Orrin Evans opens the door to the hallowed heritage of jazz that has emerged into today’s modern jazz, an album  that pays tribute to his lineage and his faction of musicians, The Red Door. Released on the Smoke Sessions Records, this album is a collection of originals and arrangements that traverses an expedition of styles to stimulate the senses and challenge conventions.

Opening with the title track, “The Red Door,” the listener is instantly catapulted into Evans’ universe, which is familiar with jazz history and unique in the [...]

The compositional stylings of Joe LoCascio come to life in a sonic tapestry that was meticulously composed for this album with this ensemble. However, LoCascio admits to pushing the limits of his own artistry in his eighteenth recording, Book of Days. Therefore, this offering can only be described as a beautiful balance of composition and improvisation.

LoCascio’s journey has been punctuated by his involvement with some of the best in jazz, names as diverse as Chet Baker and Pharoah Sanders, which has undoubtedly honed his skills to a razor’s edge. The saga [...]

In a notable departure from tradition, jazz hard bop drummer Joe Farnsworth, well-renowned for his dynamic drumming and formidable technique, steps into new territory with his third release via Smoke Sessions Records, In What Direction Are You Headed?. The album deliberately explores modern jazz territories and sees Farnsworth evolving from his hard bop foundations into the more expansive modern jazz soundscape.

The record shines with an all-star quintet featuring talents from Farnsworth’s generation [...]

Mervin Toussaint, a jazz saxophonist, and educator based in Philadelphia, is forging an eclectic and evolving musical vocabulary. Toussaint now unveils his debut full-length album, entitled Lakay. In Haitian Kreyol, “Lakay” signifies “home,” and this album embodies a voyage of exploration into profound connections with faith, community, ancestry, and kin from past, present, and future generations. By embracing his heritage’s cultural richness and jazz’s expressive potential, Toussaint has crafted a unique and impactful musical statement with Lakay. These [...]