Mike Clark Marks 79th Birthday with Itai Doshin: A Fearless New Album on Wide Hive Records

As ever, drummer Mike Clark refuses to conform to anyone’s expectations on Itai Doshin, set for release October 3, 2025—the leader’s 79th birthday—via Wide Hive Records. The celebrated Californian’s second Wide Hive album is a searing set of (mostly) straight-ahead jazz that keeps listeners guessing, even as it never wavers from Clark’s solid, unerring sense of swing.

Joining Clark for the festivities is a true all-star quintet: trumpeter and NEA Jazz Master Eddie Henderson, tenor saxophonist Craig Handy, pianist Patrice Rushen, and bassist Henry “The Skipper” Franklin.

What “Itai Doshin” Means

The album’s title, Itai Doshin, comes from Japanese and translates to “many in body, one in mind.” Rooted in Nichiren Buddhism, it describes a state in which people unite in both spirit and purpose. Jazz musicians might call it being “in the pocket.” On this album, Clark and company embody that concept fully—finding a shared groove and passing it seamlessly among one another in improvisations.

“Itai Doshin accurately and honestly captures where I am as a jazz artist at this point,” Clark explains. “The artists I have chosen to play on this date, along with the arrangements of Towner Galaher, brought my musical vision to life. … As a Buddhist bandleader, I can say that this band delivers Actual Proof!”

Inside the Music

Produced by Wide Hive’s Gregory Howe, arranged by drummer Towner Galaher, and framed by two hard-driving versions of Thelonious Monk’s “Epistrophy” (Clark’s unofficial theme song), the album thrives on variety and surprise.

Highlights include:

• A tender ballad treatment of Ray Noble’s “Cherokee”, with a luminous Franklin solo.

• A funk-infused Fender Rhodes spin on Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.”

• Clark’s own rollicking jump-blues original, “Yakini’s Dance,” driven by Henderson and Rushen.

• An unexpected free-jazz workout, “Savant Clark,” showcasing Clark’s rhythmic abstraction and ties to his boundary-breaking past.

This eclecticism reflects Clark’s wide-ranging career—from his iconic role in Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters to his decades of collaborations with artists like Tony Bennett, Dave Liebman, Julius Hemphill, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and countless others.

A Life in Rhythm

Born in Sacramento, California, on October 3, 1946, Clark was raised in a household where jazz ran deep—his father, George, was both a union man and a drummer. By age four, Clark was already astounding his father with Gene Krupa licks and sitting in with bands.

By the early 1970s, Clark had become a central figure in the Bay Area jazz scene, working seven nights a week with bassist Paul Jackson before joining Hancock’s Headhunters in 1973. That gig secured Clark’s place as one of jazz and funk’s most distinctive drummers, known for fusing groove, swing, and bold improvisation.

Over the decades, Clark has never stopped evolving, building a discography that cements his reputation as both an innovator and a torchbearer of jazz tradition.

Release Shows

Clark will celebrate the release of Itai Doshin with live performances featuring the album band (with Essiet Essiet subbing for Franklin):

• SFJAZZ, San Francisco – Saturday, Oct. 4 & Sunday, Oct. 5

• Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz – Monday, Oct. 6

With Itai Doshin, Mike Clark demonstrates that at 79, he’s still not only swinging, but pushing jazz forward with fearless energy and creativity.

Nick Gomez Drops Jazz-Funk Single ‘Stimulus’ as Hollywood Grit Hits Theatres Nationwide

For jazz saxophonist Nick Gomez, this week has been nothing short of career-defining. His fiery new jazz-funk single, “Stimulus”, dropped on Friday, the very same day that Hollywood Grit—the noir-inspired feature film for which Gomez composed the score and cowrote, produced, and arranged ten songs—opened in 22 AMC Theatres across the U.S.

The milestones arrive as Gomez also marks a personal achievement: six years of sobriety, a turning point that he says made all of these successes possible.

