Cornucop�a - that is exuberant imagination, musicality and creativity all in one. The way Ivan Lins and the SWR Big Band combine two different worlds on Cornucop�a, the present album has the stuff to become a milestone. For the Brazilian superstar, the CD is the best he has ever made. This also applies to the SWR Big Band and Ralf Schmid, who are following on from the predecessor album "Bossa nova" in the uncompromising pursuit of their very own musical mode of expression, which also includes, for example, electronic elements. A grandiose m�lange from Brazil and Germany, from Rio de Janeiro and from Stuttgart, where the SWR Big Band is based.

SPIRIT OF THE GARDEN

Denny Zeitlin has recorded over thirty critically acclaimed albums; twice won first place in the Down Beat International Jazz Critics Poll; written original music for Sesame Street; and appeared on network TV, including repeats on the Tonight Show, and CBS Sunday Morning. Zeitlin's lecture-demonstration "Unlocking the Creative Impulse: The Psychology of Improvisation" has been presented across the U.S. and in Europe. He has concertized throughout the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Europe, at colleges, jazz clubs, and major festivals; appearing with jazz greats such as Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Tony Williams, Bobby Hutcherson, John Patitucci, John Abercrombie, Marian McPartland, Charlie Haden, David Grisman, Kronos Quartet, Paul Winter, David Friesen, Matt Wilson, Buster Williams and many others.

REVEALING ESSENCE

VANGUARD DATE

Paris-born, New York City based pianist Jean-Michel Pilc explores this concept in depth on his new solo release, What Is This Thing Called? Under the most optimal conditions, Pilc recorded what amounts to unique themes and variations based on the much-revered Cole Porter chestnut, "What Is This Thing Called Love?" Instead of creating a tedious exercise in rehashing similar idea after similar idea, the recording presents a tremendous portrait of the vast musical language Pilc has developed over his three decades as a professional jazz musician.

COMPLETE LUTE WORKS

THOUSAND JULYS

TALES

MYSTERY

JOURNEY TO JOURNEY

Studio recordings are wonderful documents of musicians and ensembles at certain milestones, yet they can be a bit unfair to both listeners and musicians who are interested in the natural development of the music. These recordings remain one of the only reliable ways to disseminate music but are generally recorded with newly learned material and time limitations. There would be little regard to evolution of the music. This meant that listeners have been limited to hearing groups live to understand the true, working relationship between the musicians and the music. Pianist/composer Edward Simon has recognized this disparity and has decided to release the first live recording in his discography, Live in New York at Jazz Standard. The recording was done with his outstanding trio featuring two astounding sidemen, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade.

MUSIC FOR SEPTEMBER

NAMELESS NEIGHBORS

Magic Beans is Benny Green's ode to the magic chemistry of Blue Note musicians such as Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Donald Byrd, Wayne Shorter and Art Blakey, his employer of 25 years ago. The contemporary chemistry of Green on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums recalls the Bud Powell Blue Note trio sessions with a 2013 spin.