Conrad Herwig Explores New Rhythmic Terrain with Reflections–Facing South, Featuring Eddie Palmieri & Luques Curtis

Multiple Grammy-nominated trombonist and composer Conrad Herwig returns with a bold new statement in Latin jazz: Reflections–Facing South, out August 29 on Savant Records. A continuation of his legendary “Latin Side of…” series, this new release breaks with tradition while honoring the rhythmic and emotional intensity that has long defined Herwig’s music.

Teaming up with Latin jazz icon Eddie Palmieri and bassist Luques Curtis, Herwig strips down the ensemble and goes drum-less — an almost unheard-of move in Latin jazz. But instead of losing intensity, this daring trio arrangement results in raw, exhilarating grooves where Palmieri’s percussive piano takes center stage and Curtis’s melodic bass becomes the heartbeat. Over it all, Herwig’s trombone delivers soaring solos that marry virtuosity with deep feeling.

“The real McCoy would have loved it.” – Chris Pearson, The London Times

An Evolution of the “Latin Side” Legacy

For over 25 years, Herwig has redefined jazz classics through a Latin lens with his celebrated series of albums: The Latin Side of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, and most recently, Charles Mingus. These projects have earned him Grammy nominations, international acclaim, and a well-earned reputation as a boundary-pusher in jazz.

His most recent release before this was The Latin Side of McCoy Tyner, and with Reflections–Facing South, Herwig explores yet another level of harmonic richness and rhythmic innovation.

A Career Rooted in Innovation and Excellence

Beyond his own recordings, Herwig has appeared on more than 200 albums across a 40-year career, performing with luminaries like Joe Lovano, McCoy Tyner, Tito Puente, Clark Terry, Frank Sinatra, and Quincy Jones. He’s a regular member of the Mingus Big Band, serving as musical director and arranger, and is currently the Artistic Director of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.

He has received accolades including #1 Jazz Trombonist in DownBeat’s Critics Poll, the Paul Acket Award from the North Sea Jazz Festival, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Reflections–Facing South Track Listing:

1. Bianco’s Waltz – 5:10

2. C’mon (Mi Guajira) – 4:56

3. Que Viva Barry – 5:08

4. Reflections–Facing South – 5:33

5. Listen Lady – 7:59

6. Augmented Blues – 5:30

7. Cuando se Habla de Amor – 6:14

8. Monica – 5:09

9. El Guerrero Solitario – 6:02

A Must-Hear for Fans of Modern Latin Jazz

Reflections–Facing South is an invigorating listen — both intimate and explosive, cerebral and sensual. It’s a reminder that innovation in jazz doesn’t require more; sometimes, it thrives on less. Without drums, the music finds a new kind of space and depth — one that makes every note count.

If you're a fan of Latin jazz, straight-ahead jazz with a twist, or just brilliant musicianship, this album is essential listening.

Chicago IX: Chicago’s Greatest Hits (50th Anniversary Expanded Edition)

Chicago’s music is forever etched into the soundtrack of American pop and rock. Their blend of brassy rock, jazz fusion, ballads, and progressive arrangements helped define the 1970s — and their chart dominance remains undeniable. Now, 50 years after its original release, Chicago IX: Chicago’s Greatest Hits is getting the deluxe treatment it deserves.

Arriving this Friday, August 8, 2025, via Rhino Records, the 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition of Chicago IX more than doubles the track count from 11 to 21. It not only preserves the original's spirit but refreshes it for longtime fans and new listeners alike.

First released for the 1975 holiday season on Columbia Records, Chicago IX served as the band’s first compilation, covering material from 1969's Chicago Transit Authority through 1974’s Chicago VII. The original LP was a massive success, topping the Billboard 200 and earning 5x Platinum certification while staying on the charts for a staggering 72 weeks.

Now, Rhino Records is expanding that legacy. The new gold-hued edition of Chicago IX takes the concept further, revisiting not just the original tracks but also incorporating songs from 1975 to 1980, closing the chapter just before the band’s dramatic shift into the David Foster-produced era.

