Orrin Evans - pianist, bandleader and notorious musical catalyst - is a bona fide, jazz original. Brimming with music and ideas, Orrin’s "Liberation Blues" debuts one of his most impressive projects yet, a new quintet lineup that includes Sean Jones, JD Allen, Luques Curtis, and Bill Stewart. The recording, made live at Smoke Jazz Club in New York City, occurred immediately following the passing of bassist Dwayne Burno, and the opening selections comprise the "Liberation Blues Suite" dedicated to his memory.

Live In Bremen does precisely that. It celebrates 25 years since the release of Maceo Parker's breakthrough album "Roots Revisited", which propelled him forwards - from a career as a James Brown and George Clinton sideman to influential leader in his own right - and back towards the music that he listened to growing up. This Bremen show is a definitive distillation of the band Maceo took out on tour after the album's release, a tour which connected him to a younger audience, encountering for the first time his music, his showmanship and his authenticity.

John Scofield goes country! With the help of drummer Bill Stewart, organist & pianist Larry Goldings, and bassist Steve Swallow, Scofield renders 12 classic country tunes through the prism of vigorous modern jazz. Country icons including Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton and George Jones are hereby reinterpreted by Scofield by focusing strongly on the melody of each song, accentuating his playing with a noticeable twang, which lends the music the requisite bucolic sensibility.

John Scofield updates his early-90s quartet with drummer Bill Stewart and saxophonist Joe Lovano by recruiting bassist Larry Grenadier for his fetching, appropriately titled Impulse! debut, Past Present. The nine exciting tunes Scofield penned on Past Present reflects his philosophy on playing jazz music. He stresses the importance of being knowledgeable of the musics deep, complex roots while simultaneously being spontaneous and in the moment while performing it. For an artist with such a multifaceted discography as Scofields, getting to the root of jazz means channeling the blues, as demonstrated on the discs closing, titled-track.

A wonderful gift for jazz fans has arrived from Venus Records! Nobody argues that Bill Charlap is one of the most preeminent jazz pianists of his generation. His encyclopedic knowledge of the American Songbook is second to none, and his beautiful touch, amazing skills and imagination make it a pleasure to listen to him at all times. Ken Peplowski, on the other hand, is without a doubt one of the best clarinet and tenor sax players in the swing tradition.

The New York Trio, consisting of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, have created quite a stir in Japan, as they have entered the studio regularly to record for the Japanese Venus Jazz label at the start of the 21st century. Their sixth CD for the label, Thou Swell draws from the songbook of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, a composer/lyricist combo who wrote many songs that became standards.

After Bill Charlap was "discovered" by the Japanese independent Venus Records with his wonderful debut album for the label 'S Wonderful, he signed with Blue Note. Because of the contract terms, Charlap's name can no longer apper prominently on albums he records for Venus. Hence the anonymous moniker "New York Trio". But make no mistake. This is Bill Charlap's trio. And what a trio! Veteran Jay Leonhart's bass sounds deep, lyrical and authoritative, and cutting-edge drummer Bill Stewart's surprisingly traditional drumming brings a unique tension to this group. This unusual trio has recorded six albums for Venus Records at the pace of one each year, and this is their first of the celebrated series. One of the best interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Charlap dazzles us with his beautiful touch and tone, faithful rendering of original melodies and subtle addition of modern sensibilities. Selections are mostly medium to slow tempo ballads. As the title suggests, this is clearly music for the night.

Peter Bernstein and his guitar join together with Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Genadier on bass and Bill Stewart on drums to complile a 10-track SACD that features Bernstein originals "Venus Blues" and "Just A Thought" as well as jazz staples from Phillip Springer, Harry Warren and many more.

The New York Trio, consisting of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, have put together a spectacular jazz lineup for this audiophile SACD. Also known as the New York Jazz Trio, the group is known for recording classic standards in a straightforward, post-bop style. Together, they are a successful force, having marked their spot in East Coast jazz scene. But separately, they have also each reached their individual levels of success. In his career, pianist Bill Charlap has played alongside jazz icons Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan, and has recorded a handful of well-received albums as a bandleader. Jay Leonhart, a bassist for the Trio, has also dabbled in vocals and songwriting and has performed with Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz, and many others. And drummer Bill Stewart has rubbed musical elbows on stage with jazz guitarist John Scofield, sax player Maceo Parker and R&B legend James Brown.

Also known as the New York Jazz Trio, this combo is a studio-only group who specialize in recording classic standards in a straightforward, post-bop style. The New York Trio features three gifted musicians who are firmly established on the East Coast jazz scene. Pianist Bill Charlap is a member of the Phil Woods Quintet, has accompanied the likes of Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan, and has recorded a handful of well-received albums for Blue Note as a bandleader. Bassist Jay Leonhart has recorded as a headliner since 1983, while also making a name for himself as a vocalist and songwriter as well as backing up Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz, and many others. And drummer Bill Stewart had handled demanding gigs with a variety of musicians, including jazz guitarist John Scofield, funky sax man Maceo Parker and R&B legend James Brown. They make this record for the Japanese market.