“‘Stimulus’ was born out of one of the most uncertain moments of my life. I made the decision to get sober in August of 2019. Six months later, the world shut down due to the pandemic… Eventually, I found my way back to music. When those stimulus checks started going out, that spark gave me the freedom to pick up my horn and write again. ‘Stimulus’ channels that spirit of joy, freedom, and gratitude into song,” Gomez explained.

Pulling inspiration from the high-energy grooves of James Brown and Motown Records, “Stimulus” is a full-throttle funk workout. Gomez’s tenor saxophone leads the charge, but each member of his quartet—Jon Gus (guitar), Steve Aguilar (Hammond B3), Russell Walters (bass), and Joshua Zeigler (drums)—gets their moment to shine. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence adds brass firepower to the mix.

The single already began collecting radio playlist adds this week and is accompanied by a vibrant music video, filmed at Total Access Studios in Redondo Beach, now streaming on YouTube: Watch “Stimulus” here.

Meanwhile, Gomez’s work on Hollywood Grit is equally ambitious. The saxophonist composed sixty minutes of original music for the film, collaborating closely with director Ryan Curtis (a creative partner since 2014). The soundtrack blends big band, straight-ahead, contemporary, orchestral, avant-garde, and free jazz with flashes of R&B, pop, and funk. The result is a rich sonic palette that plays as much of a starring role as the actors, who include Max Martini, Tyrese Gibson, Linda Purl, and Patrick Duffy.

Both the soundtrack (listen here) and film score (listen here) are available now.

Next up, Gomez will kick off a three-month residency at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach starting October 12, performing one show each month.

An eight-time Emmy Award nominee, Gomez has long been a creative force in both the music and entertainment worlds. But with “Stimulus” and Hollywood Grit, 2025 may mark his boldest leap forward yet.

Chad Lawson’s Where We Are, Together: A Healing Musical Offering for World Mental Health Day

*"Lawson gives listeners something grounding to come back to when life starts to feel out of control." — Equinox

Pianist, podcaster, and certified breathwork educator Chad Lawson has announced his new EP, Where We Are, Together — a three-song collection reimagining music from his 2024 album Where We Are. The new project, arranged by Geoff Lawson, embraces community, collaboration, and healing, aligning with World Mental Health Day 2025.

Releasing October 10 via Decca Records US, the EP features striking collaborations with VOCES8, violinist Esther Abrami, cellist Seth Parker Woods, harpist Ashley Jackson, and lyrics by acclaimed poet Rupi Kaur. Visual artist and writer Morgan Harper Nichols designed the artwork, creating a vivid visual expression of the project’s message.

The lead single, “Solace (Together)”, is out now, blending an excerpt from Rupi Kaur’s The Sun and Her Flowers with arrangements for VOCES8 and Woods. The track embodies Lawson’s belief that healing feels more possible when experienced in connection with others.

“At its core, Where We Are, Together is about something simple — how healing feels a little more possible when we don’t feel so alone,” Lawson explains. “I didn’t want this to be a solo project. I wanted it to feel shared. Like something made with others, not just by me.”

Expanding His Mission of Wellness Through Music

This EP follows Lawson’s single “Where There Is Hope”, released July 12 for the inaugural International Day of Hope, a new United Nations observance dedicated to combating hopelessness with resources and strategies for emotional resilience.

With Where We Are, Together, Lawson continues his mission to create music that promotes wellness and awareness. Earlier in 2025, he released Where We Are: Unity Edition for Mental Health Awareness Month, adding new tracks and reworks to his 2024 full-length. His 2023 double album breathe, created for National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, was hailed by Forbes as “melodic and soothing.”

Beyond recordings, Lawson reaches audiences through his iHeart-nominated podcast Calm It Down, which explores mindfulness and emotional health, amassing over 6 million downloads to date. He has also brought his music and breathwork practices into the offices of Amazon, Nike, and Peloton, and to children’s hospitals through his ongoing collaboration with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

With over 1 billion streams, soundtrack placements on The Walking Dead, Vampire Diaries, and campaigns for Chevrolet, Microsoft, and Delta, Lawson’s music continues to balance mainstream reach with deeply personal impact.

