New Music of Note: February

My monthly roundup of albums worth a listen

This month’s roundup of new CDs that caught my ear include a Canadian hard-bop quintet, a Latin-jazz history lesson, a terrific high-energy pairing of musicians in 1983, the finest Django Reinhardt tribute band and an album that takes a step back in time:

Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet—Impact. This Canadian hard-bop ensemble features Steve (piano, Fender Rhodes), Perry White (saxophone), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), Duncan Hopkins (bass) and Terry Clarke (drums). Born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1954, Steve has been playing piano since he was 4. Self-taught, he began gigging at local jazz clubs in his teens. He studied music at McGill University and took private lessons with Kenny Barron. The quintet is tight and in the pocket, and each song is more joyful than the previous one. No wonder the recording has been nominated for Canada’s Juno Award for Best Jazz Album of the Year. To listen and buy, go here.

Here’s Lalita’s Waltz…

Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band—Arsenio and Beyond (Jazzheads). Bobby Sanabria is a drummer, bandleader, arranger and Latin-jazz historian of the highest order. Unlike most historians who spend their time writing long books, Bobby explores little-known artists and brings them to life through his big band. This time, he educates us about Arsenio Rodriguez (1911-1970), the godfather of salsa. This live album by Bobby’s Multiverse Big Band was recorded nearly a year ago in the Bronx. Arsenio played the tres, as well as the tumbadora, and he specialized in son, rumba and other Afro-Cuban music styles. In the 1940s and ‘50s Arsenio created the conjunto format and contributed to the development of the son montuno, the template for modern-day salsa. This spectacular album is deserving of a Grammy. To buy, go here.

Here’s Tumba y Bongo…

Roberto Magris—Recorda-me (Archival). In March 1983, Italian pianist Roberto Magris teamed with tenor saxophonist Sal Nistico and performed at Cappella Underground in Trieste, Italy. They were backed by Flubio Sisti (alto sax), Max Sornig (bass), Gabriele Centis (drums) and an unknown conga player. Four lengthy tracks were recorded—Joe Henderson’s Recorda-me and the standards Just Friends, But Beautiful and Softly As in a Morning Sunrise. Roberto and Nestico are pure fire. Just four tracks, but what a jazz workout. To listen and buy, go here.

Here’s the title track…

Django Festival All-Stars—Evolution (Motema). I’ve seen this group at New York’s Birdland and was blown away. Their passion for soul, drama and speed are electrifying and unmatched. The quintet features Samson Schmitt (lead guitar), Ludovic Beier (accordion, accordina), Pierre Blanchard (violin), Francko Mehrstein (rhythm guitar) and Antonio Licusati (bass). Once you put this album on, you won’t be able to take it off—it’s that extraordinary. To listen and buy, go here.

Here’s Balkanic Dance…

Ricky Alexander—Ragology (Turtle Bay). Clarinetist Ricky Alexander’s heart is in the 1920s. On his third album for the Turtle Bay label, Ricky digs in on rag-based pieces. Fortunately for Ricky, he always manages to find top musicians who share his passion for the Jazz Age. Joining him here are Jerron Paxton (banjo, vocals), Conal Fowkes (piano), Bob Adkins (bass) and Kevin Dorn (drums). Given how tough this syncopated jazz is to play, it’s remarkable to listen to Ricky and his crew pull it off with precision and panache. To listen and buy, go here.

Here’s Shreveport Stomp…