Sean Mason Breathes New Life Into Jazz With A Breath of Fresh Air

GRAMMY-nominated jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Sean Mason has released his highly anticipated new album, A Breath of Fresh Air. Following 2023’s The Southern Suite, this record marks a bold new chapter in Mason’s artistic evolution — a sweeping, soulful panorama that spans more than a century of musical innovation.

An elegantly virtuosic quintet session, A Breath of Fresh Air traces the deeply satisfying arc of a soul inspired, renewed, and unbound. Alongside the album’s release, Mason has shared the striking new video for “Unfinished Business,” a tune that wrestles with the ongoing journey toward self-discovery and healing.

“Unfinished Business shifts our focus to the work that still remains,” Mason explains. “It’s a reminder that self-discovery and healing aren't passive processes — they demand active engagement with our baggage, with our unresolved issues. Musically, it’s grounded in the work song tradition, driven by a four-on-the-floor backbeat and a sense of urgency that mirrors our own unfinished business.”

The album also features earlier singles “Rediscovery,” which Mason calls “the genesis of the album’s narrative,” and “Open Your Heart,” a warm, soul-stirring ballad.

A Breath of Fresh Air reunites the stellar cast from The Southern Suite: trumpeter Tony Glausi, tenor saxophonist Chris Lewis, bassist Felix Moseholm, and drummer Domo Branch. Recorded over two days at Brooklyn’s Bunker Studios, the project captures the energy of a live performance — no sheet music, no isolation booths, just pure creative connection.

Mason’s journey through a personal and creative rebirth inspired this work — a daring assertion of independence and authenticity. Refusing to be confined by expectation, he channels a vast spectrum of influences into a singular voice that’s as forward-looking as it is steeped in jazz tradition. As mentor Branford Marsalis aptly puts it, “the album sounds like Ahmad Jamal and Horace Silver had a baby.”

More than just an album, A Breath of Fresh Air unfolds as a full multimedia experience: a short film, behind-the-scenes video series, and photo essay that together illuminate the band’s creative process and Mason’s spiritual journey.

“This is a testimony,” Mason says. “Our inspiration comes from everywhere, but the magic happens when we transform those influences into something that’s wholly our own. That’s the path I’m walking now.”

Tour Dates:
November 15 – New York, NY @ Miller Theatre

Sacha Boutros Illuminates Paris in SACHA: PARIS AFTER DARK — A Centennial Celebration of French and American Song

Global jazz vocalist, composer, producer, and peace ambassador Sacha Boutros returns with SACHA: PARIS AFTER DARK — a lush, multilingual journey through 100 years of popular music by French and American composers. Released October 17, 2025 on Hear Me Roar Records, the album soared to #1 on iTunes within three days of release, a testament to Boutros’ worldwide following and her singular ability to unite audiences across borders and languages.

A master of connection and culture, Boutros speaks seven languages and sings in 14. On SACHA: PARIS AFTER DARK, she draws from her deep stylistic palette — jazz, blues, pop, and swing — to reimagine timeless songs originally written or popularized by Gilbert Bécaud, Jacques Brel, Sidney Bechet, Sacha Distel, Joe Dassin, Cole Porter, Dalida, and Serge Gainsbourg. Singing in French, English, and a touch of Italian, she bridges the Great American Songbook with classic French pop in a heartfelt homage to the City of Light and Love.

The 10-track album marks Boutros’ fifth full-length recording and continues her After Dark series, following Sacha: NY After Dark (2013) — with Sacha: Las Vegas After Dark and Sacha: Mexico After Dark soon to follow. “For me, this album is a love letter to Paris, to music, to my childhood and family, and to the powerful bond between cultures,” says Boutros. “The After Dark aesthetic captures the sound and spirit of a city at night — the music you hear in cafés, clubs, taxis, and on the streets. I’ve never been more found than when I’m lost in Paris.”

The album features a stellar ensemble of French and Franco-American jazz greats: Stéphane Belmondo (trumpet), Franck Amsallem (piano), Hugo Lippi (guitar), Thomas Bramerie (bass), and Tony Rabeson (drums). Together, they create a cinematic, late-night Parisian atmosphere — intimate yet grand, sophisticated yet spontaneous.