Unlike the original compilation, which began with the smash “25 or 6 to 4,” the new edition opens with the band’s very first single — “Questions 67 and 68” — featuring a powerful vocal blend between Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera.

The track order has been rearranged to follow a chronological arc, making it a more accurate reflection of the band’s stylistic evolution. “Beginnings,” which once closed the album, now follows the opener. Several tracks also appear in newly remixed forms, thanks to Steven Wilson’s 2017 stereo edits, including:

• “Make Me Smile”

• “25 or 6 to 4”

• “Colour My World”

➕ 10 Bonus Tracks That Fill In the Gaps

This expanded version not only re-sequences and remixes, but adds ten more songs, rounding out the band's first prolific decade:

From earlier albums:

• “Free” (Chicago III), a notable omission in 1975, finally makes the cut.

• “Dialogue (Part I & II)” (Chicago V) adds a socially conscious, two-part dynamic.

From Chicago VIII and beyond:

• “Old Days” (No. 5, 1975) finally joins the mix.

• “If You Leave Me Now” (No. 1, 1976), the band's first Grammy winner and soft rock classic.

• “Baby, What a Big Surprise” (No. 4, 1977) continues Cetera’s melodic legacy.

• “Alive Again” and “No Tell Lover” (both Top 20 hits in 1978) capture the band's later horn-pop polish.

• “Street Player” (1979), although it didn’t chart, became a cult favorite and a sampling staple in house music.

• “Thunder and Lightning” (No. 56, 1980), co-written by drummer Danny Seraphine, closes the chapter before the band’s sonic pivot in the early 1980s.

🎶 Full Track Listing:

(asterisk denotes tracks not on the original 1975 release)

1. Questions 67 and 68 *

2. Beginnings

3. Make Me Smile (2017 Steven Wilson Remix/Edit)

4. 25 or 6 to 4 (2017 Steven Wilson Remix/Edit)

5. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

6. Free *

7. Colour My World (2017 Steven Wilson Remix)

8. Saturday in the Park

9. Dialogue (Part I & II) *

10. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day

11. Just You ’N’ Me

12. (I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long

13. Call on Me

14. Wishing You Were Here

15. Old Days *

16. If You Leave Me Now *

17. Baby, What a Big Surprise *

18. Alive Again *

19. No Tell Lover *

20. Street Player *

21. Thunder and Lightning *

In many ways, this expanded Chicago IX feels less like a repackaged reissue and more like a proper retrospective anthology of the band’s first ten years — one that captures their evolution from jazz-rock pioneers to adult contemporary superstars.

Whether you're discovering their catalog for the first time or replacing your worn-out LP, this release offers a definitive overview of a band whose sound defined a generation.

Jussi Reijonen Launches sayr: salt | thirst — A Meditative Solo String Journey

Acclaimed Finnish guitarist, oud player, and composer Jussi Reijonen unveils sayr: salt | thirst, the first installment in his intimate new series of solo string instrument recordings. Available October 24, 2025 via unmusic, this album offers a haunting meditation on finding stillness amid the chaos of motion, inviting listeners into a deeply personal musical world.

Building on the critical acclaim of his ambitious 2022 large ensemble album Three Seconds | Kolme Toista — hailed as “one of the best recordings of 2022” by All About Jazz — Reijonen’s sayr series explores a more introspective and minimalistic approach. sayr: salt | thirst was recorded in a single, fully improvised take at his home studio on a vintage 1940s Gibson LG-2 steel-string acoustic guitar.

The album is divided into two contrasting arcs, “salt” and “thirst,” mirroring the dualities of life, memory, and transformation. Its sound draws from a rich tapestry of string traditions around the world: from the Finnish kantele and Arabic oud to the Moroccan sintir and West African kora. This evocative blend channels influences such as Hamza El Din, Paco de Lucía, Umm Kulthum, and Ali Farka Touré.

