The opening line of Grammy winning composer/arranger Dave Slonaker’s liner notes for Shifty Paradigms , his melodically and harmonically imaginative, rhythmically intense and stylistically diverse third album, says it all about his lifelong devotion to the realm: “Since my middle school days, the sound of big band has intrigued me." One of Hollywood’s most in demand arrangers and orchestrators for more than 30 years, his diversity is rooted in complementary passions for Jazz

Effervescent, ever-witty and stylish L.A. jazz blues and soul icon Betty Bryant is perhaps the only singer alive of which we can say, at age 96, it feels like she’s just getting warmed up. Quickly following up her critically acclaimed 2024 album Lotta Livin’, she joins forces with longtime collaborator and saxophonist/producer Robert Kyle for Nothin’ Better To Do , a lively, soulfully lived in, stylistically eclectic and beautifully loving set of engaging originals and offb

That elementary school teacher who taught Ricky Alexander the Original Dixieland Jazz Band’s “Tiger Rag” and other ragtime classics would fall in love quickly with the innovative, wildly versatile clarinet master’s third Turtle Bay Records recording Ragology. In addition to showcasing Alexander’s effervescent passion for seminal century-plus old romps like “Buffalo Rag,” “Ragtime Oriole,” “Nola” and the Jelly Roll Morton classics “Shreveport Stomp” and “Sweetheart O Mine,”

Fully embracing and embodying the title of his full-length debut Songs of My Dreams , James Judson reveals himself not only as a graceful, deeply soulful balladeer and charming crooner with an impeccable sense of swing, but also as an effortlessly talented vocalist who never gave up on his lifelong dream to sing - and literally gains inspiration from his subconscious dreams. After pursuing music into his 30s, he reached a crossroads to raise his large family (six kids) and bu

The title and overriding theme of The Dave Wilson Quartet’s When Even Goes East  gives his fans a glimpse of his life before he was an in-demand jazz cat to the tune of 120 annual dates with big bands and small ensembles and headlining festivals, jazz clubs and private engagements while also owning and operating a woodwind based musical instrument company. The buoyant, percussive and coolly strutting title track feels like an adventurous ride with him years ago during his bri

During his whirlwind 20+ year tenure as touring and recording keyboardist for contemporary jazz supergroup The Rippingtons, Bill Heller counts two enduring blessings above all others – the opportunity to vibe with some of the genre’s most creative and esteemed saxophonists (Eric Marienthal, Jeff Kashiwa, Paul Taylor) and learning from group founder and sonic architect Russ Freeman the value and excitement of creating instrumental albums around a specific theme that drives an