Highlights include a sensual, percussive take on Gilbert Bécaud’s “Je Reviens Te Chercher”, a sultry reimagining of Sidney Bechet’s “Si tu Vois Ma Mère”, and a bilingual “love dance” medley of Jacques Brel’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas” and Frank Sinatra’s “I’m a Fool to Want You.” Boutros also delivers a spritely, romantic “April in Paris,” a smoky rendition of Joe Dassin’s “Et si tu n’existais pas,” and an evocative version of Serge Gainsbourg’s “La Javanaise.” Other standout moments include the timeless poignancy of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” and the sensual multilingual charm of Dalida’s “Love in Portofino.” The album closes with haunting grace on Cole Porter’s “In the Still of the Night” and a jubilant, swinging finale — “La Belle Vie” (“The Good Life”) — that encapsulates the warmth and wit of the collection.

Of Mexican and French Lebanese heritage, Boutros was raised in San Diego in a European household. A former athlete and honors graduate in Marketing and International Business, she later founded her own label, production, and publishing company, Hear Me Roar, becoming one of the few female producers in jazz. Her work has topped iTunes, Billboard, and international charts — including #2 in Japan’s jazz rankings and #3 in Francophile and Canadian charts.

Boutros is also a community leader and cultural visionary. In 2014 she founded Sacha’s Supper Club 501(c)3, the first vintage pop-up experience blending fine dining, big band music, and dancing in the style of 1940s café society. In 2017 she helped create the “The Place Where Soles Meet” mural at the San Ysidro–Tijuana border, a symbol of unity through art. In France, she is affectionately known as “La Reine du Jazz” — The Jazz Queen.

Ben Marc Returns with Hypnotic New Single “Homeless Maccabee” ft. Σtella — From Forthcoming Album Who Cares Wins

London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Ben Marc has unveiled his latest single, “Homeless Maccabee,” featuring Greek Sub Pop artist Σtella, the third release from his anticipated new album Who Cares Wins, out 5th December via Innovative Leisure.

Following “Back Again” (ft. Arrested Development & Speech) and “Love,” this new offering continues Marc’s boundary-pushing journey through sound — a project being revealed in three stages: two four-track EPs in October and November, culminating in the full 14-track LP this December. The staggered rollout mirrors Marc’s layered, immersive approach to composition, allowing each part of the record to breathe before the full picture comes into view.

“‘Homeless Maccabee’ is my first full song collaboration with Σtella. We both share a deep love for a wide range of musical genres, and I’m super proud of the blend of influences we brought together in this track,” says Marc.

A musician who has long defied categorization, Ben Marc has worked with an extraordinary list of collaborators — from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Mulatu Astatke to Sun Ra Arkestra and Dizzee Rascal. His music fluidly crosses jazz, electronic, and classical realms, echoing the diversity of his own background: raised between Birmingham and the Caribbean island of Carriacou, Marc grew up surrounded by hip-hop, reggae, and soul.

The name Ben Marc itself reflects his dual identity — “Ben,” the nickname from his early days with Tomorrow’s Warriors, and “Marc,” a nod to his Birmingham roots. During the pandemic, while volunteering with the NHS, Marc began shaping Who Cares Wins as a deeply personal statement: “I ended up thinking, well, it’s a genre — it’s just me.”

Marc’s 2022 debut Glass Effect earned widespread acclaim — Pitchfork called it “oblique, hypnotic, and unresolved, rejecting the ordering logics of containment by melding house, jazz, classical, and electronic music.” CLASH described him as “overlapping club tropes with jazz improvisation, a unique style that could only come from London.” NPR hailed the album as “an absolute masterpiece,” while Jazzwise praised him as “a vital voice.”

With Who Cares Wins, Marc takes his sound further — expansive yet grounded, bold yet deeply human. Surrounding himself with synths, strings, drums, and guitars in his own studio, he’s embraced a freer, more mature production style. The title riffs on the British Special Air Service motto “Who Dares Wins,” flipping it with a wink — a reminder that experimentation and vulnerability go hand in hand.

