[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: December 2025, so:
Chantez sous l’appli ! (singing under the rain or under the apps…)
Apps Couleurs Jazz Radio GooglePlay : https://bit.ly/CJRGooglePlay
Apps Couleurs Jazz Radio iOS Appstore : https://bit.ly/CJRAppstore
With:
- Mark Lettieri & WDR Big Band for ” Mark Lettieri Group Meets WDR Big Band at Studio 4“
- Laurent Coulondre, Arnaud Dolmen, Grégory Privat for “The Getdown”
- Florian Pellissier Quintet for “Pacifique Biches”
- IsmaÏl Sentissi for “Todo es Presente”
- Jon Boutellier, Michaël Valéanu, Clovis Nicolas for “A Christmas Cadeau, Joyeux Noël From Paris”
- Viktorija Gečytė & Gene Perla for “Mother”
- Henrique Mota, Iury Batista, Igor Willcox, HII TRIO, David Binney for “Connections”
- Immanuel Wilkins, Gerald Clayton, Out Of/Into, Joel Ross, Matt Brewer, Kendrick Scott for “Motions II”
- The Rag Messengers for “The Grand Boubousse”
- Amaury Faye for “ Rust ”
- Mark Sherman for “Bop Contest”
- John Scofield & Dave Holland for “Memories of Home”
Jon Boutellier, Michaël Valéanu, Clovis Nicolas – A Christmas Cadeau, Joyeux Noël From Paris
Although there were also three of them, the Three Wise Men never thought of forming a trio, let alone a sax/guitar/double bass trio.
There’s no question of holding it against them, especially since Jon Boutellier, Michaël Valéanu, and Clovis Nicolas decided, after an excellent previous album (reviewed on this website last year), to return for the holidays with a sumptuous “Christmas Cadeau” to wish us a “Joyeux Noël from Paris” (even though all three reside in New York).
It’s a nod to their French origins, which doesn’t prevent them from embracing the American tradition of Christmas albums — which is hardly followed in France — with tenderness and humor.
Our three Frenchies from New York have therefore taken Christmas songs of French, American, and German origin and treated them with delightful originality in a delectable chamber jazz format.
Read the Rest of the article by Thierry Quénum here.
Viktorija Gečytė & Gene Perla – Mother
Mother is a new release, based on a poem by the avant-garde filmmaker, critic and poet Jonas Mekas.
Viktorija is one of the greatest jazz voice nowadays. She was finalist with Samara Joy in Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition a few years ago. It is funny that she is quite ignored in France yet, by different jazz academies and official institutions and medias, but not Couleurs Jazz…
“Mother” is both a tribute and a lament, with Vik’s voice drawing each word like a calligrapher’s brush — raw, expressive, and deeply human. Echoing “this sadness and this lonely feeling” of a mother separated from her war-exiled sons. Composed and arranged by Vik‘s longtime collaborator, bassist Gene Perla.
This EPK is a continuing of Viktorija and Gene long experience together :
“Gene is turning 80 as this record is going to print, and everything about him blooms and buzzes. I call him Young Man – in admiration, not irony. The energy and joy of life that he radiates is unique. He’s fast to create, strong to play, happy to learn, sometimes wacky and stubborn, but mostly fun and wise. We talk a lot, argue a bit, chat about how busy we are with all the other million things… And then, when music begins, it feels like rain on a summer day, surprisingly simple, refreshing and smooth. In his every bass line and arrangement, there’s a melody and a story. In his every beat, a solid, instinctive, raw groove. To me, this is where music lives.” – Vik
Ismaïl Sentissi –Todo es Presente
What better way to brighten up a gray autumn day than by listening to music that is sunny from start to finish?
That’s what pianist Ismail Sentissi offers on this thoroughly exciting second album. All the compositions are his own, painting a soundscape of luminous musicality with accents that are sometimes Mediterranean, sometimes Balkan.
Performed as a duo with Maxime Berton on soprano saxophone, as a trio with bass and drums, as a quartet with saxophone, or as a sextet, these themes follow one another in a melodious and danceable journey whose beauty never ceases to delight.
And all this with a simplicity and melodic richness that leave you speechless.
Read the Rest of the article by Thierry Quénum ici
John Scofield & Dave Holland – Memories of Home.
To my knowledge, John Scofield had never recorded as a duo before, and the fact that he did so with Dave Holland was a particularly wise choice.
The two men know each other well and have played together, among others, in ScoLoHoFo, a short-lived group that also featured saxophonist Joe Lovano and drummer Al Foster.
Here, it is just their ten strings that engage in dialogue, and this exchange at the highest level is fascinating. Indeed, these two septuagenarians with impressive pedigrees succeed in revealing new facets of their talent. For this new recording, they have chosen to offer personal compositions, five by the guitarist and four by the bassist.
Read the Rest of the article by Thierry Quénum here
Mark Lettieri meets WDR Big Band – Live at Studio 4
This collaboration brings Mark Lettieri’s groove-focused writing into a big band setting that feels both powerful and contemporary. The WDR Big Band embraces the rhythmic drive and modern edge of the music, expanding it without losing its punch.
