CD Reviews: Frank Kimbrough/Quartet (Palmetto Records PM2173) Although this is Frank Kimbrough’s first quartet album there is a tremendous rapport and cohesion between the players. With Kimbrough on piano are soprano and alto saxophonist Steve Wilson, Jay Anderson on bass and Lewis Nash drums. Somehow they make the leader’s varied compositions sound familiar and the three standards newly minted. palmetto-records.com
Jimmy Greene/Beautiful Life (Mack Avenue MAC1093) No one could fail to be moved by this beautiful album which celebrates the life of Green’s young daughter Ana who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. Many of his friends and musical companions have contributed, from the core rhythm ream of Renée Rosnes, Christian McBride and Lewis Nash to guests including Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Kurt Elling and musicians from other fields too. Greene and the others play superbly on a very touching album. mackavenue.com
Elio Villafranca & the Jazz Syncopators/Caribbean Tinge (Motéma 233864) Recorded live at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York this is a wonderful amalgam of full blooded jazz with various Caribbean rhythms. The two sessions featured such top jazz players as trumpeters Sean Jones and Terrell Stafford, saxophonists Vincent Herring and Greg Tardy and, yet again, Lewis Nash. A lovely mix of moods on Villafranca’s compositions and some great playing too make this a winner. motema.com
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