I’m happy to report that, despite what many think, jazz is indeed alive and well. Further proof of that can be found in the new, self-titled album from vibraphonist Warren Wolf (out now on Mack Avenue Records). After just one listen I knew this was a lock for my year-end best of list.

Do yourself a favor and pick up Wolf’s album today. But if you’re one of those cautious types who needs a little proof, I’ve got you covered. Follow this link to SoundCloud to hear two tracks from the album — “427 Mass Ave.” and “Señor Mouse.”

“427 Mass Ave.” puts me in mind of the Modern Jazz Quartet — and it’s no surprise that Wolf cites Milt Jackson as an influence — but there’s nothing retro or backward-looking about it. “Señor Mouse” is a Wolf solo showcase and as you might expect, it sports a slightly Latin flavor.

Of course it’s never a bad thing to have personnel like Wolf has supporting him on his album — bassist Christian McBride, pianist Peter Martin, drummer Greg Hutchinson, alto and soprano saxophonist Tim Green, and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt (on two songs).

(If you have Spotify, you can listen to these and other featured Sunday Jazz songs by subscribing to my GFS Sunday Jazz playlist.)

Related articles

• Warren Wolf – (Self Titled) (Mack Avenue, 2011) (jazzandblues.blogspot.com)
• Sunday Jazz: Cal Tjader, “Shoshana” (grayflannelsuit.net)
• Multi-instrumentalist Warren Wolf to Release Self-titled Debut Album on Mack Avenue Records – August 16 (theurbanflux.wordpress.com)