{"title":"DownBeat September 2025 Featured Selections","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"496\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDownBeat\u003c\/em\u003e’s September 2025 spotlight shines a light on forward-looking collaborations and global grooves from across the jazz spectrum. Guitar fans will be thrilled by \u003cem data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"181\"\u003eHead \u0026amp; Heart\u003c\/em\u003e, a high-voltage meeting of minds between Finnish fusionist Varre Vartiainen and six-time Grammy nominee Mike Stern. Drawing deep inspiration from the golden era of ’70s jazz fusion, the album delivers dazzling interplay and compositional depth—anchored by Vartiainen’s sharp writing and Stern’s legendary phrasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"926\"\u003eAlso featured is flutist Itai Kriss’s radiant \u003cem data-start=\"544\" data-end=\"554\"\u003eDaybreak\u003c\/em\u003e, a jazz journey that unfolds like the arc of a single day. Blending gospel warmth, Brazilian rhythm, and bold improvisation, Kriss places the flute at center stage—backed by a stellar lineup including Benny Benack III and Yotam Silberstein. These albums explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, offering a rich listening experience for jazz fans new and old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"928\" data-end=\"997\" 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":"varre-vartiainen-mike-stern-head-heart-lp","title":"Varre Vartiainen \u0026 Mike Stern - Head \u0026 Heart (LP)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eCollaborative album by former Leningrad Cowboys guitarist Varre Vartiainen and jazz guitar legend Mike Stern.\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEclipse Music will release the collaborative album Head \u0026amp; Heart by Varre Vartiainen and jazz guitar legend Mike Stern. The album's music leans heavily into the golden era of 1970s fusion jazz and is composed almost entirely by Vartiainen. However, Stern also brings a strong artistic voice to the project, contributing to a rich and cohesive whole. Expect brilliant guitar work!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHead \u0026amp; Heart follows Vartiainen's critically acclaimed 2022 solo release Almost Standards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMike Stern (b. 1953) needs little introduction among jazz fans. Named by DownBeat magazine as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, this six-string virtuoso has had a legendary career performing with Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, and Blood, Sweat \u0026amp; Tears. His impressive resume also includes collaborations with the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, and David Sanborn--not to mention his extensive solo catalog. Stern has been nominated for six Grammy Awards, won the Orville W. Gibson Award in 1997, and was voted 'Guitarist of the Year' by Guitar Player magazine in 1993.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVarre Vartiainen plays jazz guitar with a rock attitude and is considered one of Finland's most accomplished guitarists. In 2000, he founded the group Husband with the legendary rhythm section of Anssi Nykänen and Harri Rantanen, joined on second guitar by Marzi Nyman. The band has toured actively for over 20 years and released four albums.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVartiainen has also performed with numerous international stars, including Angélique Kidjo, Thomas Ledin, Ed Motta, and Jim Beard, and played in prestigious ensembles such as the Espoo Big Band, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Dallapé, Nylon Beat, and Leningrad Cowboys. Currently completing his doctorate at the Sibelius Academy, Vartiainen is also widely known from television, having served as bandleader and guitarist for shows like The David Hasselhoff Show, Idols, and the Plan Gala.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMiked Up!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBill From Sao Paolo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHead and Heart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark Size Life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaltz for Roni\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor Mike\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e ECLIPSE MUSIC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 69 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 08\/08\/25\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 760137189381\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECLIPSE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46527253053689,"sku":"ELP-202467","price":18.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/ELP-202467_27d5cb0f-6ac8-4040-b2fa-96a48c9e54fd.jpg?v=1752093077"},{"product_id":"varre-vartiainen-mike-stern-head-heart-cd","title":"Varre Vartiainen \u0026 Mike Stern - Head \u0026 Heart (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eCollaborative album by former Leningrad Cowboys guitarist Varre Vartiainen and jazz guitar legend Mike Stern.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eEclipse Music will release the collaborative album Head \u0026amp; Heart by Varre Vartiainen and jazz guitar legend Mike Stern. The album's music leans heavily into the golden era of 1970s fusion jazz and is composed almost entirely by Vartiainen. However, Stern also brings a strong artistic voice to the project, contributing to a rich and cohesive whole. Expect brilliant guitar work!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHead \u0026amp; Heart follows Vartiainen's critically acclaimed 2022 solo release Almost Standards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMike Stern (b. 1953) needs little introduction among jazz fans. Named by DownBeat magazine as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, this six-string virtuoso has had a legendary career performing with Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, and Blood, Sweat \u0026amp; Tears. His impressive resume also includes collaborations with the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, and David Sanborn--not to mention his extensive solo catalog. Stern has been nominated for six Grammy Awards, won the Orville W. Gibson Award in 1997, and was voted 'Guitarist of the Year' by Guitar Player magazine in 1993.