When you’re the daughter of a legend like Tony Bennett, the expectations can feel overwhelming—but Antonia Bennett rises beautifully to the challenge. With Expressions, she steps out confidently from her father’s shadow and into her own well-deserved spotlight.
Judy Whitmore has lived a life full of adventures—novelist, theater producer, therapist, even a pilot—and all of that life experience comes through when she sings. Her new album, Let’s Fall In Love, teams her with Grammy-nominated arranger Chris Walden and a killer group of L.A. musicians. The result? A classy, romantic ride through the "Great American Songbook".
The sound is big and lush, thanks to Walden’s orchestra (including a 22-piece string section), but Judy keeps it personal—like she’s singing right to you. Highlights for me are the dreamy A Time for Love, the swinging Taking a Chance on Love, and the playful duet with Ty Taylor on the title track. Add in solos from players like Josh Nelson (piano), Peter Erskine (drums), Wayne Bergeron (trumpet), and Hendrik Meurkens (harmonica), and you’ve got an album that sparkles from start to finish.
I’ll Take Romance
All of You
A Time for Love
Taking a Chance on Love
How Long Has This Been Going On
Let’s Fall In Love (duet with Ty Taylor)
The Very Thought of You
It’s All Right with Me
Crazy He Calls Me
More Than You Know
I’ve Got a Crush on You
How Deep Is the Ocean
Vocals – Judy Whitmore
Guest Vocal – Ty Taylor (Let’s Fall In Love)
Trumpets – Wayne Bergeron, Kye Palmer
Trombones – Andy Martin, Alex Iles
Saxophones & Woodwinds – Jeff Driskill (tenor sax), Sal Lozano, Jacob Scesney (baritone sax), Sean Franz, Chad Smith
Piano – Josh Nelson
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Bass – Edwin Livingston
Drums – Peter Erskine
Harmonica – Hendrik Meurkens
Percussion – Wade Culbreath
Arranger/Conductor/Producer – Chris Walden
Bottom line: If you love the "Great American Songbook", this album feels like a gift. Judy Whitmore and Chris Walden breathe new life into songs we’ve all cherished, and the musicianship is top-notch. Put on Let’s Fall In Love with a glass of wine, and let it sweep you away.
I attached two tracks from this CD for your listening pleasure. They are two of my favorite standards, "Taking A Chance On Love" and "The Very Thought Of You".
"Taking a Chance On Love"
Legendary bassist Rodney Whitaker’s new CD, Mosaic, offers a vibrant collaboration with the compositions of Gregg Hill—a venture for both Whitaker and Hill that proves utterly compelling, even for first-time listeners like myself. As soon as you hear the title track, “Mosaic,” you're hooked. Whitaker’s arrangements—rich, colorful, and meticulously crafted—bring Hill’s compositions to life with precision and warmth.
The album unfolds like a painting: each composition is filled with color and mood, offering a familiar comfort while simultaneously delivering the thrill of discovery. The supporting musicians, including Terell Stafford (trumpet), Dana Hall (drums), Tim Warfield (soprano sax), and Rick Roe (piano), are nothing short of masterful. Their synergy shines through every note, from lyricism to swing.
Vocalist Rockelle Whitaker lends her dreamy voice to four of Gregg Hill’s compositions—three of which she helped bring to life by writing lyrics. Her contributions add another lyrical layer and emotional depth. Tracks like “Moonscape” and “Unknown Ballad” showcase her impeccable blend of expressiveness and technical skill—holding together complex rhythms with soul and poise.
Stafford’s trumpet, Warfield’s saxophone, Hall’s dynamic drumming, and Roe’s lyrical piano all weave through the soundscape with grace and intensity. Listening to Mosaic feels like witnessing what happens when a group of seasoned jazz masters convene around bold, beautifully composed material—and the result is pure magic.
Mosaic isn’t just an album—it’s a heartfelt conversation between composer, arranger, and performers. It celebrates creative cohesion and jazz dialogue. For anyone unfamiliar with Whitaker or Hill’s work, this album is the perfect introduction—richly textured yet ear-opening, professional yet personal.
I have attached two songs from the CD for your listening pleasure. The first is the title tune, "Mosaic" that introduces the listener to the group of talented musicians who take on this beautiful soundscape. It includes brilliant solo work from Trumpeter Terrell Stafford, Dummer Dana Hall, Soprano Saxophonist Tim Warfield and Rick Roe on Piano. The second song is "Moonscape" that melts together 6/8, 12/8 and 4/4 rhythms. Rockelle Whitaker provides a great vocal to this ambitious melody that complete the beauty of the song.
Mosaic
Unknown Ballad
Claxilever
Katie’s Tune
Moonscape
Ray‑Dias
Still Life with Tuba
Sloe Gin Fizz
Stargazer
Sunday Special
Rodney Whitaker – bass & arrangements
Terell Stafford – trumpet & flugelhorn
Tim Warfield – alto, tenor & soprano saxophones
Rick Roe – piano
Dana Hall – drums
Rockelle Whitaker – vocals on four tracks (including lyric-writing)
Composer – Gregg Hill
“Live recording captures the intangible energy… It gives listeners a sense of the magic that happens when the notes are lifted off the page by these amazing musicians.”
He’s absolutely right—the palpable vitality on this CD transports you straight into the club, enveloping you in the moment, as though the band were performing just feet away.
The album kicks off with a powerhouse rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful,” featuring muscular solos from Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), Mat Jodrell (trumpet), Dave Pietro (alto sax), and Frank Kimbrough (piano). The emotional gravity continues through “The Ballad of the Sad Young Men,” where Kimbrough's understated piano and Ryan Keberle’s trombone shape a deeply introspective scene.
Truesdell dives into rare Evan’s gems with four previously unrecorded pieces. “Laughing at Life” spotlights vocalist Wendy Gilles, supported by lyrical solos from Tom Christensen and Steve Wilson. “Neetie’s Blues” is a slow‑burn revelation—Christensen’s tenor, Kimbrough’s bluesy phrasing, and Lewis Nash’s swinging drums build a soulful meditation. Gilles gracefully returns in “I Had Someone Else Before I Had You” and “It’s the Sentimental Thing to Do,” each capturing Evans’s early-Thornhill-era vocal and orchestral flair. Finally, “Buster’s Last Stand” closes the set with energizing force: Nash sets a fierce tempo, and solos from Greg Gisbert (trumpet), McCaslin (Tenor), and a full-throttle ensemble drive the piece home.
Truesdell’s live approach honors Evans’s alchemy—his arrangements breathe, shimmer, and resonate thanks to James Farber’s Grammy-winning engineering team (with Tyler McDiarmid and Geoff Countryman)—preserving audience warmth and immediacy, a hallmark of Truesdell’s mission.
Spoonful
The Ballad of the Sad Young Men
Laughing at Life
Neetie’s Blues
I Had Someone Else Before I Had You
Barbara Song
It’s the Sentimental Thing To Do
Buster’s Last Stand
Conductor
Ryan Truesdell
Woodwinds
Steve Kenyon (flute/clarinet)
Steve Wilson (soprano/alto sax, alto flute, clarinet)
Dave Pietro (alto sax, flute family)
Donny McCaslin (tenor sax, flute, clarinet)
Scott Robinson (tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet)
Brian Landrus (baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet)
Tom Christensen (alto flute, oboe, English horn)
Alden Banta (bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone sax)
French Horns
Adam Unsworth
David Peel
Trumpets
Augie Haas
Greg Gisbert
Mat Jodrell
Trombones
Ryan Keberle
Marshall Gilkes
George Flynn (bass trombone)
Tuba
Marcus Rojas
Rhythm Section & Others
James Chirillo (guitar)
Frank Kimbrough (piano)
Jay Anderson (bass)
Lewis Nash (drums)
Lois Martin (viola)
Wendy Gilles (voice)
Vocalist Deborah Silver has just released her groundbreaking new album, Basie Rocks, a vibrant and swinging reinterpretation of some of the most iconic rock classics of the last fifty years. What makes this project truly exceptional is Silver’s bold choice to reimagine these beloved hits through the rich, brassy textures and signature rhythms of the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Scotty Barnhart.
Silver explains, “These classic rock songs are actually the soundtrack of my life. As a vocalist, I have always loved performing timeless big band arrangements, and it has been incredibly exciting to bring these two worlds together.” And she does so with elegance, flair, and a voice that is as strong and confident as it is silky and seductive.
On Basie Rocks, Deborah Silver doesn’t simply cover rock tunes—she transforms them. Each track is revitalized with swaggering horn sections, swinging rhythm, and sophisticated jazz phrasing. From high-energy anthems to tender ballads, the album is a seamless and joyful fusion of three powerhouse elements: the timeless melodies of classic rock, the infectious swing of the Count Basie Orchestra, and the luxurious voice of Deborah Silver.
A large cast of super talented "Hall of Fame" musicians contributed to this project. their contributions make "Basie Rocks" one of the year's best Jazz album! The group included Peter Frampton, Kurt Elling, Steve Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Pedrito Martinez, John Clayton, Monte Croft, Trombone Shorty, Bill Frisell, George Coleman, Wycliffe Gordon, Herlin Riley and Scotty Barnhart.
I have attached two cuts from "Basie Rocks" for your listening pleasure. The first is the Sting block buster, "Every Breath You Take" and the second is the Rolling Stone's classic "Paint It, Black" with a wonderful solo from Arturo Sandoval.