The word “sayr,” rooted in Arabic music, means “course” or “motion.” For Reijonen, it represents a musical pathway unfolding through improvisation in a “memory palace” of sonic experiences. The album reflects his lifelong journey across Northern Finland, the Middle East, East Africa, and the United States — intertwining personal history with sound.

Reijonen shares, “I have found myself drawn to solitary reflection, to the small and simple, to roots and branches. The music is an exploration of motion and stillness — a dance captured beautifully by T.S. Eliot’s poetry.” The album’s improvisational nature reveals emotional landscapes that shift between lament, unease, brightening, and transformation.

sayr is the first in a planned series of improvised solo recordings. Reijonen will record the next installment live on steel-string acoustic guitar and Arabic oud during a concert at Helsinki Music Centre on September 19, 2025, kicking off an international solo tour. This performance will be filmed and recorded for future release.

Born in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, Jussi Reijonen’s unique artistry is shaped by his multicultural upbringing in Finland, Jordan, Tanzania, Oman, Lebanon, and the U.S. His work traverses jazz, world, and contemporary music, collaborating with luminaries like Jack DeJohnette and Pepe de Lucía. His previous album, Three Seconds | Kolme Toista, received rave reviews and multiple accolades, establishing him as a leading voice in genre-defying music.

Acclaimed Jazz Vocalist Mark Winkler Releases 22nd Album HOLD ON

Mark Winkler, a celebrated vocalist and prolific lyricist on the Los Angeles jazz scene, is back with his 22nd album, HOLD ON. Known for his collaborations with jazz legends like Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Claire Martin, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, Winkler continues to push creative boundaries with this latest collection of mostly original tunes, complemented by a few well-chosen jazz standards.

Over his extensive recording career, Winkler has worked alongside some of the finest jazz vocalists, including Jackie Ryan, Steve Tyrell, Claire Martin, and Sara Gazarek. His collaborations with Cheryl Bentyne of The Manhattan Transfer and pianist David Benoit earned high praise, with Jersey Jazz calling him “one of the best male vocalists on the jazz scene.” Yet Winkler never rests on past accolades; he constantly evolves, creating fresh musical experiences with each release.

For HOLD ON, Winkler teamed up with six outstanding pianists—including Grammy winner John Beasley, Rich Eames, Tamir Hendelman, Eric Reed, Greg Gordon Smith, and Jamieson Trotter—each bringing a unique style to the album’s rich sonic tapestry. Supported by a top-notch Los Angeles band featuring Gabe Davis (bass), Christian Euman (drums), Bob Sheppard (sax), and others, Winkler’s new album reflects a broad spectrum of jazz sounds and moods.

Unlike many artists who pick songs based solely on aesthetic appeal, Winkler selects material that resonates personally. He explains, “I didn’t think of a particular theme when I chose the material — but after it was completed, I realized the songs all have biographical elements that attracted me.”

The album opens with the title track “Hold On,” co-written with Greg Gordon Smith, which encourages perseverance during difficult times. Other highlights include the witty Dave Frishberg classic “A Little Taste,” and an inventive take on Frank Loesser’s “If I Were a Bell,” arranged by Smith and featuring Hendelman on piano.

Winkler’s love for film noir and campy sci-fi shines in “Cat Women on the Moon,” a cha-cha tribute inspired by 1950s cult classics. His emotional depth comes through in a bossa nova version of “It Was a Very Good Year,” featuring a lush flugelhorn solo by Brian Swartz.

Other original songs such as “My Future’s Just a Memory” and “Train in the Desert” explore themes of aging, loss, and new beginnings, while “My Electric Car” offers an optimistic vision of a cleaner future. The album closes with “I Dream of You Each Night,” inspired by the 1950s gay experience and arranged by Spencer Day with Eric Reed on piano.

