Two worlds, one conversation. On Nuit Parisienne a La Havane, Cuban piano virtuoso Roberto Fonseca and French cellist Vincent Segal capture the magic of a first encounter - no rehearsals, no plan, just pure music. Recorded in Havana over five days, this album is a celebration of spontaneity, friendship, and the art of listening. Here, Paris meets Havana. The warmth of Cuban rhythms embraces the sophistication of French melody; echoes of danzon, chanson, classical and African influences intertwine seamlessly. Every track feels alive: breathing, shimmering, unfolding like a dream that could only happen once. At a time when music is often polished, programed, and overproduced, Fonseca and Segal remind us what happens when you let go of control. This is music that doesn't need to prove anything, it simply is. Deeply human, effortlessly cinematic, Nuit Parisienne a La Havane feels like watching eleven short films through sound: poetic, emotional, and timeless. Whether you're drawn to jazz, world, or classical music (or simply crave something honest and alive), this record will find it's way under your skin. It's an album to return to again and again, always revealing something new.
Jazz Master Kenny Barron's Songbook, is a landmark recording that will cement his place in the pantheon of jazz greats. Joined by his long-standing trio -Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums - he unveils a collection of original compositions interpreted by an extraordinary cast of guest vocalists, including Cecile McLorin Salvant, Kurt Elling, Ann Hampton Callaway, Catherine Russell, Jean Baylor, Tyreek McDole, Ekep Nkwelle, and Kavita Shah. Seamlessly blending lyrical sophistication, harmonic depth, and rhythmic vitality, Songbook is both a celebration of Kenny Barron's artistry and a defining statement in a career that has shaped the sound of modern jazz. This is not just a new album- it is a legacy in the making.
Jazz Master Kenny Barron's Songbook, is a landmark recording that will cement his place in the pantheon of jazz greats. Joined by his long-standing trio -Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums - he unveils a collection of original compositions interpreted by an extraordinary cast of guest vocalists, including Cecile McLorin Salvant, Kurt Elling, Ann Hampton Callaway, Catherine Russell, Jean Baylor, Tyreek McDole, Ekep Nkwelle, and Kavita Shah. Seamlessly blending lyrical sophistication, harmonic depth, and rhythmic vitality, Songbook is both a celebration of Kenny Barron's artistry and a defining statement in a career that has shaped the sound of modern jazz. This is not just a new album- it is a legacy in the making.
Sullivan Fortner's ended 2024 with three Grammy nominations including Best Jazz Instrumental Album for 2024's Solo Game. 2025 kicks off with the release of his new trio album Southern Nights. In July 2023, Fortner returned to the Village Vanguard as a leader. Tasked with forming an all-star trio, Sullivan brought together the iconic bassist Peter Washington, celebrated for his lyrical depth and groove, and drummer Marcus Gilmore, whose innovative rhythms have redefined modern jazz. Despite their first-ever collaboration and limited rehearsal, the trio's chemistry was immediate, resulting in Southern Nights, a raw, unedited live recording that perfectly captures the energy of their Vanguard performances. "Not only would this be the first time Peter and Marcus had ever met, but there was no time to rehearse. [...] With no isolation, no edits, and very few retakes, we managed to record 12 songs in four hours." Featuring one of Fortner's original composition, pieces by Allen Toussaint and Consuela Lee, and a heartfelt tribute to his late mentor, Bill Lee, the album is an acoustic celebration of spontaneity and connection. On Southern Nights, Fortner celebrates the music of New Orleans that he holds so dear and continues to prove why he is one of the most celebrated jazz pianists of his generation, delivering music that is both timeless and deeply personal.
13-time Grammy nominee and American Jazz Hall of Famer Kenny Barron's Beyond This Place is comes on the heels of his 2023 Grammy-Nominated solo album, The Source. Beyond This Place brings together a multi-generational quintet featuring Immanuel Wilkins, saxophone's rising star; Johnathan Blake, one of the most accomplished drummers of his generation; Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Barron's long-time double bassist and Steve Nelson, one of the most highly regarded vibraphonists.
