Live At Andy’s Jazz CLub
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: This is a fine example of classic jazz performed live! Andy’s is one of Chicago’s best venues and the recording captures the music along with unobtrusive audience ambience. Trumpeter Marquis Carroll is a regular at Andy’s with his quintet including Brent Griffin (a-sax), Christian Dillingham (b), Greg Artry (d) and Julius Tucker (p). Artry shines on “The Ancestors’ Call Upon Us”. We enjoyed the entire session!
Ragology
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Ricky Alexander plays clarinet on another 1920s throwback, Ragology. There’s a direct lineage to New Orleans with ragtime and stomp. His band is a quintet with Jerron Paxton (banjo, vocals), Conal Fowkes (p), Rob Adkins (b), and Kevin Dorn (d). They are well suited to delivering a fresh sample of true ragtime music. Highlights are “Dizzy Fingers”, “Blackstick”, “Little Bits”, and “Sweetheart of Mine” featuring Paxton on the mic.
Beleza Pura
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Gafieira Rio Miami is an 11-piece Brazilian ensemble founded by Diogo Brown. They fuse Brazilian chorinho, pagode, bossa nova, and jazz. This is festive, happy music in the true spirit of Brazil, à la Miami. It’s wonderful, listening to this type of music as opposed to listening to the news as Gafieira brings pleasure into our living room. Highlights are freshened classics like “So Danço Samba” with Antonio Adolfo (p) & Nestor Torres (fl), “Mas Que Nada” featuring Tony Succar (perc) & Eylen Ramon (vocals), and “Um A Zero” featuring Umandu Costa (g).
Colors of a Journey
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Japanese trumpeter, composer Naoya Ogura leads a jazz orchestra on Colors of A Journey, his latest release. The band is precise, dynamic, passionate, and highly energetic across all tempos. “Moon”, “That’s The Idea”, “Everything Happens to Me”, and “I Love You” are highlights.
Balance
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Dutch vocalist/composer/producer Claire Dickson introduces her third album, Balance. Her voice is airy and mysterious, surrounded by electronic instrumentation that can grow on you. They go into the club mode on “Sign”, but we enjoyed the more relaxed title track and “Doors” best.