John Stein to John Lee: Local artists among best jazz recordings of 2022

The debate over the continuing viability of albums goes on, but jazz is one area where the traditional album still rules as the predominant way to present new music. We received more jazz albums this year than in any previous period, so what follows is a Best of 2022 compilation, based solely on what we kept returning to for listening pleasure this year. There is a lot of Boston-area flavor here, probably in part because of the fine music schools in the region and the wealth of talent on the local scene.

'Lifeline' by John Stein

We’ve written about him before, but just to recap, Stein is the recently retired professor from Berklee College of Music, whose goal of performing more was blocked by serious health problems. As the superb guitarist recovered, and the pandemic limited live dates for everyone, he embarked on the ambitious project of crafting a collection of his best work from the past two decades. New Bedford’s Whaling City Sound produced a gorgeous two-disc package with extensive notes, and Stein chose songs that showcase his talents in formats from duos to quintets. The more than two hours of music is a stunning testament to his career, where his melodic sense and flawless touch shines in countless different styles. Stein is now back to health, and playing around the area, and this excellent collection should convince fans to catch one of his shows whenever and wherever the Jamaica Plain resident is performing.

'This project kept me alive':'This project kept me alive': Jazz guitarist John Stein returns to stage after illness

'Ashanti' by Santi DeBriano and Arkestra Bembe

DeBriano is a Panamanian bassist who grew up in Brooklyn, studied at the New England Conservatory and Wesleyan University and worked as a high school music director in Englewood, New Jersey. DeBriano has played with Larry Coryell, Sonny Fortune and Sam Rivers, among other jazz greats.  A "bembe" is a celebration, and during the pandemic DeBriano hosted bembe-style jam sessions in his Staten Island home for his musician friends. Those sessions led to this, his eighth album as a leader, and it is a smoothly melodic, rhythmically rich feast of music from a nine-piece band. Savor “Angel Heart” with Adrian Alvarado’s flamenco-flavored guitar, or get down to the fiery unison drive of “Imagined Nation,” where Robby Ameen’s drums push the nonet to some of its most invigorating music. Released Nov. 18, this album might be the sleeper of the year, a really dazzling blast of exciting music.

'Fire in the West' by Neil Swainson

This is Toronto bassist Swainson’s first album as a leader since 1987, recorded with a quintet around the time of a November 2021 concert in North Vancouver. Swainson has played with jazz notables such as George Shearing, Sonny Stitt and Herb Ellis, and this album is an intoxicating swath of fast-paced bop and swing, with Kelly Jefferson’s tenor sax a particular revelation. “Fool’s Gold” is a lovely ballad, where the sax works in tandem with Brad Turner’s marvelous trumpet lines. There’s some delectable melodic development on the midtempo “Standing Back.” Turner has an absolute romp on trumpet on “Kyushu,” while “Fell Among Thieves” is an enrapturing sax rumination where Jefferson has the spotlight. Swainson wrote all these tunes, and his skill at arrangements is stellar throughout.

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'Eddie Palmieri Presents Sonido Solar' by Sonido Solar

The peerless icon of Latin jazz, Palmieri is now 85, so he doesn’t do many shows with this nine-piece group, although he guests on two cuts here and his imprimatur is surely a notable recommendation. The leaders of the band are trumpeter Jonathan Powell, pianist Zacchai Curtis, bassist Luques Curtis and alto sax player Louis Fouché. Fans have likely seen Fouché as part of the band on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Fouché graduated from MIT (2007) with degrees in physics and chemical engineering before deciding to focus on music. The emphasis is on the band with solos kept to a minimum and the ineffable momentum of the tunes paramount. Try “Mambo Influenciado” to get yourself going in the morning, or enjoy the marvelous “Maria Cervantes,” a multifaceted sonic portrait in seven minutes. Palmieri guests on piano on Tito Puente’s sprightly “Picadillo” and the charmingly textured “Suite 176,” which he co-wrote with Fouché.

'Live in Italy' by Pasqua, Erskine, Oles

This delightful piano trio is centered on pianist Alan Pasqua, with bassist Darrek Oles and drummer Peter Erskine, and the album comes from a concert at Camogli, Italy, on Nov. 19, 2021.  Pasqua is a product of the New England Conservatory and has been a versatile session musician who’s played with folks including Bob Dylan, Cher and Santana. His touch is superb, capable of subtle shadings and relentlessly musical in the best sense. Pasqua wrote five of the 10 songs here, with the band members contributing three more. Pasqua’s “Turnaround” is irresistibly buoyant, driving fun, and Oles’ “Snowglobe” is a poignant ballad where the bass is almost a second lead instrument. Pasqua’s “Dear Chick” has the kind of propulsive, jazz-fusion energy that tells you it is his tribute to the late Chick Corea.

'Off-Kilter' by John Yao's Triceratops

This is the second album from trombonist Yao and his three-horn quintet (with tenor and alto/soprano saxes) and once again smart arrangements make it a real standout. Yao is best known on the New York City jazz scene, but he is also an assistant professor of trombone at Berklee School of Music. While the Yao arrangements allow for solos, the emphasis is mainly on unison playing, even if at some points one of the horns will be playing a contrasting melody to the main theme. Anchoring the sound with the trombone also adds a kind of muscular feel to the arrangements, a visceral drive.  It is heady stuff, full of surprises like the title cut or the magnificent way that unison approach transforms “Quietly” into a ballad with real depth.

