Tuesday, April 14, 2020

New Music Releases: Art Blakely & The Jazz Messengers, Frequent Flyers, Jonah Parzen-Johnson

Art Blakely & The Jazz Messengers – Just Coolin’

Coming on April 24 is Just Coolin’, a never-before-released studio album by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers that was recorded on March 8, 1959 in Rudy Van Gelder's living room studio in Hackensack, NJ. The session featured a short-lived line-up of The Jazz Messengers with drummer Art Blakey, trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Bobby Timmons & bassist Jymie Merritt. The album features two previously unissued compositions including Timmons’ tune “Quick Trick,” which is available now to stream or download. Just Coolin’ can be pre-ordered on CD, download & an all-analog 180g vinyl pressing mastered by Kevin Gray. 


Frequent Flyers – Infinity

Frequent Flyers is an ensemble founded by drummer and composer John Stewart. Originally from Wales, John is now based in London and spends his time recording, performing and producing. The music of Frequent Flyers is heavily influenced by artists like Snarky Puppy, Transatlantic, Frank Zappa, Yes, Tigran Hamasyan, and Michel Camilo. The idea for the group began in late 2014 when John started composing instrumental music that mixed his varying influences which include Jazz, Rock, Latin, Metal, Prog, and many others. With a set-up of Keyboards, Drums, Bass and a String Quartet, the resulting sound is diversified, as the instrumentation takes on any style and molds it into their own unique sound


Jonah Parzen-Johnson – Imagine Giving Up

Brooklyn based baritone saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson presents his new work ‘Imagine Giving Up’ on Helsinki’s We Jazz Records. The album sees Parzen-Johnson move into new domains of sound as he uncovers newfound energy and pulse in his music. In addition to the sonically rich analog synth elements that accompany his earlier solo saxophone work, Jonah has layered heavily sound designed samples of his own saxophone to create truly one of a kind percussive snaps, reverberant basses, and warbling leads. At its core, the music remains deeply devoted to almost vocal sounding melodic lines and patiently developed compositional ideas.A compact set of 6 originals, “Imagine Giving Up” is Jonah Parzen-Johnson’s most ambitious album yet. While taking a step away from the previous world of “ambient jazz”, his new music stems from the use of drone-like sounds for baritone saxophone, a style which is uniquely his own. Electronics are blended in for good measure, creating a coherent vision of abstract jazz with depth.



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