Kevin Whitehead

Doin' the Gigi showcases Gigi Gryce as a swinging saxophonist and writer of quirky melodies.

The Chicago-based Deep Blue Organ Trio combines a Hammond organ with a guitar and drums. The group's fourth album Wonderful! pays tribute to the Stevie Wonder songbook. Critic Kevin Whitehead says more jazz musicians should cover Wonder, because his tunes are "jazz waiting to happen."

Songs of Mirth and Melancholy takes cues from the brooding romantic music of 19th century Europe.

All these years later, Burton's old country and rock associations leave a mark on his new quartet.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a seven-CD box set featuring the quartet's Atlantic years, which span 1956-64.

When Monk's band arrived late in San Francisco, it inspired a solo album recorded in 1959.

Taborn's solo album is full of wide-open spaces between notes, and very quiet dynamics.

Akinmusire would rather fit into a cohesive band and spread the solos around than put himself way out front.

The Impulse jazz label, famous for its fold-out black and orange album covers, turns 50 this year. To celebrate, the label has released a box set featuring its early releases. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the set showcases the diversity and talent of the musicians Impulse recorded.

Saxophonist Tim Berne came up on New York's so-called "downtown scene" 30 years ago. That scene is known for postmodern jump-cutters like John Zorn, who'd leap from one style to another in the space of a beat. But Berne went another way; he's fascinated by gradual transitions.