"Every Breath You Take" "Paint It, Black"PLAYLIST:
Paint It, Black (feat. Arturo Sandoval & Pedrito MartÃnez)
Bennie and the Jets
Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)
Tainted Love (feat. Kurt Elling, Steve Jordan & John Clayton)
Band on the Run
A Hard Day’s Night (feat. Monte Croft)
Joy to the World (feat. Trombone Shorty)
Fly Like an Eagle (feat. Bill Frisell)
Every Breath You Take (feat. George Coleman)
Old Time Rock & Roll (feat. Wycliffe Gordon & Herlin Riley)
Life’s Been Good (feat. Scotty Barnhart)
Deborah Silver – Vocals
The Count Basie Orchestra – Full ensemble conducted by Scotty Barnhart
Arturo Sandoval – Trumpet
Pedrito MartÃnez – Percussion
Peter Frampton – Guitar
Kurt Elling – Vocals
Steve Jordan – Drums & Co-producer
John Clayton – Bass
Monte Croft – Vibraphone
Trombone Shorty – Trombone & Vocals
Bill Frisell – Guitar
George Coleman – Tenor Saxophone
Wycliffe Gordon – Trombone & Vocals
Herlin Riley – Drums/Washboard
Lisa Fischer & Bernard Fowler – Background Vocals
The Count Basie Orchestra’s deep roster includes standout players such as David Glasser, Frank Greene, Clarence Banks, Glen Pearson, Will Matthews, Trevor Ware, and Robert Boone, among others—each contributing their own Basie-authentic flair to the production.
Guitarist and composer James Zito makes a powerful and compelling debut as a bandleader with "Zito’s Jump", a richly conceived album that showcases not only his exceptional guitar skills but also his remarkable gifts as a composer and arranger. At just 28 years old, Zito demonstrates a depth of musicality and maturity that belies his age, drawing clear inspiration from jazz legends Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, and George Benson—yet bringing his own fresh voice to the genre with confidence and finesse.
The album is a well-crafted journey through twelve tracks, seamlessly blending six Zito originals with six timeless jazz standards. The interplay between the new and the familiar is so fluid that it becomes difficult to distinguish where tradition ends and innovation begins. Zito’s original compositions—such as the title track "Zito’s Jump", the breezy "Island Girl", and the beautifully lyrical "Pense Nisso" (“Think About It”) in Portuguese)—stand shoulder to shoulder with standards like "The Nearness of You", " and the upbeat classic "After You’ve Gone".
"After You’ve Gone" is given a spirited and modern reading, brimming with swing and personality. In contrast, "Pense Nisso" reveals Zito’s more introspective side—a melodic and harmonically rich composition that lingers long after the final chord fades. These two selections alone offer a glimpse into Zito’s range, from exhilarating virtuosity to poignant lyricism.
Zito’s band on this album is nothing short of stellar. Featuring jazz luminaries such as drummer Joe Farnsworth and bassist Rodney Whitaker, as well as a dynamic lineup of emerging talents including Luther Allison on piano and Chris Lewis on tenor sax and flute, the ensemble brings Zito’s vision vividly to life. Vocalists Georgia Heers and Tyreek Mcdole add further texture and soul to the project, while the horn section—including Nicholas DiMaria (trumpet), Joseph Miller (alto sax), Jack Kotze (trombone), and Jarien Jamanila (baritone sax)—adds depth and swing in all the right places.
A New York City native, Zito has already graced the stages of top-tier jazz venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Birdland, The Django, and The Blue Note. His recent completion of Juilliard’s prestigious Artist Diploma program adds another layer of credibility to his rapidly rising career.
"Zito’s Jump" is a confident and exciting debut—one that not only honors jazz tradition but also pushes it forward. James Zito is clearly an artist to watch, and this album is a strong indication that his voice will be an influential one in the next generation of jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed this recording and eagerly await what Zito will share with us next.
I have attached two songs from the album, the first is an up-tempo version of the classic evergreen, "After You Have Gone" and the second is a beautiful Zito original composition entitled, "Pense Nisso" that means "Think About It" in Portuguese.
"After You've Gone"
Trombonist, vocalist, professor, and composer Pete McGuinness has recently released his band’s fourth CD, Mixed Bag. From the very first track, the album lives up to its name — offering a vibrant and eclectic collection of big band jazz that is both rooted in tradition and bursting with originality. McGuinness, long respected as a multifaceted musician, delivers a standout project that showcases his masterful ability to breathe new life into the large ensemble format.
Alexis Cole — " Taking My Seat" Alexis Cole is a singer I have admired for years. She has been making beautiful music with her gol...
