{"title":"DownBeat November 2025 Featured Selections","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"230\"\u003eThe November 2025 spotlight blends holiday cheer, soulful standards, and transatlantic grooves—three sessions that swing from festive to funk-forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"232\" data-end=\"532\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHoliday Fun\u003c\/em\u003e finds trombonist Wycliffe Gordon leading friends and hometown ringers through a warmly brassy set for the season. From “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” to bluesy originals, Gordon’s jubilant horn, smart arrangements, and easy rapport bottle the spirit of a lively holiday jam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"534\" data-end=\"840\"\u003eTrumpeter James Suggs opens the songbook wide on \u003cem\u003eFor All We Know\u003c\/em\u003e, threading jazz standards with New Orleans grit and soul classics. “Grazing in the Grass,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Black or White,” and “St. James Infirmary” sit comfortably alongside bop staples—sleek, swinging, and full of surprise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"842\" data-end=\"1069\"\u003eFinally, organ fire meets sax swagger on \u003cem\u003eBam Meets Craig Handy: First Encounter\u003c\/em\u003e, a German-American collaboration that leans into deep-pocket funk, greasy Hammond textures, and nimble improvisation—available on CD and LP.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1147\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eBuy distributor direct here on MVDShop or from your favorite music retailer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bam-craig-handy-bam-meets-craig-handy-first-encounter-cd","title":"Bam \u0026 Craig Handy - Bam Meets Craig Handy: First Encounter (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFirst Encounter is the first project of a German-American Jazz\/Funk friendship which, with its vision, should be a model for transatlantic teamwork.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eCraig Handy (born in 1962), who is one of the best saxophonists of his generation (countless recordings with Betty Carter, the Mingus Big Band, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock) has been a rare visitor to Europe in the last decade. And that is gladly about to change. BAM invited him to perform several well-attended and acclaimed concerts and\u003cbr\u003ethe now finally available production First Encounter. BAM stands for keyboard wizard Matthias Bublath, sousaphone master Freddy Andrej and, of course, Guido May. The young guitarist Maxi Nachtmann, who plays incredibly well for his age and gives rise to high hopes, was added at short notice. Matthias Bublath has recorded some very fine trio albums and shines as a modern jazz pianist in a league with current exceptional musicians such as Sullivan Fortner, Lawrence Fields, Christian Sands and Aaron Diehl. We experience him here as a Hammond organ expert, but if you listen to his own funk-oriented CDs, which also feature trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, you are amazed at how confidently he can switch between genresFirst Encounter is the first successful project of a new German-American friendship which, with its universal musical vision, should be a model for creative transatlantic teamwork, which currently seems to be increasingly falling by the wayside in everyday political life.\u003c\/p\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eAin't It Funky Now\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eChicken Soup\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFaatuchine\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eN.Y. 2nd Hip\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eToo Much\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eReady 'n' Able\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003ePW's\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFunky Side Up\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 40:36 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10\/10\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4270004887617\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"MINORMUSIC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46727895318777,"sku":"RNF8003","price":12.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/RNF8003.jpg?v=1754921803"},{"product_id":"bam-craig-handy-bam-meets-craig-handy-first-encounter-lp","title":"Bam \u0026 Craig Handy - Bam Meets Craig Handy: First Encounter (LP)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFirst Encounter is the first project of a German-American Jazz\/Funk friendship which, with its vision, should be a model for transatlantic teamwork.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eCraig Handy (born in 1962), who is one of the best saxophonists of his generation (countless recordings with Betty Carter, the Mingus Big Band, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock) has been a rare visitor to Europe in the last decade. And that is gladly about to change. BAM invited him to perform several well-attended and acclaimed concerts and\u003cbr\u003ethe now finally available production First Encounter. BAM stands for keyboard wizard Matthias Bublath, sousaphone master Freddy Andrej and, of course, Guido May. The young guitarist Maxi Nachtmann, who plays incredibly well for his age and gives rise to high hopes, was added at short notice. Matthias Bublath has recorded some very fine trio albums and shines as a modern jazz pianist in a league with current exceptional musicians such as Sullivan Fortner, Lawrence Fields, Christian Sands and Aaron Diehl. We experience him here as a Hammond organ expert, but if you listen to his own funk-oriented CDs, which also feature trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, you are amazed at how confidently he can switch between genresFirst Encounter is the first successful project of a new German-American friendship which, with its universal musical vision, should be a model for creative transatlantic teamwork, which currently seems to be increasingly falling by the wayside in everyday political life.\u003c\/p\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eAin't It Funky Now\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eChicken Soup\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFaatuchine\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eN.Y. 2nd Hip\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eToo Much\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eReady 'n' Able\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003ePW's\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFunky Side Up\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 40:36 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10\/10\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4270004887624\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"MINORMUSIC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46727895711993,"sku":"RNF8003-1","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/RNF8003-1.jpg?v=1754921833"},{"product_id":"wycliffe-gordon-holiday-fun-cd","title":"Wycliffe Gordon - Holiday Fun (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcclaimed jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, and recording artist Wycliffe Gordon captures the joy and fun of the holiday season brought to life in this recording made with some of his closest friends he's worked with on the bandstand throughout his career, and those from his hometown of Augusta, Georgia.  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eHave Yourself A Merry Little Christmas\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eJoy To The World\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eWinter Wonderland\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eGreen Chimneys\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eDo You Hear What I Hear\/Little Drummer Boy\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eThe Christmas Song\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eWhat Child Is This?\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFrosty The Snowman\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eSilent Night\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eThe Christmas Blues\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBaby, It's Cold Outside\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eThe Mistletoe Blues\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eAuld Lang Syne\u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arbors Records\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holiday\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 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 760137190080\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"ARBORS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46808984322297,"sku":"ARCD19495","price":8.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/ARCD19495.jpg?v=1756920769"},{"product_id":"james-suggs-for-all-we-know-cd","title":"James Suggs - For All We Know (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\"For All We Know\" invites listeners into a dynamic musical journey through standards, soul, and reimagined classics, all with fresh vitality.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003e'For All We Know' blends jazz standards, New Orleans grooves, blues, soul, and reimagined classics with fresh energy. James Suggs and his stellar band showcase the spirit of jazz as a living, joyful synthesis of American music--swinging, soulful, and full of surprise.\u003c\/p\u003e         \u003ch2\u003eMedia\u003c\/h2\u003e        \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:px;\"\u003e   \u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"450\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/playlists\/2069437635%20%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-3orJoj8M0Rg\u0026amp;color=%23ff5500\u0026amp;auto_play=false\u0026amp;hide_related=false\u0026amp;%20show_comments=true\u0026amp;show_user=true\u0026amp;show_reposts=false\u0026amp;show_teaser=true\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cdi v 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\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/jsuggs\" title=\"James Suggs\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eJames Suggs\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/jsuggs\/sets\/for-all-we-know\/s-3orJoj8M0Rg\" title=\"For All We Know\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eFor All We Know\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/di\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eGrazing In The Grass\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eYou've Got A Friend\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eAt Your Best (You Are Love)\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003ePing Pong Fellowship Pt. 1\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eSt. James Infirmary\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBlack Or White\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFor All We Know\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFree\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFor No One\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003ePing Pong Fellowship Pt. 2\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eJealous Guy\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eMy Shining Hour\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eMoten Swing\u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arbors 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 50 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 760137196532\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"ARBORS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46808995758329,"sku":"ARCD19496","price":8.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/ARCD19496.jpg?v=1756921144"}],"url":"https:\/\/mvdshop.com\/collections\/downbeat-november-2025-featured-selections.oembed","provider":"MVD Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}