TwitJazzNet Round Robin Results #1: New Jazz in 2010

Last Tuesday, we posed a question to the followers, fans, contributors, and anyone else connected to TwitJazzNet:

Question #1: Since January 1st, 2010, you've probably been exposed to some jazz you've never heard before, new or old. Name the one recording you've heard since the beginning of the year (in the last two months) that has ignited or re-ignited your passion for jazz the most.

For your Friday morning inspiration, here are the ten -- yup, count 'em, 10 -- responses...

Juan-Carlos Hernandez  -- jchernandezjazz on Twitter, and a fabulous photographer -- selected the soon-to-be-released recording by New York guitarist Scott DuBois titled, Black Hawk Dance. I'll second that recommendation: Scott and I became friends and played together often when we did our Masters degrees together at Manhattan School of Music -- he was a stellar improviser back then at twenty-two, and his latest projects and recordings since demonstrate his playing reaching to new heights of brilliance. You can listen to a preview of the new recording on his website.

Federico Antin -- Euskir on Twitter -- selected the latest recording by legendary South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim titled Bombela. The album features Ibrahim with the WDR Big Band Cologne, arranged and conducted by Steve Gray. My uncle hipped me to his Water from an Ancient Well years ago, and I've been a fan ever since. Sounds like this is a must-have for my collection!

MaryamLovesJazz on Twitter recommended a D.C.-area saxophonist, Grant Langford. She's been listening to the many streaming tracks available on his site, and suggested his original composition "Odd Man Out" as her favorite of late. This guy swings like a madman, can play in a variety of styles, and certainly knows his way around his horn. I'll be visiting his site often after hearing his rendition of Bud Powell's "Un Poco Loco" -- just burning! (She also added Twitter musicians at @thomasheflin @natesmithdrums @markplaystbone and @dredscotttrio)

Brussels saxophonist Joe Higham -- joehighman on Twitter -- posted, "If it's one CD (since Jan 2010) then I'd say The Journey from Mujician". I knew nothing about this British jazz group until poking around on the web, but I will certainly be seeking out their records after my exploration and Mr. Higham's recommendation. The recordings appear to be somewhat hard-to-find here in the United States, but perhaps folks in other parts of the world will have better luck.

Pianist Barry Dallman of Play Jazz blog - playjazzblog on Twitter -- responded, "(I'm) a bit behind the times perhaps, but have just discovered pianists Robert Glasper and Aaron Parks. Actually discovered both via NextBop. NextBop has been my main source for discovering new sounds so far this year." I couldn't recommend two more happening pianists myself. I've know Aaron since he was fifteen, so I'm a bit biased towards him, but Robert plays a whole ton of piano, too.They are both probing for new sounds and concepts with jazz music, but are also extremely well-versed in the history of the music.

My Seattle-area colleague Jason Parker -- 1workinmusician on Twitter and great trumpet player getting ready for his Spring tour -- selected a group of local high school students making some serious waves under the leadership of trombone phenom Andy Clausen. Follow, by the Andy Clausen sextet, is sure to start turning heads -- you can stream the entire album on his Bandcamp site, or just drop a few bucks to get the album and support some seriously hard-working students that sound like pros. He just got back from college auditions at Julliard and Manhattan School of Music, so I know he could use the money!

Virginia music lover Fred Isler -- fredr1c on Twitter (and also has a great stream on blip.fm) -- sent in this reply:

For me, the "new" revelation so far this year is Anouar Brahem, Dave Holland and John Surman, Thimar, 1998. It's truly transcendent improvisation; this album's moved me the most since 1 January. Give "Kashf!" and "Mazad!" a listen on YouTube if you're not already familiar with this incredible album.

Thimar has opened the door for me to other great albums by Brahem, including The Astounding Eyes of Rita.

I think that says it all, especially after listening to those tracks! Great choice, Fred -- thank you, thank you!

Oregonian Will Lepaz -- _SDO on Twitter -- said, "I'd have to say my favorite new Jazz is from Beverly Ritz's Lacey Mae CD. Respectfully artistic, classic jazz piano." After giving a few tracks a listen, I decided I couldn't put it better myself -- "respectfully artistic, classic jazz piano" is on the money.

She's been at this Twitter game for a while now -- Donna from ElementsofJazz on Twitter -- and seems to have her fingers on all kinds of different music, so I was curious to hear her choice. She decided "to go with Treacherous, a CD by the Tony Gairo-Gary Rissmiller Jazz Orchestra. This is a big band that swings. The modern sound and nuances make it enjoyable to listen to from beginning to end." I play in lots of big bands here in Seattle, so I'm always interested in what's going on with that instrumentation, and this group from Pennsylvania delivers on lots of levels -- my brain is saying, "Must go find... must go find..."

Last and hopefully not least is my own selection for the Round Robin. I recently met a fabulous trombonist from Sweden via Twitter, and after listening to his big band project, I knew I had my choice. He's a beautiful player, a great composer and arranger, and once I found out we had both studied with Jiggs Whigham AND Conrad Herwig, I felt like I had a long-lost brother across the Atlantic. Please check out the music of Anders Larson -- his original composition "One Less" on YouTube really grabbed me, and it sounds like there is much more to come once the official recording is released. I hope you enjoy -- his playing and writing have certainly inspired me of late.

That's it for our first official TwitJazzNet Round Robin Question and Results -- stay tuned for another next week! Not sure about the topic yet, but I do have some ideas. Do you? Feel free to add in the comments, and thanks for reading!

Written by David Marriott, Jr. (@redraspus)