The album features collaborations with Kay Young, Khazali, Wahid, and Speech, each bringing a distinct tone to Marc’s sonic universe. From the restless pulse of “The Blues” to the infectious drive of “Cheddar Man,” Who Cares Wins promises to be both a statement and a celebration.

Jane Ira Bloom & Brian Shankar Adler Ignite in once like a spark — A Dazzling New Duo Release

Adhyâropa Records has announced once like a spark, the new collaboration between legendary soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom and forward-thinking percussionist Brian Shankar Adler.

once like a spark brings together NASA soprano saxophonist/composer Bloom and percussionist/composer Adler for a series of acoustic duets that traverse the globe and showcase their extraordinary improvisational chemistry.

After years of rehearsing and performing together, the duo entered Acadia Studios in Portland, ME, in July 2025 to record their first collaborative album. The result is 14 tracks that capture the spark of their unique musical connection. Many are first takes, inspired by sources as wide-ranging as the gamelan of Southeast Asia (“Shan Dara,” “Together We”), the rhythms of North India (“Psalm,” “Song for Khan”), literary icons Jorge Luis Borges (“A Boa a Quq Aoaba”) and e.e. cummings (“once like a spark”), and even cosmic imagery (“Old Orchard Intergalactic Launchpad,” “Air”).

The music pulses with rhythm, melodic depth, and fearless improvisation. Each duet feels intimate yet expansive — a sonic dialogue alive with curiosity and trust. It’s almost hard to believe that there are only two musicians performing, as each piece unfolds into a world of its own.

once like a spark is a glowing testament to two master improvisers at the height of their creative powers — warm, dynamic, and endlessly inventive.

Tracklist — Total 56:45

1. Drums Like Dancing (Bloom) — 3:37

2. once like a spark (Adler) — 3:57

3. Psalm (Bloom) — 4:54

4. Shan Dara (Bloom) — 6:17

5. Together We (Adler) — 3:59

6. Just Like This (Bloom) — 3:30

7. Old Orchard Intergalactic Launchpad (Adler) — 4:16

8. Be Cowboy (Bloom) — 3:40

9. True City (Bloom) — 3:18

10. Watertown (Adler) — 4:43

11. Song for Khan (Bloom) — 4:02

12. A Boa a Quq Aoaba (Adler) — 4:01

13. Air (Bloom) — 4:02

14. Two Mays (Bloom) — 2:29

Personnel:
Jane Ira Bloom — soprano sax
Brian Shankar Adler — drums, tabla, chromatic discs, wooden box
Ken Filiano — upright bass (track 3)

Mina Agossi – Dynamic: A Daring Tribute to Dinah Washington

With Dynamic, French singer-songwriter Mina Agossi pays heartfelt tribute to the legendary “Queen of the Blues,” Dinah Washington. Following her experimental electro project Lonely Whales, Agossi — whom the great Ahmad Jamal affectionately called “The Diva” — returns to her jazz and blues roots, channeling Washington’s fearless energy while weaving in her own distinctive voice and original compositions.

Backed by a remarkable ensemble of international musicians, including her long-time bassist Eric Jacot, trumpeter Stéphane Belmondo, violinists Florin Niculescu and Alexei Aigui, and Athanase Obed of the Gangbé Brass Band, Agossi delivers an album where history, passion, and modern creativity collide. The project is at once reverent and revolutionary — a celebration of Dinah Washington’s timeless repertoire and an exploration of how her spirit resonates in the present.

Agossi approaches these songs not as a mimic, but as an interpreter unafraid of risk. Her performances of classics such as “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t Ma’ Baby,” “This Bitter Earth,” “Mad About the Boy,” and “What a Difference a Day Makes” are imbued with both respect and reinvention. Interwoven among them are her own compositions, sung in both English and French, that reveal her mischievous, daring character — “a soul with mischief in her eyes and audacity in her voice.” The result is a vibrant, unpredictable journey that pays homage to Dinah’s legacy while reaffirming Mina’s place among today’s most inventive jazz vocalists.

