Satoko Fujii's 15-piece Orchestra New York with an all-star cast including Ellery Eskelin, Tony Malaby, Herb Robertson, Steve Berstein, Joe Fiedler, &c. &c.

Pianist-composer Satoko Fujii's Orchestra Tokyo formed in 1999 to perform her compositions, music that spans a wide range of styles and moods, complemented by a great set of soloists.

Pianist Satoko Fujii's Tobira ("door") expands the original trio configuration of Todd Nicholson on bass and Takashi Itani on drums, with trumpeter/husband Natsuki Tamura, playing inventive free improvisation with sophistication in melodic heads and superb soloing.

A hauntingly beautiful set of solo piano works from Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii, subtle work that belies her incredible techincal skill through beautifully paced and meditative music.

The first release from the NY/West Coast trio of Tomas Fujiwara on drums, Ben Goldberg on clarinet, and Mary Halvorson on guitar, a collaborative improv of lyrical and nuanced improv, using great skill and sophistication in dialog that takes unexpected twists and turns.

Merging different sub-genre of NYC's rich jazz and creative music scene, drummer Tomas Fujiwara's trio with Brandon Seabrook on guitar and Ralph Alessi on trumpet furtively builds into a free jazz album of contrasting dynamics and superb playing.

Sax, bass clarinet and flutist Nobuyasu Furuya is a free player migrated from Japan to Lisbon, Portugal, here in a trio with bassist Hernani Faustino and drummer Gabriel Ferrandini.

Tierra de Nadie is Colombian pianist Ricardo Gallo's project with bassist Mark Helias, trombonist Ray Anderson, saxophonist Dan Blake, and drummer Satoshi Takeishi and Pheeroan AkLaff.

Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura & bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu's Gato Libre with Satoko Fujii on accordion and guitarist Kazuhiko Tsumara, in their 4th release, beautifully melodic improvisation.

The first Gato Libre release since the passing of bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu, adding trombonist Yasuko Kaneko alongside leader Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, Satoko Fujii on accordion, and Kazuhiko Tsumura on guitar, for eight beautiful, melodic "free cat" recordings.

The 5th release from the Japanese quartet of trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, Satoko Fujii, here on accordian, the late bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu, and guitarist Kazuhiko Tsumura, beautiful free form improvisation performed live in concert in 2011.

Natsuki Tamura and Satoko Fujii's Gato Libre in their fourth seductive album of jazz based on European folk melodies with some of the coolest accordion playing on the planet.

Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and Satoko Fujii on accordion with guitarist Kazuhiko Tsumura and bassist Nirkatsu Koreyasu in their 2nd Gato Libre release, sophisticated, upbeat, melodic jazz.

Tenor saxophonist Gauci & trumpeter Nate Wooley with the dual bass backbone of Mike Bisio and Ingebrigt Haker Flaten in original compositions using extended instrumental techniques.

Two sets of New York tenor saxophonist Stephen Gauci and an impressive rhythm section playing with alternately Broo Magnus and Mats Aleklint, live at the Glenn Miller Cafe in Stockholm, 2007.

Pianist Tania Gill with Lina Allemano on trumpet, Clinton Ryder on bass and Jean Martin on drums, music informed by American song forms, Bartok, free improvisation and the northern Ontario landscape.

Taking their 2010 "Tipples" CD on the road, this CD captures the trio of Frode Gjerstad (sax & clarinet), David Watson (electric guitar) and Kevin Norton (drums, vibes, percussion) live in Middletown Conneticut during their 2013 tour.

Free improvising from saxophonist Frode Gjerstad and vibraphonist Kenvin Norton, recording in the same space as their previous duo CD, but with guitarist David Watson as a 3rd voice.

A swinging album mining earlier jazz forms from the modern jazz sextet of Ben Goldberg on clarinet, Joshua Redman on tenor sax, Ron Miles on trumpet, Devin Hoff on bass, and drummers Ches Smith and Scott Amendola.

