Best of October 2025

[COULEURS JAZZ MONTH – THE BEST OF!

On COULEURS JAZZ RADIO only– www.couleursjazzradio.fr:

At Paris time: Monday 04:00pm, Tuesday 05:00pm, Wednesday 06:00pm,

and @ Toronto time : Tuesday 08:00pm and Wednesday 10:00pm

The 12 Best albums (Hit Couleurs Jazz) released the month before: October 2025, so:

Chantez sous l’appli ! (singing under the rain or under the apps…)

Apps Couleurs Jazz Radio GooglePlay : https://bit.ly/CJRGooglePlay

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With:

Sokratis Sinopoulos & Yann Keerim for Topos ;
Chano Dominguez & Ethan Margolis for The Blues Around us ;
Daniel Zimmermann for Snapshots ;
William Brunard for Cello Project ;
Philippe Chagne & Rémi Toulon for Porgy and Bess;
Jean-Jacques Elangué for Shades of Ouidah ;
Ramona Horvath for Absinthe;
Chick Corea for Forever Yours: The Farewell Concert ;
Anthony Stanco for In The Groove – Live at the Alluvion ;
Tommy Smith & Gwylim Simcock for Eternal Light ;
Dave Bristow for Sides ;
Leïla Olivesi for African Rhapsody.

Sokratis Sinopoulos & Yann Keerim / Topos

The Greek duo of lyra player Sokratis Sinopoulos and pianist Yannis Kirimkiridis (Yann Keerim) release their first studio recording, Topos, a deeply inspired collection of musical exchanges that seamlessly bridge the idiomatic space between European folk tradition and chamber jazz. Throughout the album, Béla Bartók’s six Romanian Folk Dances are reinterpreted and transformed into new, evocative forms.

Sokratis infuses his lyra with a lyrical melodic line that contrasts with Yannis’s accompaniment, which oscillates between rhythmic drive and contemplative quietude.

Their musical dialogue flows gracefully, always attentive and responsive, crafting a richly textured atmosphere filled with meaning and space. Their original improvisations naturally continue the spirit of Bartók’s works, interconnected through a fluid, constant exchange that unites their sonic worlds.

Topos directly reflects their shared musical landscape, as they clarify: “In Greek, topos can also mean ‘home’ or ‘homeland.’ But it’s not just about place or things. It also signifies culture, the connection between people—that’s also what the term implies. What we do on this album is create our own topos, which has broad cultural and musical implications, involving Hungary, Romania, the Balkans. And we continue to expand it, to share this space with others, inviting them to become part of it.”

Chick Corea / Forever Yours: The Farewell Concert

Recorded just four months before his passing, Forever Yours is Chick Corea’s final album. This solo piano concert, showcasing his virtuosity and exceptional touch, serves as a poignant testament to his artistic generosity. Recorded in October 2020 during two inspired performances at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Florida, the album reveals Corea’s distinctive musical signature: a cascade of impressive technical skill, extraordinary harmonic mastery, all delivered with effortless fluidity, swing, and lightness.

The program combines his original compositions—such as Armando’s Rhumba and his Children’s Songs—with tributes to jazz and classical masters he admired, including Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Mozart, Stevie Wonder, Bill Evans, and Duke Ellington.

Throughout the album, Chick Corea demonstrates his remarkable ability to maintain a seamless continuity while sharing a wide openness and playful sense of exploration. He interjects warm, intimate spoken introductions, presenting his pieces and discussing ideas as if chatting with friends in his living room. He also includes two “Portrait” pieces, inviting audience members onto the stage to improvise based on their presence.

Since his passing in February 2021, Chick Corea’s legacy has been celebrated worldwide, praised for his warmth, curiosity, genre-defying spirit, and extraordinary keyboard mastery. Many artists, friends, and peers have paid tribute through tributes, testimonials, and liner notes, honoring him as a generous and talented man. Forever Yours stands as more than just a final recording; it’s a heartfelt message of gratitude and a sincere farewell to one of the most revered masters of jazz, whose influence remains profound and everlasting.

Born in 1941 in Massachusetts, Chick Corea left an indelible mark on jazz across all its facets—from bebop to avant-garde, jazz fusion, and orchestral and chamber compositions. With 28 Grammys and 75 nominations, he has been a key figure in musical evolution since the late 1960s, collaborating with Miles Davis and creating diverse sonic worlds while always seeking a free and open musical language. His prolific career well into the 21st century exemplifies his insatiable creativity and pioneering role in both jazz and the broader musical universe.

Dave Bristow dévoile « Sides » :

A bold, reflective music of our time.

British pianist and composer Dave Bristow, based in Paris, returns with his second album, Sides, recorded with an avant-garde quintet.

With the participation of Mike Stern, the album blends contemporary jazz and unrestrained improvisations over captivating melodies. The recording took place over two sessions separated by fourteen months, and Sides expresses the uncertainty and tension of the post-pandemic era while also conveying hope and emotion.

