1. Josean Jacobo - Dos Locos feat. Miguel Zenon (Herencia Criolla SELF RELEASE)This exciting album is an exploration of the Dominican pianist's Latin American and Caribbean musical influences that specifically explores Dominican jazz. Through an anthropological presentation, Jacobo guides listeners through the cultural inspiration behind each of his compositions and arrangements. Herencia Criolla features Daroll Méndez on bass and Otoniel Nicolás on drums, with special guest alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon.

2. Jorge Louis Pacheco - La Conga (The Lockdown Album, Ropeadope) Hailing from Havana, Cuba, Jorge Luis Pacheco is one of the leading pianists and musicians of the new generation of jazz in Cuba. Winner of the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition in Switzerland, Pacheco is a fiery young pianist with “flying hands.”

3. Tawanda - Smile (Smile, Resonance Records) Exciting Jazz-Vocal Discovery Tawanda, Winner of the 2020 Sarah Vaughan Competition

4 Chris Cochrane / John Thacker - Bayard (Excavation ASTRAL SPIRITS) The debut duo release Excavation from the Brooklyn duo of Chris Cochrane & John Thayer. A mind-bending album featuring a multi-generational cast of NYC legends and up-and-coming performers including Zeena Parkins, Kato Kideki, Graham Haynes, Stuart Popejoy, Gelsey Bell, Sarah Bernstein & Stan Zenkov.

5. Yessaï Karapetian - her (the unknown) (Yessai, Kyudo Records) YESSAÏ is the sweeping debut album from Armenian-French pianist and composer Yessaï Karapetian. The bandleader arrives in full force, after strong showings on Guillaume Perret’s “A Certain Trip” (for which he won a Downbeat Student Music Award for Best Soloist)

6. Sarah Elizabeth Charles - Out Loud (Blank Canvas, Ropeadope) VOCALIST-COMPOSER SARAH ELIZABETH CHARLES LOOKS TOWARD NEW BEGINNINGS ON BLANK CANVAS, THE LATEST FROM HER ACCLAIMED BAND SCOPE

7. Sean Keegan - The Banshee /The Reel of Rio (A Bird Never Flew On One Wing SSK Records) In July 2022 Seán released his debut solo album of Traditional Irish Music on Mandolin, Tenor Banjo and Fiddle. Featuring John Blake on Guitar, Piano and Bouzouki and Simone Keegan on Fiddle, the album was formally launched by Seán Potts at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2022 to widespread critical acclaim.

8. Lauren Henderson - Perfidia (La Bruja, Brontosaurus Records) Versatile vocalist Lauren Henderson expands her sound on her new album La Bruja. Merging mystical themes with familiar melodies, La Bruja is an embrace of Black American Music, highlighting the Afro-Latinx experience and the resilience of women through a spellbinding, 11-track collection of deftly-composed originals and carefully curated Latin jazz standards. 

9. Helena Recalde - Alli Wayra Alli Mar (Karishina, SELF RELEASE) Lulled by the rhythms of the Pacific coast and the Andean melodies, Helena RECALDE bassist, double bassist and Ecuadorian singer composes and writes a music loaded with emotion, her experience and stories from her home country. 

10. Anthony Joseph - Kamau (The Rich are Only Defeated When Running for Their Lives, Heavenly Sweetness) British Trinidadian poet/musician/author AnthonyJoseph’s latest album contains multitudes. Operating as a dedication to poetic ancestors and a coming together of musical generations, The Rich are Only Defeated When Running for their Lives is also an almighty jam. 

11. Michael Blake - Henry’s Boogaloo (Combobulate, Newvelle Records) Combobulate is a celebratory exploration of Blake originals and arrangements featuring a brass section of unparalleled excellence. Blake is seen here on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute alongside Steven Bernstein on trumpet, Clark Gayton on trombone, Bob Stewart on tuba, Marcus Rojas on tuba and Allan Mednard on drums. 

Next wk on Courtney Pine Global:  Big Band grooves, Brazilian Chameleons & Gnawa Electronica galaxies from Morocco! Hit subscribe right now and don't miss that launch!