Jazz 2025

Francis Albert Sinatra (/sɪˈnɑːtrə/; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. Sinatra is among the world's best-selling music artists, with an estimated 150 million record sales globally.

Influenced by Ray Brown and Ron Carter, standup bassist John Patitucci is best known for his time spent with Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter. Many of his most recent albums have been in configurations with drummer Brain Blade, and on Spirit Fall, the two team with tenor and soprano saxophonist Chris Potter as the John Patitucci Trio. Recorded in one day at Brooklyn's Bunker studio, this session is composed entirely of original Patitucci compositions with the exception of Shorter's "House of Jade." Trio formats allow for lots of soloing freedom for each player and on "Deluge on 7th Ave," Patitucci slides into the groove via a lengthy opening solo. Potter follows, playing the tune's winding midtempo melody while the ever-resourceful Blade adds tasteful cymbal, tom and snare work in the background. At the center of the track is Patitucci's fully absorbed solo playing, a skill that makes him one of the most recognizable bass voices today. The title track opens with Patitucci playing bass in its higher, guitar-like register before Potter enters on soprano saxophone, weaving a dexterous line where at times he's blowing hard and at other moments he's easing into long melodic lines.

Scott Joplin (November 24, 1868 – April 1, 1917) was an American composer and pianist. Dubbed the "King of Ragtime", he composed more than 40 ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas.

In Soft Winds and Roses, Singer Diana Panton reimagines modern classics from the 1960s onward, infusing each song with her unmistakable elegance and soul-stirring artistry. With an alchemist’s touch, she transforms every melody, making it undeniably her own. Winner of three Juno Awards and three Silver Disc Awards, Diana is a rare talent—an artist whose voice is pure magic.

Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor, and comedian. Nicknamed the "King of Cool", he is regarded as one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century. Martin gained his career breakthrough together with comedian Jerry Lewis, billed as Martin and Lewis, in 1946. They performed in nightclubs and later had numerous appearances on radio and television and in films.

Lafcadio Hearn is an author who spent much of his life researching, documenting, and preserving the ancient folk tales of Japan. He published a series of books in the late 19th and early 20th century including In Ghostly Japan, Kwaidan, and Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan. Inspired by these evocative stories Ikue captures a glimpse of these mysterious ancient myths, summoning Fox-women, insects, ghosts, goblins, dreams, and delusions. This charming collection of instrumental miniatures is some of her most beautiful and sensual solo music to date.

Eight years after Blue Maqams, Anouar Brahem returns with a poignant project, titled after a line of verse by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, which asks "Where should the birds fly, after the last sky?" Graceful chamber pieces for oud, cello, piano and bass subtly address the metaphysical question and its broad resonances in a troubled time. While drawing upon the traditional modes of Arab music, Brahem has consistently sought to engage with the wider world, too, and found inspiration in many sources from different cultures.

Porté à la fois par un besoin d’insouciance et une urgence humaniste, MEAJAM raconte dans ce nouvel album l’histoire d’UTOPIA. Une entité qui malgré sa condition humaine, renoue avec son environnement : la fascination pour un chêne immense et enveloppant, le chant hypnotisant d’un ruisseau, le souffle chaud ou glacial du vent… Un retour aux sources qui s’avère un voyage initiatique. MEAJAM y questionne en filigrane la place de l’humanité sur notre planète. Sa singularité et son inconscience. Sommes nous des enfants merveilleux (Petits cow-boys) ou des bourreaux sans foi ni loi (Château de cartes)?

The connection between language and music is as old as human history. In rituals, religious ceremonies, or storytelling, language and music merge into a unity that goes far beyond the mere transmission of information – a tradition that spans from antiquity to the present day. In language and music, people and their life paths meet, discovering connections where once there was estrangement. The new album „Nirgendland (Nessunluogo)” by Etta Scollo follows in this tradition. In it, Etta Scollo translates the poetry of Mascha Kaléko into music to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her death. Musically, „Nirgendland (Nessunluogo)“ is a work that unites various styles and genres, as Etta Scollo seeks the sound shape in each poem that suits Kaléko’s words. Through jazzy tones, elements of chanson, and intense vocal pieces, Scollo and her distinguished guests span an arc that reflects the diversity and complexity of the poems while allowing each piece to feel like a musical diorama, granting access to Kaléko and her world. Artists like clarinetist Tara Bouman, cellist Susanne Paul, and German songwriter Dota Kehr each make unique contributions to this album, characterized by a sense of community and collaboration as well as actress Eva Mattes, with whom Scollo recorded two duets. Internationally renowned musicians such as Belgian vibraphonist Els Vandeweyer and actress Maddalena Crippa also shaped the unique sound of „Nirgendland (Nessunluogo)“

From Anat Fort's "The Dreamworld of Paul Motian" (8-15-25) on Sunnyside Records.