New Music Monday for March 16, 20115

New Music Monday Playlist on YouTube and Spotify.

     There have been pivotal locales which were the nurturing ground for the vanguard of many art forms. Jazz music has had a number of these spots, from New Orleans up to Kansas City and Chicago, then to New York and outward. It would not be hard to argue that the great city of Philadelphia should be recognized with these others as a wellspring of talented musicians. One of its prominent sons is drummer Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath. He, like so many other Philly natives including his brothers Jimmy and Percy, grew up in the music, as the city was ripe with musicians of the first order and an important stop for many of the progenitors of the music. On his new recording, “Philadelphia Beat,” Heath returns to his native ground to catch the spirit and preserve it. Joining him in this endeavor, for their third recording as a trio, are pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street.

     Russell Malone first worked with master organist Jimmy Smith in 1988 and between 1990 and 1994 toured with Harry Connick, Jr. During the late ‘90s Malone toured internationally with Diana Krall, receiving critical acclaim in his role as her right hand both in concert and on her recordings.  The guitarist has also worked with such diverse artists as Branford Marsalis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mulgrew Miller, Roy Hargrove and Patti Austin. Malone is added to the roster of High Note Records for his new CD, “Love Looks Good on You.”

     Also this week, Katie Thiroux, an exceptional bassist, captivating singer and gifted composer, debuts with “Introducing Katie Thiroux”; drummer Mike Clark and pianist Michael Wolff return with “Wolff and Clark Expedition 2”; and pianist Jon Davis unveils his second trio recording for Posi-Tone Records, “Moving Right Along.”