Rich Brown Unveils Solo Bass Album NYAEBA

Toronto-based bassist Rich Brown is set to release his highly anticipated solo album, NYAEBA, on Friday, September 26, 2025, via Whirlwind Recordings. Known for his work with jazz luminaries such as Steve Coleman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, and James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, Brown has long been recognized for his technical mastery, musical sensitivity, and adventurous spirit. With NYAEBA, he takes his artistry to a new level, turning the bass into a full spectrum of voices, textures, and narratives.

The album tells the story of an imagined griot, a storyteller traveling the world and returning home to share the music, wisdom, and experiences gathered along the way. Brown drew inspiration from the many extraordinary musicians he has supported as a bassist, as well as the richly multicultural music scene in his adopted hometown of Toronto. Each track is constructed with multiple layers of bass—no looping or sequencing—ensuring the music retains the intimacy and spontaneity of a live performance while exploring astonishing sonic possibilities.

The tracks on NYAEBA are as diverse as the world they evoke. Ukudlala, Zulu for “to play,” begins with a delicate, percussive kalimba-like melody before unfolding into lush harmonic textures. The Sum of Our Tears is a deeply personal meditation on isolation and depression that blossoms into a comforting, uplifting statement of human resilience. On Heart of a Lonely Woman, Brown produces vocalized tones reminiscent of the duduk, with a sly nod to Ornette Coleman, while Nyaeba conjures an entire bata drum ensemble and even the griot’s voice using only his instrument.

Other highlights include Sowetoiera, blending South African and Brazilian rhythmic influences, and Turiyasangitananda, an homage to Alice Coltrane. Her recorded voice opens the track, and the title, which translates to “The Transcendental Lord’s Highest Song of Bliss,” reflects Brown’s personal gratitude for the meditative practices that inform his music.

With its emphasis on melody, texture, and storytelling, NYAEBA is poised to become an essential entry in the solo bass repertoire. It demonstrates what is possible when virtuosity and imagination converge, transforming the bass from a supporting instrument into a narrative and expressive force in its own right.

richbrown-whirlwind.bandcamp.com 

Release Date: Friday, September 26, 2025

Kate Wyatt Trio Returns with New Album Murmurations

Montréal-based jazz pianist and composer Kate Wyatt is back with her highly anticipated new album, Murmurations, set to release on Friday, October 10, 2025. Widely recognized for her creativity, finesse, and expressive musical voice, Wyatt has become one of Canada’s most compelling jazz artists. A Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award nominee, she first captured attention with her debut album Artifact in 2022, which received glowing international reviews and appeared on multiple “Best Jazz of 2022” lists.

A Trio in Perfect Sync

Murmurations is a showcase of musical empathy and dialogue, featuring Wyatt alongside Montréal jazz heavyweights Adrian Vedady on bass and Louis-Vincent Hamel on drums. Each member contributes original compositions, creating a rich and varied sonic landscape that balances individual creativity with deep collective cohesion. The trio’s interplay is remarkably intuitive, moving seamlessly between composed passages and spontaneous improvisation, reflecting the trust and sensitivity that define their musical connection.

The album’s concept is inspired by nature’s spectacular murmurations—the fluid, coordinated flight of starlings. Just as these birds shift and turn as one, the Kate Wyatt Trio moves with an almost telepathic understanding, responding instantly to one another while maintaining room for personal expression. This sense of unity is felt throughout the album, giving listeners a sense of movement, breath, and organic flow.

In addition to the original compositions, the album features a bold, inventive interpretation of Kurt Weill’s “Mack the Knife”, highlighting the trio’s playful and adventurous spirit. Wyatt’s piano work shines throughout, combining lyrical phrasing with rhythmic agility, while Vedady and Hamel provide a dynamic, responsive foundation that allows the music to breathe.