With smart arrangements by Michael Abene, the album balances density and clarity, allowing grooves to breathe while showcasing the band’s collective strength. The result is energetic, fluid and consistently engaging.
A confident and vibrant album that highlights the big band as a living, forward-looking format.
Laurent Coulondre, Grégory Privat, Arnaud Dolmen – The Getdown
Bringing together three leading voices of French jazz, The Getdown explores a rare trio format: Hammond organ, piano, and drums. Laurent Coulondre, Grégory Privat, and Arnaud Dolmen focus on collective energy rather than individual display.
The interplay between Privat’s lyrical piano and Coulondre’s powerful organ lines unfolds over Dolmen’s deeply rooted, fluid drumming. The music blends modern jazz, funk, and Caribbean influences with clarity and warmth, always driven by groove and melodic intent.
A vibrant, confident trio album where chemistry, listening, and shared momentum take center stage.
Florian Pellissier Quintet – Pacifiques Biches
With Pacifiques Biches, the Florian Pellissier Quintet explores a calmer, more introspective direction. Known for its energetic hard bop roots, the band here embraces wider spaces and a more atmospheric approach.
Drawing inspiration from the Pacific coast, the album highlights electric textures, Fender Rhodes colors, and moments of open improvisation. The music breathes, unfolding with restraint and clarity while maintaining the group’s strong collective identity.
A refined and expansive album that shows a band confidently broadening its musical horizons. Let’s take note of this splendid Carnival of Barranquilla!
HII Trio – Connections
With Connections, HII Trio delivers an impressive debut, introducing a fresh and confident voice in contemporary Brazilian jazz. Pianist Henrique Mota, bassist Iury Batista, and drummer Igor Willcox build a music rooted in interaction, balance, and collective expression.
Blending modern jazz language with Brazilian rhythms and global influences, the trio presents original compositions that feel both carefully shaped and freely flowing. The presence of guests such as Bob Mintzer, Tony Lakatos, Seamus Blake, David Binney, Bob Franceschini, and Rachel Therrien adds color and depth, reinforcing the album’s spirit of dialogue and artistic exchange.
A luminous, well-crafted debut that combines sophistication, openness, and a strong sense of identity.
Out Of/Into – Motion II
With Motion II, Out Of/Into – Motion II further establishes itself as a forward-looking collective that embodies the Blue Note spirit through creation rather than nostalgia. Featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer, the group delivers music shaped by trust, clarity, and deep musical conversation.
Drawn from recording sessions captured during the band’s anniversary tour, the album presents six original compositions written by the members themselves. Each piece reflects a distinct perspective while contributing to a coherent collective sound built on balance, subtle groove, and expressive freedom. Rather than revisiting the past, Motion II extends the Blue Note legacy by embracing the present moment and pointing confidently toward the future of jazz. A strong, elegant, and fully realized ensemble statement.
Mark Sherman – Bop Contest
On Bop Contest, Mark Sherman returns confidently to the vibraphone, leading an outstanding ensemble on his 22nd album as a bandleader. Joined by legendary bassist Ron Carter, pianist Donald Vega, drummer Carl Allen, and special guest trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, Sherman delivers a recording rooted in the spirit of bop while sounding fully present.
The album balances original compositions with carefully chosen repertoire, highlighting interaction, swing, and melodic clarity. Sherman’s vibraphone voice remains lyrical and expressive, supported by a rhythm section that combines authority with finesse. Recorded in an iconic setting, Bop Contest feels both respectful of jazz tradition and refreshingly alive — a vibrant session driven by experience, musical trust, and genuine joy in playing together.
Amaury Faye – Rust
On Rust, Amaury Faye delivers a deeply grounded and expressive album, shaped by the pulse and spirit of New Orleans. The quartet brings together a remarkable lineup, featuring legendary drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Amina Scott, and rising tenor saxophonist Julian Lee.
The music unfolds with a strong sense of momentum and collective interaction. Groove-driven yet nuanced, the compositions balance raw energy with melodic clarity and narrative depth. Faye’s piano anchors the ensemble with precision and openness, while the rhythm section brings both authority and flexibility. Rust stands as a vivid statement — rooted in tradition, shaped by lived experience, and propelled by a contemporary jazz language that feels both urgent and sincere.
The Rag Messengers – Grand Boubousse
With Grand Boubousse, The Rag Messengers offer a vibrant and engaging take on the early jazz tradition. Clarinetist Ezequiel Celada, pianist Auguste Caron, and drummer Ophélie Luminati revive the classic piano–clarinet–drums format with clarity, swing, and a strong collective voice.
Rather than recreating the past, the trio focuses on interaction, rhythmic drive, and musical storytelling. Mixing lesser-known repertoire with original compositions, they move effortlessly between stride, ragtime, and New Orleans-inspired swing.
The result is a lively, elegant recording—full of humor, energy, and authenticity—that proves early jazz remains timeless when played with imagination and conviction.
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