I don’t know of  a Dave Weckl Band studio recording since 2005’s Multiplicity. But that doesn’t mean that sound is over. I recognized that rhythm section right away with the first track of Tom’s new recording The Summit. That’s unmistakably Weckl on drums and Kennedy on bass. The horn section here is heavy duty, with Terell Stafford and Matthias Biston on trumpets alongside the powerhouse sax work of Bob Franceschini and Ryan Devlin. Stu Mindeman’s keys and the percussion layers from Roger Squitero give the tracks a lot of depth, but it’s the vibe that really stands out.

It has that “spontaneous” feel you only get when high-level players with a long history together get in a room and just play. It leads perfectly into what Tom had to say about the session:

“I still remember the excitement of stumbling upon a jazz ‘summit’ LP while thumbing through the new release bins at my local record shop in St. Louis during the 1970s,” says Kennedy. “At that time, jazz labels would occasionally match up various artists – usually poll winners – and record a live session to capture a rare meeting of the ‘best of the best.’ It is my hope that the music on this recording, in some way, recaptures a piece of those spontaneous sessions… I hope you enjoy!”

The energy and fun on The Summit is palpable. It’s infectious. Except for the sweet and gentle “A Passing Glance,” there is a lot of tempo on this recording. These are great tracks from start to finish. The entire recording sounds just like some old friends having a great time. You can feel the joy.

“Knowing, playing, and being friends with Tom since we were 15 years old, it’s so wonderful to see him grow as a composer, and see his bass playing, both on upright and electric, continue to mature and blossom. It’s an honor to be asked to play on, mix, and co-produce this wonderful project with him! The musicianship is off the charts brilliant from all that participated!”
— Dave Weckl

The Summit is out now on AutumnHill Records and catch the Dave Weckl / Tom Kennedy Project on the road! I hope they capture the music from those shows for a future album.

The post Tom Kennedy – The Summit (2026) appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

1. David Benoit and Russ Freeman, The Benoit/Freeman Project
2. Paul Hardcastle, Hardcastle
3. Dave Weckl, Hard-Wired
4. The Solsonics, Jazz in the Present Tense
5. Mark Johnson, Mark Johnson
6. Incognito, Positivity
7. Bob James, Restless
8. John Scofield and Pat Metheny, I Can See Your House From Here 
9. United Future Organization, United Future Organization
10. Mark Portmann, Driving Beverly Hills

Listen below to my selected tracks from this chart! The Mark Johnson recording doesn’t appear available on streaming so it’s not on the playlist but you can still hear Mark Johnson music from the JVC years!

The post Top Contemporary Jazz April 17, 1994: Incognito, Bob James and more appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

This year has been an especially good year to celebrate this all-star band. The original five Elektric Band studio albums, from 1986-1991, have been released in a deluxe 10-LP box set and a new live recording of the band on the road has been issued.

The Elektric Band, led by the late legendary pianist and composer Chick Corea, emerged in the mid-1980s as a groundbreaking force in contemporary jazz. Corea, a 27-time Grammy winner and Jazz Master of the National Endowment for the Arts, assembled a lineup including John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, and Frank Gambale. Each of those musicians, talented in their own right, would springboard to new career highs. It was truly a remarkable band.

I still haven’t quite forgiven myself for not seeing them when they were in town around 1991.

The 10-LP vinyl box set compiles the original five GRP studio albums, presented in gatefold jackets with printed inner sleeves and restored artwork in a deluxe slipcase. This limited-edition release, for the first time, reinstates the albums to their original full running order. Additionally, the set includes reproduced memorabilia from Chick’s private archive, offering a comprehensive tribute to the Elektric Band’s creativity, innovation, and musicianship.

The Future Is Now live recording was compiled by Chick before his passing. This 3-LP vinyl and 2-disc CD album captures the band on tour from 2016-2018. It features in depth liner notes from Corea and all of the Elektric Band members.

I’m a fan of things coming full circle and these serve as a fitting closing chapter for this memorable group.

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