Murmurations demonstrates Kate Wyatt’s continued evolution as a bandleader and composer. It is a record that celebrates the art of listening, the joy of collaboration, and the thrill of live interplay—all captured with remarkable intimacy and clarity. The trio will tour across Canada in support of the album, bringing their uniquely interactive sound to audiences nationwide.

For jazz enthusiasts, musicians, and fans of innovative musical dialogue, Murmurations promises an immersive listening experience.

katewyattpiano.com

Release Date: Friday, October 10, 2025

Anthony D’Alessandro Announces New Album City Lights

Toronto pianist and composer Anthony D’Alessandro has quickly become one of the brightest rising stars on today’s jazz scene. Praised by The WholeNote Magazine for his “natural feeling for swing and groove” and “scintillating technique,” D’Alessandro has earned a reputation for his lyrical touch, inventive improvisations, and deep respect for the traditions of jazz. Since the release of his acclaimed 2024 debut album Searchin’, he has toured extensively across Canada, the United States, South America, and Europe, steadily building an international following.

This fall, D’Alessandro takes another major step forward with the release of his sophomore album, City Lights, arriving on Friday, October 24, 2025.

City Lights was born out of D’Alessandro’s travels. Each stop on tour brought new sounds, atmospheres, and conversations that fed into his writing. The album unfolds as a musical suite, with seven original compositions that capture the vibrancy, beauty, and complexity of city life. To balance the modern with the timeless, D’Alessandro also reimagines two stride piano works by James P. Johnson, bridging early jazz history with today’s contemporary sound.

Part of what makes City Lights shine is the remarkable group of musicians who bring D’Alessandro’s vision to life:

• Summer Camargo – trumpet (the youngest-ever member of the Saturday Night Live band, known for her fiery solos and commanding presence)

• Jacob Chung – tenor saxophone (a Canadian-born, NYC-based talent with a soulful, modern voice on the horn)

• Jonathan Chapman – bass (a longtime collaborator whose deep groove anchors the ensemble)

• Ernesto Cervini – drums (JUNO Award winner and one of Canada’s most versatile rhythm-makers)

• Jennarie – vocals (featured on Oversight, a moving ballad co-written with D’Alessandro that highlights her dynamic and emotional delivery)

Together, this lineup blends youthful energy with seasoned artistry, creating an album that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in tradition.

With City Lights, Anthony D’Alessandro is not just releasing an album—he’s making a statement as a bandleader. The record offers a cohesive, thoughtfully crafted program that celebrates jazz history while carving out a voice entirely his own. Listeners can expect a blend of driving swing, lyrical ballads, and inventive arrangements that reveal new details with each listen.

For jazz fans both seasoned and new, City Lights promises to be a must-hear release this fall.

anthonydalessandro.ca

Release Date: Friday, October 24, 2025

David Bode Celebrates New Orleans Jazz Heritage with Debut Album Good Hang

New Orleans-born saxophonist, composer, and arranger David Bode released his debut album, Good Hang, on August 29, 2025 via 1718 Records, LLC. Leading a 19-piece big band of some of New Orleans’ finest musicians, Bode brings his deep understanding of jazz history and eclectic musical tastes to a dynamic, celebratory recording.

“After many recordings as a sideman or bandmember, I am very proud to present the first album under my own name,” says Bode. “Big Band Jazz was the original inspiration for me to pick up the saxophone, and I am so excited to share my interpretation of this music with the world.”

The album blends modern jazz, classic standards, and reinterpretations of pop and rock. Highlights include John Coltrane’s Syeeda’s Song Flute, Fran Landesman and Tommy Wolf’s ballad Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most, Kenny Garrett’s Happy People, and New Orleans native James Black’s Monkey Puzzle. Bode also explores pop and rock through a medley of The Beatles’ Dear Prudence and Don’t Let Me Down, alongside a cover of Jeff Buckley’s Lover, You Should’ve Come Over. Adding international flair, Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango and two original compositions, Cold Train Funk and Temporary Blindness, round out the repertoire.

