1 st Avenue

The Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys, Fifth Avenue, New York with their director John Scott release a compelling recording of the contrasting Requiems by close contemporaries Maurice Duruflé and Herbert Howells. Completing the album is Ralph Vaughan Williamss setting of Mr Valiant-for-Truths speech from John Bunyans The Pilgrims Progress. The final release in this series of recordings from the Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys and their late director John Scott.

Womanchild is the 2013 release by award-winning jazz vocalist, Cecile McLorin Salvant. The recording finds Cecile interpreting songs spanning three centuries of American music. Joining Cecile are pianist Aaron Diehl, bassist Rodney Whitaker, guitarist James Chirillo and drummer Herlin Riley. The album gives music lovers the opportunity to hear her captivating vocals which earned her top honors at the Monk Competition.

The French can swing hard. Let Andre Ceccarelli's 2005 release Avenue des Diables Blues be evidence of this. Frenchmen drummer Ceccarelli and guitarist Bireli Lagrene along with Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond organ display fine technique and wisely executed playing all throughout this Parisian release.