Mina Agossi: vocals
Eric Jacot: bass
Marc Charrière: sound design, keyboards
Jérémy Bruyère: organ
Athanase Obed: trumpet, bugle
Alexei Aigui, Florin Niculescu: violin
Romain Da Costa: conga, percussion
Manolo Badrena, Jozz Aidama: percussion

Tracklisting

Disc 1
Side 1

1. Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t Ma’ Baby

2. This Bitter Earth

3. C’est Une Île

4. Funny

5. Mad About The Boy

6. Mon Homme

7. Ne Jette Rien

8. September In The Rain

9. What A Difference A Day Makes

10. Dynamic Song

Yusef Lateef – Golden Flower: Live in Sweden

The first official release of two stunning live performances by the legendary saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef arrives this winter. Golden Flower – Live In Sweden captures Lateef in two inspired concerts recorded for Swedish television and radio in 1967 and 1972, now finally issued as a 2CD deluxe digipak edition with a 20-page booklet.

This limited-edition release marks the second official collaboration between Elemental Music and the Yusef Lateef Estate, following 2024’s acclaimed Atlantis Lullaby: The Concert from Avignon. Transferred from the original tapes and restored and mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab in Los Angeles, the recordings highlight Lateef’s boundary-pushing spirit and deep musical intelligence.

The set features performances with two distinct quartets, showcasing the range and evolution of Lateef’s artistry.
The 1967 Mosebacke concert pairs him with Lars Sjösten (piano), Palle Danielsson (bass), and Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums), while the 1972 Åhus Jazz Festival performance finds him joined by Kenny Barron (piano), Bob Cunningham (bass), and Heath once again on drums.

The 2CD set includes rare photographs, new liner notes, and personal reflections from Barron and other musicians who were inspired by Lateef’s visionary approach.

Tracklist:

Disc 1 – Recorded at Mosebacke, Sweden (September 13, 1967)

1. The Golden Flute

2. Blind Willie

3. One Little Indian

4. Straighten Up and Fly Right

5. The Poor Fisherman

Disc 2 – Recorded at Åhus Jazz Festival, Sweden (August 1, 1972)

1. Eboness

2. Lowland Lullaby

3. A Flower

4. Yusef’s Mood

5. Inside Atlantis

Dr. John Live At The Village Gate

Omnivore Recordings and the Official Estate of Dr. John are celebrating the late legend’s birthday with a gift to fans — Live At The Village Gate, a previously unissued concert from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer himself. The album arrives digitally and as a double CD on November 21, the day after Dr. John’s actual birthday.

Mac Rebennack — better known as Dr. John — forever changed the sound of American music starting with his 1968 debut Gris Gris, fusing New Orleans soul, funk, blues, and voodoo rhythms into something entirely his own. Across five decades, he gave us classics like “Right Place, Wrong Time” and “Such A Night,” leaving an indelible mark on music before his passing in 2019.

Live At The Village Gate captures Dr. John and his band on March 5, 1988, delivering nearly two hours of pure magic. The set includes “Mess Around,” “Georgia On My Mind,” “Mardi Gras Day,” and even a crowd request for “Mama Roux” from Gris Gris—each performance steeped in the grit, groove, and joy that defined him.

Restored and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, the release also features liner notes by Joe Marchese of The Second Disc. It’s more than just a live album — it’s a celebration of one of music’s most soulful spirits. As the man himself would say, “Let the good times roll.”

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/7qRFu_1LqfA

Dr. John – Live at the Village Gate
DISC 1
1. Renegade
2. Qualified
3. Life Is A One Way Ticket
4. Keep That Music Simple
5. One Dirty Woman
6. I’ve Been Hoodood
7. Rain
DISC 2
8. Let The Good Times Roll / Ooh Poo Pah Doo
9. Mess Around
10. Georgia On My Mind
11. Mama Roux
12. Mardi Gras Day

Nicola Conte’s Viaggio: A Deep Dive into Italy’s Golden Age of Library Jazz (1970–79)

After his celebrated Viagem series, which shone a light on Brazil’s overlooked bossa nova and samba jazz recordings, international DJ, producer, and recording artist Nicola Conte returns with a new curatorial masterpiece—Viaggio. Released through Far Out Recordings, in collaboration with Blue Note and Schema Records, Viaggio is a 12-track odyssey through the golden era of Italian library music from 1970 to 1979, a period when imagination and experimentation flourished behind studio doors.