Tracklist – Where We Are, Together

1. Solace (Together) [with VOCES8, Seth Parker Woods, lyrics by Rupi Kaur]

2. Sanctuary (Together) [with Esther Abrami]

3. Like The Stars In The Sky (Together) [with Ashley Jackson]

Chad Lawson’s Where We Are, Together arrives October 10, 2025, on World Mental Health Day, reminding listeners that being human was never meant to be a solo act.

Ledisi Honors Dinah Washington with For Dinah: New Album Out October 3 + Worldwide Tour

Grammy-winning vocalist Ledisi has released her luminous new rendition of “What a Difference a Day Made,” the Dinah Washington classic that earned the pioneering singer a GRAMMY in 1959 and a place in the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 1998. Arriving just in time to celebrate what would have been Washington’s 101st birthday on August 29, Ledisi’s interpretation is both reverent and boldly personal, honoring Dinah’s influence while asserting her own artistry.

The track is the latest preview from For Dinah, Ledisi’s forthcoming album due October 3 via Candid Records. Co-produced by Christian McBride and longtime collaborator Rex Rideout, the album is Ledisi’s deeply personal tribute to her lifelong hero — a fearless woman who opened doors for generations to follow.

“For Dinah blends my own soul with Dinah’s bold spirit,” says Ledisi. “She gave me permission to move freely, create freely, and lead as a woman in music. Before there was Aretha, there was Dinah. Instead of asking me ‘Why Dinah?,’ you should be asking ‘Why not Dinah?’”

The album features collaborations with Gregory Porter (“You’ve Got What It Takes”), Christian McBride (“You Don’t Know What Love Is”), and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., alongside rising pianist Michael King.

🎧 Listen to “What a Difference a Day Made”
🎥 Watch the live performance video

For Dinah Tracklist

1. What A Difference A Day Made

2. If I Never Get To Heaven

3. Caravan

4. Let’s Do It

5. You Don’t Know What Love Is (feat. Christian McBride)

6. You’ve Got What It Takes (feat. Gregory Porter)

7. You Go To My Head (feat. Paul Jackson Jr.)

8. The Bitter Earth

North America Tour Dates

• Sept 18 – High Point, NC – High Point Theatre

• Sept 20 – Paradise Island, Bahamas – Bahama Breeze Music Festival

• Sept 27 – Monterey Park, CA – Monterey Jazz Festival 2025

• Oct 2 – Chandler, AZ – Chandler Center For The Arts

• Oct 3 – Los Angeles, CA – Walt Disney Concert Hall (Album Release Show)

• Oct 5 – Davis, CA – Mondavi Center

• Oct 6 – San Francisco, CA – Davies Symphony Hall

• Nov 9 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theatre

• Nov 11 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre

• Nov 13 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha

• Nov 14 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Showroom At Mystic Lake Casino

• Nov 15 – Rockford, IL – Hard Rock Casino Rockford

• Jan 20–27, 2026 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Christian McBride’s World At Sea

Europe Tour Dates

• Oct 9 – London, UK – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

• Oct 10 – Aulnay-sous-Bois, France – Le Nouveau Cap

• Oct 11 – Cébazat, France – Sémaphore

• Oct 13 – Madrid, Spain – Sala Villanos

• Oct 14 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo

• Oct 15 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg

• Oct 16 – Den Haag, Netherlands – PAARD

• Oct 17 – Duivendrecht, Netherlands – Poppodium Q-Factory

• Oct 18 – Hautmont, France – Centre Culturel Maurice Schumann

• Oct 21 – Skellefteå, Sweden – Sara Kulturhus

• Oct 23 – Oslo, Norway – Cosmopolite Scene

• Oct 24 – Malmö, Sweden – Victoriateatern Malmö

• Oct 25 – Zagreb, Croatia – Kino SC

• Jan 17, 2026 – Lugano, Switzerland – LAC Lugano Arte E Cultura

With For Dinah, Ledisi brings Dinah Washington’s legacy into the present, illuminating the timelessness of her music and the trail she blazed for today’s women in jazz, R&B, and beyond.

