A trio of compelling jazz releases is featured this month, spanning archival brilliance, Brazilian-inflected swing, and modern clarinet-driven lyricism.
Captured at the height of his creative evolution, Chick Corea’s Some Time Ago: Live in Germany 1972 (Made in Germany) presents a newly restored recording from the legendary Radio Bremen archives. Documenting an intimate solo performance from October 29, 1972, the set finds Corea navigating post-bop, free improvisation, and Latin influences with remarkable fluidity. Expanding pieces like “Noon Song” while reinterpreting works such as “Children’s Song No. 1” and Wayne Shorter’s “Masqualero,” Corea transforms the piano into a deeply expressive narrative voice—offering a rare, fully realized portrait of an artist in transition.
Harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens returns to his Brazilian roots on Samba Tonto (Cellar Live), a vibrant session inspired by the legendary drummer Portinho, who also features on the album. Blending hard-swinging samba jazz with lyrical ballads, the recording showcases Meurkens’ signature melodic clarity alongside a dynamic ensemble including Misha Tsiganov (piano/Fender Rhodes), Eduardo Belo (bass), and contributions from Justus Heher and Laura Dreyer. The result is a richly textured program that reconnects Meurkens with the rhythmic traditions that helped define his sound.
Clarinetist Virginia MacDonald makes a striking debut as a leader with In Search Of… (Cellar Live), a deeply personal and lyrical statement recorded in Brooklyn. Backed by an exceptional ensemble featuring Geoffrey Keezer (piano), Ira Coleman (bass), Curtis Nowosad (drums), and vocalist Laura Anglade, MacDonald balances six original compositions with interpretations of “Stardust” and Charles Mingus’ “Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love.” The album highlights her expressive tone and compositional voice, positioning her as a leading figure in the next generation of jazz clarinetists.
