Ali MacSween continues to emerge as one of the most creative voices in London's contemporary jazz scene with Where Rivers Meet, a remarkable collaboration between his collective Your Brother's Keeper and legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz. As pianist, synthesist, composer, and producer, MacSween creates a rich sonic landscape that blends acoustic jazz with modular synthesis and live electronics, allowing Bartz's iconic saxophone to interact with modern textures while preserving its emotional depth. Originally developing through collaborations in Maisha, the project reflects years of shared performance and musical trust. MacSween's vision places collective improvisation at the center, bringing together trumpeter Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, bassist Twm Dylan, percussionist Tim Doyle, and saxophonist Chelsea Carmichael. Rather than simply accompanying a jazz legend, Your Brother's Keeper engages Bartz in a genuine artistic dialogue, demonstrating MacSween's gift for connecting generations while pushing the boundaries of spiritual and contemporary jazz.

“Full House” and Johnny Griffin (129)

Johnny Griffin’s appearance on Wes Montgomery’s “Full House” remains one of the great examples of hard bop improvisation captured live. Recorded on June 25, 1962, at Tsubo in Berkeley, California, the performance features Montgomery with an extraordinary rhythm section of Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb, along with Griffin on tenor saxophone. The tune itself, a bluesy jazz waltz in F minor composed by Montgomery, combines a Latin-flavored introduction, a memorable AABA melody, and extended solo sections that allow each musician to stretch out. Montgomery’s warm thumb-picked lines and signature octave passages are complemented perfectly by Griffin’s explosive tenor work. Nicknamed “The Little Giant,” Johnny Griffin was one of the most technically dazzling saxophonists of the hard bop era. His powerful tone, breathtaking speed, and deep bebop vocabulary made him a favorite collaborator of Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, and many others. On “Full House,” Griffin’s soulful, swinging improvisation helps elevate the performance into one of the finest live recordings in jazz history.

Wes Montgomery

Christian McBride

Jazz Real Book Playlist Vol 2

Chris van Voorst van Beest’s Bye Design brings together jazz improvisation and classical structure in a deeply personal and compelling statement. Joined by pianist Zach Lapidus and drummer Nathan Ellman-Bell, the New York-based bassist and composer creates music that balances intricate written passages with fluid, highly interactive improvisation. A student of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Del Tredici, van Voorst van Beest draws inspiration from classical forms, contrapuntal writing, and modern harmony while maintaining the spontaneity of jazz. Highlights include the suite-like sequence “The Long Line,” “Interludio,” and “Pastiche,” which showcases the trio’s remarkable sensitivity and shared musical language. Influenced by artists ranging from Charles Mingus to Eivind Opsvik, van Voorst van Beest has developed a distinctive compositional voice that avoids cliché and embraces originality. Bye Design is an elegant and adventurous debut that establishes him as one of the most thoughtful emerging voices in New York’s progressive jazz scene.