Album out October 3, 2025 on Candid Records.

Sean Mason’s A Breath of Fresh Air: GRAMMY-Nominated Pianist Redefines His Sound with New Album

Release Date: October 24, 2025
Lead Single Out Now: “Rediscovery”

GRAMMY-nominated pianist, composer, and bandleader Sean Mason has announced his much-anticipated second full-length album, A Breath of Fresh Air, set for release on October 24, 2025. Following his acclaimed 2023 debut The Southern Suite and his GRAMMY-nominated 2024 collaboration My Ideal with vocalist Catherine Russell, Mason now presents his boldest artistic statement yet — a sweeping, deeply personal vision that captures both transformation and renewal.

Rediscovery: The Beginning of a Journey

The lead single, “Rediscovery,” sets the tone for the album. A driving mid-tempo swing full of joy and forward momentum, it pays homage to the jazz continuum while sounding utterly fresh. “Rediscovery is the overture, the very genesis of the album's narrative,” Mason explains. “It’s a sonic exploration into the heart of my transformation…not about finding something new, but uncovering what was always there.”

About the Album

A Breath of Fresh Air reunites the quintet from The Southern Suite — Tony Glausi (trumpet), Chris Lewis (tenor saxophone), Felix Moseholm (bass), and Domo Branch (drums) — while showcasing a dramatic leap forward in Mason’s artistry.

Recorded at Bunker Studios in Brooklyn over just two days, the sessions were self-produced and captured live in one room with no booths, barriers, or sheet music. Mason taught the music by ear, ensuring the group’s interplay stayed conversational, organic, and alive.

The result is an album that feels both timeless and fearless — steeped in the jazz tradition yet brimming with Mason’s singular voice. As Branford Marsalis remarked, “the album sounds like Ahmad Jamal and Horace Silver had a baby.”

A Transformative Chapter

The project emerged from a personal and creative crisis, one that pushed Mason toward a deeper spiritual and artistic awakening. A Breath of Fresh Air reflects this growth with music that embraces tradition, freedom, and Mason’s refusal to be boxed in. Beyond the music, the release expands into a multimedia experience — including a short film, video series, and photo essay that document the album’s creation and inspiration.

“For me, it’s a testimony,” Mason says. “Our inspiration comes from everywhere, but the magic is in transforming those influences into our own artistic language. This is the path I need to walk.”

Tracklist

1. Rediscovery

2. Secrets

3. Duende

4. Boneback

5. Open Your Heart

6. Unfinished Business

7. Capital J

8. Kiss Me

A Breath of Fresh Air is more than an album title — it’s Sean Mason’s bold declaration of independence and renewal. With his quintet at full power, Mason has delivered a statement destined to resonate across the jazz landscape.

Maré Alta’s Live at Valsølille: A Triumphant Meeting of Brazilian Roots and Nordic Fire

When a trio connects instantly, the music speaks louder than words. Live at Valsølille, the explosive debut from Maré Alta, captures just that moment: three musicians from Brazil, Finland, and Germany discovering their shared language in real time.

The Story of Maré Alta

Formed in 2022, Maré Alta was born from a chance idea by Brazilian bassist Ricardo “Sá” Reston, who invited Finnish pianist Antti Lähdesmäki and German drummer Jan Kadereit to join forces for a short tour in Denmark. Just days after meeting, the group recorded their final concert at Valsølille — the fiery performance that became this live album.

The band name, Maré Alta (“high tide” in Portuguese), perfectly reflects their relentless energy and surging interplay. The trio draws inspiration from Brazilian masters like Hermeto Pascoal and Egberto Gismonti, but adds their own fearless risk-taking and modern jazz sensibility.

About the Album

Mixed and mastered by Adrian Von Ripka, the album features a dynamic set of Brazilian classics alongside fresh original material. Each track reveals the group’s chemistry: playful, daring, and bursting with life.