The third recording from this group of long-time collaborators, with Golia on soprano, alto and tenor sax, Bobby Bradford on cornet, Ken Filiano on bass and Alex Cline on drums in a set of Golia original compositions.

Insanely great free improvisation for the West Coast in this quartet of Vinny Golia (multi-reeds), Marco Eneidi (alto sax) Lisa Mezzacappa (bass), and Vijay Anderson (drums).

Named for the miraculous recovery of drummer and AACM founder Alvin Fielder, who travelled to Dallas in 2010 to record with trumpeter Gonzalez and his sons bassist Aaron and vibraphonist Stefan, with Gaika James on trombone.

Drummer Gonzalez and his sons traveled to Warsaw to meet saxophonist Rodrigo Amado for this incredible live concert of original compositions plus Ornette's "Happy House".

Trumpeter Gonzalez's band with sons, bassist Aaron Gonzalez and drummer Stefan Gonzalez, joined by saxophonist Tim Green and legendary UK/South African drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo.

Trumpeter & cornetist Dennis Gonzalez' Yells At Eels with sons Aaron Gonzalez on bass and Stefan Gonzalez on drums adds Aakash Mittal (Rudresh Mahanthappa, Ravish Momin) on alto sax for a dynamic studio release of Gonzalez and Mittal compositions.

The second take of Boston area drummer Luther Grays' project Lawnmower with Jim Hobbs on sax, Kaethe Hostetter on violin and Winston Braman on electric bass, excellent jazz with unique instrumentation and a diversity of approaches.

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The trio of Guillermo Gregorio (clarinet), Steve Swell (trombone) and Pandelis Karayorgis (piano) use their unique selection of instruments to play an original set of composition and improv.

The Grid Mesh trio performing live at The Loft in Cologne, dark and biting improv with an electroacoustic edge that shifts between playful dialog to massive walls of sound.

The second release from Germany's Grunen Trio of Achim Kaufmann on piano, Robert Landfermann on double bass and Christian Lillinger on drums, a superb and forward-thinking piano trio using prodigious talent in eccentric ways, resolving to lyrical and rewarding improvisation.

The Normand Guilbeault Ensemble with Jean Derome, Matthieu Belanger, &c. continue to create incredible interpretations of the music of Charles Mingus.

Normand Guilbeault's ensemble plays seven eclectic compositions by Charles Mingus and one from Jean Derome in this excellent recording.

The debut album of this focused and intrepid Chicago trio led by saxophonist Dave Rempis with young stalwarts Ryan Packard on percussion and electronics, and Netherlands transplant Albert Wildeman, for three extended improvisations recorded live and in the studio.

Bassist Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten is joined by key improvisers Joe McPhee (sax), Joe Morris (guitar) and Nate Wooley (trumpet) for this improvised studio recording, free improvisation with the influence of swing and blues.

Beautiful string work and lovely and unusual vocals from the duo of Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone, music of "stark clarity and introspection."

Presenting compositions from all three players, the NY-based trio of Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Mary Halvorson (guitar) & Matt Wilson (drums) this exceptional trio play a stripped down, rocking blend of free form improvisation.

Halvorson's quintet in a new book of music exploring close knit and dissonant harmonies for her ensemble of trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson, saxophonist Jon Irabagon, bassist John Hebert & drummer Ches Smith.

Guitarist Mary Halvorson's project with Chris Speed on sax & clarinet, Eivind Opsvik on bass, and Tomas Fuijwara on drums, a band formed for a one-off concert at the Blue Note in NYC, that continued on based on the strength of the bond between them, as heard on this superb release.

Berlin-based saxophonist Boris Hauf's sextet with Keefe Jackson (sax), Jason Stein (bass clarinet), Frank Rosaly (drums), Steve Hess (drums & electronics) and Michael Hartman (drums) in 4 extended pieces of boiling intensity.

Bassist John Hebert continues to explore his Louisana/Cajun roots with his trio of Benoit Delbecq on piano (plus synth & electronics) and drummer Gerald Cleaver, challenging and enigmatic improvisation with a solid rhythmic center.

