The GRP label was really rolling after MCA artists were moved to the label. That brought over Spyro Gyra (with the only Spyro Gyra release that said “featuring Jay Beckenstein”), Acoustic Alchemy, and Michael Brecker. I count eight GRP recordings in this top 20.

Of note, that Bob James recording, Grand Piano Canyon, was the birth of Fourplay with James, Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, and Nathan East on two tracks.

Also worth noting in the October 13 issue: George Benson debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart with Big Boss Band, his collaboration with the Count Basie Orchestra.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums

Week of October 13, 1990

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More than three decades after helping Chick Corea redefine the acoustic piano trio, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl are returning to that musical conversation.

The longtime Corea collaborators have formed a new trio with Georgian pianist Beka Gochiashvili for For Chick, a 12-track album honoring the late jazz innovator. Recorded during three days at Brooklyn’s Bunker Studio in December 2025, the project mixes music associated with the Chick Corea Akoustic Band, lesser-known pieces from Corea’s catalog and two newly written compositions.

Gochiashvili is not simply stepping into Corea’s seat. A Corea protégé who has also performed with Stanley Clarke, the pianist previously joined Patitucci and Weckl for the 2022 world premiere of Corea’s Concerto for Trio in Budapest. That shared history gives the new group a foundation of its own.

Patitucci and Weckl first played together in Corea’s Elektric Band before joining him in the Akoustic Band. The trio’s self-titled 1989 debut won the Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group, while the subsequent live album Alive earned another nomination.

For Chick is being prepared as separate listening experiences for double vinyl, CD and streaming. Early previews include Corea compositions “Humpty Dumpty” and “Windows.”

Select U.S. performances are planned for late 2026, followed by broader touring in the United States, Europe and Japan in 2027. Dates and the album’s release schedule have not yet been announced.

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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.

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