Heavy Hitters - That's What's Up - Blue chip ensemble casting, winging improvisations rooted in the blues, original compositions that add much to the repertoire of the modern jazz canon. - Blue chip ensemble casting, winging improvisations that are solidly rooted in the blues, original compositions that add much to the ever-expanding repertoire of the modern jazz canon! These are the components that you look for in ANY recording and they're all available in abundance on That's What's Up by the Heavy Hitters. - For many jazz listeners, it is exactly this: the capturing of real feelings and deep emotive performances that often makes live recordings such as this so special. For Mike LeDonne some of his favorite jazz recordings were recorded live. The playing is dependably great, of course, but there is a "lightning in a bottle" quality to many of these sides that manifest as new discoveries are made with every subsequent listen. - This recording was made at the end of a 2 week tour that ended up at one of the world's finest jazz clubs- Frankies. It was also my good friend and co-producer Cory Weeds' 50th birthday celebration. Full line up: Mike LeDonne on piano, Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Alexander Claffy on bass, Kenny Washington on drums.

Charles Tolliver was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1942 and moved with his family to New York City when he was 10. During his childhood, his grandmother gave him his first horn, a cornet he had coveted. Tolliver was attending Howard University in the early 1960s as a pharmacy major, when he decided to pursue music as a career and return home to New York City. He came to prominence in 1964, playing and recording on Jackie McLean's Blue Note albums. In 1971, Tolliver and Stanley Cowell founded Strata-East Records, and Tolliver released many albums and collaborations on Strata-East.

Live at Captain's Cabin is a newly discovered gem from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that finds Music Inc in absolutely fine form at a club called the Captain's Cabin. Playing mostly original music from Tolliver the band let's loose in the live setting. In his words The players I had, John Hicks, Clint Houston, and Cliff Barbaro. I just let them go do their thing and I didn't rein them in so we could have some pretty wild renditions of things, which if I were to do it now with a different rhythm section, it would sound different. It would be different. But I think that 50 something years ago that we were just expressing the exuberance of playing together and being on the road and the songs that I composed at that time, a few of them I still play, are completely different. This recording is an incredible document from an amazing band that was continually pushing boundaries.

Double CD. Previously unissued live recording from 1973 Remastered audio transferred from the original tape reels Includes extensive booklet with rare photo, and essay by renowned writer Angelika Beener, an interview with Tolliver by Jeremy Pelt and more!

MEMENTO

Saxophonist from The Roots, seen nightly on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Ian Hendrickson-Smith stretches out with a soulful and blues drenched outing. The Lowdown features an all-star New York rhythm section featuring Rick Germanson on piano, John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Joining Ian on the front line is tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds.

Saxophonist from The Roots, seen nightly on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Ian Hendrickson-Smith stretches out with a soulful and blues drenched outing. 'The Lowdown' features an all-star New York rhythm section featuring Rick Germanson on piano, John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Joining Ian on the front line is tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds. New York City based saxophonist and flutist Ian Hendrickson-Smith is mostly noted for his remarkable tone, soulful approach and blues driven melodies. Equally adept on all the saxophones, Ian stays very busy doing what he loves and loves staying busy! From 2004 to 2010, Hendrickson-Smith maintained an intense recording and touring schedule as a member of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Hendrickson-Smith's extensive recording experience includes the release of eleven jazz records as a leader. Hendrickson-Smith has worked and/or recorded with: Dr Lonnie Smith, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Al Green, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Rufus Wainright, The Roots, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Phish, Mofro, Queen Latifah, Robbie Williams, Boyz 2 Men, St Vincent, The Heavy, Michael Buble, The Charles Mingus Big Band Workshop, Phillip Harper, Etta Jones, David Hazeltine, Danny Moore, The J.B.'s (Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis), Adam Scone, Lee Fields, David Sanborn, Sturgill Simpson and more.

Grammy Award winner and Academy Award nominated Pianist/Composer Roger Kellaway, has recorded more than two hundred and fifty albums. He's worked with everyone from Ellington to Elvis, Joni Mitchell to Barbra Streisand, and Quincy Jones to Yo-Yo Ma. Kellaway is not only a major pianist, he is a composer of protean ability, writing in the music fields of jazz, classical and pop, also scoring for films and television. The 9th album in the Smalls Living Masters series finds Kellaway in the company of Jay Leonhart on bass, Dennis Mackrel on drums and with special guest Roni Ben-Hur on guitar.

LIVE AT MEZZROW

There are, of course, great solo performances and recordings within the history of jazz music. But, whether it is Joe Pass interacting with his tapping (Barry Harris likes to say "patting") left foot, or Erroll Garner's vocalized growl that acts as a near-constant background hum, it is the interaction (or, in the case of Bill Evans), the "interplay" that occurs between musicians (or with an imagined other) that imbues jazz with it's vibrancy, it's conversational nature, it's effervescent bounce. A simpatico musical approach is crucial to the success of any improvisational recording, of course, but perhaps especially so in the case of a duo performance. And what a good musical relationship has been established here between Canadian saxophonist PJ Perry and the California-native, pianist Bill Mays.

Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs studio presents an imposing history for any saxophonist, with most of the classic output of such giants as John Coltrane, Joe Henderson and Hank Mobley having been recorded there. On Rise and Shine, Grant Stewart & his inspired quartet rise to the occasion of the auspicious surroundings, turning in a string of compelling performances on classic bop selections.

Laughing All The Way, the band's third Christmas CD. The wacky musical minds of Chris, Bill and Denzal once again worked their magic in the studio, writing and arranging tunes on the spot and having so much fun in the process. They even wrote a couple of catchy Christmas originals this time around. Merry Christmas from the B3 Kings!

For Out In The Open, Sam Dillon called on his teacher and mentor, drummer Billy Drummond. He provided an easy going and calm vibe in the studio. It's not every day that a young saxophonist gets to make his first record with a musician as reputable as Billy Drummond. His drumming propels Dillon to new heights. Rounding out the rhythm section are bassist Yoshi Waki and pianist Peter Zak.

The Scrapper, John Sneider's first album released under his own name in 20 years, finds him re-united with his original band. He's among friends, doing what he loves: swinging. A lot can change in 20 years, but some things remain constant. For John Sneider, that includes the rhythm section of Larry Goldings on organ, Andy Watson on drums and John Hart on guitar, all of whom appeared on his first record. A long time leader of his own groups, Sneider has performed with Max Roach, Curtis Fuller, The Mingus Big Band, The Frank Foster All-Star Big Band, Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Andy Bey, Brad Mehldau, and Larry Goldings. Sneider also composes and arranges music for television and radio commercials.

From a special generation of musicians, four jazz masters come together and celebrate 30 years of sharing music together. Deeply rooted in tradition, with an indelible emphasis on swing and infectious melody, the Humanity Quartet represents a sharing of ideas and feelings that bring people together in an increasingly divided world.

Of the eight pieces that make up the present recital, a full seven of them are penned by Shulman. He manages to pique our interest via sagacious horn voicings and a varied selection of tempos and moods. Revisiting a tried and true vernacular that continues to provide fodder, his musical sensibilities here lie somewhere between Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool and Art Pepper's Plus Eleven album.

Cellar Music Group, in association with the SmallsLIVE Foundation, is thrilled to announce the release of Aliens & Wizards, the new album by the Spike Wilner Trio. Recorded at the height of the pandemic, Aliens & Wizards features newly composed music by jazz veteran and impresario Spike Wilner, with the addition of several thoughtful renditions of jazz standards. This spirited release is the follow-up to the trio's 2017 Cellar Music Group recording Odalisque.