Tracklist

1. Tacho (Hermeto Pascoal) – A mixing pot of rhythms and improvisations, setting the tone for the album.

2. Bebê (Pascoal) – A melody-driven exploration of collective improvisation.

3. Ginga Carioca (Pascoal) – Showcasing Reston’s bass and the trio’s sharp interplay.

4. Na Carioca (Itiberê Zwarg) – A tribute to the spirit of Rio de Janeiro.

5. Viva Edu Lobo (Pascoal) – A bold, stormy journey of rhythm and risk.

6. Keitelike (Lähdesmäki) – A trio original inspired by Finland’s Lake Keitele, hinting at the group’s future studio work.

7. Maracatu (Egberto Gismonti) – A powerful finale highlighting Reston’s bass and Kadereit’s explosive drumming.

The Musicians

• Sá Reston (Brazil) – Known for his collaborations with Hermeto Pascoal and Itiberê Zwarg, Reston redefines what the electric bass can be.

• Jan Kadereit (Germany) – A versatile drummer whose work spans jazz, improvisation, and world music, including his gamelan project Áshira.

• Antti Lähdesmäki (Finland) – A pianist and composer bridging Nordic jazz and Brazilian traditions, equally at home writing for big band or performing solo.

For Fans Of

Hermeto Pascoal | Egberto Gismonti | Itiberê Zwarg | André Marques | Trio Curupira

Live at Valsølille is not just a debut — it’s the sound of three musicians discovering they were meant to play together. Respect the tide, and be ready: release date October 17, 2025.

Pino Palladino & Blake Mills Release That Wasn’t A Dream – A Bold New Chapter in Jazz, Funk, and Beyond

Today marks the release of That Wasn’t A Dream, the highly anticipated new album from Pino Palladino and Blake Mills, out now via New Deal / Impulse! Records. Following their acclaimed 2021 collaboration Notes With Attachments, the Grammy-winning duo returns with an exploratory, genre-defying project that critics are already hailing as one of the year’s most innovative works.

Critical Praise for That Wasn’t A Dream

The album has drawn early acclaim from across the music press:

• The New York Times praised the single “Taka” as “nimble, unpredictable… a global-funk instrumental that seems to take shape on the spot like a Weather Report composition.”

• KCRW called it “expansive jazz bliss,” urging listeners to “sit back, relax, and listen to masters at work.”

• Esquire highlighted its playful virtuosity, naming “Taka” one of the Best Songs of 2025 So Far: “a slithery slab of math funk…a game to even figure out who’s doing what.”

• The FADER declared, “With That Wasn’t a Dream, they canonize themselves in the tradition of L.A. legends whose cool brilliance will endure for generations.”

A Meeting of Masters

Palladino, one of the most revered bassists of his generation, has expanded the role of the instrument across genres—working with everyone from D’Angelo to Nine Inch Nails, Erykah Badu to John Mayer. Mills, a Grammy-winning guitarist, producer, and songwriter, has worked with Alabama Shakes, Fiona Apple, Bob Dylan, and Perfume Genius, in addition to his acclaimed solo work.

Together, they dissolve traditional musical hierarchies, weaving soundscapes that balance intricate detail with wide-open space. Pitchfork once described their collaboration as “the sound of consummate collaborators imagining a world where there’s no such thing as a lead performer.” On That Wasn’t A Dream, that vision expands further—quietly audacious, profoundly cohesive, and always surprising.

Inside the Music

Recorded at the legendary Studio A at Sound City in Los Angeles, the album features contributions from longtime collaborator Sam Gendel and drummer Chris Dave (on the track “Taka”), among others. But at its core, this record deepens the intuitive chemistry between Palladino and Mills.

Highlights include:

• “Contour” – the starry, slow-building opener that sets the album’s immersive tone.

• “Taka” – a kinetic, global-funk experiment with shifting grooves and dazzling interplay.

• “What Is Wrong With You?” – showcasing Mills on the fretless baritone sustainer guitar, an instrument he helped develop, producing sounds somewhere between woodwind, brass, and bowed strings.

Palladino explains that much of the record is about restraint and space: “If we could make something work with the least possible ingredients, space could become the centerpiece.”

