Articles by Cheryl K.
Kris Davis with The Lutosławski Quartet, Carolyn Trowbridge, Shifa شفاء
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, cuts from new releases by pianist/composer Kris Davis with Poland's Lutosławski Quartet; guitarist Dave Stryker; saxophonist Roberto Ottaviano; vibraphonist and multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Trowbridge; the Joe Policastro Trio; and the trio Shifa شفاء. Playlist Matthew Shipp Trio “Ball in Space" from The Conduct of Jazz (Thirsty Ear) 6:47 Kris Davis with The Lutosławski Quartet “Ghost Reefs" from The Solastalgia Suite (Pyroclastic) 2:39 Dr. Kristen R. Bromley “Cherished Moments" from ...
Continue ReadingCheryl K's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
by Cheryl K.
Being asked to list my “Best Of" releases of 2025 for AAJ was more torturous to my soul than cleaning the grout of my bathtub walls. I'm one of those folks who only needs a few dishes listed on a restaurant menu or I begin to get light-headed. And just like last year, I struggled with which recordings stuck with me and which ones were but brief dalliances--but remembering that all are part of the tight-knit fabric of jazz and ...
Continue ReadingMarques Carroll, Acquaphonica, Glenn Makos & BRū, Paul Colombo Group
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music--and before we hit the ground runnin' in 2026, a few selections from 2025 from vocalist Nnenna Freelon, the quartet Acquaphonica, and vibraphonist Patricia Brennan. Looking forward to this year's musical offerings, beginning with saxophonist Oscar Lavën, guitarist Paul Colombo, and bassist Peter Paulsen's TurksHeadKnot Quintet.Playlist Lou Donaldson “Potbelly" from Pretty Things (Blue Note) 8:11 Adrienne Fenemor “Lover's Embrace" from Mo' Puddin' (Adrienne Fenemor) 5:09 Nnenna Freelon “These Stories ...
Continue ReadingEydís Evensen, Orlando Molina, Rempis-Adasiewicz-Corsano, Out Of/Into
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, holiday music from organist Don Patterson, vocalist Darius de Haas, and trumpeter Louis Armstrong and The Commanders; also, new music from pianists Eydís Evensen, Sean Mason, and Jahari Stampley; saxophonists Ivo Perelman, John Butcher, and Kevin Sun; and guitarist Kevin Brown fronting a quintet.Playlist Mel Tormé “Just Look Around/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from Christmas Songs (Telarc) 3:51 Eydís Evensen “Eternal" from Oceanic Mirror (XXIM) 3:05 Sean ...
Continue ReadingPeter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective, Maria Kaushansky, Patrick Smith, Wayne Wilkinson
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, trombonist Peter Lin and the AAPI Jazz Collective; the Travis Jenkins Piano Trio; pianists Maria Kaushansky and Andrew Carroll; drummer Roy Brooks from 1963 and 1972; saxophonist Patrick Smith; and guitarists Louis Stewart (with pianist Jim Doherty), John Scofield (w/bassist Dave Holland), Charlie Byrd (featuring The Washington Guitar Quintet), and Wayne Wilkinson (leading a trio).Playlist Pharoah Sanders “Astral Traveling (Boozoo Bajou Remix)" from Cocktails (Universal Music) 5:49 Peter ...
Continue ReadingJohn Donegan Trio, Linda Dachtyl, Horace Silver, Rufus Wainwright
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, more music than one could hope for. We start with saxophonist Yusef Lateef; then onto vocalists Rufus Wainwright and Sacha Boutros; the John Donegan Trio; guitarist Brent Laidler; drummer Al Foster; the trio Organology; the duo Inclusion Principle with their fourth EP of the year; and The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Playlist Yusef Lateef “The Beginning" from Jazz Mood (Savoy, 1957, reissued by Craft Recordings, 2025) 4:31 Lauren Henderson ...
Continue ReadingMeet pianist and composer Kate Wyatt
by Cheryl K.
In this hour, an interview with award-winning Canadian pianist and composer Kate Wyatt. Her self-produced trio release is “Murmurations" with bassist Adrian Vedady and drummer Louis-Vincent Hamel.Playlist Patricia Brennan “Citlalli" from Of The Near and Far (Pyroclastic) 4:19 Billy Hart “Amethyst" from Multidirectional (Smoke Sessions) 9:29 [excerpt] Kate Wyatt “Succession" from Murmurations (Kate Wyatt) 5:01 [excerpt] Kate Wyatt “Embers" from Murmurations (Kate Wyatt) 6:06 [excerpt] Kate Wyatt “Murmurations" from Murmurations (Kate Wyatt) 6:06 [excerpt] Kate Wyatt “Mack the ...
Continue ReadingJosie Falbo, Leandro Cardenas, Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, choice cuts from new releases by saxophonist Lena Bloch; vocalist Josie Falbo; guitarists Tom Ollendorff and Jon Fadem; clarinetist and composer Leandro Cardenas; five decades of studio, demo and live recordings from drummer Gary Husbands' personal archives; the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet; and multi--reed player Rick Keller.Playlist Rabih Abou-Khalile “Revelation" from Roots & Sprouts (enja) 5:42 Jane Ira Bloom-Brian Shankar Adler “Once Like a Spark" from Drums Like ...
Continue ReadingMeet John O'Gallagher
by Cheryl K.
In this hour, an interview with saxophonist, composer, and educator John O'Gallagher. His release Ancestral on Whirlwind Recordings is with drummers Andrew Cyrille and Billy Hart and guitar Ben Monder. Plus, selections from new releases by pianist Pat Thomas and the Brooklyn, NY-based trio Prawntail.Playlist Louis Stewart-Brian Dunning “West Coast Blues" from Alone Together (Livia) 4:38 Russ Macklem “Theme for Detroit" from Introducing The Russ Macklem Quintet (TQM Recording Co.) 8:32 [excerpt] John O'Gallagher “Profess" from Ancestral (Whirlwind ...
Continue Readingkansha 感謝, The Kronstadt Collective, Carlos Dafé, Jakob Dreyer
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, selections from new releases by singer-songwriter Phylipe Nunes Araujo; the collective kansha 感謝; pianist Aaron Parks; The Kronstadt Collective (vocalist Gina Kronstadt); Brazilian singer/multi-instrumentalist Carlos Dafé; saxophonist John O'Gallagher; and bassist Jakob Dreyer.Playlist Bob Mover and Walter Davis, Jr. “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square from /The Salerno Concert (Reel to Real) 7:26 Samara Joy “Autumn Nocturne" from Portrait (Verve) 3:45 Phylipe Nunes Araujo “Asa" from Phylipe Nunes ...
Continue Reading