Produced by Barbara Brighton, who has worked on nine of Winkler’s albums, HOLD ON is a captivating mix of swing, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. With each song, Winkler invites listeners into his world—an elegant, soulful space where jazz’s timeless spirit thrives.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, HOLD ON offers a rich listening experience filled with fresh originals and classic jazz gems.

HOLD ON Track Highlights:

• Hold On (Original)

• A Little Taste (Dave Frishberg)

• If I Were a Bell (Frank Loesser)

• Cat Women on the Moon (Original)

• It Was a Very Good Year (Bossa Nova Style)

• My Future’s Just a Memory (Original)

• Vienna (Billy Joel Cover)

• Train in the Desert (Original)

• My Electric Car (Original)

• I Dream of You Each Night (Original)

Jon Batiste To Release New Album Featuring Randy Newman — ‘Big Money’

Academy Award® and multi-Grammy® winner Jon Batiste is set to release his highly anticipated new album Big Money on August 22 via Verve/Interscope Records. This bold project marks a significant artistic statement, rooted deeply in American musical traditions from gospel and soul to blues, folk, and rock & roll.

The album’s second single, “Lonely Avenue,” features the legendary Randy Newman and is a standout track that offers a stripped-down, intimate reinterpretation of the Doc Pomus classic made famous by Ray Charles. The official music video, directed by David Henry Gerson, captures Batiste wandering through a quiet, timeworn apartment, drawn toward Newman’s soulful voice from another room. Their meeting at the piano becomes a beautiful moment where music bridges memory, imagination, and connection.

Recorded live in a single take in Newman’s living room, “Lonely Avenue” was born out of an organic conversation about life, family, and music, captured spontaneously on a handheld recorder. Batiste shares, “Ray is my patron saint. Just as the Big Money songs are in conversation with each other, I’m in conversation with Randy and Ray.”

The album’s title track, “Big Money,” is a groove-forward anthem featuring Batiste’s guitar work alongside soaring vocals from The Womack Sisters — granddaughters of soul legend Sam Cooke — who echo the refrain: “Might as well live for something you can feel…something that’s real.”

Co-produced by Jon Batiste and longtime collaborator Dion “No ID” Wilson, Big Money spans nine tracks showcasing a wide range of moods and styles. Highlights include the vintage soul-inspired duet “Lean on My Love” featuring Andra Day, and the genre-defying closer “Angels,” performed by Batiste’s alter ego Billy Bob Bo Bob.

Batiste describes the album as an “explicit Americana blues statement” and part of a larger “repatriation process” in Black American artistry — reclaiming heritage and authorship across genres born from the Black experience.

Coming off a landmark year that included a Super Bowl performance, two GRAMMY® wins for American Symphony, and the success of Beethoven Blues (which topped Billboard’s Classical Albums chart for nine weeks), Big Money promises to be a deeply serious and fun artistic milestone.

Big Money Tracklist:

1. Lean on My Love (feat. Andra Day)

2. Big Money

3. Lonely Avenue (feat. Randy Newman)

4. Petrichor

5. Do It All Again

6. Pinnacle

7. At All

8. Maybe

9. Angels (feat. No ID & Billy Bob Bo Bob)

BLOW GLOBE: John Sturino’s Boundary-Breaking New Jazz Ensemble

Awarded the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, BLOW GLOBE is a ten-piece ensemble led by Juilliard-trained drummer and composer John Sturino. This unique group fuses the sounds of jazz, classical chamber music, contemporary electronic, and pop/rock, creating an expansive and vibrant sonic universe.

Featuring a stellar lineup of NYC’s brightest jazz talents — including Nathan Reising (alto sax), Abdias Armenteros (tenor & soprano sax), Garrett Wingfield (bass clarinet & baritone sax), Summer Camargo (trumpet & flugelhorn), Kazunori Tanaka (French horn), and others — BLOW GLOBE channels the energy and diversity of cultures from across the world. The ensemble also regularly features vocalist Mar Vilaseca, whose lush voice brings a haunting, lyrical dimension.

