{"title":"DownBeat December 2025 Featured Selections","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"215\" data-end=\"335\"\u003eThree standout new jazz releases arrive this December, each preserving a unique chapter of the music’s living history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"746\"\u003eDrummer \u003cstrong data-start=\"345\" data-end=\"357\"\u003eBob Holz\u003c\/strong\u003e honors his longtime collaborator with \u003cem data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"420\"\u003eHonoring Larry Coryell\u003c\/em\u003e (MVD Audio), a 10th anniversary live concert recording featuring seven previously unreleased performances from 2015. With nearly 80 minutes of music, the set captures Coryell’s guitar mastery across classics like “Spoonful,” “Footprints,” and “Bag’s Groove,” alongside Holz originals such as “Yes We Can” and “Moving Eyes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"748\" data-end=\"1189\"\u003ePianist, composer, and arranger \u003cstrong data-start=\"780\" data-end=\"802\"\u003eChristian Elsässer\u003c\/strong\u003e reveals a more intimate side on \u003cem data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"845\"\u003eThe Move\u003c\/em\u003e (Edition Collage). Known for his orchestral work with Europe’s leading ensembles, Elsässer leads a quintet of longtime collaborators through lyrical, chamber-like compositions. Pieces such as “Morgentau,” “Birds,” and “Wiegenlied” reflect a musical diary of farewells and new beginnings, blending modern jazz color with structural invention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1712\"\u003eArchival discovery defines \u003cem data-start=\"1218\" data-end=\"1263\"\u003eJames Newton Quartet: Live in Willisau 1983\u003c\/em\u003e (RHYTHMNFLOW Records). This historic release features flutist Newton with pianist \u003cstrong data-start=\"1346\" data-end=\"1360\"\u003eGeri Allen\u003c\/strong\u003e—then at the dawn of her storied career—bassist \u003cstrong data-start=\"1408\" data-end=\"1423\"\u003eAnthony Cox\u003c\/strong\u003e, and drummer \u003cstrong data-start=\"1437\" data-end=\"1455\"\u003eAndrew Cyrille\u003c\/strong\u003e. The set includes Newton’s “Forever Charles” (a tribute to Charles Mingus), Allen’s “The Printmakers,” and Charles Mingus’ “Reincarnation of a Lovebird,” offering a vivid snapshot of a boundary-pushing ensemble that never previously released a recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1712\"\u003eBuy distributor direct here on MVDShop or from your favorite music retailer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bob-holz-honoring-larry-coryell-lp","title":"Bob Holz - Honoring Larry Coryell (LP)","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eBob Holz presents this 10th anniversary, live concert of his band, A Vision Forward with special guest guitarist Larry Coryell. Comprised from two concerts performed in November of 2015, the album features fantastic performances from the Godfather of  jazz fusion, Larry Coryell along with Bob Holz's incredible drumming.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHonoring Larry Coryell is a must have album for any serious jazz listener.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe album is comprised of seven previously unreleased tracks totaling close to eighty minutes of world class jazz. Holz is in his idiom on this recording, as his drumming shines thanks to the inspirational playing by the late great Larry Coryell. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe record opens with an unforgettable version of the blues classic Spoonful which leads into a mesmerizing rendition of the jazz classic Footprints.The heart felt performance of Holz's original Yes We Can, originally recorded on his first album A Vision Forward  is a beautiful and relaxing tune that features Larry Coryell playing a blues style. Moving Eyes is another Holz original that explores jazz fusion in seven eight.Avalon Canyon and Shared Sunsets are both Holz originals that serve as aperfect canvas for Coryell's timeless playing.  Bag's Groove is a jazz standard the features all the musicians and proves that Larry Coryell was one of the greatest jazz guitarists. This album is a collection of music treasures and is a must have for fans of Holz and Coryell. \u003c\/p\u003e         \u003ch2\u003eMedia\u003c\/h2\u003e        \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:px;\"\u003e   \u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/playlists\/1814857398\u0026amp;color=%23ff5500\u0026amp;auto_play=false\u0026amp;hide_related=false\u0026amp;show_comments=true\u0026amp;show_user=true\u0026amp;show_reposts=false\u0026amp;show_teaser=true\u0026amp;visual=true\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/bob-holz\" title=\"Bob Holz\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eBob Holz\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/bob-holz\/sets\/night-watch\" title=\"Night Watch\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eNight Watch\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e  \u003c\/div\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisc 1:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eSpoonful-Footprints\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBag's Groove\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eHarper \u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisc 2:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eYes We Can \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eMoving Eyes \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eAvalon Canyon \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eShared Sunsets \u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e MVD Audio\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 79:25 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11\/07\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 760137181828\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"HOLZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46808985469177,"sku":"12345678910","price":29.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/12345678910.jpg?v=1756920813"},{"product_id":"bob-holz-honoring-larry-coryell-cd","title":"Bob Holz - Honoring Larry Coryell (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eBob Holz presents this 10th anniversary, live concert of his band, A Vision Forward with special guest guitarist Larry Coryell. Comprised from two concerts performed in November of 2015, the album features fantastic performances from the Godfather of  jazz fusion, Larry Coryell along with Bob Holz's incredible drumming.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHonoring Larry Coryell is a must have album for any serious jazz listener.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe album is comprised of seven previously unreleased tracks totaling close to eighty minutes of world class jazz. Holz is in his idiom on this recording, as his drumming shines thanks to the inspirational playing by the late great Larry Coryell. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe record opens with an unforgettable version of the blues classic Spoonful which leads into a mesmerizing rendition of the jazz classic Footprints.The heart felt performance of Holz's original Yes We Can, originally recorded on his first album A Vision Forward  is a beautiful and relaxing tune that features Larry Coryell playing a blues style. Moving Eyes is another Holz original that explores jazz fusion in seven eight.Avalon Canyon and Shared Sunsets are both Holz originals that serve as aperfect canvas for Coryell's timeless playing.  