In the 1970s, Italy’s composers were crafting extraordinary music not for mass-market albums, but for film and television libraries. These recordings, meant to underscore emotion and narrative, allowed for unparalleled artistic freedom. Without commercial expectations, composers like Amedeo Tommasi, Alessandro Alessandroni, Max Rocci, and others explored the outer reaches of jazz, funk, and avant-garde sound. Pressed in small quantities and distributed only within the film and broadcast industries, much of this music remained hidden from the public for decades.

“This is a journey through a largely forgotten world,” Conte explains. “While major jazz recording opportunities were limited, small publishing labels—many founded by the musicians themselves—opened a space for experimentation and personal expression. What emerged was a sound that was both cinematic and deeply human.”

At the heart of Viaggio lies Amedeo Tommasi, a sophisticated pianist and one of Italy’s earliest adopters of Black American modal jazz. When traditional jazz recording opportunities waned, Tommasi pivoted toward soundtrack and library music, helping to define a distinct Italian aesthetic that married the lyricism of European jazz with the rhythmic pulse of global styles.

Alongside Tommasi are visionary contemporaries: Alessandro Alessandroni and his wife, vocalist Giulia De Mutiis (Kema); Stefano Torossi under his alias Farlocco; Belgian composer Joel Vandroogenbroeck; and many more. Together, they blended analog synthesizers, lush orchestration, and influences from Brazilian rhythms, jazz-funk, and Middle Eastern modes, crafting music that was at once exploratory and evocative.

Conte’s Viaggio reveals this forgotten chapter of sonic artistry—a time when the studio was a playground for creativity, and Italian jazz was both experimental and emotionally grounded. “You can hear the haunting melodies and sun-kissed atmospheres that capture the Italian spirit,” Conte says. “Some of these pieces could have been full-fledged artist albums, others were made for visual storytelling, but all of them share a sense of wonder.”

Tracklisting – Viaggio
Disc 1
Side 1

1. Amedeo Tommasi – Brasilia (The Sound)

2. Max Rocci & His Friends – Colorombo

3. Max Rocci & His Friends – Niagara Falls

4. Alessandroni E Il Suo Complesso – Via Mare

5. Joel Vandroogenbroeck – Electronic Jungle

6. Kema – Pescatori (Canto Femminile)

Side 2

1. Desert – Leaving

2. The Swingers – Depressione

3. Latrudi – Feeling

4. Narassa, Amedeo Tommasi Trio – Lalo

5. The Swingers feat. Marco Di Marco – Meditazione

6. The Swingers – Nostalgia

Through Viaggio, Nicola Conte invites listeners to rediscover the overlooked brilliance of Italy’s jazz and soundtrack pioneers—music that shaped the nation’s creative identity and continues to inspire new generations of artists. This is not nostalgia; it’s a rediscovery of timeless innovation.

Anthony Stanco Swings Forward with In the Groove: A Live Celebration of Hard Bop Energy and Detroit Soul

With his 2024 release Stanco’s Time, trumpet virtuoso Anthony Stanco declared that his moment had arrived—an album that honored the bebop tradition while showcasing his own bold artistic voice. Now, the Detroit native returns with In the Groove (OA2 Records), due out October 17, 2025, a record that captures the trumpet master at full stride—soulful, swinging, and alive in every sense of the word.

As its title suggests, In the Groove is all about feel. The album thrives on deep-pocket grooves and hard bop vitality, recorded live at The Alluvion, an intimate jazz club in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. There, surrounded by an audience of devoted jazz lovers, Stanco and his all-star band—Randy Napoleon (guitar), Xavier Davis (piano), John Webber (bass), and Joe Farnsworth (drums)—created a performance charged with the spontaneous electricity that only live jazz can deliver.

