This 2005 session features the 15-year-old native Sicilian saxophonist making his American recording debut accompanied by a crack New York rhythm section. Although it's common to hear rueful expressions about what a Charlie Parker or Clifford Brown might have accomplished had they lived longer, a player as precocious as Francesco Cafiso reminds us of the challenges facing an artist who appears to "be there" already yet has a lifetime with practically an obligation to top himself. In June 2007, when he was 17, the gifted altoist made history of sorts when he entered Birdland, the domain named after the music's most acclaimed improviser, to play the "Bird role" in a re-creation of the predecessor-father figure's most popular recording, "Charlie Parker with Strings". From the evidence on "New York Lullaby" the young player is perhaps one of the few musicians up to such a formidable, even unenviable assignment.

Francesco Cafiso surprised the jazz world with his blazing chops in his early teens during a stunning duo concert with veteran pianist Franco D'Andrea. Several years afterward, he is working on developing a distinctive style of his own, which is a challenge for any young musician. These 2006 sessions mix well-known jazz compositions of the 1940s and 1950s with timeless standards, with the alto saxophonist backed by a solid rhythm section consisting of pianist Andrea Pozza, bassist Aldo Zunino, and drummer Nicola Angelucci.

As the head of a splendid quartet of Sicilian musicians, Francesco Cafiso presents a work that winds around eight beautiful standards. Cafiso embodies a strong link with the tradition and glorious past of his instrument. In his phrasing there are numerous references to the sacred monsters of jazz history from Charlie Parker to John Coltrane, from Eric Dolphy to Jackie McLean and, at the same time, has the tendency to go beyond the historical-stylistic limits showing great personality and extraordinary ideas.

Taylor Swift has now played two nights in Paris as the latest leg of her Eras tour gets under way. For many fans and Swift-curious observers, one question has been how the singer-songwriter might incorporate songs from her newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, which she released during a break between tour dates.

"50" is the 2024 album by singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh, released in October 2024 by Rockware.

"Plenty, Plenty Soul" is vibraphonist Milt Jackon's 1957 studio album under Atlantic Records. The record features a nine-piece group that is highlighted by the contributions of the exuberant altoist Cannonball Adderley and tenor-saxophonist Lucky Thompson. With pianist Horace Silver helping out, these all-star dates still sound fresh and enthusiastic decades later.

Since 2007, New West Records has curated the finest collection of recordings available from the Austin City Limits television program, on DVD, CD, and vinyl. These recordings, culled from hundreds of performances from the 1970s to the 2000s, represent one of the greatest treasures in American music.

"The Jazz Mass" the Albert L. Marx production produced for Columbia Records by John Hammond, is far and away the best thing of its kind in recorded repertoire. The production brings to the Mass America's most important serious music, Jazz; and this is accomplished in a record which is full of reverence and spiritual values. Listening to the disc provides a vital, thrilling experience.

"Given Marc-André Hamelin's unimpeachable technical prowess, it is no surprise that he tackles the epic Hammerklavier Sonata for his first recording of music by Beethoven. Hamelin's tempos are rapid, though well under Beethoven's unreasonably fast metronome markings.

Vainqueur du 1er Prix et le Prix du Public du Concours International de Musique de Chambre de Bruges, François Joubert-Caillet s’est formé auprès de Paolo Pandolfo à la Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (Bâle, Suisse).

Contemporary Jazz crowd pleasers Pieces Of A Dream featuring James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon, celebrate another recording. "Just Funkin' Around", as the title suggests, is a funky, joyful musical celebration, filled with melodic grooves that have made Pieces of a Dream fan favorites. The 10 brilliant originals that run the gamut from 'in the pocket' R&B to sensuous smooth jazz jams are proof that Pieces of a Dream are at the top of their game!

Patti LaBelle has a “new attitude” toward music as she pays tribute to the history of jazz with the release of her new album, “Bel Hommage”. LaBelle’s 19th solo studio project features renditions of 13 beloved jazz standards from the likes of Nina Simone (“Wild is the Wind”), Frank Sinatra (“Softly as I Leave You”) and Gloria Lynne (“The Folks Who Live on the Hill”) among others.

JD Allen's previous recording Americana won widespread critical acclaim for it's ground breaking melodic and harmonic explorations and for its impressive emotional intensity. While that album presented Allen's ideas with a somewhat contemplative hand, Radio Flyer moves with a more unbridled enthusiasm, testing the possibilities jazz has for individual expressionism and improvisational freedom.

Released in 1982, "Momentos" is an outstanding example of Julio Iglesias's considerable charm. With their sweeping, synth-laden arrangements, these songs, particularly "Nathalie" and "Esa Mujer", provide the perfect format for Iglesias's expressive croon, which effortlessly conjures up romantic scenarios. Paired with "1100 Bel Air Place", this album reveals the Spanish performer at the peak of both his vocal abilities and his popularity.

Dirk Maassen (* 28. February 1970 in Aachen) is a german composer and pianist living in Ulm, Germany.