I am always impressed by the many things Mike Pope does, so needless to say, I was eager to give his new album, The Parts You Keep, a listen.

Mike has assembled an extraordinary group of musicians to bring this project to life… including his own mother, Ann Almond Pope, who is 85 years young and still gracing the world with her beautiful classical piano playing. Together, they present us with nine stunning tracks, each one carefully curated to create a seamless journey. The lineup is a thoughtful balance of original compositions, jazz standards reimagined, and a classical finale that ties everything together with grace. Every piece is executed with brilliance, as each musician brings powerhouse artistry to the table. And of course, bassists will be thrilled… Mike serves up a feast of tasty bass work throughout the album.

This collection is living proof that jazz is not only alive and well but thriving in fresh and inspired ways. The standards carry Mike’s unique touch, familiar yet transformed through his evolved approach, making them distinctly his own. The original compositions are rich, immaculately crafted, and tell expansive musical stories that unfold like epic tales of jazz.

Then, just when you think the album couldn’t surprise you further, the final two tracks arrive… featuring Mike’s mom on piano. These beautifully classical pieces wrap around the listener like a warm embrace, encouraging you to simply close your eyes and let the music wash over you.

On a personal note, hearing this collaboration between Mike and his mother resonates deeply. It makes me think about how special it would have been to share a performance with my own mom and offer that gift to the world. It’s heartwarming, inspiring, and something I can’t help but smile about with every note.

For more behind-the-scenes details about the making of this album, don’t miss my full interview with Mike: Mike Pope: Preserving a Family Music Legacy (Sep/Oct Issue)

In the end, The Parts You Keep is not just an album… It’s a solid musical masterpiece that deserves a place in every music lover’s collection.

The Parts You Keep is Available online at Amazon.com

Album Review: Live at the Belly Up Tavern – Ross Schodek on Bass…

Having lived in the Caribbean for 18 years, I developed a deep love for what’s commonly known as Latin Jazz. Over the years, I’ve heard countless performances, from up-and-coming neighborhood bands to world-class professionals. Among the many artists I’ve followed, Poncho Sanchez has long been one of my favorites, so I was thrilled to dive into this new live album.

Recorded at the iconic Belly Up Tavern on June 11, 2023, and released April 4, 2025, this album captures the energy of a live performance while maintaining superb sound quality. In the past, live recordings often suffered from muddled mixes or poor balance, but the engineers here really nailed it. Every instrument and vocal is crisp and clear, with just the right touch of ambient crowd noise to keep the live vibe alive without becoming distracting.

As a conguero, Poncho’s conga playing is front and center throughout the album, anchoring each track with his signature rhythmic drive. The congas are complemented beautifully by bongos, timbales, and other essential percussion instruments, creating the rich rhythmic layers that define Latin Jazz. The bass, tightly interwoven with the percussion, offers plenty of standout moments for fellow bass enthusiasts like myself. I’ve always loved the syncopated pulse of this genre, and the band delivers it with impeccable timing and precision.

The album features ten well-crafted tracks that showcase a range of time signatures and influences, particularly the Afro-Antillean roots that are central to Latin Jazz. Each track is both musically engaging and undeniably danceable, with solid arrangements that provide a perfect stage for the band’s exceptional musicianship.

If I had to pick a standout, it would be “Night Dream,” which is played in a challenging, rarely-heard tempo. Be sure to stay tuned through to the final track, as that’s where bassist Ross Schodek delivers an excellent solo that serves as the perfect closing note for bass lovers.

Live at the Belly Up Tavern is the kind of album you’ll want to enjoy with a cold drink in hand, letting it transport you straight into the heart of the performance. It’s a vibrant, live experience you’ll want to revisit again and again.

Live at the Belly Up Tavern is available at Amazon.com

Mark Egan, Cross Currents…

It is exciting every time I get a new album from Mark Egan as he is such an amazingly versatile player and I never know what to expect (except for excellent artistry!) In his latest release, Mark has teamed up with Shawn Peyton on drums and Shane Theriot on guitar to bring us “Cross Currents”.

This collection of eleven tracks transports me to the Gulf Coast (New Orleans specifically). Mark’s fretless basses lay down a solid groove and lots of juicy solo work for this rootsy collection of funk, ambient, swamp-rock, second line, ballads, Cajun and even Indian Raga.

This trio is super-tight and the musicianship is flawless as each member has ample opportunity to shine. Even though each player is very talented in their own right, I feel that the collective energy is greater than just the sum of the players on this album. Each musician contributed to composing music for this project but the lion’s share are Mark’s original pieces.

I spent the summer of 1981 in New Orleans and this wonderful music takes me back to those fond memories. I participated in a wacky raft race on Lake Ponchatrain and this opening track elicits images of fun, sunshine, music, and great food.

This is another superb album that everyone will enjoy. Get your copy today! Cross Currents is available online at Amazon.com. Visit Mark online at markegan.com.

Brian Bromberg, LaFaro…

Scott LaFaro was an extraordinary upright bass player who we lost in 1961 at the age of 25. Even though he was a young bassist he worked with the Bill Evans Trio from 1959 to 1961; he was an exceptional musician and his bass work was lightyears ahead of his time.

Brian Bromberg has teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero to produce a tribute album to this legendary player. We are treated to a dozen tracks (with three bonus tracks on the digital platforms) that were Bill Evans Trio standards. While the original band’s work inspired Brian, this tribute album is not an attempt by the musicians to replicate the music but to organically express themselves on these tunes. When you listen, you may note that it doesn’t sound like LaFaro and it isn’t supposed to.

As I have noted on many of Brian’s previous albums, the bass work (all upright here) is extraordinary and he knows how to get a crystal-clear sound. Every note is pristine and balanced perfectly with the piano and drums. Brian’s approach to recording upright bass should be the golden standard for all upright players. He also handpicked the other members of this trio and they are excellent musicians who really deliver the goods.

If you would like more insight into this album, I can share that in my cover interview with Brian, coming soon.

The projected album release date is April 5, 2024, and will be available at www.brianbromberg.net

Bassist Gabriel Espinosa was inspired by the music he grew up with in Yucatan, Mexico, and now brings us a collection of ten tracks on Bossas and Boleros.

Six of these tunes on Bossas and Boleros are his original compositions. As you might expect from the title, some of these tunes fit in a kind of retro/romantic category whereas others are in a kind of soft Latin jazz vein. Interestingly, Gabriel also found inspiration in current events and translated them into musical interludes.

Gabriel assembled an excellent collection of musicians to bring this album to life and his bass playing is solid and precise but not flashy. His playing compliments the music in a noticeable way but is very balanced in the overall mix. The compositions are intricate and quite lovely with a generous helping of Latin tempos. I especially enjoyed his vocal rendition of “Aqui Estoy Yo” where he sings with just a piano. It is a rare treat to actually hear a bass player’s voice in a tune.

The great thing about this album is it’s universal appeal as it is not all about the bass. Everyone can relate to a collection of beautiful music and it’s excellent execution. This album is perfect to listen to while you enjoy a glass of wine with a loved one as you watch the sunset. Listening made me feel both relaxed and happy and that are feelings we all want to share.

Bossas and Boleros is available on Amazon.com