Bassist Hebert's Trio with French pianist and synth player Benoit Delbecq and drummer Gerald Cleaver, expansive and spacious jazz with a beautiful spirituality.

A hybrid of theater, music, sound poetry and political manifesto from Sylvaine Helary, focused on the "Arab Spring" in Egypt, using intertwining words and voices around the quartet performances of Hugues Mayot, Sylvain Lemetre, Antonin Rayon and Sylvaine Helary.

Ranging from trio to septet, Herculaneum incorporates a chamber aesthetic into modern improvisational aesthetic with graceful expressiveness and compositional power.

The German born NYC-based trio of quarter-tone trumpeter Thomas Heberer, drummer Joe Hertenstein and bassist Pascal Niggenkemperer, bringing European perspectives to jazz with a NY flavor.

Drummer Joe Herteinstein's followup to his 1st Clean Feed HNH album from his New York trio with Pascal Niggenkemper on bass and Thomas Heberer on cornet, adding a New York attitude to European modern jazz, with oustanding playing using a mix of traditional and inventive approaches.

Jim Hobbs piano-less trio in an "emboldened program of muscular angularity Ornette-ish harmolodic lullaby and punk-rock deviousness."

Canada's songwriting Hobson's Choice has developed into a tightly knit ensemble embracing elements of jazz, chamber, and singer-songwriter traditions, with sound-worlds ranging from midnight deep-woods marimba ballads to sunny cicada-sung anthems.

Freely improvised collective with an electroacoustic inclination and chamber music reserve from the quintet of Dre Hoceva (drums), Bran De Looze (piano), Lester St. Louis (cello), Chris Pitsiokos (sax) and Philip White (electronics & signal processing).

A multinational jazz trio using compositional and improvisational approaches, led by drummer Dre Hocevar, with Bram De Looze on piano, and Lester St. Louis on cello, plus NY electronics artist Sam Pluta providing signal processing on the title track.

An early album from Vancouver clarinetist Francois Houle with frequent collaborators Tony Wilson (guitar) and Dylan van der Schyff (drums & percussion), performing original compositions and a unique version of Duke Ellington's "Frustration."

The 3rd full length from Canada's Inhabitants expands the sonic experiments of this quartet's intuitive group improvisations, mixing rich feedback with alluring lyricism.

Vancouver 4-piece with members from Fond of Tigers, Tony Wilson 6Tet, Carsick, &c, merging jazz, noise rock and free improv into music with few sonic boundaries.

Chicago saxophonist Keefe Jacksonand Swiss pianist Hans-Peter Pfammatter in a contemplative and expressive duo album demonstrating powerful technique and subtle restraint through nine improvisations.

Italian Transalpine reedist Piero Bittolo (El Gallo Rojo) in his oddly named trio playing freeform jazz with a groovy accent, refined technique, imagination, soul and guts.

Pianist Samuel Vriezen performs Tom Johnson's work presenting what Johnson describes as a natural phenomenon within a musical scale: progressions in 1 to 5 voices of all possible combinations of notes with each voice being limited to 3 steps, a perfect 4th or a perfect 5th.

JC Jones on electroacoustic bass and live electronics performing duos with friends Harold Rubin, Ariel Shibolet, Maya Dunietz, Yuval Mesner, Josef Sprinzak, &c.

Clarinetist Theo Jorgensmann's quartet with double bassist Christian Ramond, drummer Klaus Kugel, and vibraphonist Christopher Dell recording in the studio in German, 1999.

Satoko Fujii's latest Junk Box with Natsuki Tamura and John Hollenbeck is an amazing jazz album of extended technique, instrumentation and expressive, dramatic ideas

With links to Foton Quartet, Rob Mazurek, Nicole Mitchell, Keith Rowe, Kevin Drumm, Matt Bauder, &c, the Polish & German quartet of Anna Kaluza (sax), Artur Majewski (trumpet), Rafal Mazur (guitar) & Kuba Suchar (drums) perform a perfect blend of bebop, free forms, west coast jazz and free improvisation.