Beyond Genre, Beyond Expectation

From deceptively minimal sketches to swirling, layered improvisations, That Wasn’t A Dream rewards deep listening. It is at once intimate and expansive, disordered and precise, a testament to two artists pushing each other into new territories while redefining what modern instrumental music can be.

Experience It Live

Pino Palladino & Blake Mills will bring That Wasn’t A Dream to audiences live this fall with a series of tour dates, offering fans a rare chance to hear this music in the moment of its creation.

Till Brönner Breathes New Life into Lucio Battisti Classic with Instrumental “Amarsi Un Po’”

One of Italy’s most beloved singer-songwriters, Lucio Battisti, left behind a catalog of songs defined by poetic lyrics and timeless melodies. Now, German trumpet virtuoso Till Brönner reimagines one of Battisti’s most nostalgic hits, “Amarsi Un Po’” (1977), stripping away the words and letting the horn sing instead.

The single—paired with an evocative new video—is the third advance track from Brönner’s forthcoming album Italia, produced by acclaimed Italian jazz musician Nicola Conte.

A Voice Without Words

By choosing trumpet over vocals, Brönner highlights the emotional core of the original song while revealing new dimensions in its melody. Where Battisti’s version reflected bittersweet longing through lyrics, Brönner communicates the same depth of feeling through phrasing, tone, and silence. The result is an instrumental reading that feels intimate and cinematic, capable of speaking directly to the listener’s heart.

“Italian songs like Amarsi Un Po’ carry an emotional weight that transcends language,” Brönner notes. “My aim was to honor Battisti’s timeless composition while offering a new perspective—one that tells the story without words.”

A Cross-Cultural Collaboration

The track also underscores the strong creative bond between Brönner and Nicola Conte, whose work as producer brings a refined, jazz-infused sensibility to the project. Conte’s Italian roots and deep knowledge of Mediterranean musical traditions provide the perfect framework for Brönner’s luminous trumpet lines.

Together, the two artists craft a sound that’s elegant, soulful, and deeply respectful of Battisti’s legacy while pushing his music into a fresh jazz context.

Italia: A Tribute to Melody and Emotion

Italia promises to be one of Brönner’s most personal and heartfelt projects to date. By curating and reinterpreting iconic songs from Italy’s rich pop canon, he not only pays homage to a country that has long inspired him but also continues his mission of blurring boundaries between jazz, pop, and classical traditions.

With Amarsi Un Po’, Till Brönner shows that music doesn’t always need words to communicate the most powerful emotions—sometimes, a trumpet alone can say it all.

“Amarsi Un Po’” is out now on all streaming platforms, with the full album Italia set for release later this year.

Miguel Zenón Marks 20 Years with His Quartet on First-Ever Live Album, Vanguardia Subterránea

On August 29, 2025, alto saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón—a MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim recipient, Doris Duke Artist, and 2024 Grammy Award winner—releases Vanguardia Subterránea, the long-awaited first live recording from his acclaimed quartet. Out on Zenón’s own imprint Miel Music, the album will be available on vinyl, CD, and all major streaming platforms. To celebrate, the quartet will return to New York’s legendary Village Vanguard for a special week of performances, September 16–21, 2025.

A Landmark Anniversary

For two decades, Zenón’s quartet—featuring pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawischnig, and drummer Henry Cole—has been one of the most enduring and innovative ensembles in modern jazz. Though the group has performed hundreds of concerts across the globe, Vanguardia Subterránea marks their first official live release, recorded over two unforgettable nights in September 2024 at the Vanguard.

“This album has an energy that's really different than all our other records,” Zenón reflects. “It was recorded in this sanctuary of music. It’s the dream of every jazz musician to play in that legendary room.”

New Compositions, Bold Arrangements

The album showcases six original Zenón compositions plus daring new arrangements of salsa classics: Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe’s “El Día de Mi Suerte” and Gilberto Santa Rosa’s “Perdóname.” As always, Zenón bridges Puerto Rican traditions, jazz improvisation, and cutting-edge rhythmic concepts into a singular artistic voice.

