[COULEURS JAZZ MONTH – THE BEST OF!]
On COULEURS JAZZ RADIO – www.couleursjazzradio.fr:
Paris-time: Monday 04:00pm, Tuesday 5:00pm, Wednesday 06:00pm, Thursday 07:00pm.
NYC time :at 08:00PM Tuesday and 10:00 PM Wednesday
12 Best albums releases of last month : March 2025, so:
Chantez sous l’appli !
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With :
- Knats for “Knats“
- Sultan Stevenson for “El Roi”
- Tobias Wiklund for “Inner Flight Music”
- Joe Fiedler for “Dragon Suite”
- Meredith d’Ambrosio, Frédéric Loiseau Feat. Paul McWilliams for “Midnight Mood”
- Randal Despommier for “South”
- Exeko for “Soleils Noirs”
- Sara Longo & Alvise Seggi + guests for “Mystery Tour”
- Leszek Mozdzer, Lars Danielsson & Zohar Fresco for “Beamo”
- Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra for “ Mad Scientist Music”
- Emma Rawicz & Gwilym Simcock for “Big Visit”
- Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren & Paolo Fresu for “Mare Nostrum IV”
#knats #sultanstevenson #tobiaswiklund #joefidler #meredithdambrosio #fredericloiseau #paulwilliams #randaldespommier #exeko #saralongo #alviseseggi #leszekmozdzer #larsdanielsson #zoharfresco #benpatterson #emmarawicz #gwilymsimcock #richardgalliano #janlundgren #paolofresu #couleursjazz #couleursjazzradio #thebestof #bestofthemonth
1 – Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren – Mare Nostrum IV
Mare Nostrum IV is a perfect fusion of European elegance and jazz freedom. Born in 2005 from a simple meeting between Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, and Jan Lundgren, this trio has become the embodiment of the “Sound of Europe.” Since then, they have woven musical narratives spanning from Nordic shores to Mediterranean coasts, blending folk, classical, and popular influences with the spontaneity of jazz.
The trio has evolved over the years, cultivating a rare synergy that resonates in every note of this album. Mare Nostrum IV is a captivating sonic journey, balancing Nordic melancholy and Mediterranean warmth, where each composition becomes a miniature musical film. In an uncertain world, this artistic union echoes more than ever what binds us together.
2 – Emma Rawicz & Gwilym Simcock – Big Visit
Big Visit brings together two generations of British jazz in a fresh and intimate musical exploration. Saxophonist Emma Rawicz and pianist Gwilym Simcock, both rising figures in European jazz, form a vibrant and dynamic duo.
Their chemistry is palpable, and their interplay reveals a rare fluidity, where every musical idea unfolds with ease and naturalness.
Despite their different backgrounds, their shared influences—from Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek to Ralph Towner and the British jazz tradition—unite them in a quest for pure improvisation. Recorded in an idyllic setting, the album moves between moments of introspective calm and bursts of energetic expression, offering a rich emotional palette.
The result is a successful musical conversation, both intimate and expansive, making Big Visit an essential work.
3 – Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra – Mad Scientist Music
Mad Scientist Music marks a new chapter in the career of Ben Patterson, a trombonist and composer based in Washington, D.C. Following the critically acclaimed Groove Junkies, which paid tribute to funk, Patterson takes a bold turn here, blending sophistication with raw energy in a captivating big band jazz setting.
His orchestra, composed of talented musicians from the Washington jazz scene, navigates seamlessly between explosive moments and more intimate, introspective passages.
The compositions, both complex and accessible, showcase great inventiveness, offering a fascinating sonic exploration where improvisation meets refined arrangements.
With this album, Patterson once again demonstrates his creative genius, capable of surprising with every note while staying true to his unique musical vision.
A daring project that pushes the boundaries of the genre, Mad Scientist Music establishes itself as a standout work in contemporary jazz.
4 – Sultan Stevenson – El Roi
Sultan Stevenson, one of the rising stars of jazz in the UK and Europe, unveils his new album El Roi on March 28. This project deeply explores themes of faith and identity while blending jazz heritage with a rich personal narrative.
The title El Roi, meaning “God of Sight” in Hebrew, embodies both faith and our way of perceiving the world around us.
The album, which pays homage to giants like McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, immerses listeners in a captivating sonic experience with intimate trio performances, enriched by collaborations with Josh Short (trumpet) and Soweto Kinch (tenor saxophone). Stevenson takes us on a musical journey where the transformation from uncertainty to faith is central before shifting towards the exploration of identity.
With El Roi, Stevenson delivers jazz that is both accessible and profoundly deep, forging strong connections with his audience.
Available on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms via Edition Records.
5 – Joe Fiedler – Dragon Suite
With Dragon Suite, Joe Fiedler and his bass-less trio, Joe Fiedler Trio 2.0, explores new musical paths, blending boldness and finesse. Accompanied by Pete McCann on guitar and Michael Sarin on drums, Fiedler—known for his expressive trombone playing—defies conventions with original and intricate compositions.
The absence of a bass player liberates each musician, allowing them to take on central roles in the musical dynamics. Inspired by legendary trios like Dave Douglas’, the album navigates melodic and rhythmic landscapes with impressive fluidity.
Each track, from Tone Grazing to Song for Norm, showcases the trio’s synergy and Fiedler’s ability to craft captivating music while leaving room for improvisation and individual expression. An album that pushes the boundaries of the genre, highlighting refined and innovative jazz.