The venue’s name, “Alluvion,” meaning the natural carving of a groove by water, lends the album its thematic and metaphorical depth. Many of Stanco’s compositions echo this water imagery, paying tribute to both the Traverse City landscape and the fluid creativity that has defined his artistry.

“I grew up on the east side of Detroit—fifth generation Detroit Italian,” Stanco says. “Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker were my mentors, and they shaped everything about how I play. Traverse City has become my second home, though. The musical community here is something special.”

That community spirit is at the heart of In the Groove. Stanco’s relationship with The Alluvion extends beyond performance—he holds a monthly residency there and collaborates with club owner Jeff Haas, founder of Building Bridges with Music, a nonprofit that brings arts education to Detroit-area schools. Haas also contributed the lively composition “Tales” to the new album.

Drawing inspiration from the golden age of live hard bop recordings of the 1950s and ’60s, Stanco sought to channel that same energy and interplay. “I love those old boogaloo grooves,” he explains. “You can’t recreate that vibe in a studio. You need an audience—you need that exchange.”

The album bursts open with “T. Sea,” a sly nod to Traverse City, as Farnsworth’s driving rhythm sets the tone for an evening of joyous swing. Stanco’s love for family shines through once again with “Sonny Boy,” a playful companion piece to “Josie Rosie” from Stanco’s Time, written for his two-year-old daughter. Here, the audience joins in on the refrain, creating a warm, communal moment that defines the live experience.

Listeners are treated to standout moments across the set: Napoleon’s “Hey Cute One” inspires a hand-clapping groove from the crowd, while Duke Pearson’s “Say You’re Mine” links Stanco’s sound to the lineage of Donald Byrd and other Detroit greats. Stanco’s originals—like the swaggering “Riptide,” the contemplative “Pyramid Point,” and the fiery closer “Just a Moment,” a contrafact of John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice”—showcase his gift for blending reverence with originality.

“The hard bop era was all about returning to the roots,” Stanco reflects. “That’s what Detroit jazz is built on. We honor the blues, but we also push forward. That’s the spirit of this album.”

With In the Groove, Anthony Stanco not only pays homage to the masters but also cements his own place among them. The album is a living, breathing testament to jazz as a communal art form—vibrant, evolving, and utterly in the moment.

2025 Tour Dates:

• October 16, 2025 – UrbanBeat, Lansing, MI | 6:00–9:00 PM | urbanbeatevents.com

• November 1–2, 2025 – Traverse City Philharmonic: Masterworks Series | tcphil.org

• November 20–22, 2025 – Cliff Bell’s, Detroit, MI | 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM | cliffbells.com

Eric Roberson Returns with Beautifully All Over The Place: A Soulful Journey Through Love, Life, and Growth

With Beautifully All Over The Place, Eric Roberson once again proves why he’s considered one of the true architects of modern soul. The GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and Howard University alum delivers an album that celebrates the full spectrum of human emotion—love, loss, faith, and resilience—wrapped in his signature blend of R&B, soul, and hip-hop influences.

The album’s tracklist reflects both introspection and celebration, with collaborations that highlight Roberson’s gift for connection:

“BEAUTIFULLY ALL OVER THE PLACE” Tracklist:

1. Come With Me

2. Trust in Love feat. Jayshawn Champion

3. Over You, Under You feat. Najee & Jayshawn Champion

4. Fight Thru It All

5. Where You Gonna Go? feat. BJ The Chicago Kid

6. Sweeter Than You feat. Avery*Sunshine

7. Do Something

8. Believe In Me

9. Harmonize feat. Micki Miller

10. Still Be Loving You

Each track unfolds like a page from Roberson’s life, a story told through lush harmonies and grooves that feel timeless yet distinctly current. Collaborations with artists like Najee, Avery*Sunshine, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Micki Miller add fresh textures while staying rooted in the authenticity that defines Roberson’s artistry.

Fans can catch up with Roberson on his Beautifully All Over The Place Tour, where his performances continue to uplift and inspire audiences around the world. For tickets and additional information, visit the official Beautifully All Over The Place Tour page.

