Jazz vocalist Louise Rogers has been gradually winning over converts with her beautiful burnished tone, clear diction, flawless intonation, and impeccable musicianship. Her natural, unforced delivery harkens back to such pure singers as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor, and Doris Day. And while she may possess considerable technique and a capacity to improvise and scat up a storm like her most significant role model, Ella, Rogers takes a more relaxed and restrained approach on "Black Coffee", her fifth recording overall and first for Chesky Records.

With "Jazz In The New Harmonic" David Chesky fuses 21st century classical harmonies with his city's rhythms to create a new genre of jazz. The album liberates the pulse, soul, energy, and groove from past traditions, it's the first encounter with the transcendental music of our age. Chesky is a first class provocateur, and his 21st century classical harmonic approach kicks into high gear with his streamlined New York groove machine. Chesky's vision has been realized with this super band of all star jazz musicians.

It's easy to love the piano of Steve Kuhn - even without the album's cover image of a model exposing herself by the side of a freeway! Kuhn's keys have a lot more class than warrants the cover - and from the very first note of the set, you'll be transported away from thinking about that image, and caught in rapt attention to Steve's warm tones on the piano.

The world of Jazz has been graced by many great female vocalists through the decades – Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughan, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, to name just a few. Chesky Records is excited to introduce a name we feel will one day be in their company…Camille Thurman. On her Chesky Records debut, Thurman shows her versatility with stunning performances on both saxophone and vocals.

Pianist Steve Kuhn, accompanied by David Finck and Billy Drummond, explore classical works by a number of top composers from the 19th and 20th centuries on this Japanese release, though they are used as a launching pad for improvisation.

One of the veteran American pianists who release new recordings from Venus Records regularly, Steve Kuhn has been admired and loved by jazz fans both in the U.S. and Japan. This trio session includes classical works and pieces adapted into pop songs decades ago. Bassist Dave Finck and Billy Drummond accompany Steve Kuhn.

One of the veteran American pianists who release new recordings from Venus Records regularly, Steve Kuhn has been admired and loved by jazz fans both in the U.S. and Japan. I Will Wait For You features recording of the music of Michel Legrand. The lyrical, romantic and memorable melodies written by the French composer — many of which have become part of the standard jazz repertoire — are brilliantly interpreted and performed by a superb trio that includes George Mraz on bass and Billy Drummond on drums. Kuhn and co. add a muscular, driving sense of swing to the faster tunes while digging deep emotionally on beautiful ballads. A wonderful piano trio release!

Vocalist Tessa Souter dazzled listeners with her excellent debut album, Night Of Key Largo, which was awarded the Swing Journal Gold Disc. With her next album, Beyond the Blue, Souter embarked on an ambitious task: writing lyrics to well-known classical compositions and performing them in a jazz setting. Being a gifted writer, Souter herself wrote the lyrics for all but three of the songs. For this release, Souter is supported by outstanding New York-based jazz musicians. She sings gracefully and intelligently, using her beautiful voice to the fullest.

Since arriving in New York City, Tessa Souter has built a dedicated following. She was a relative latecomer to jazz, taking time out to raise a family at a young age and work as a journalist before studying at the Manhattan School of Music and privately with vocal great Mark Murphy, though she has developed into a formidable singer in a relatively short time.

Throughout a career of a half-century and counting, Steve Kuhn has earned renown as one of the most lyrical and affecting pianists in jazz, with an unfailingly beautiful touch and a sophisticated sense of swing. Recorded over the same three-day stretch in May 2002 as "Waltz: Blue Side", Steve Kuhn features nine standards and originals with Gary Peacock on bass and Billy Drummond on drums.

Throughout a career of a half-century and counting, Steve Kuhn has earned renown as one of the most lyrical and affecting pianists in jazz, with an unfailingly beautiful touch and a sophisticated sense of swing. Recorded over the same three-day stretch in May 2002 as "Waltz: Red Side", Steve Kuhn features nine standards and originals with Gary Peacock on bass and Billy Drummond on drums.

Jesse Davis has a classic tone that will remind you of the best and beautiful days of bebop. With "Live At Smalls" you get a feeling of a classic jazz performance. This live performance from 2011 features great interaction between Davis and Ryan Kisor; Davis sounds bold and his quintet have an urgency that makes this live date extremely exciting and romantic. A great session filled with lengthy selections and is a perfect introduction to a great performer.

Nicki Parrott is a premier jazz vocalist and string bass player. Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki started her musical training at age four with the piano, followed by the flute, soon after. Nicki switched to double bass at the age of 15. "Moon River" is Nicki Parrott's debut as a leader. The album received Swing Journal's "Best Jazz Vocal Album" award.

Jazz vocalist Louise Rogers has been gradually winning over converts with her beautiful burnished tone, clear diction, flawless intonation, and impeccable musicianship. Her natural, unforced delivery harkens back to such pure singers as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor, and Doris Day. And while she may possess considerable technique and a capacity to improvise and scat up a storm like her most significant role model, Ella, Rogers takes a more relaxed and restrained approach on Black Coffee, her fifth recording overall and first for Chesky Records.

Listening to the Mysterious Shorter SACD in Surround Sound, you'll discover some interesting takes on Shorter's music. As Bob Belden suggests in the liner notes, they've taken some of his upbeat compositions and arranged them to take advantage of the Organ, Guitar, Sax and Trumpet in the group. The SACD also does a fine job of reproducing the performances. It definitely provides a "you are there" level of performance and Chesky's minimalist recording approach with no compression and overdubs offers a nice change of pace from the very compressed sounds we all too often hear in many of today's conventional audio disc releases. Weather Report and Jazz fans will enjoy this one.