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.

This recording presents a high level performance by a first class group of young and promising musicians. Trumpeter Win Pongsakorn has put together a varied selection of originals and a fresh arrangement of a well-known jazz standard - all performed with elegance, excellent taste and musicality. These four musicians possess not only a great command of their instrument, but also a deep knowledge and respect of the jazz tradition. As a group, they have a keen sense of creativity and interplay. Pianist Matyas Gayer, bassist Milan Nikolic and drummer Oleg Markov form a tight yet flexible rhythm section team, providing comfortable support for the soloist, good dynamics and a great time feel. Master trumpeter Jim Rotondi (who has been Win's teacher for the last few years) joins the band on a couple of tunes for an added treat. Mr. Win Pongsakorn, with his glowing, dark, yet well-defined tone on trumpet and flugelhorn, is both the leader and the group's main soloist

Two of Canada's finest combine for an intimate romp through the Great American Songbook.

On Two Part Solution, Frank Basile and Sam Dillon play baritone and tenor saxophone, respectively. It's a front-line pairing as rare as, well, peanut butter and fried pickles. But in the hands of these young lions, the combination sounds so good, so natural, it makes you question why we're not hearing baritone/tenor saxophone quintets pouring out of every open window.

Art, especially the big band kind of art I make, draws on history, trends and standards. Tempting though it may seem to cloister oneself in the creative process, artists (myself included) are, first and foremost, humans trying to make sense of the turbulence of these times. This is my way through the social, political, and racial cleavages that came to define 2018. I wrote much of this in what can only be called the hangover of democracy, the groping in the dark that once venerable institutions were doing in 2018. Early in the morning, with the TV bellowing in the background, I got to work-the result is perhaps inadvertently, a political and social commentary If it was accidental, it also feels deeply essential. One could only ambitiously dream up a maiden voyage like this with a collection of talented friends and mentors. Fred Stride as producer and Frank Carlberg as pianist have shaped my musical output all the while demanding my writing remain a reflection of my own individual voice. Both brilliant composers in their own right, it was their zeal to share knowledge, and their friendship that buoyed me throughout this process. Featured soloist Noah Preminger is a dear friend, and my favorite saxophonist. His bravado, virtuosity, and audacious approach to the mastery of his instrument elevated all of us. Brad Turner has been the light on the hill in my musical life since I was a teenager, featuring his improvisational voice on this record is the realization of a decades long goal. I would like to thank each and every member of this ensemble for lending their unique voice to the realization of my music. The players deftly assimilated the written music, quickly surpassing what was on the page to fully contribute to this musical tapestry.

Conceiving her 2020 debut album, vocalist Naama Gheber summoned inspiration from an intimate life on the New York bandstand. Among tapering red curtains, maple bar tops, snares and brushes, the Be'er Sheva-born artist nightly explored selections from the canon of American standards with her fellow artists - music that would become the centerpiece for Dearly Beloved.

How much is Two Much' Good question. The answer, self-evidently, is two.

In any successful partnership, both parties must be self-assured, while enabling the best of each other. And they should surround themselves with people who will support, encourage and inspire. Such it is, with Mike Melito and Dino Losito. Friends and colleagues of long-standing, they're veterans of the legendary "thruway of funk" that spans Upstate New York, from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, to Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, and every place in-between. For generations, some of the swingingest musicians in Jazz have come from that hotbed, from Stanley Turrentine and J.R. Monterose to Mel Lewis and Frankie Dunlop. The Jazz Upstate has always been characterized by a take-no-prisoners, honest-to-goodness respect for soulful expression. Joined here by tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna, whose contributions to the Jazz Scene in Philadelphia (another Jazz crucible) are well-known, and first-call New York bassist, Neal Miner, Melito and Losito have turned in a date that is at once creative but relentlessly swinging, original but steeped in tradition, elegant but funky as all get-out. Sit back, spin the record, and enjoy.

2020 release. On Day By Day, this wonderful recording by Cory Weeds featuring David Hazeltine, we hear undeniable musical chemistry. The blend of the nimble, modern touch of Hazeltine and the classic tone of Weeds' alto are a natural match. Effortless is how it sounds. Both men are studied and accomplished musicians with clear reverence not only for each other, but also the masters of the music.

In Talking Drums, Bobby Wiens presents a record steeped in pure swing, dynamic group interplay and exploration of the the sonic and textural boundaries of the classic jazz quintet. As is the case with many great artists, you can sense the marriage between tradition and innovation as they are inextricably linked within the works presented here.

Tom Keenlyside drops a poignant album featuring his wonderfully melodic and beautiful flute playing with a wonderful trio of Vancovuer jazz musicians: Miles Black on piano, Miles Hill on bass and Bernie Arai on drums. Drawing on the flute's expressive nature and tonal uniqueness he creates his own sonic place in the jazz universe. Tom Keenlyside proves that the flute belongs in the jazz lexicon.

This album is the third release of the Jeremy Manasia Trio and the second release with Charles Ruggiero and Barak Mori - two world class musicians of there ownright; (among others, Charles has played with Jane Monheit, Larry Goldings and Chuck Mangione, and Barak has performed with Anat Cohen and Peter Cincotti and currently plays with Madeleine Peyroux) A thoughtful, swinging set of piano trio music played by three of New York s finest musicians, Green Dream features original piano trio music by Manasia in the vein of Bill Evans and Brad Mehldau.

A Walk In The Park is an absolute delight to listen to from start to finish. The complexity is in the simplicity. The music reflects how Jerry is as a person: swinging and soulful. The all-star Vancouver rhythm section of pianist Chris Gestrin, bassist John Lee and drummer Jesse Cahill provide the perfect foil for Jerry's bluesy flourishes a la Arnett Cobb, Stanley Turrentine and Willis Jackson. Tenor saxophonist Jerry Cook lists Stanley Turrentine and Gene Harris among his influences, so when he leads a jazz ensemble, you just know it will be a soulful, bluesy outing. This album of standards, ballads and originals was recorded soon after Cook debuted his quartet at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver last fall. His bandmates are Chris Gestrin (piano), Jesse Cahill (drums) and John Lee (bass.) The '+' in the band's name is for guitarist Dave Sikula, who joins on certain tunes. Look forward to their Horace Silver-inspired take on 'Summertime,' a surprisingly swinging arrangement of 'Smile' and their transparent touch on 'Soul Eyes.'

After a series of serious life setbacks Joani Taylor really didn't think she was in the frame of mind to think about singing any of the beloved standard songs that were rooted deeply in her long music career. The prodding of Canadian legend, alto saxophonist PJ Perry paid off and the resulting album is a as honest a statement from a vocalist as you'll ever hear.

Montreal guitarist Sam Kirmayer follows up his award-winning 2017 debut with High and Low. Kirmayer's lyrical playing is expertly supported by NYC organist Ben Paterson and drummer Dave Laing throughout this set of originals and well chosen standards.