One of the world's preeminent jazz innovators, Steve Turre makes a powerful statement for the healing powers of music. "Spiritman" reflects his belief that 'without spirit, music is just notes'. The first recording - after many years of development by Turre - of sea shells played into the piano's open strings creating an ethereal, mystical, acoustic sound.

Veteran pianist Monty Alexander left Jamaica and came to the United States at age 17. This recording for Venus Records celebrates his 50 years in the land of jazz. Known for his straight ahead sensibilities and sometimes considered a successor of Oscar Peterson, his long career has widened his musical spectrum and brought maturity to his playing. For this recording, Monty is accompanied by bassist Hassan Shakur and drummer Willie Jones III on original songs like "Can't You See", "Got To Go" and "Sweet Lady", as well as popular tunes such as "Come Fly With Me", "I've Never Been In Love Before", You Call It Madness" and "We've Only Just Begun", plus the title song.

British singer, songwriter, and composer Sally Night followed her stunning Venus debut album, "Love For Sale", with the second album, "Ballads For You". As the title suggests, it is a collection of beautiful ballads, 13 standards and two originals. Night is backed by supremely talented, first-rate New York-based musicians: Jon Davis on piano, Dezron Douglas on bass, Willie Jones III on drums and Romero Lubambo on guitar. The selections showcase her sophisticated singing technique and her personal style.

With this, his third outing as a leader on HighNote guitar master Russell Malone returns with his talented quartet, featuring the potent pianism of Rick Germanson, the solid underpinnings of Luke Sellick on bass, and drummer-extraordinaire Willie Jones III. Malone possesses phenomenal technique, a warm luminous tone, an innate sense of swing, and his distinctive chording. The set consists of a wide range of songs including funk, ballads, uptempo hard bop performances and even a pop tune and a TV theme. Malone varies the instrumental textures and tone colors throughout to reveal his considerable inventive melodic art. This latest recording is further proof that Russell Malone is one of the top guitarists in jazz, here backed by his superb trio of masterful musicians.