Two recent releases update a longstanding combo and an often overlooked composition, respectively: Speakers in the House from The Headhunters and Zodiac Suite: Reassured from Jeong Lim Yang. Then, a swinging lagniappe: a holiday offering from Emmet Cohen and friends.
When I moved back to New Mexico from New York City, where I lived a short walk from some of the best-known jazz clubs in the world, I figured that I would have little opportunity to hear quality jazz in Albuquerque. Much to my very pleasant surprise, the Santa Fe–Albuquerque corridor was and is brimming with players who have the chops to play on any stage with anyone—and have done—and there are terrific venues to accommodate them. Exhibit one: the Cal Haines Quartet at the Outpost on December 1.
This the 300th post on Musically Speaking ignores my informal policy against the reviewing of singles. Typically teasers for a forthcoming album, singles take up a lot of oxygen, and I prefer to wait for the album’s release. However, when singles of the exceptional quality of Vox Sambou’s “Limbe” and Starling Arrow’s “Wild Sweet” appear, I am obliged to share.
On November 13, Bébé La La—the singing/songwriting duo of Alicia Ultan (vocals, guitar, viola) and Maryse Lapierre (vocals, harmonium)—will celebrate the duo’s 10th anniversary two years late with a CD release party for their new album, A Curious Series of Unexpected Events. They’ll be joined by Micky Patten (bass); Joe Chellman (drums); Alicia’s twin, cellist Jacqueline Ultan (coming in from Minneapolis); Laura DiMauro (guitar); and other guest artists. It may be two years later than planned, but it’s worth the wait.
Ernesto Cervini and Bruce Barth, two musicians whom I have long admired, and Yosef Gutman Levitt, a brand-new acquaintance, have new albums that deserve attention.