For more than two decades, Eric Roberson has built a legacy as one of the most respected independent artists in R&B and soul. From his debut in 2001 with The Esoteric Movement to 2022’s Lessons, his music has been a soundtrack for love and life. He’s collaborated with icons like Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Vivian Green, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Spinna—artists who, like him, understand the power of honest, heartfelt storytelling.

“It’s R&B and soul music, but I’m a hip-hop dude,” Roberson says of his sound—a reflection of his multi-layered approach that continues to resonate deeply with fans. Over the years, he’s earned two GRAMMY nominations for “Best Urban/Alternative Performance,” a BET J Virtual Award for “Underground Artist of the Year,” and the distinction of being the first independent artist nominated for a BET Award. Through his label, Blue Erro Soul Entertainment, Roberson continues to redefine what independence in music looks like, pairing freedom with finesse.

From the introspective tones of Hear from Here (2020) to the global embrace of Lessons (2022), Eric Roberson’s career stands as a testament to passion, perseverance, and purpose. A former Berklee College of Music professor, he’s also nurtured the next generation of artists while inviting fans into his own creative process through “The Process,” a groundbreaking interactive project that brings listeners behind the scenes of his music-making journey.

With Beautifully All Over The Place, Roberson delivers yet another soulful chapter in his evolving story—proof that vulnerability and groove can coexist beautifully. As always, his message is clear: honest music never goes out of style.

Jimbo Ross Ignites Jazz Once Again with SO DO IT

Despite a long career accompanying some of the top names in the music industry, violin/viola master Jimbo Ross didn’t release his first jazz album until 2024. That debut, Jazz Passion and Latin Satin, earned rave reviews—JW Vibe called it “magnificent, rhythmically multi-faceted and adventurously improvisation-filled.”

Now, with his latest release, SO DO IT, Ross once again dazzles listeners with his virtuosic and high-energy playing on a program of jazz classics.

Ross’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. A first-call session musician and soloist, he’s played with legends across every genre: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Paul McCartney, Don Ellis, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and James Brown, among many others. His range spans rock, R&B, pop, blues, and zydeco—reflected in his own group, the Bodacious Band, which released four albums of roots-driven grooves.

Back in the 1970s, the late, great Don Ellis introduced him as “the only jazz violist in captivity.” Decades later, that statement still holds weight. Ross performs on a custom-made electric 5-string viola/violin, expanding his range and enabling seamless leaps between the deep warmth of the viola and the soaring brilliance of the violin.

For SO DO IT, Ross reunites with his Jazz Passion and Latin Satin bandmates—guitarist Joe Gaeta, pianist Stuart Elster, bassist Peter Marshall, and drummer Ron Wagner—a group of top-tier Southern California players who match Ross’s energy and artistry. Recorded live in the studio, the album captures the spontaneous chemistry that defines true jazz interplay. “We recorded all these tunes live to capture that spontaneous combustion,” Ross explains, “that you can only achieve by feeding off of each other.”

Ross handpicked a vibrant mix of jazz standards and overlooked gems, giving each his signature spin. From the propulsive swing of Kurt Weill’s “Speak Low” to the funky turns of Bill Evans’ “Funkallero” and the exuberant burn of Sam Jones’ “Unit 7”, the album brims with vitality. Ross’s tone—gritty, soulful, and lyrical—anchors every tune with passion and authenticity.

Wes Montgomery’s “So Do It” and “Twisted Blues” showcase Ross’s rhythmic agility, while his interpretation of “Canadian Sunset” elegantly dances between Latin and straight-ahead feels. The lesser-known Duke Ellington tune “Sherman Shuffle” gets an energized update, and “Nardis” unfolds as a mesmerizing dialogue between piano, bass, and Ross’s electric viola. The album closes on a high note with a fiery rendition of Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Across the set, Ross proves why he remains one of the few—and finest—jazz violists performing today. Though he’s been immersed in jazz performance for decades, SO DO IT shows that Jimbo Ross is just hitting his stride as a recording artist. Bold, vibrant, and joyously alive, this album is proof that for great music, it’s never too late to make your mark.