Simon Andrews has earned a reputation as a creator of eloquent concert music that blends harmonic complexity and lyricism, introversion and broad gestures, and delicate timbres and bold statements. Here, on his recording debut, AND THE MOMENT WHEN THE BIRD SINGS, he offers up 10 compositions performed in a variety of configurations, from duos to trios and quintets, all of which emphasize his proficiency in both vocal and instrumental music.

François Couperin, whose 350th birthday we celebrate this year, defined himself as a creator of musical portraits. The eloquent and sometimes exotic titles of many of these pieces bear witness to this. From the Nations to the Collected Tastes, as well as the Royal Concerts and the harpsichord repertoire, Les Folies françoises have painted throughout this album a portrait that pays homage to one of the greatest composers of the Sun King's court.

Continuing in the series of Cuban recorded Ansonica Records projects comes Coro Del Mundo – choir of the world. With tracks ranging from sacred to secular, and from delicate to aggressive, the surprising cohesiveness of the composers’ work is astonishingly beautiful and impassioned. Schola Cantorum Coralina and Vocal Luna contribute exquisite vocals to the proceedings. L Peter Deutsch’s Dance to the Revolution, takes inspiration from the writing of Emma Goldman.

Reason and Reverance represents an aural exploration of our world’s complexities. By comparing and contrasting present triumphs with past regrets, the composers on this album develop a compelling, philosophical reflection of the world we live in. Conducted by Petr Vronský, the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra delivers a master class in cohesiveness while tackling a wildly diverse, yet wholly complete set of compositions.

With two critically-lauded releases on Navona Records (NOTTURNO, performing works by Chopin, and a four-album set, BEETHOVEN – 8 CONCERTI) pianist Eliane Rodrigues returns with REFLETS showcasing the pianist’s nuanced and thoughtful performances of fifteen works by Claude Debussy.

Early influences are often the strongest and in jazz a musician’s formative years tend to set his style and sound. Miles Davis grew up in St. Louis where he heard such St. Louis trumpeters as Clark Terry, Irving Randolph and Shorty Baker when he was a boy, so Miles followed the “St. Louis trumpet tradition”. In the state of Texas it is tenor players, most of who seem to have grown up with big sounds and plenty of confidence, men such as Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Jimmy Giuffre and King Curtis.

Word Premier Recording - Fourth Quartet "The Starry Sky"The title of Philippe Hersant's 4th Quartet, The Starry Sky immediately informs the listener that this piece alludes to Beethoven, since the starry sky is an emblematic Beethovenian topos. It appears in the following quote by Kant "the moral law within us and the starry sky above our heads" which Beethoven wrote in his personal journal in 1820 (aphorism No. 146).

In their astounding new opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, composer Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell explore the spiritual evolution of one of the most influential men of modern times as he creates a revolutionary new world of technological empowerment, then discovers a larger world within himself.

The connection between the life and work of the composer seems hardly more compelling than in the case of Mendel ssohn’s String Quartet no. 6 in F minor op. 80. Nothing seems more able to demystify a work of music than death itself. The title page of the manuscript of the String Quartet in D minor bears the date 'In March 1824' in Schubert’s own hand. And indeed, in the previous year Schubert did experience tragedy: professional failure and private disappointments tormented the composer in 1823.

The Black Art Jazz Collective's mission statement celebrates African-American cultural and political icons. At the core is a modernism that conjures up the classic bands of Art Blakey and acoustic Miles Davis. But with the contemporary soul-fueled solos and locked-in rhythm the band is more likely to launch into a counterpoint riff or the spacious funk of hip-hop than the svelte lines of a classic walking bass. The Black Art Jazz Collective delivers strong original tunes and purposeful, form-hugging improvisation that keeps things looking forward rather than back. And with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on ebullient form, and saxophonist Wayne Escoffery's muscularity contrasting with the tenderness of James Burton III's trombone, the focus never becomes diffuse or wavers.

Since 1991 Hammond organist Larry Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Bill Stewart have constituted what Jazzstation calls an “…unusual camaraderie of world-class players… Three of the world's best players in the current jazz scene…” take to the musical playground to perform eight diverse, close-knit pieces that are a joy for the senses.

Taking their name from a Steely Dan song, Deacon Blue were one of the best unknown bands in Scotland. Formed in 1985, the group performed its first concert as the opening act for the Waterboys' premier show in England. With the vocals of singer/songwriter Ricky Ross backed by jazz and soul-inspired melodies, Deacon Blue recorded several British hits in the late '80s. Their success, however, failed to carry over to American audiences. Frustrated by the inability to secure international popularity, the group disbanded in the summer of 1994.