Wayne Alpern is a New York City composer, arranger, and scholar. Alpern is fluent in composing in many styles of music, from pop, jazz, and world idioms that use classical techniques to yield a sophisticated contemporary style that crosses any genre label and sits in the category of “good” music. Going by Duke Ellington’s classification, there are only two types of music, good and bad. Alpern’s innovative compositions, recompositions, and rearrangements have been performed and recorded by distinguished artists from diverse musical traditions. The Shape of Strings features director Monica Bauchwitz and the String [...]

Abiola is a vocalist, actor, and dancer that is releasing her album called Abiola Time. The ten original compositions by Abiola blends many styles from around the world, from the spicy heat of Nigeria to jazz with a New York swagger to sexy R&B and London-style club bangers. Abiola Time is a treat that will delight your ears and inspire your heart.

“Kilofe” finds Abiola’s sweet vocals flowing over a world dance beat that was fleshed out with an intrepid young producer from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The undeniable thrum of Johannesburg house pervades the song as Abiola layers delightful vocal harmonies, drawing you into the lyrics of nostalgia and [...]

Shiri Zorn has burst onto the scene as one to watch; her collaboration with guitarist and composer George Muscatello began in 2013, shortly after she relocated to Upstate New York. Their latest effort codifies their nearly decade-long partnership by releasing their 2022 album Into Another Land.

Kicking off with “Witch Touch,” a Muscatello/Zorn original is adorned with exotic rhythms by Brazilian master percussionist Mauricio Zottarelli. Zorn has a supple instrument in her voice; its range and depth are exhibited in full spectrum on this track, from the most ethereal high notes to the mysterious lows.

Muscatello punctuates with quick [...]

Bobby Watson is releasing his latest jazz album, Back Home in Kansas City. The album pays homage to Watson’s hometown as he leads his working rhythm section on the alto saxophone. But, Watson says, “The alto is a singing horn. Great melodies are immortal, like a sculpture or a painting,” Watson insists. “This album is more about the singing quality of my instrument.” The album features a quintet of bassist Curtis Lundy, drummer Victor Jones, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt.

Watson opens the album with a contrafact on the classic “Donna Lee” called “Back Home in Kansas [...]