John Sturino’s journey to BLOW GLOBE stems from his desire to create music that reflects his eclectic tastes and embraces a wide range of styles. Inspired by the lush yet intimate soundscapes on Walt Weiskopf’s Song For My Mother, Sturino envisioned an ensemble capable of producing big band richness while maintaining a light, buoyant feel.

“This album is a true celebration of the music that has shaped my own identity and taste,” Sturino says. “From composing to recording and mixing, it’s been a labor of love and exploration.”

• Year Of The Globe
  The opening track captures the album’s ethos — blending diverse sounds, textures, and grooves in a melodic yet straightforward way.

• Renewal
  Originally composed for a group with classical strings and jazz quartet, this piece moves from dark introspection to energetic celebration, featuring standout solos from Abdias Armenteros and Chris McCarthy.

• Only In Dreams (feat. Mar Vilaseca)
  A stunning cover of Weezer’s classic, reimagined with serene vocals and rich jazz textures.

• Slug
  Inspired by Sturino’s life in NYC, this piece contrasts slow physical movement with rapid mental activity, highlighted by Garrett Wingfield’s expressive bass clarinet.

• Bonafides
  A straight-ahead swing with a Latin twist — spotlighting vibrant solos from Summer Camargo and Garrett Wingfield.

• Morning Sun (feat. Mar Vilaseca)
  A joint composition between Vilaseca and Sturino, this track personifies sunlight through music, enriched by soprano sax melodies.

• PLG (Prophets Lefferts Gardens)
  A love letter to Sturino’s Brooklyn neighborhood, this track blends jazz and electronic influences, featuring guitar and trombone solos.

A Juilliard graduate and drummer with a passion for composition, Sturino has spent years crafting a voice that spans genres and traditions. BLOW GLOBE is his boldest statement yet — an ensemble where acoustic instrumentation meets contemporary sounds in a vibrant conversation.

Chasing Calm — Pianist/Composer Michael Ragonese Announces Deeply Personal New Album,

Jazz pianist and composer Michael Ragonese returns this fall with Chasing Calm, his highly anticipated third album — a beautifully introspective project reflecting his ongoing search for stillness, balance, and peace in an often chaotic world.

Set for worldwide release on October 10, 2025, Chasing Calm showcases Ragonese's continued growth as a composer and bandleader, drawing on jazz traditions, classical influences, and his Italian heritage. The music is at once modern and grounded, lyrical and complex, exploring that elusive space between tension and serenity.

Ragonese kicks things off with the release of “Alone Together” on August 8 — a jazz standard reimagined in 9/8 meter. “This arrangement flows differently,” Ragonese says, “but it still feels lyrical and natural. It opened up new rhythmic ideas I hadn’t explored before.”

Featuring his trio with Luca Alemanno on bass and JK Kim on drums, the track sets the tone 

Ragonese describes Chasing Calm as “probably the most personal record I’ve made so far.” Written and recorded in January 2025, the album blends modern jazz, classical harmony, and improvisational dialogue in compelling and innovative ways.

“It’s not about achieving peace,” he explains, “but about the search for it — how my mind is always moving, always thinking, yet striving for presence and focus. The music reflects that in its structure and flow — a balance between clarity and complexity.”

The album features a top-tier lineup:

• Michael Ragonese – piano

• Walter Smith III – saxophones

• Luca Alemanno – bass

• JK Kim – drums

Smith, who appeared on Ragonese’s debut album Day to Day, brings his signature voice to the project, while Alemanno and Kim provide a deeply intuitive rhythm section that balances energy with restraint.

Beyond his work as a performer, Ragonese is also a passionate educator and mentor. He founded the Rags School of Music in 2021 and co-created the Modern Artist program in 2023 to guide high school students toward creative careers.

His most recent initiative, the Libretto Conservatory (in partnership with Libretto Jazz Club), supports college musicians preparing for professional careers. Students from his programs have gone on to earn top honors from DownBeat Magazine and gain acceptance to elite music schools across the country.

