Vocalist Patti Littlefield has been a popular mainstay on the Albuquerque–Santa Fe scene for many years, but she’s been out of sight for several years thanks to a variety of personal circumstances that sapped her energy. On November 2, at the Outpost, newly energized, she’ll be fronting a band of local all-stars for the first time in almost five years, and you will want to hear what she’s been cooking up.
Artrio—one, a new release from saxophonist Alex Murzyn, pianist John Funkhouser, and bassist Terry Burns—resident New Mexicans all—offers a master class in small ensemble jazz and a satisfying reminder of the high quality of the musicians here in New Mexico. They’ll celebrate their work with a CD release party at Q Bar, Friday, October 6. I was honored by their invitation to write the album’s liner notes, which, slightly adapted, also provide this review.
Bear Proof, the new release from bassist/composer Todd Sickafoose and my first encounter with his work, offers a chamber music adventure in an exhilarating jazz setting, featuring eight exceptional, genre-fluid musicians and a deep, articulate, and arresting compositional voice.
In an ever-failing attempt to catch up on my listening, here are quick looks at three distinctly different review-worthy albums from the Emily Kuhn Quintet, the Alex Coke and Carl Michel Sextet, and Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo.
Day, the second and deeply satisfying release from drummer/composer Rudy Royston and his sui generis Flatbed Buggy aggregation, features original compositions that are rooted in the demotic music of North America and leafed out in a setting of contemporary jazz.