The quintet is composed of Christian Altehülshorst (trumpet), Félix Hardouin (alto saxophone), Gabriel Pierre (double bass), and Guillaume Prévost (drums).

The ensemble, balanced and explorative, is enriched by the voice of Caloé, Katrin-Merili Poom, as well as the presence of guitarists Mike Stern and Gustave Reichert, and Tommy Scott on piano. A sincere and courageous reflection of our times, this album marks a major milestone in Bristow’s career, establishing itself as a highly successful sophomore release.

Daniel Zimmermann / Snapshots

The “Droopy” of French jazz strikes again — with force!

Rather than plunging into despair by offering listeners a noose to hang themselves, the composer provides an opportunity to do so—with a sense of humor. He mocks the vain refuges built by the powerful (“My Little Sweet NZ Bunker“), denounces the machinery of Orwellian thought (“Les Maximiseurs de Π,” a remnant of distant economics studies), and adapts Mose Allison’s very current “Stop This World” into French, sung in a disillusioned crooner style.

In a more tender vein, he also explores how these societal shifts impact the intimate sphere, through refuges in cocoon-like spaces (“Notre île“) or the psychiatric treatment of teenagers (“Come Home“). Moments of fatalism (“C’est comme ça, c’est la vie“) give way to acceptance, the desire to escape (“Papillon,” “Yellow Moon” by the Neville Brothers), and a commitment to enjoy the present moment amidst its dilemmas (“le Mieux et le Bien“).

With the collaboration of Sanseverino and his elder “brother” Thomas de Pourquery, on electric bass, Élise Blanchard—an ex-pop artist with a vintage sound—Daniel Zimmermann summons his loyal band: the incandescent Julien Charlet on drums and Pierre Durand, the gentle and reckless six-string acrobat affectionately known as the “Indian of Paname*.”

Together, they create an album primarily conceived as a collection of original compositions, with a sound and production that emphasize its raw edges. An essential release.

(*) Paris in slang

Jean-Jacques Elangué / Shades of Ouidah.

A quite elegant Jazz Sound with African Influences

This is a rare album, in the sense that despite a long career in France, Jean-Jacques Elangué has not a prolific recording history.

His new quartet album, Shades of Ouidah, showcases sophisticated jazz performed by top-tier musicians: Alain Jean-Marie, Manu Marchez, and Simon Goubert. Inspired by his Beninese roots, the album’s title alludes to one of the most painful chapters in African history. Yet, the record does not aim to be overtly militant.

Elangué, distinguished by his unique tenor saxophone tone, blends personal themes with subtle references to Coltrane, Monk, and Curtis Fuller. The warmly varied rhythm section highlights the emotional depth of the ensemble. A beautiful album that reveals a talented musician—one to discover or rediscover absolutely. Please read Thierry Quenum’s review here.

https://couleursjazz.fr/jean-jacques-elangue-shades-of-ouidah/

William Brunard / Cello Project

The Swinging Double Bassist Paying Tribute to the Cello

After studying piano and cello, William Brunard shifted his focus to guitar and violin before making the double bass his primary instrument. He regularly performs with leading figures of contemporary jazz manouche such as Biréli Lagrène and Stochelo Rosenberg. His latest album, Django Celebration #1, which is celebrated here, also features his artistic direction. This new record, The Cello Project, blends swing, bebop, and gypsy jazz influences—paying homage to his musical roots and ancestors.

For connoisseurs, Brunard tuning his cello in fourths—similar to the double bass—draws a clear line to Oscar Pettiford, a master of pizzicato solos, paying a pointed nod to this influence in the track We Never See Each Other, performed with only double bass and drums.

By embodying the tradition of great jazz bassists, William Brunard crafts a universe where the cello—rarely used in this context—becomes a central figure, reflecting his passion and family heritage.

An extraordinary dialogue between swing and musical legacy, a discovery not to be missed.

Ramona Horvath / Absinthe

Passionate pianist Ramona Horvath pays homage to Ellington’s legacy in her latest album, Absinthe, blending swing, European romanticism, and modern references such as Michael Jackson’s “Heal The World” and Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”

Accompanied by her loyal rhythm section and featuring the magnificent André Villéger on tenor saxophone, Horvath revisits jazz with finesse and originality, while asserting a personal and luminous musicality. An album full of vitality, simultaneously classical and contemporary, evoking the enchanting magic of the alluring “fée verte” (absinthe).

Ramona Horvath — piano; Nicolas Rageau — double bass; Antoine Paganotti — drums; André Villeger — tenor saxophone.

Philippe Chagne & Rémi Toulon / Porgy and Bess

For over 25 years, pianist Rémi Toulon and saxophonist Philippe Chagne have cultivated a rare musical complicity. Blending jazz, improvisation, and transmission, their journey is rich, cohesive, and deeply human.

A loyal and creative musical partnership.

Their latest project, a duo performance, offers a highly inspired reinterpretation of the legendary opera Porgy & Bess by George and Ira Gershwin, composed exactly 90 years ago.

