Invisible Piano
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2026
O's Notes: Beasley was commissioned by Germany’s renowned SWR Big Band to create this work, centered around his piano and inspired by artwork at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Museum, including Max Ernst’s Invisible Piano! The orchestration emanated from this exploration, conducted and arranged by Beasley, seven pieces including five originals. The piano is by no means invisible on this recording evidenced by “Woman With Chariot”. Other highlights are “Galaha”, the adventurous title track, and a couple of tunes with contemporary flavor “You Can’t Hide Love” & “Concentric”.
Lost And Found
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2026
O's Notes: Vibraphonist, composer Vance Thompson makes his debut with Lost and Found, in a quintet with Taber Gable (p), Steve Kovalcheck (g), Tommy Sauter (b), and Marcus Finnie (d). The program includes fresh original music along with classic covers spanning the jazz spectrum. We liked the bossa nova beats of “The Thread of All Sorrows”, the bluesy “Sleight of Hand”, “Tell It Like It Is”, and “Mixed Feelings”.
Falcón in Blue
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2026
O's Notes: Cuban pianist Alejandro Falcón is one of the leading jazz musicians and a strong architect of danzón. On Falcón In Blue he revisits more traditional Cuban music. The music is vibrant and festive on the title track and “Yuca Con Mojo” with an opening bass solo by Arnulfo Guerras, relaxing on “Bolero Para Brenda”, and “Ted In Havana” featuring saxophonist Ted Nash.
Crazy World
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2026
O's Notes: As Is is a Philadelphia-based contemporary jazz band led by vocalist Stacey Lynn Schulman and guitarist Alan Schulman. They use AI-integrated instrumentation with vocals, rap, and spoken word for their latest release Crazy World. Jeff “Tain” Watts (d), Dante Pope (vocals), and Corcoran Holt (b) have notable contributions. They set the stage with a unique arrangement of “From This Moment On” featuring Kokayi (spoken word). Other highlights are “Better Than Anything”, “A House Is Not A Home”, and the sweet harmony on “PrAilude”. This performance exceeded our expectations. Stacey’s voice is rich and smooth over the wide variety of selections, many covers have been freshened up and given a new life.
Bass & Face
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2026
O's Notes: Bassist Chuck Bergeron teams up with ten different vocalists for a set of thirteen duets (mostly) that are soft, sweet and wonderful. There’s nowhere to hide in this format, so we get an up-close view on the tone and timbre of the artists. Chuck invites George Rabbai (t, vocals) for “I Thought About You”. Kevin Mahogany sings on two selections notably “Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West” featuring guests Charles Pillow (sax), Phil Strange (p), and John Riley (d). Chuck uses the bow on “Do You Know What It Means”, with Strange. Janis Siegel sings “When I Drink”. Nicole Yarling sings and chops it up on violin for “Audubon Zoo/Iko-Iko”. John Hart (g) accentuates “Fair Weather” with Sheila Jordan. Roseanna Vitro brings a touch of humor on “Take The Wrinkles Out Your Birthday Suit”, and “Analog” features vocalist Deborah Silver.