Greetings! Sean here. I’m honored to be joined by student intern Laelah Stephney, who is working with me this summer on music programming and on producing This Just In. Every Friday, we’ll be bringing you some highlights of new music we are featuring here on Jazz88. This is all connected to This Just In, our weekly show that celebrates new jazz releases. You can catch This Just In, hosted by myself–and soon Laelah as well–Fridays at noon on 88.5FM, or catch it on your own schedule from our on-demand page.
If you have input about the music we’re playing, or ideas about what else we should be playing, let Laelah and I know please! I can be reached at sean@jazz88.fm.
(Note: All the write-ups this week were penned by Laelah Stephney)
Lucia Sarmiento – “Look Up” a new single from Sarmiento’s forthcoming album – Listen Here
Lucia Sarmiento is a local artist who recently released a single titled “Look Up,” which features her incredible saxophone skills. To me, this song perfectly encapsulates the nature of curiosity and wonder. You can hear her genuine joy for creating music and how that’s expressed in “Look Up.” She has an obvious talent at integrating multiple styles into her work, as Sarmiento has been on tours and working with pop stars like Pitbull and Karol G since 2021 in sold out stadiums around the world! I’m sure anyone could find a piece from her that they’d enjoy, but for the whimsical, “Look Up” is for you.
Jeff Coffin – “Only the Horizon” from his new album, Only the Horizon – Listen Here
“Only the Horizon” is a track featured on Jeff Coffin’s newest album, Only the Horizon. Coffin is a saxophonist, educator, and composer, while also holding three Grammys under his belt as a member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. The song is vibrant and eclectic in sound. It is tastefully repetitive, encouraging exploration of all the varying instruments you may hear. As an album, Only the Horizon holds great memories and wholesome feelings for Coffin, who said, “This is the most time I have spent, and the most fun I have had, making a solo record, and I think it’s the best music I’ve ever made!” For those who love quirky sounds, and those who tend to always have that feeling of nostalgia buzzing around your head, this one is no doubt for you!
Steve Turre – “Wishful Thinking” from his new album, Sanyas – Listen Here
Steve Turre’s Sanyas is full of good old classic jazz. The title is a Sanskrit word, which translates to “purification,” and the album itself is an ode to Buddhism (Turre has been a practicing Buddhist since 1978). While I enjoyed all the songs, one stuck out to me: “Wishful Thinking.” It’s the only slow-paced track on the album, and as the title suggests, the song is thoughtful. It’s a delicate piece for sure, full of sweet piano trills and a trombone full of grace. Each instrument’s sound fits perfectly in the song like puzzle pieces. The occasional applause from the audience is valid as each solo of the song deserves its own recognition. Sanyas is perfect for those who are looking for something both original and classic.
Lakecia Benjamin – “Phoenix Reimagined” from her new album, Phoenix Reimagined Live – Listen Here
Lakecia Benjamin’s “Phoenix Reimagined” is a fiery track from a fierce album! Compared to the original Phoenix album, which is also great, the reimagined version is new and different. Her saxophone skills are on fire! The song showcases her talent in such an amazing way, that, as an ex-saxophonist, I want to give her a standing ovation. There’s no other way to describe it, It’s like a hot, red glitter bomb went off and coated the room with stars. You can truly feel the emotion and intention behind this one. All my deep thinkers and decoders, tap into this album and, more specifically, this song!
Thanks for checking out This Just In, and be sure to shoot an email over to sean@jazz88.fm if you have any input about our music programming! -Laelah Stephney and Sean McPherson
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