Bag's Groove is a jazz standard the features all the musicians and proves that Larry Coryell was one of the greatest jazz guitarists. This album is a collection of music treasures and is a must have for fans of Holz and Coryell. \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eSpoonful-Footprints \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eYes We Can \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eMoving Eyes \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBag's Groove \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eShared Sunsets \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eAvalon Canyon \u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eHarper \u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e MVD Audio\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 79:25 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11\/07\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 760137172123\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"HOLZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46808985731321,"sku":"MVD17212A","price":12.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/MVD17212A.jpg?v=1756920822"},{"product_id":"james-newton-quartet-live-in-willisau-switzerland-1983-cd","title":"James Newton Quartet - Live In Willisau Switzerland 1983 (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe members of the JAMES NEWTON QUARTET for this European in 1983 tour included Geri Allen on piano, Anthony Cox on bass and Andrew Cyrille on drums.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the spring of 1983, a newly conceived version of the JAMES NEWTON QUARTET appeared on the European jazz scene. After four decades, producer Stephan Meyner contacted James Newton. They realised that, unfortunately, the quartet had never released a recording. This changed when he unearthed a 1983 recording of the quartet from Willisau in Switzerland. A few months before the tour, James Newton had heard about a fantastic young pianist, composer and scholar from Detroit who was completing her master's degree in ethnomusicology at the University of Pittsburgh - Geri Allen.  The members of the JAMES NEWTON QUARTET for this European tour included Geri Allen on piano, Anthony Cox on bass and Andrew Cyrille on drums. The recording from Willisau is one of the first recordings in Geri Allen's long, historic and outstanding career. Bassist, composer and bandleader Anthony Cox has immense, highly virtuosic mastery of his instrument, plays with great sensitivity, contributes to every nuance of the ensemble with incredible technical skill and responds to it with confidence, switching skilfully and fluently between different styles. Andrew Cyrille is one of the most respected drummers jazz has ever produced. His ensembles and compositions have contributed greatly to the tradition he embodies. He is known for his enthusiastic collaborations with modernists such as David Murray, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mal Waldron, Horace Tapscott, Peter Brötzmann and Oliver Lake.The recording's repertoire includes Charles Mingus' loving tribute to Charles Christopher Parker, 'Reincarnation of a Lovebirds,' Geri Allen's masterpiece 'The Printmakers,' and two originals by James Newton: ' Forever Charles,' dedicated to Mingus, and 'Pinkie Below,' the nickname given to my then young son James III by one of his uncles because he was the youngest grandson in the family and was born with light skin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eReincarnation of a Lovebird\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003ePinkie Below\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eForever Charles\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eThe Printmakers\u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHYTHMNFLOW Records\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e English  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 63:44 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11\/07\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4270004887600\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"MINORMUSIC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46808989827321,"sku":"RNF8004","price":12.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/RNF8004.jpg?v=1756920941"},{"product_id":"christian-elsasser-quintett-the-move-cd","title":"Christian Elsässer Quintett - The Move (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eWith The Move, Christian Elsässer creates a musical diary of change and reveals a particularly intimate, chamber-like side.\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a long phase working primarily as a composer, arranger and conductor for big bands and orchestras Christian Elsässer reveals a particularly intimate, chamber-like side on his new quintet album.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e„While working on the music a lot of changes were about to happen in my personal life. The most crucial one was that my wife and I decided to leave Munich behind and create a new home for our family in the countryside.' \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe choice of musicians and the associated instrumentation had a decisive influence on the realization of the compositional ideas. „For this recording I invited four long time friends with whom I have worked in various musical contexts - but never in exactly this lineup.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith The Move, Christian Elsässer creates a musical diary of change: a journey full of farewells and new beginnings, shaped by the quiet yet profound changes that life brings over time. Pieces like Birds, Morgentau, and Wiegenlied create sonic landscapes drawing on the rich palette of modern jazz. Other original compositions, such as Kanon and Circles \u0026amp; Corners, reflect Elsässer's inventive structural concepts. Likewise, Short Story No. 2 follows a self-imposed challenge: to fit entirely on a single sheet of music - quite a contrast to his large-ensemble arrangements, which typically require dozens of pages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChristian Elsässer is one of the most versatile voices of contemporary Jazz in Europe. He is regularly commissioned by top ensembles such as the Metropole Orkest (three-time Grammy winner), the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, and all four German radio big bands (WDR, HR, NDR, SWR). He has worked with a wide range of acclaimed artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Aaron Parks and Mike Stern. Elsässer is also a professor of Composition and Jazz Piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMorgentau\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCircles \u0026amp; Corners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKanon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore Circles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShort Story No.2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMove On\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLisa \u0026amp; Lilli\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMove Out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlmost There\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWiegenlied\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Edition Collage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e English\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48:31 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12\/12\/25\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4014063162526\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GLM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46910348951801,"sku":"EC625-2","price":12.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/EC625-2.jpg?v=1759523575"}],"url":"https:\/\/mvdshop.com\/collections\/downbeat-december-2025-featured-selections.oembed","provider":"MVD Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}