Recorded at Marigny Studios, just blocks from the legendary Frenchmen Street, the album resonates with the history and spirit of New Orleans. “Marigny Studios was originally Luthjens’ Dance Hall, where many New Orleans musicians played in the 60s and 70s. It’s great that a building with so much history is still a part of the musical fabric of the city,” Bode notes.

Good Hang is also dedicated to reflecting the resilience of New Orleans, releasing exactly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina. “My family was very lucky with Katrina, but it still impacted me in a major way,” Bode recalls. “When I returned, I had a renewed sense of how important New Orleans is in the history of music. This album is a culmination of many years of study, performance, writing, and living, and I hope my contribution to New Orleans’ musical history is enjoyed by all.”

Personnel Highlights: David Bode (alto & soprano sax, flute), Lori LaPatka (alto & soprano sax), Ari Kohn (tenor sax, flute), Byron Asher (tenor sax, Bb & bass clarinet), Thad Scott (baritone sax, flute), Michael Joseph Christie (trumpet & flugelhorn), Matt Perronne (trumpet & flugelhorn), Peter Gustafson (trombone), Daniel Meinecke (piano, Rhodes, organ), Eric Merchant (guitar), Calvin Morin-Martin (acoustic & electric bass), Ronan Cowan (drums), Jimmy Williams (sousaphone), and more.

Release Details:

• Album: Good Hang

• Label: 1718 Records, LLC

• Release Date: August 29, 2025

Spinifex Marks 20 Years with Maxximus: Expanding Their Sound with Acoustic Twists and Chamber-Inspired Free Jazz

Amsterdam-based sextet Spinifex celebrates its 20th anniversary with an expanded line-up and an acoustic twist on its avant-garde, punk-influenced sound with the new album Maxximus, out November 14, 2025 via Trytone Records.

Known for their propulsive energy, full-throttle dynamics, and ferocious abandon, Spinifex has chosen an unexpected approach for this milestone: a quieter, more acoustic sound. While the core sextet — trumpeter Bart Maris, alto saxophonist and artistic director Tobias Klein, tenor saxophonist John Dikeman, guitarist Jasper Stadhouders, bassist Gonçalo Almeida, and drummer Philipp Moser — retains their trademark vigor, they augment their regular instruments with a range of acoustic alternatives. The ensemble is further expanded with three special guests: vibraphonist and percussionist Evi Filippou, cellist Elisabeth Coudoux, and violist Jessica Pavone, creating a chamber music-inspired dimension to their free jazz and punk-rock energy.

“For nearly two decades, we’ve forged original music from seemingly incompatible elements — mathematical structures, punk aggression, free jazz fire,” Klein says. “With Maxximus, we wanted to open more space for acoustic colors and explore dynamics we haven’t used together before.”

The album immediately signals this shift, opening with a rare Spinifex ballad, Stadhouders’ “Smitten,” which evolves from slow, portentous melodies into intricate group improvisations. Tracks like Klein’s “Sack & Ash” and “Phoenix” balance relentless forward motion with expansive freedom for improvisation, while Coudoux’s “Springend” introduces fresh perspectives that challenge the ensemble’s familiar dynamics. Maris’ “Annie Golden” crescendos from sparse textures to raucous climax, paying tribute to the singer of the late-70s American punk band The Shirts, and Almeida closes the album with “The Privilege of Playing the Wrong Notes,” translating his electro-acoustic explorations into a mesmerizing acoustic performance.

Critics note Spinifex’s unique blend of complexity and primal energy. As Lawrence Peryer writes, the group has spent decades “forging original music from seemingly incompatible elements,” while DownBeat praises them as “one of Europe’s foremost improvising groups,” combining free jazz, punk, and contemporary music in live performances full of explosive moments.

With two decades of exploration under their belt, Maxximus demonstrates that Spinifex can expand their sound while remaining unmistakably themselves. “I normally see Spinifex as a compact ball that rolls with definite momentum. With Maxximus, we fan out a bit,” Klein says.