6 – Meredith d’Ambrosio & Frédéric Loiseau Feat. Paul McWilliams– Midnight Mood
Frédéric Loiseau, a guitarist with a subtle touch, trained with legends Joe Pass and Joe Diorio before leaving his mark on the French jazz scene. Collaborations with Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Sheila Jordan, and Bob Dorough have shaped his elegant and airy style—discreet yet essential.
This same finesse led him to cross paths with Meredith d’Ambrosio, a cult vocalist with a rare and precious career. Drawn to his compositions, she lends her voice to Beaucoup Kisses, recorded in the intimacy of her Boston home alongside pianist Paul McWilliams.
Midnight Mood emerges as a pinnacle of sensitivity, blending original compositions and standards (Ellington, Berlin, Zawinul, Bill Evans).
An essential album, discover it here.
7 – Leszek Możdżer, Lars Danielsson & Zohar Fresco – Beamo
Twenty years after their first encounter on stage in Warsaw, Leszek Możdżer, Lars Danielsson, and Zohar Fresco return with Beamo, a daring album that further pushes the boundaries of their artistry.
Możdżer breaks free from traditional tuning, experimenting with three pianos set to different pitches: A=440 Hz, A=432 Hz, and a surprising decaphonic version dividing the octave into ten equal intervals.
This sonic challenge redefines the trio’s harmonic balance. Danielsson, known for his lyrical touch, crafts masterful bass lines and experiments with the viola da gamba on Decaphonesca, while Fresco sculpts exquisite rhythmic textures.
Each track opens a new dimension: Kurtu plays with harmonic tension through subtle detuning, Ambio Bluette juxtaposes two tonalities in a mirrored interplay, and Catusella echoes Asta, a signature piece from their debut album The Time.
Between melodic brilliance and harmonic tension, Beamo reinvents the dialogue between tradition and modernity, offering a mesmerizing and innovative listening experience. A luminous album where every note carries a secret waiting to be uncovered.
8 – Randal Despommier – South
With South, saxophonist Randal Despommier returns to his New Orleans roots, capturing the city’s musical soul in a vibrant album.
Joined by local legends David Torkanowsky (keys), James Singleton (bass), and Johnny Vidacovich (drums), he revisits classics like Goin’ to the Mardi Gras by Professor Longhair and Southern Nights by Allen Toussaint while paying tribute to Jelly Roll Morton with his own composition, Jelly Roll’s Living Room.
A standout moment: Despommier’s father, Phil, emerges from retirement to play Just a Closer Walk with Thee, reconnecting with his son in a moment of musical grace.
Additional Brooklyn sessions enrich the album with pieces like Sidney Bechet’s Si Tu Vois Ma Mère and a poignant reinterpretation of Mingus’ Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.
Between authentic groove and evocative lyricism, South celebrates the musical heritage of New Orleans while reflecting Despommier’s singular journey, from jazz to sacred music—a truly personal and festive return to his roots.
9 – Knats – Knats
Newcastle-based band Knats unveils their self-titled debut album, blending modern jazz, funk, and electronic influences into what they call “Geordie Jazz.”
With irresistible grooves and sophisticated arrangements, standout tracks like Tortuga (For Me Mam) and Rumba(r) highlight their innovative approach.
Having played at the BBC Proms and opened for Geordie Greep (black midi), Knats establishes itself as a fresh voice in contemporary jazz.
10-Exeko – Soleils Noirs
A New Chapter for an Outstanding A Cappella Group
Formerly known as Ego System, the vocal group has now become Exeko, driven by a new artistic direction and a stronger cohesion. Originally, Loïs Le Vann and Manu Domergue had created an ambitious project with multiple arrangers, but the lack of musical unity led them to evolve towards a new structure under the guidance of Antoine Delprat, now the artistic director and sole arranger.
With Exeko, their musical identity is clear: a homogeneous sound, bold vocal harmonies, and a repertoire conceived as a whole. Their choice to pay tribute to Bernard Lavilliers stems from the richness of his musical universe—spanning rock, salsa, and chanson—as well as the power of his socially engaged lyrics.
Soleil Noir by Execo group represents both a human and artistic journey,
11-Tobias Wiklund – Inner Flight Music
A Journey Between Earth and Sky
Cornetist Tobias Wiklund continues his musical exploration with Inner Flight Music, an album that blends tradition and modernity. Inspired by Louis Armstrong, he embraces a sound softer and deeper than the trumpet while paying homage to the roots of jazz.
With eleven original compositions, he navigates between melodic structures and free improvisation, asserting his vision of music as a bridge between the earthly and the spiritual. Surrounded by exceptional musicians, including the prestigious Blåsarsymfonikerna orchestra, Wiklund presents a work that is both intimate and ambitious, where each note feels like a dialogue between past and future.
Following Where The Spirits Eat (2018) and Silver Needle (2021), this new album marks a decisive step in his journey. Here, he explores the emotional depth of jazz while pushing the boundaries of wind ensemble composition. A refined and daring creation where the search for meaning and sonic beauty become one.
12-Sara Longo & Alvise Seggi – Mystery Tour
Mystery Tour, the new album by Franco-Italian singer Sara Longo and poly-instrumentalist Alvise Seggi, is an invitation to reverie and, above all, a daring and sensitive re-reading of the Beatles’ repertoire.
What a Voice!
Sara Longo whom we’ve always listened to with equal pleasure in Paris jazz clubs, strikes hard with this album full of surprises and delicacy.
And what an overall sound! Thanks to Alvise Seggi’s playing and rhythmics.
Vivid yet tender colors, a true group sound on original compositions, such as “All that Matters is Today”, which on first listen we thought might be a previously unreleased Beatles song, or on covers of women who have made jazz history, such as Carla Blay or Mercedes Sosa.
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