The Rémi Toulon (piano) and Philippe Chagne (baritone saxophone) duo presents a modern, sensitive reimagining of this timeless work, emphasizing attentive listening and nuanced interpretation. Their jazz is built on subtle interaction, refined improvisation, and an ability to craft an intimate, expressive atmosphere.

The launch concert of the album at Le Son de la Terre in late September was a memorable moment—an immersive and profoundly moving experience.

Anthony Stanco – In the Groove (Live at The Alluvion)

With In the Groove, trumpeter Anthony Stanco makes a spectacular return to the purest form of hard bop. Recorded live at The Alluvion in Traverse City—a venue brimming with history and energy—this album overflows with intensity and lyricism. In the tradition of legendary live sessions like those of Cannonball Adderley, Stanco and his quintet capture the warmth of the moment, blending irresistible swing with raw emotion.

Surrounding the trumpeter is a top-tier band: Randy Napoleon on guitar, Xavier Davis on piano, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Together, they craft a sound rooted in the Blue Note legacy of the 1960s yet resolutely contemporary. Club founder Jeff Haas contributes an original composition and wrote the liner notes, while artist Lisa Flahive adds a live-painted cover during the concert—an eloquent metaphor for the visual and sonic energy of that evening.

In the Groove pays homage to the masters of bop while affirming the unique voice of Anthony Stanco, a musician driven by passion, precision, and a rare sense of vocal expression in modern trumpet playing.

Chano Domínguez & Ethan Margolis – The Blues Around Us

When famous pianist Chano Domínguez and guitarist Ethan Margolis decide to come together around the blues, it results in a dialogue of rare intensity. The Blues Around Us brings together the Andalusian piano master and the American adventurer, known as Emaginario, at the crossroads of jazz, flamenco, and Afro-American music.

Recorded in New York by engineer James Farber, with Carlos Henriquez on double bass and Obed Calvaire on drums, this album exudes the warmth of classic sessions of the past while expanding new horizons.

Most of the compositions, primarily by Ethan Margolis, evoke the classicism of Blue Note-era jazz, seamlessly incorporating flamenco influences, bulería syncopations, and modal harmonies typical of Iberian music.

Chano Domínguez’s always singing and precise piano blends effortlessly with Ethan Margolis’s guitar in a subtle conversation between swing and duende. It captures that tension dear to both musicians: respect for tradition balanced with a desire to push beyond its boundaries.

The Blues Around Us is a vibrant tribute to the imperfect beauty of sound, the sincerity of gesture, and the human connection that jazz continues to reveal more than any other language.

Tommy Smith & Gwilym Simcock – Eternal Light

Saxophonist Tommy Smith bids farewell to Scotland with Eternal Light, a live album recorded in September 2025 at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh—a historic venue where he first performed at age 14. This hall has been the stage for an entire musical life—the journey of a passionate young performer who visited to hear Wynton Marsalis and McCoy Tyner, and who eventually became a master himself, sharing the stage with Chick Corea, Gary Burton, and Joe Lovano.

For his final concert in Scotland, Smith chose the most intimate format: the duo. Opposite him stood pianist Gwilym Simcock, a partner of rare sensitivity, capable of a playing style that is both lyrical, daring, and deeply attentive. Together, they craft a conversation of remarkable purity, where every note breathes, responds, and rises. Nothing artificial here—only the sincerity of the moment, captured as-is, without retouching, in a light that is both gentle and fervent.

Comprised exclusively of original compositions, the repertoire moves away from jazz standards to explore a territory of free creation, balancing introspection with joy. Gary Burton summed up this approach in one phrase: “I could follow your thoughts through the solo—no clichés, only pure melody.”

Eternal Light is more than just a concert—it’s a chapter closing, a farewell letter to a city and a hall that saw him grow. A music of memory and gratitude, suspended between the past and the dawn of a new beginning.

Leïla Olivesi – African Rhapsody

Pianist and composer Leïla Olivesi, laureate of the Django Reinhardt Prize in 2022, continues her poetic and visionary journey with African Rhapsody, a luminous album that weaves a connection between Africa’s origins, the Mediterranean, and modern jazz.

Surrounded by a magnificent ensemble featuring Baptiste Herbin, Adrien Sanchez, Jean-Charles Richard, Quentin Ghomari, Manu Codjia, Yoni Zelnik, and Donald Kontomanou, Olivesi crafts music of remarkable harmonic richness, driven by vigorous groove and the elegance of her songwriting.

Inspired by the poetry of Négritude and the writings of Léopold Sédar Senghor and David Diop, Olivesi also brings together the Poetic Birds choir and singer Camille Bertault, who lends her voice to a poem by Djamila Olivesi. Together, they celebrate the power of poetic speech and its spiritual resonance within a jazz that shines with modernity.

African Rhapsody stands as a sweeping, lyrical, and committed work, where memory intertwines with light. Between orchestral heights and moments of suspended intimacy, Leïla Olivesi delivers a radiant piece, at the crossroads of dreams, history, and freedom.