Spinifex’s members are prominent figures in contemporary jazz and improvisation: Moser doubles as a progressive metal drummer, Stadhouders has worked with Ken Vandermark, Almeida brings a dynamic multi-style bass approach, Dikeman performs extensively with William Parker and Hamid Drake, Maris is a leading European trumpet voice, and Klein is both a composer and accomplished bass clarinetist.

Release Details:

• Album: Maxximus

• Label: Trytone Records – TT559-114

• Recording Date: April 6, 2025

• Release Date: November 14, 2025

Jussi Reijonen Launches sayr, His Intimate New Solo String Series, With Stunning New Album

Finnish guitarist, Arabic oud player, and composer Jussi Reijonen is unveiling sayr, an intimate new series of solo string recordings, beginning with the hauntingly meditative album sayr: salt | thirst, out October 24, 2025 via Reijonen’s label unmusic.

Where his acclaimed 2022 large ensemble album Three Seconds | Kolme Toista explored expansive, five-movement compositions, sayr embraces solitary reflection and improvisation, offering a deeply personal counterpoint. Recorded in a single, fully improvised session on Reijonen’s steel-string acoustic guitar in March 2025, the album is divided into two contrasting arcs — “salt” and “thirst” — reminiscent of a vinyl LP’s sides.

The performance draws inspiration from string instruments across the globe — from the Finnish kantele and Arabic oud to the Moroccan sintir and West African kora — weaving in echoes of Hamza El Din, Farid al-Atrash, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté, Paco de Lucía, Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, and Camarón de la Isla. The music unfolds like a personal narrative, moving through lament, unease, and ultimately transformation.

Reflecting on the creative process, Reijonen says:

“I have lately found myself drawn to solitary reflection and introspection: to the small, simple and sparse, the rugged earthy, the gnarly unpretty… most of all, to bare feet in soil; to roots and branches; to paths less – or differently – predetermined.”

Reijonen frames sayr around the Arabic concept of “sayr” — literally “course” or “motion” — as a metaphorical pathway through memory. Using a late-1940s Gibson LG-2 steel-string acoustic guitar as his guide, he navigates pre-composed musical gestures as touchstones, creating a memory palace of sound that draws on his life across Northern Finland, the Middle East, East Africa, and the United States.

“For me, Eliot’s lines from Four Quartets capture how the perception of change or motion in the world is dependent on whether a person is in motion or still. Motion and stillness define each other, and their dance becomes the music itself,” Reijonen explains.

Critics have praised Reijonen’s previous work, with Three Seconds | Kolme Toista described as:

• “Unlike anything in memory… creates a new, genre-less form… one of the best recordings of 2022.” — Karl Ackermann, All About Jazz

• “A stunner… a unified, diverse, overwhelming statement.” — JazzTimes

sayr: salt | thirst marks the first installment in a series of solo improvisations that Reijonen plans to release between larger ensemble works. The next recording will capture a live concert at Helsinki Music Centre on September 19, 2025, featuring both acoustic guitar and oud, kicking off an international solo tour.

“I think of sayr as an evolving musical diary, creating space for personal reflection and exploration of new musical ideas. The only edits to this first recording were removing a sneeze and dividing it into two arcs,” says Reijonen.

Born in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, Reijonen has lived across Northern Finland, Jordan, Tanzania, Oman, Lebanon, and the United States. His experiences across these cultures shape his music as composer, improviser, and performer. He has collaborated with artists including Jack DeJohnette, Robin Eubanks, Pepe de Lucía, David Fiuczynski, Simon Shaheen, Bassam Saba, Arto Tunçboyacıyan, and Dave Weckl, performing at venues such as Lincoln Center and the Library of Congress.