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVarre Vartiainen plays jazz guitar with a rock attitude and is considered one of Finland's most accomplished guitarists. In 2000, he founded the group Husband with the legendary rhythm section of Anssi Nykänen and Harri Rantanen, joined on second guitar by Marzi Nyman. The band has toured actively for over 20 years and released four albums.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVartiainen has also performed with numerous international stars, including Angélique Kidjo, Thomas Ledin, Ed Motta, and Jim Beard, and played in prestigious ensembles such as the Espoo Big Band, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Dallapé, Nylon Beat, and Leningrad Cowboys. Currently completing his doctorate at the Sibelius Academy, Vartiainen is also widely known from television, having served as bandleader and guitarist for shows like The David Hasselhoff Show, Idols, and the Plan Gala.\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\/1997389824\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\"\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\/varrevartiainen\" title=\"Varre Vartiainen\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eVarre Vartiainen\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/varrevartiainen\/sets\/head-heart-197096352\" title=\"Head \u0026amp; Heart\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eHead \u0026amp; Heart\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e  \u003c\/div\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eMiked Up!\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eHardly\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eHead and Heart\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eDark Size Life\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eWaltz for Roni\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBlue Velvet St.\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFor Mike\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eFat Time Blues\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eMood Swings\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBill From Sao Paolo\u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e ECLIPSE MUSIC\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 69 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 08\/08\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6429830241324\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"ECLIPSE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46527257182457,"sku":"ECD-2025245","price":13.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/ECD-2025245.jpg?v=1748862200"},{"product_id":"itai-kriss-daybreak-cd","title":"Itai Kriss - Daybreak (CD)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFlutist Itai Kriss's Daybreak traces a day's journey through jazz, gospel \u0026amp; Brazilian grooves--bold, lyrical, and rich with global influences.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eNew York-based flutist Itai Kriss presents Daybreak, his thematic new album chronicling the natural progression of a single day, displayed through eight original compositions. Drawing on his Israeli roots and deep appreciation for American jazz traditions, Kriss blends jazz, gospel, and Brazilian influences to showcase the flute as a commanding lead voice rather than a background instrument. The album features collaborators Adam Birnbaum on piano, Luke Sellick on bass, and Anthony Pinciotti on drums, with special guests Benny Benack III on trumpet and Yotam Silberstein on guitar. Spanning moods from tranquil dawns to energetic afternoons and soulful evenings, the music follows the rhythmic cycle of daily life while showcasing the flute's expressive range. Kriss crafts a sonic narrative that feels both personal and universal, drawing inspiration from bebop, blues, gospel traditions, and Brazilian samba to create a cohesive journey that transcends genre boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e    \u003ch2\u003eTrack Listing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e        \u003cli\u003eDaybreak\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eDrivin\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eBeleza\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eEast Of The Sun\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eO Jardim\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eUphill\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eUpfront\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eDelicacy\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eNo Smoking\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eSunday Lemonade\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eCoisinha\u003c\/li\u003e                  \u003cli\u003eIn The Light\u003c\/li\u003e          \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e JOJO 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 67:02 mins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0       \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 09\/12\/25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 760137190561\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"JOJORECORD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46602636558585,"sku":"JJR-007-CD","price":13.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0815\/4889\/files\/JJR-007-CD.jpg?v=1751292361"},{"product_id":"itai-kriss-daybreak-180-gram-black-vinyl-lp","title":"Itai Kriss - Daybreak [180 Gram Black Vinyl] (LP)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFlutist Itai Kriss's Daybreak traces a day's journey through jazz, gospel \u0026amp; Brazilian grooves--bold, lyrical, and rich with global influences.\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003cp\u003eNew York-based flutist Itai Kriss presents Daybreak, his thematic new album chronicling the natural progression of a single day, displayed through eight original compositions. 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