Staff Picks: November 2018

Here’s what the staff at Jazz Winnipeg are listening to this month:

Jon Batiste, Hollywood Africans (Verve Records, 2018)

“Occasionally I remember that late night show bandleaders don't just play interstitial music between celebrity interviews. This recording is genuinely healing my soul from the damage the news has caused.” - Lynne Stefanchuk, Executive Director

Makaya McCraven, Universal Beings (International Anthem Recording Co, 2018)

“Savvy drummer and collaborator with Shabaka Hutchings, Marquis Hill, Anna Butterss, Ashley Henry and Joel Ross. These tracks are super heavy and this guy is gonna make some serious waves with one foot in Chicago and one foot in the UK's hot new jazz scene. Loving it!” - Michael Falk, Artistic Director

R+R=NOW - Collagically Speaking (Blue Note Records, 2018)

“Collagically Speaking is the debut album of dream team band R+R=NOW, featuring Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin, and Justin Tyson. The band is inspired by Nina Simone’s famous statement that an artist’s duty is to reflect the times, and in that spirit they present single-take songs written live in the studio, going wherever their mood goes. The album explores quiet power, the women’s movement, systemic bigotry, and universal love.” - Alexa Potashnik, Volunteer Coordinator

Sam Wilkes, Wilkes (Leaving Records, 2018)

“This is Sam Wilkes’ debut solo record and it’s simply stunning. Laid-back jazz dabbling in ambient, beats, and peppered with several awesome frenetic solos throughout. Favourite tracks are ‘Today’ and ‘Hug,’ the latter featuring some pretty astounding off-the-rails saxophone and drums by collaborators Sam Grendel and Christian Euman.”- Victoria King, Marketing and Communications Manager