“How is the world treating you? You haven’t changed a bit. Lovely as ever, I must admit.” The words of Johnny Burke sung by many down the years. I like the Billie Holiday version a lot. The irony isn’t lost on us, what’s new – it’s a ridiculous question in many ways in the context of below as how precisely, pray, can you compare the jazz past with the jazz present….? As for the beautiful song itself – the tune is by Bob Haggart and it dates back to the late-1930s – it captures the poignant and emotionally heavy experience of unexpectedly running into a former lover and being forced into polite small talk. It explores the sharp contrast between holding onto deep, unresolved feelings and facing the painful reality that the other person has completely moved on.
Catch up on a range of 5 new jazz releases
Ezra Collective – Here Because of Hope
Ezra Collective’s fourth album, Here Because of Hope, arrived digitally on 11 September through Partisan, with the 17-track set tracing connections between African, Caribbean and British music. The album’s obvious stand out a striking vocal collaboration between the Brit and Mercury winners and X Factor winner pop and soul singer Leona Lewis.
Andy Sheppard, Rita Marcotulli & Michel Benita – Salt Catchers
Andy Sheppard brings together pianist Rita Marcotulli and bassist Michel Benita for Salt Catchers, his latest ECM album. The trio recorded eight Sheppard originals alongside Carla Bley’s ‘Lawns’ in Lugano in 2025.
Gretchen Parlato – The Wise Ones
Gretchen Parlato’s The Wise Ones arrives on Edition Records, with Robert Glasper, Gerald Clayton, Mark Guiliana and other collaborators among the musicians involved. The album includes Parlato’s versions of Stevie Wonder’s ‘If It’s Magic’, Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’ and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Landslide’.
George Garzone – Themes for Good Friends
Saxophonist George Garzone’s Themes for Good Friends brings together Randy Brecker, Luis Perdomo, Santi Debriano and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts. Jojo Records released the album on 11 September. We did a celebratory “The Important of Being Ernie” themed playlist inspired by one of the tracks to jump off into a theme. (In case you were wondering there was no room made in the list for execrable Benny Hill novelty hit ‘Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West‘. A Christmas no 1 hit in 1971! If you are looking for proof that people will buy any old tat in great quantity, then look no further.)
Maik Krahl – Rain, Flowers and New Beginnings
Melodic German trumpeter and composer Maik Krahl releases Rain, Flowers and New Beginnings on Challenge Records. If you like Till Brönner then this is up your street but with a bit less gloss.