'The Wailing Sounds of Ricky Ford: Paul's Scene' by Ricky Ford

There is resonance to the extra-long title of Ford’s first new album since 2013. The Boston tenor sax master joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra, at just 20, to replace the late Paul Gonsalves, when the band was led by Mercer Ellington (he was recommended by longtime Boston cultural figure Elma Lewis). Ford also went on to play with Lionel Hampton, and the Mingus Dynasty band, and since the 1990s he’s spent most of his time in France. But Ford still has that clear, buttery tone and sense of swing second to none. Ford wrote seven of the 12 songs here, and performs them as part of a stellar quartet. “Ricky’s Bossa” starts the album off with a breezy romp where it’s obvious Ford’s tone is smooth as silk. “Fer” is more like a fast bebop outing, but again his delivery is flawlessly smooth and melodic. “The Wonder” could be a sonic novel in just seven minutes, while the cover of “The Stockholm Stomp” is rowdy fun. “Paris Fringe” is another gem, a spicy romp that hints at why Ford has enjoyed living there.

'The Normyn Suites' by The Michael Leonhart Orchestra

Music fans have probably heard trumpeter Leonhart with Steely Dan over the past couple of decades. This project was done as an elegy for his beloved dachshund, who lived to be 15. Guest stars include Elvis Costello, jazz guitarist Bill Frissell, saxophonist Joshua Redman and rapper JSwiss, and more than 70 different musicians played on one cut or another. The first suite concerns grieving, with the second one focused on love and loss, with other cuts sprinkled around them. It is not a sad record, but at times somber, or joyful, and always poignant. Stylistically it can range from classical-like jazz to rock-and-funk themes. Costello does the spoken word vocal on “Radio Is Everything,” which seems to tie into the main theme as a perspective on alienation and the search for connection. Organist Larry Goldings helps make “May the Young Grow Old” a warm reverie, while “The Dunes of Cahoon Hollow” is a lovely look back at a nice memory. This album works well in the jazz-as-imaginary-movie category.

'The Artist' by John Lee

Lee is a 28-year-old graduate of Berklee College of Music (Class of 2016) who excels at bass, keyboards, guitar and drums, but here he sticks to bass, leading a trio on five tracks and a quartet (with the addition of saxman Cory Weeds) on three more. The revelation here is that pianist Miles Black was a last-minute sub when travel problems stranded the group’s original player. The rapport between Black and Lee’s bass is evident immediately in the undeniable momentum of Mulgrew Miller’s “Soul Leo.” The trio takes the classic “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” and turns it into carefree swing, where Black’s exceptional drive and articulation is a huge plus. The title cut is an homage to Lee’s late father, a toe-tapping midtempo number that suggests Lee came by his savoir faire naturally.  “Life Is a Beautiful Thing” is the gorgeous ballad that showcases that Lee-and-Black interplay at its best in a shimmering statement that is truly enrapturing.

'The Jam' by Eyal Vilner Big Band

Vilner is an Israeli saxophonist now based in New York City and the goal on his sixth album as leader was to create the kind of big band music that got people dancing. That mission is accomplished: this disc will put ants in your pants for sure. Vilner wrote eight of the 14 cuts, and five tracks feature vocals. Duke Ellington’s “Just a Lucky So and So” starts it off with a vibrant swinger, and a bit later singer Imani Rousselle’s plea “Will You Be My Quarantine?” suggests more fun than most of our lockdowns offered. The fast-paced volley of tart solos on “Chad’s Delight” is worth the price of admission, while vocalist Brianna Thomas lends “Hard Hearted Hannah” just the right mix of passion and campiness. Smart arrangements make this a very dynamic record, but it rides a good-time vibe laced with humor and, well, you just can’t sit still when it’s on. The impossibly fast-paced run through Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside" is the perfect conclusion.

Upcoming gigs: Lori McKenna and blues jams in Rockland

It’s a slow couple of weeks on the music scene, although we can direct fans to a couple of continuing local events of note. Players in Rockland continues to host a weekly blues jam on Sundays from 4 to 8 p.m., helmed by the Michelle Rockwell Band. The New World Tavern in Plymouth welcomes the versatile young rock band Total Strangers every Thursday night.

THURSDAY:  The Eagles Experience heats up City Winery.

FRIDAY: Wanted DOA: A Bon Jovi tribute at City Winery.

SATURDAY:  There's a Tribute to the Late DJ Dick Pleasants at The Somerville Theatre, featuring Lori McKenna, Tom Rush and Chris Smither, among others, but it is sold out. Folk singer Don White at Club Passim. Gracie Grace and All the Good Boys at The G Pub in Plymouth.

Bronson Arroyo to release first original album

Old friend Bronson Arroyo has been out of baseball for five years, which means he's on this year's Hall of Fame ballot, and if it was based more on making the most of your ability or uniqueness of character, he'd be a shoo-in. But Arroyo has been busy with his other avocation, and on Feb. 17 he will release his first CD of all original music, which he'll be previewing with his band Jan. 11 at The Burren.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Favorite jazz of 2022, plus gigs to look forward to: Bronson Arroyo