“A fresh, transcendent level of expression – high energy, hard swinging and off the charts imaginative improvisational trad jazz.”
– Jonathan Widran, JW Vibe

“Michael Ragonese falls into that category as evidenced by his latest release ‘Stracci’… a propulsive and unpredictable trio.”
– Pierre Giroux, AllAboutJazz

Noah Young Shares New Single “Early Morning” Ahead of Upcoming Album Noah

New Orleans-based bassist and composer Noah Young has released his latest single, “Early Morning,” giving listeners a compelling preview of his forthcoming studio album Noah, due out September 26, 2025. With its cinematic textures and deeply introspective mood, “Early Morning” sets the tone for a bold new chapter in Young’s artistic journey.

Originally conceived as an interlude for Naughty Professor’s 2025 album Voices, the track now emerges as a centerpiece in Young’s solo catalog. The single features a unique soundscape that blends layered upright and electric bass, performed by Young and acclaimed bassist Martin Masakowski. In an inventive twist, all percussion sounds are derived from the upright bass itself—including a distinctive backbeat created by dropping car keys onto its body.

“I think in total there are 6–7 tracks of Martin on upright, and 4–5 tracks of me on electric bass,” Young explains. “The layers of bow, harmonics, and percussion he laid down really put it over the top for me.”

Produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Jamison Ross, Noah showcases Young’s evolving voice in the world of modern instrumental jazz. The album draws inspiration from genre-defying projects by Derrick Hodge and Pino Palladino, pairing emotional storytelling with groove-laden composition and atmospheric production.

“Jamison’s production on Mykal Kilgore’s A Man Born Black made me want him to produce this album,” Young says. “He has a unique touch as both a drummer and a conceptualist. I knew he could help shape the album I was hearing in my head.”

Set to be a deeply personal and meditative work, Noah invites listeners into a sound world built for reflection, movement, and emotional honesty.

Known for his muscular groove, melodic sensibility, and genre-crossing versatility, Young has spent over a decade cementing his place in the New Orleans music community. A founding member of the genre-blending jazz/funk group Naughty Professor, he has also toured and recorded with The Revivalists, Marcus King, Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., Big Freedia, and many others.

His work has earned him multiple OffBeat Magazine “Best Bassist” nominations, while his solo efforts and global performances have brought him to stages from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to Jam Cruise and festivals across Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

Young is currently wrapping up a tour of Vermont, with performances at Music in the Alley (Waterbury) and Maple Roots Festival (Montpelier) rounding out his Northeast run.

Stevie Holland Announces New Album Talk to Your Tomatoes: A Lush Blend of Standards, Originals, and Jazz Sophistication

Acclaimed jazz vocalist and songwriter Stevie Holland is back in the spotlight with the announcement of her latest studio album, Talk to Your Tomatoes, a 10-track collection that blends timeless standards, pop gems, and original compositions. Recorded in April 2025 and set for release via 150 Music, the album showcases Holland’s signature vocal elegance and fearless musical exploration.

Known for her seamless transitions between jazz, pop, cabaret, and musical theater, Holland brings fresh life to classics from the Great American Songbook, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and more—while also introducing original works written with her longtime musical partner and award-winning arranger Gary William Friedman.

Talk to Your Tomatoes opens with a vibrant new take on Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner’s “On A Clear Day,” enhanced by a swinging arrangement for strings and horns. The album continues with:

• “Help Me” (Joni Mitchell)

• “When These Two Hearts Collide” (Friedman/Holland)

• “How I Feel” (Friedman/Will Holt, from The Me Nobody Knows)

• “Blossom” (James Taylor)

• “Talk To Your Tomatoes” (Friedman/Holland)

• “'Round Midnight” (Cootie Williams/Thelonious Monk/Bernie Hanighen)

• “You Pull Through” (Friedman/Holland)

• “Pure Imagination” (Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley)

• “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” (Brooks Bowman)

Backing Holland is a stellar ensemble featuring Matthew Sheens (piano), Matt Aranoff (bass), and Jeff Davis (drums). Celebrated guitarist Ben Monder adds texture and intimacy to three tracks, including a duo interpretation of “'Round Midnight.” Rising star Chet Doxas—a two-time DownBeat Magazine Rising Star—leads the horn section on select tracks, further enriching the sonic landscape.

This new album marks Holland’s sixth release combining jazz standards with original material, following her recent recordings Life Goes On and Before Love Has Gone—the latter selected as a Top Album of the Year by USA TODAY and an Album Pick by AllMusic Guide.

Beyond recordings, Holland has earned critical acclaim in theater. She co-created and starred in Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter, a one-woman musical that debuted Off-Broadway in 2013–14 and was later filmed for on-demand streaming via Amazon Prime and BroadwayHD. Directed by TONY-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., the production garnered numerous festival awards, including Best Actress in a Feature Film for Holland at the Culver City Film Festival.

Most recently, Holland appeared in March 2025 in the York Theatre’s New2NY Series, performing in Platinum Dreams, a new musical she co-wrote with Friedman. The project is currently in development for a full production slated for 2026.

Holland’s artistry continues to resonate across generations. Whether reimagining familiar songs or introducing thoughtful originals, she brings vocal warmth, lyrical intelligence, and emotional range to everything she touches. Her performances sparkle with jazz precision and theatrical intuition—qualities that have earned her respect among critics and fans alike.

With her signature wit and wisdom, Holland reminds us with a smile: “Don’t forget to Talk to Your Tomatoes.”

Talk to Your Tomatoes will be available on all major streaming platforms. Holland’s full discography is also being reissued digitally across all platforms.

Jazz Icon Randy Brecker Signs with SRG Jazz, New Album Coming in 2026

Seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning trumpeter and flugelhornist Randy Brecker has signed with SRG Jazz, a division of The SRG/ILS Group. This exciting partnership marks the latest chapter in a career that has spanned over six decades and helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B, and rock.

Brecker’s unmistakable horn work has been featured on hundreds of recordings by music legends across multiple genres, including James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, Parliament/Funkadelic, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Frank Sinatra. From mainstream pop to cutting-edge fusion, Brecker’s sound has left an indelible mark on modern music.

The announcement comes with news that Brecker is currently working on a brand-new album, his first since the 2020 collaboration Double Dealin’ with saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Scheduled for release in early 2026, the upcoming project will feature original compositions and all-star collaborations, including one with GRAMMY-winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who is also part of the SRG Jazz roster.

“The Brecker Brothers were a major influence,” Lorber shared. “Their signing to Arista back in the day was one of the reasons Jeff Lorber Fusion signed there as well. Randy's music has always been on the cutting edge, and it’s exciting to know there's more coming.”

Randy Brecker first rose to prominence with his appearance on Child Is Father to the Man, the debut album from Blood, Sweat & Tears. Soon after, he performed with jazz luminaries including Horace Silver and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers before co-founding the fusion band Dreams with his brother Michael Brecker and drummer Billy Cobham.

The brothers later formed the Brecker Brothers, releasing six influential albums between 1975 and 1981 and earning seven Grammy nominations. After a hiatus, the duo resumed their partnership until Michael’s passing in 2007.

Throughout his expansive career, Brecker has performed and recorded with an extraordinary list of artists, including Jaco Pastorius, George Benson, Bob James, Patti Austin, Michael Franks, Donald Fagen, and Todd Rundgren, among many others. His work on albums like Paul Simon’s Graceland and Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly remains legendary.

To date, Brecker has received 21 Grammy nominations and taken home 7 Grammy Awards, solidifying his place among the most influential horn players in modern music history.

SRG Jazz is the jazz division of The SRG/ILS Group, in partnership with Virgin Music (Universal Music Group). The label is known for fostering high-level collaborations and pushing boundaries in contemporary jazz while honoring the tradition and innovation that define the genre.