Highlights include:

• “Abre Cuto Güiri Mambo” – a mambo-inspired opener that positions the quartet as “another drum.”

• “Vita” – a deeply personal piece originally written for Zenón’s grandmother, expanded into a lyrical chacarera-style gem.

• “Dale la Vuelta” – a rhythmic counterpoint experiment balancing 7 and 8 beats, executed with effortless fluidity.

• “Coordenadas” – based on the geographical coordinates of the Vanguard and each musician’s birthplace, symbolically uniting them in sound.

• “Bendición” – a heartfelt tribute to Zenón’s mother and the tradition of seeking blessings from elders.

The title track, “Vanguardia Subterránea,” ties the project together as a “melodic poem inspired by the history of the club,” layering groove and floating textures that eventually lock into unity.

A Legacy in Motion

With Vanguardia Subterránea, Zenón captures the raw vitality of a live performance while honoring his roots, his quartet’s unique chemistry, and the profound relationship between jazz and Latin American music. It’s not only a 20th-anniversary milestone, but also a bold artistic statement that adds to his already remarkable body of work.

For fans of improvisation, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and adventurous contemporary jazz, Vanguardia Subterránea is a landmark release—one that embodies the living spirit of the Village Vanguard itself.

Release Date: August 29, 2025
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Digital Streaming
Release Shows: Village Vanguard, NYC | September 16–21, 2025

Johnathan Blake’s My Life Matters — A Suite for Family, Justice, and Hope

On September 19, drummer-composer Johnathan Blake will release My Life Matters, a stirring new Blue Note album that blends the personal with the political. Conceived as a commission for The Jazz Gallery, the suite is both a tribute to Blake’s family values and a searing response to systemic injustice.

Co-produced by bassist Derrick Hodge—an acclaimed artist and labelmate known for his work with Robert Glasper—the album showcases a stellar ensemble: saxophonist Dayna Stephens, pianist Fabian Almazan, vibraphonist Jalen Baker, bassist Dezron Douglas, with special guests DJ Jahi Sundance and vocalist Bilal.

Music as Testimony

The music took shape during a time of social upheaval, when Blake found himself deeply affected by the relentless news cycle.

“Every other day, it seemed like another Black or Brown person was being taken from us at the hands of those who were supposed to protect us,” Blake recalls. “I didn’t want to become numb. I wanted to speak up through my music.”

His conviction echoes the lessons instilled by his parents. “They always told me, if you see injustice happening and you do nothing, you’re just as much the problem.” That wisdom forms the emotional backbone of My Life Matters.

The Shape of the Suite

The album unfolds across 14 original compositions, many titled by Rio Sakairi, Artistic Director of The Jazz Gallery, who immediately grasped the spirit of Blake’s work. The suite balances contrasts—tragedy and hope, present reality and future possibility—while drawing strength from community and resilience.

The lead track, “Last Breath,” is dedicated to Eric Garner, whose dying words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter movement. Opening with Baker’s commanding vibraphone before building into waves of sound led by Stephens’ EWI and Almazan’s piano, the piece captures both anguish and urgency.

While Blake insists he did not set out to make a protest album, he acknowledges the tradition of socially conscious jazz, citing Max Roach’s We Insist! Freedom Now Suite as a guiding star. “Those musicians set the bar very high,” Blake says. “If we’re not following their lead, then we’re doing them a disservice.”

Beyond the New Album

My Life Matters follows Blake’s acclaimed 2021 Blue Note debut, Homeward Bound, which will receive its first-ever vinyl release on December 5 as part of the Tone Poet Vinyl Series. That earlier record was a celebration of life and legacy with his quintet Pentad, featuring Immanuel Wilkins, Joel Ross, David Virelles, and Dezron Douglas.

Together, Homeward Bound and My Life Matters illustrate Blake’s dual vision: music as a celebration of family, and music as a call for justice. Both testify to his place within the continuum of jazz as a living, breathing art form of resistance, reflection, and hope.