The Boston based trio of pianist Pandelis Karayorgis, bassist Jef Charland and drummer Luther Gray documented their work on their own compositions in 2012, after a year's worth of monthly concerts.

A live recording made in April 2014 at Mike Reed's Constellation in Chicago of pianist Karayorgis Quintet with Dave Rempis (sax), Keefe Jackson (reeds), Nate McBride (bass) and Frank Rosaly (drums), bridging post-bop and avant jazz in sophisticated and lyrical ways.

Pianist Pandelis Karayorgis in a new band with Luther Gray, Jef Charland, Jeff Galindo and Matt Langley, distinctive jazz focusing on tradition through contemporary perspectives.

"Grunen" (The Greening) is a live totally improvised recording from the trio of pianist Achim Kaufmann, bassist Robert Landfermann, and drummer Christian Lillinger.

With two trumpets, drums and piano, Kaze's 2nd release with Satoko Fujii, Natsuki Tamura, and Muzzix members Christian Pruvost and Peter Orins, hits like the album title, but surprises with contrasts from torrential power to beautiful melodic interplay.

Trumpeter Kirk Knuffke in a NY trio with clarinetist Doug Wieselman and drummer Kenny Wollesen, all part of Butch Morris' Nublu Orchestra and frequent Zorn collaborators.

Reissue and fresh master of saxophonist Lee Konitz, pianist Don Friedman and guitarist Attila Zoller's great 1995 Hat release, original compositions of live melodic interplay.

Kosi is Akosua Gyebi Sorensen, a New York vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, here presenting a mix of standards and original compositions performed with guitarist Aron Marchak.

Two recordings from multi-reedist Peter Kuhn from 1978-79; a reissue of an LP of a '78 radio broadcast with Toshinori Kondo (trumpet), Arthur Williams (trumpet), William Parker (bass), and Denis Charles (drums); and a live concert with Denis Charles in Massachusetts in '79.

Following the traditions of the saxophone trio, tenor & baritone player Jonas Kullhammar releases this studio album of irrepressible compositions performed with bassist Tobjorn Zetterberg and drummer Espen Aalberg.

Commissioned and premiered at the 10th L'Off Festival de jazz de Montreal in 2009, this work performed with Jean Derome, Jean Rene, Bernard Falaise, Pierre Tanguay, &c.

A live recording of two extended improvisations at Audio Rebel's Quintavant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the quartet of Arthur Lacerda on guitar and electronics, electric bassist Felipe Zenicola, guitarist Eduardo Manso, and drummer/percussionist Paal Nilssen-Love.

Recorded in Paris in 1979, Steve Lacy (soprano sax) and Steve Potts (alto sax) perform music for the aphorisms of Georges Braque, as sung by Irene Aebi; originally issued on Hat Hut records, this reiusse remasters the original release and includes images from the score.

The second volume of Steve Lacy's solo soprano saxophone concerts, starting off with the three short versions of Billy Strayhorn tunes which opened his first solo concert at Avignon in 1972.

Crossing tonal material with post-bop playing, trumpeter Susana Santos Silva leads her LAMA trio in electroacoustic and traditional playing, with guest reedist Joachim Badenhorst adding a masterful edge, as they interpret the novel by the Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago.

Pianist Mathias Landaeus leads his trio with Johnny Aman on bass and Jonas Holgersson on drums through five original pieces, a mazurka by Chopin, and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", an eclectic take on the piano trio blending modern techniques with both traditional and creative compositions.

2 CDs from the amazing little big band of bassist Lane, with trumpeters Nate Wooley & Taylor Ho Bynum, saxophonist David Bindman, trombonists Tim Vaughn & Reut Regev, & drummer Igal Foni.

Pianist Steve Lantner's Quartet with Joe Morris, Luther Gray and Allan Chanse performing live at the 21st International Jazzfestival Munster in Germany.

Drawing on several years and many shared projects, the duo of Ingrid Laubrock (sax) and Tom Rainey (drums) recorded this excellent album of sophisticated improvisation at the end of a 17-date tour, performing for a studio audience at Audio for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin.