Jazz

After a year of touring with her scintillating octet, the singer took the band into the van Gelder studio to record numbers honed on the road – and we hear brilliant playing in adventurous arrangements from trumpet, trombone and two saxes. Samara soars as an interpreter, as on an early favourite, ‘Day By Day,’ and an invigorating ‘Chega de Saudade’, and is dazzling when she adds lyrics to jazz themes and solos of yore. Here, we have her take on Charles Mingus’s ‘Reincarnation Of A Lovebird’, a nod to Sun Ra with ‘Dreams Come Too’ and a touching ‘Now And Then’ on a theme from her late great mentor, pianist Barry Harris. As always, she’s supremely accomplished, beautiful, and moving too. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Out Of/Into
Motion I
Blue Note 6801316; LP: 6801316

This collective toured in 2024 as The Blue Note Quintet to celebrate the label’s 85th anniversary, before changing its name. And the lineup does embody the superb talent in the current roster, with pianist and musical director Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Matt Brewer and the great drummer Kendrick Scott – who was a member of Blue Note’s 75th birthday All-Stars ten years ago. In combination, the complex, innovative music these stars are known for reaches a stunning level, with playing that’s virtuosic and yet seamlessly cohesive as a group entity, plus a warm and relaxed quality that’s really inviting. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Ilario Ferrari Trio
Above The Clouds
Elsden Music EM11

Born in southern Italy, Ilario Ferrari graduated in jazz piano at the Licinio Refice conservatory, then came to the UK on an EU ‘Working With Music’ scholarship. After a spell as house arranger at Quadra studios he taught music in a secondary school for three years. By 2021 he’d teamed up with UK bassist Charlie Pyne and UK-based Canadian drummer Katie Patterson, and recorded a gently nostalgic first trio album Childhood Memories. This time there’s more pop production, with both ladies’ voices heard as Ilario’s light, almost tentative vocals unfold his enigmatic, questioning lyrics. But his melodic piano solos bring a ray of jazz-tinged Mediterranean sun. SH

Sound Quality: 80%

En Wendel
Understory
Edition Records EDN1254; LP: EDN1254LP

Raised in LA, saxophonist Ben Wendel formed cross-genre band Kneebody with friends from Eastman college before moving to New York and recording under his own name. This time he’s heard in tracks from some nights at the Village Vanguard with Gerald Clayton on piano, bassist Linda May Han and drummer Obed Calvaire. Wendel kicks off with a staccato solo that probes the club acoustic while paying homage to old masters who played there, and there is fiery playing in his demanding and intricate pieces. On some numbers his sax sounds brutal, on others softened by a touch of reverb. But finally, a contemplative ‘Tao’ sends a happy audience home in peace. SH

Sound Quality: 80%