Release Details:

• Album: sayr: salt | thirst

• Label: unmusic – UNCD12025 / UNLP12025

• Recording Date: March 1, 2025

• Release Date: October 24, 2025 (Digital & CD; LP TBA)

• Pronunciation: Jussi Reijonen — “You-see Ray-yo-nen”

John Shannon – A Day in Tarifa (Jazzbook Records)

When it comes to soulful, blues-drenched, straight-ahead jazz, few cities swing like Pittsburgh. Guitarist John Shannon, born and raised in the Steel City, stands firmly in the lineage of George Benson, Jimmy Ponder, Joe Pass, and Joe Negri — hometown masters who carried Pittsburgh’s singular rhythmic feel to audiences worldwide.

Shannon now steps forward with his debut full-length jazz album, A Day in Tarifa — out October 3 on CD, November 28 digitally, and December 5 on vinyl via Jazzbook Records. The album’s classic organ-trio lineup features Cliff Barnes on Hammond B3 and James Johnson III on drums. Together they deliver a set that stretches from hometown tributes like “Four One Two” and “Liberty Bridge” to the windswept Spanish coast that inspired the title track.

“This is actually my first jazz record,” Shannon says. “I’ve released other projects, but this is the first one written specifically for the organ trio format.” The result is both a return and a reinvention — music grounded in Pittsburgh swing but shaped by his travels, his ear for nature, and his restless search for sound.

Shannon’s musical journey began early. Picking up guitar at six, he was already performing in Pittsburgh clubs by high school, mentored by bassist Dwayne Dolphin, saxophonist Eric Kloss, and organist Mike Ross. At Berklee, he studied with Mick Goodrick and Wayne Krantz alongside peers Hiromi Uehara, Bob Reynolds, Walter Smith III, and Kendrick Scott. By nineteen he was touring Europe with his band Waking Vision, and shortly after, he was performing worldwide with Hiromi’s Sonicbloom.

Though A Day in Tarifa marks his first official jazz statement, Shannon’s resume is wide-ranging. His early solo albums (American Mystic, Songs of the Desert River, Time Was a Lie) drew critical praise for their intimacy. Later, he explored new ground with the rock trio theSHIFT, contributed to SweetPro (Reggie Watts’ ensemble behind Louie), scored Louis C.K.’s film Fourth of July, and produced State of Mind for Con Alma Records, documenting Pittsburgh’s jazz scene during the pandemic. His recent projects include Guitar Improvisations (2018) and Waking Vision’s The Breathing Earth (2023). In 2022 he signed with Jazzbook Records, with A Day in Tarifa as his first release for the label.

Still, Pittsburgh remains his anchor. “They call it the ‘Pittsburgh quarter note,’” Shannon explains. “If you don’t swing, you’re not part of the scene.” He credits figures like drummer Roger Humphries (of Song for My Father fame) and bassist Dwayne Dolphin as mentors who embody that working-class, soulful groove passed down by Benson, Ponder, Pass, and Negri.

The album itself is a tapestry of influences. “Allegheny Current,” “Four One Two,” and “Liberty Bridge” paint his hometown in sound. “Marseille” nods to Ahmad Jamal, another Pittsburgh giant. The title track captures the windswept mystique of Tarifa, Spain — “where you can see North Africa across the water, and the wind never stops,” Shannon says. Other pieces, like “Golden Wave,” “Sunrise,” “Star Travel,” and “Slipstream,” channel his connection to rivers, trees, and natural rhythms.

Choosing the organ trio is also a statement of identity. Guitar, organ, and drums — a setting popularized by Jimmy Smith and extended by Grant Green — create a sound that’s both gritty and hypnotic. “I love the trance-like nature of the organ trio,” Shannon says. With Barnes’ shimmering organ and Johnson’s deep-pocket swing, A Day in Tarifa radiates Pittsburgh soul while embracing Shannon’s global outlook.

Underlying it all is his belief in the song. “All the great jazz musicians were great songwriters,” he explains. “That’s where your voice develops — in your own music.”

