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Best of Jazz Editors’ Picks Review

WINTER JAN

Here are several 2020 releases that should be on everyone’s playlists. Featuring the new works of Logan Richardson, Patrick Cornelius, Arthur White and MERGE, and Marcus Lewis Big Band our Editor’s Picks cover a relatively broad modern spectrum.

Jazz Artistry Now – Here are several releases that should be on everyone’s playlists featuring the new music of Logan Richardson, Patrick Cornelius, Arthur White and MERGE, and Marcus Lewis Big Band.

LOGAN RICHARDSON – AFROFUTURISM

“There’s another musical genre-busting breakthrough set for everyone to enjoy on alto saxophonist, composer, producer, Logan Richardson’s AFROFUTURISM that is at once urgent and calming; innovative and yet familiar; serious and fun. Mr. Richardson is arguably the state of the art in jazz today much in the same way Charlie Parker and John Coltrane were several generations before him.”

Listen for yourself…

🎵 — Jazz Artistry Now

PATRICK CORNELIUS – ACADIA: WAY OF THE CAIRNS

“A uniquely exciting compositional voice and modern jazz saxophone virtuoso is Patrick Cornelius who’s been releasing engaging music for ensembles of various sizes and instrumental configurations for over a decade. His latest offering ACADIA: WAY OF THE CAIRNS is no less a musically prophetic and tangible portrayal of jazz artistry now. State of the Art, indeed.”

Listen for yourself…

🎵 — Jazz Artistry Now

ARTHUR WHITE AND MERGE – WHEN YOU FIND IT…

“Composer, saxophonist, and educator Arthur White is director of jazz studies at CalPoly where he continues to positively impact our future generations in the music. Dr. White is the real deal and his latest release WHEN YOU FIND IT… is a brilliant showcase for his ensemble MERGE.”

Listen for yourself…

🎵 — Jazz Artistry Now

MARCUS LEWIS BIG BAND – BLACK IN AMERICA

“Trombonist, composer and educator, Marcus Lewis has cracked the (proverbial) code of merging hip-hop and jazz big band with several commercial releases that are produced in both, musical and artistic ways, AND don’t result in an aural caricature of either (or both) of these important styles of music. Mr. Lewis’s creative original compositions and arrangements employ real instrumentalists where normally sampled horns exist and that adds so much authenticity to the musical aspects of BLACK IN AMERICA which make it ground-breaking jazz artistry now.”

Listen for yourself…

🎵 — Jazz Artistry Now

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS