Allen Lowe's 2-volume 4-CD set evokes through original music the musical eras that Louis Armstrong lived through, from ragtime to early jazz, swing, bebop, avant garde jazz, Dada and rock & roll, a rollicking, perceptive and fun set of compositions with contributors including Marc Ribot, Ray Anderson, Frank Lacy, Lewis Porter, Elijah Schiffer, Matt Shipp, Ursula Oppens, &c.

The second album from New York trumpeter Peter Evan's band Being and Becoming stretches out his concepts in five extended works that dovetails superb contemporary jazz — integrating extended techniques and solid vibraphone work — with beautifully rich and explorative passages, masterfully performed with Joel Ross (vibes), Nick Jozwiak (bass) and Michael Shekwoaga (drums).