That sense of voice is also spiritual. Influences like Ravi Shankar’s Chants of India echo in Shannon’s meditative, searching approach — a throughline in all his projects.

Beyond performing, Shannon co-founded Con Alma, one of the few musician-owned jazz clubs in the U.S. Since 2019, he has curated the Pittsburgh venue, programming local legends and international artists alike. Named one of Esquire’s Best Bars in America and streamed worldwide through OH! Jazz, Con Alma has become a hub for reawakening the city’s jazz identity.

With A Day in Tarifa, John Shannon makes his clearest statement yet: a bridge between Steel City grit, Mediterranean winds, and his own singular sound. Tours are planned in Central Europe, Texas, and India, alongside hometown shows.

Tracklist

1. Four One Two

2. Liberty Bridge

3. Allegheny Current

4. Marseille

5. A Day in Tarifa

6. Golden Wave

7. Sunrise

8. Star Travel

9. Slipstream

Sheila Jordan – Portrait Of Sheila LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)

Born in Detroit, vocalist Sheila Jordan moved to New York in 1951, immersing herself in the jazz world and connecting with Charlie Parker while studying under Charles Mingus and Lennie Tristano. Her remarkable voice was captured on her 1962 debut Portrait Of Sheila — one of just two vocal LPs Blue Note released in that period. Backed by Barry Galbraith (guitar), Steve Swallow (bass), and Denzil Best (drums), Jordan reimagines songbook and jazz standards: a swinging “Falling In Love With Love” (Rodgers & Hart), Irving Berlin’s “Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” heartfelt ballads like Sinatra’s “I’m A Fool To Want You” and Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Me Now,” plus a stunning voice-and-bass duet of Bobby Timmons’ soulful hard bop anthem “Dat Dere.”

Blue Note Tone Poet Series
Launched by Blue Note president Don Was and curated by producer Joe Harley (“Tone Poet”), this acclaimed series sets the gold standard for reissues. Every detail is crafted with audiophiles in mind: jackets faithfully reproduced, mastering straight from original tapes by Kevin Gray, and flawless 180g pressings by Record Technology Inc. These editions represent the ultimate listening experience—definitive in every respect.

This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl reissue was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and housed in a deluxe tip-on jacket.

Tracklist:
A1 Falling In Love With Love
A2 If You Could See Me Now
A3 Am I Blue
A4 Dat Dere
A5 When The World Was Young
A6 Let’s Face The Music And Dance
B1 Laugh, Clown, Laugh
B2 Who Can I Turn To Now
B3 Baltimore Oriole
B4 I’m A Fool To Want You
B5 Hum Drum Blues
B6 Willow Weep For Me

Holly Cole Unveils Dark Moon (Expanded) Featuring “Comin’ Home Baby”

Renowned Canadian vocalist Holly Cole has released the expanded edition of her acclaimed album Dark Moon — now including her sultry new take on the classic “Comin’ Home Baby.” The release arrives just in time for the 100th anniversary of legendary jazz singer Mel Tormé, offering a fresh spin on a beloved standard.

The new track brings together Cole’s long-time collaborators — Aaron Davis (piano), George Koller (bass), Davide Direnzo (drums), John Johnson (saxophone), Kevin Breit (guitar), and Howard Levy (harmonica, best known from Béla Fleck and the Flecktones). Levy delivers a standout harmonica solo, while Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista adds extra texture and rhythm. The album also features lush three-part harmonies by the Good Lovelies, underscoring Cole’s gift for ensemble-driven arrangements.

“I’ve always loved the uptempo Mel Tormé version of ‘Comin’ Home Baby.’ One day it struck me that the song could also sound great sung in a more sultry tempo, with a really laid-back feel. Since it’s an old-fashioned call and response, I decided to sing only the call and have members of the band handle the response. I think it really lets the tune breathe.” — Holly Cole

Cole’s artistry has always defied categories. Her voice is smoky and seductive, her interpretations bold yet refined. On Dark Moon (Expanded), she continues to blur boundaries between jazz, pop, and country, reimagining songs from iconic writers like Peggy Lee, Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mercer, and Marty Balin.

The album is available now on CD, 180-gram black vinyl, and digital formats (Standard, Hi-Res, and ATMOS) via Rumpus Room/Universal Music Canada. A new video for “Comin’ Home Baby” will premiere September 26th.

Tracklist:

1. Steppin' Out with My Baby

2. Where Flamingoes Fly

3. Moon River

4. No Moon at All

5. Message to Michael

6. The Exciting Life

7. Dark Moon

8. Comin’ Back to Me

9. Kiss Me Quick

10. Walk Away Renee

11. Johnny Guitar

12. Comin’ Home Baby

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Upcoming Tour Dates – Dark Moon Tour

• 09/13/25 – Port Theatre, Nanaimo, BC

• 09/14/25 – Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC

• 09/16/25 – Bella Concert Hall, Calgary, AB

• 09/17/25 – Festival Place, Sherwood Park (Edmonton), AB

• 09/20/25 – Club Regent Event Centre, Winnipeg, MB

Since her debut in 1989, Holly Cole has built a remarkable international career. With over a dozen albums, two JUNO Awards, two Gemini Awards, and the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Award from the Montreal Jazz Festival, she has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most distinctive and daring vocalists.

From early breakthroughs like Calling You and I Can See Clearly Now, to her celebrated Tom Waits tribute album Temptation, Cole has continually reinvented herself while staying true to her unmistakable sound.

Following her triumphant return to the stage at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the release of Dark Moon signals a new chapter: one that’s bold, revitalized, and deeply rooted in her lifelong passion for reshaping timeless songs.

“Serial jazz fest performer Holly Cole returns to make magic and melt hearts.” — Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette

Ledisi Releases New Duet with Gregory Porter Ahead of For Dinah Album

Grammy-winning powerhouse vocalist Ledisi has released her brand-new single, “You Got What It Takes” featuring Gregory Porter. The duet is lifted from her upcoming album For Dinah, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Dinah Washington, due out October 3 on Candid Records.

Originally a 1960 hit duet between Washington and Brook Benton, “You Got What It Takes” captures the playful, soulful dialogue between two charismatic voices. Ledisi and Porter bring a fresh spark to the classic, blending soul, swing, and timeless charm.

“It was a must for the For Dinah project,” says Ledisi. “I knew Gregory and I would fit perfectly on this song. I wanted to keep that loose, playful energy and mirror some of what Dinah displayed on the original.”

For Dinah

For Dinah is more than a tribute album—it’s Ledisi’s personal homage to a trailblazer who shaped her artistry. Produced by Christian McBride with contributions from Rex Rideout, the record reimagines Washington’s catalog with Ledisi’s soulful flair. Guests include Porter, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., and pianist Michael King, among others.

The album follows the acclaimed Ledisi Sings Nina, which earned Ledisi her latest Grammy nomination and praise from The New York Times for both honoring Nina Simone and showcasing Ledisi’s singular vocal brilliance.

“For me, Dinah was freedom,” Ledisi explains. “She gave me permission to move, create, and lead on my own terms. Before there was Aretha, there was Dinah.”

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

Ledisi will support the release of For Dinah with an extensive tour, beginning September 18 and highlighted by an album release show at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on October 3.

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

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 – Lugano, Switzerland – LAC Lugano Arte E Cultura

From her Grammy win to 14 career nominations, Ledisi has built a reputation for honoring the greats while forging her own path. With For Dinah, she brings the music of Dinah Washington into today’s world—reclaiming her place as a pioneer for female artists navigating an industry still marked by barriers.

“For Dinah is my way of saying her name out loud,” says Ledisi. “She deserves to be celebrated.”