhythms while weaving through contemporary jazz, ambient, classical, and post-rock. Collaborators include Hania Rani and Duncan Bellamy.

Few pianists in jazz have wielded space and silence as deliberately - or as devastatingly - as Ahmad Jamal. By 1971, his reputation was already formidable: Miles Davis had stated in his autobiography that "all my inspiration comes from Jamal, " his 1958 recordings at the Pershing Lounge had become some of the best-selling jazz albums of the era, and his command of the trio format was without peer. First Impressions captures him on June 25, 1971, at Studio 104 at the Maison de la Radio in Paris - home of the Orchestre Nationale de France - in a performance recorded for the ORTF and preserved in the INA archive for over five decades before finally seeing official release

After years of earning acclaim as a composer, arranger, trombonist, and educator, Clarence Hines steps forward with his debut as a bandleader, introducing a jazz orchestra shaped by every musical and personal influence encountered along his path. Rooted in the rich tradition of the modern large ensemble while speaking in a distinctly contemporary voice, Hines' program of six originals is complemented by inspired new arrangements of Lynne Arriale's "Carry On" and Bunky Green's "April Green." Anchored by lead trumpeter Bijon Watson and drummer Jared Schonig, the orchestra features standout soloists Clay Jenkins, Todd DelGiudice, Doug Stone, Joshua Bowlus, and Lenard Simpson, bringing warmth, lyricism, and explosive energy to Hines' vibrant writing.

Few pianists in jazz have wielded space and silence as deliberately - or as devastatingly - as Ahmad Jamal. By 1971, his reputation was already formidable: Miles Davis had stated in his autobiography that "all my inspiration comes from Jamal, " his 1958 recordings at the Pershing Lounge had become some of the best-selling jazz albums of the era, and his command of the trio format was without peer. First Impressions captures him on June 25, 1971, at Studio 104 at the Maison de la Radio in Paris - home of the Orchestre Nationale de France - in a performance recorded for the ORTF and preserved in the INA archive for over five decades before finally seeing official release

Developing a quick musical rapport over several trio dates with long-time friends, New York bassist David Ambrosio and Seattle drummer John Bishop, Portland pianist Clay Giberson took the inspiration of the moment to craft this collection of originals and works by artists who had influenced him for his 7th album on Origin Records. With the traditional piano trio setting enhanced with subtle sonic backdrops, "Poinciana" soars, while Charlie Haden's "First Song" takes on a haunting grace. Others such as Horace Silver's "Mayreh" and Keith Jarrett's "So Tender" keep their essence intact while revealing the trio's connection and musical sensibilities. "... his sound is intimate and personal, full of thought-provoking beauty." ALL ABOUT JAZZ. "... a distinct voice, huge chops, and compositional intelligence of rare capability." - AUDIOPHILE AUDITION

Artistic Director Matthew Guard leads the Skylark Vocal Ensemble in this exciting new album featuring Gregory W. Brown's Gentle Dark and Love Song, and Eleanor Daley's Requiem. Both composers draw inspiration from the sacred choral works of Herbert Howells, and their requiems reflect his influence through their emotional depth, rich harmonies, and lyrical modern expression. American composer Gregory Brown's new secular requiem, Gentle Dark, is based on a text by novelist and poet James Agee. This world premiere recording captures the expressive freedom and evocative sound for which Brown is known, set to Agee's powerful prose. The album also features the first professional recording of Daley's complete Requiem. Though distinct in voice and intention, both works share structural and harmonic elements that trace back to Howells, offering complementary perspectives on the expressive power of the human voice. 5030822000624 ALQS6000.2 46517098 16.98 24.98 .26 ARLOS RECORDS COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL CLASSICAL VOCALS 10/23/2026 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/09/4535709-3691463.jpg 73 1 N GREEN,DANNY LET THE MUSIC HAPPEN With six releases as a bandleader, acclaimed pianist and composer Danny Green turns inward for his solo piano debut, Let the Music Happen. The album grew from the simple realization that some of his most inspired playing comes when there is no plan at all, when discovery takes over and the music finds it's own way. Recorded over two days, Green brings together recent compositions and favorite standards, along with a freely imagined arrangement of The Beatles' A Day in the Life," revealing the melodic imagination and expansive pianism that runs through his catalog of work. Moving effortlessly between intimate reflection and flights of dazzling invention, Green creates an intriguing program filled with personality and warmth. "Green is a melodist, one of those folks who creates tunes that are at once completely new and yet deeply and intimately familiar."... Hobart Taylor, KUCI "a marvelous composer, a weaver of fantasies, and a splendid narrator of tales." -The Jazz Owl

Trappings of Sleep brings Caroline Davis, Grey McMurray, and Qasim Naqvi together in a deeply immersive meeting of alto saxophone, guitar, electronics, and drums. Moving between intimacy and intensity, the trio explores connection and the spaces between sound and silence, allowing each instrument to respond to and reshape the others in real time. Red Hook Records is a record label launched in 2021 by former ECM producer Sun Chung. The label is a place for encounters, where musicians come together to share ideas, exchange perspectives, and carve new adventurous paths of creative wayfaring. Red Hook aims to dissolve musical boundaries through the interweaving of musical traditions and the exploration of intercultural collaborations.

Beginning in 1989 as the rhythm section for Gerry Mulligan, the trio of pianist Bill Mays, bassist Dean Johnson and drummer Ron Vincent have since made beautiful music together with countless other artists and as the long-lived Bill Mays Trio. With "Ray's Hat Trick," Vincent looked to this collective to provide the musical foundation for his debut as a bandleader. Originally conceived as a quartet album with Steve Cardenas joining them on guitar, the palette expanded quickly as he heard different voices filtering in, so he pulled in longtime saxophonist friends Dave Brandom, Tim Armacost and Matt Garrison to add multiple woodwinds to the sound. With originals from Vincent, Mays & Cardenas to go along with arrangements of tunes by Ellington, Duke Pearson, and Denzil Best, Ron Vincent creates a joyfully swinging collection of music. "Ron Vincent's drumming propels with rhythmic precision and flair." All About Jazz

Drawing inspiration from the fantastical world of Japanese folklore, bassist and composer Fumi Tomita interprets and reveals the strange, mysterious, and often mischievous creatures of the yokai tradition through modern jazz. Inspired primarily by 19th-century woodblock prints, nine original compositions conjure monster snakes, foxes, and thunder beasts, transforming their otherworldly personalities into music that is by turns spacious, haunting, lyrical, and swinging. With saxophonist Carl Clements, guitarist Jason Ennis, and drummer Gary Fieldman, Tomita adds to his earlier acclaimed interpretation of Haruki Murakami's work, as Yokai reveals another side of his imaginative musical world, where folklore, visual art, and improvisation meet. "through Tomita's picturesque and vivid compositions, the result is a mature, cerebral and vibrant brainchild which exudes respect and devotion to it's muse." Next Bop

Christian McBride has worn many hats across his 30-plus-year career: bandleader, radio personality, artistic director, 11x GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer, arranger, and collaborator with some of music's biggest names including Sting, Billie Eilish, James Brown, Paul McCartney and more. But at the heart of his work is a deep commitment to creating opportunities for younger artists to share their voices on the world stage. With Ursa Major and their debut album Points of Light, McBride steps into what can only be described as his "Art Blakey era," spotlighting the next generation of musicians shaping the future of jazz and beyond. Featuring Nicole Glover, Mike King, Ely Perlman, and Savannah Harris, Points of Light introduces a bold new ensemble poised to take over the conversation.

A rare meeting of American creative jazz, Brazilian samba and Parisian musical freedom Recorded in Paris in 1969, Aco Dei de Madrugada (One Morning I Waked Up Very Early) captures pioneering American trombonist Grachan Moncur III in a uniquely intimate setting. Best known for his groundbreaking Blue Note albums Evolution and Some Other Stuff, Moncur travelled to France to record for the celebrated Actuel series on the pioneering BYG Records label. Following the powerful New Africa, Aco Dei de Madrugada became his second album for BYG, revealing a more restrained and melodic side of his artistry. For this remarkable session, Moncur assembled an international quartet featuring Brazilian pianist and vocalist Fernando Martins, Brazilian drummer Nelson Serra de Castro and acclaimed French bassist Beb Guerin. Rooted in the gentle sway and subtle syncopation of Brazilian samba, the album blends American creative jazz, European harmony and African-derived rhythms. Moncur's rich, resonant trombone moves between warmth, restraint and emotional intensity, while Martins' delicate wordless vocals bring an ethereal quality to the title track. Across four concise performances - including a distinctive interpretation of Edu Lobo's Brazilian classic 'Ponteio' - the quartet creates a sound that is sensual, spacious and deeply expressive. A lesser-known gem in Moncur's catalogue, Aco Dei de Madrugada stands as a captivating and essential discovery, revealing a richly melodic and deeply expressive side of his music.