Since the 1990s, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel has been consistently turning heads with a series of releases showcasing his unique playing and compositional voice. Aside from his success as a leader, the Philadelphia native has racked up sideman credits with the likes of Brian Blade, Joshua Redman and Danilo Perez. Since 2003, Rosenwinkel has resided in Europe and currently teaches at the Jazz Institute of Berlin. In 2008, the Portugal-based big band Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos (OJM) invited the g

Connecticut native Mike DiRubbo has made a name for himself as a featured saxophonist in New York-based groups led by trombonist Steve Davis, pianist David Hazeltine and many others. His sixth release as a leader, Chronos (Posi-Tone), is a hard-blowing, straight-ahead affair with organist Brian Charette and drummer Rudy Royston. The disc features nine original compositions by DiRubbo and Charette, ranging from up-tempo burners and bouncy waltzes, to modal workouts and Latin-inspired grooves. Pri

Guitarist Russel Malone has maintained a prolific balance over the last couple of decades as both a leader and sideman to jazz luminaries, such as Diana Krall, Harry Connick, Jr. and Sonny Rollins. It comes as a surprise to realize that his ninth solo release Triple Play is his first trio project. With the stripped down line up of bassist David Wong and drummer Montez Coleman, Malone finds himself fully exposed without the cushion of a piano or organ. With a choice selection of standards and ori

New York-based guitarist Chris Crocco displays flowing improvisational lines with horn-like character. It's not that the Virginia native completely eschews the traditions of jazz guitar, but a thorough listen to his latest disc reveals a forward-thinking approach, void of typical blues riffs, octave slides and other predictable tricks associated with his instrument. Dubbed the Fluid Trio +, Crocco recruits bassist Peter Slavov, drummer Francisco Mela and veterans saxophonist/educator George Garz

The fourth in a series of loosely-structured, jam session recordings for the Canadian-based Alma Records, One Take: Volume Four features Hammond organ giant Joey DeFrancesco with a trio of veteran Toronto jazz musicians performing a cozy set of straight-ahead standard fare. Fronting the session is saxophonist Phil Dwyer who displays a robust tenor tone and performs with swinging lyricism through "There is No Greater Love" and "Tenderly." A somewhat unusual twist to the seemingly predictable proc