With Ken Kehner on piano. CD

With guest vocals from Diana Krall. CD

With Christian McBride & Reuben Rogers on bass, Mark Whitfield on guitar, Daniel Sadownick on percussion, Anthony Wonsey on piano, Cyrus Chestnut on piano & organ, Vincent Herring on saxophone, Nicholas Payton on trumpet & Kevin Mahogany on vocals. CD

Features Beasley on trumpet, Anthoney Wonsey on piano, Dezron Douglas on bass – plus special guests Wynton Marsalis, Mark Whitfield, and Carla Cook! CD

Features Pat Bianchi on hammond B3 organ, Mark Whitfield on guitar and Byron Landham on drums. CD

This ultra-hip ensemble is celebrating its 10th Anniversary – and in doing so, has maybe given us their best album yet! The group's overflowing with work from an all-star lineup – Wayne Escoffery on tenor, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, James Burton III on trombone, Victor Gould and Xavier Davis on pianos, Vicente Archer and Rashaan Carter on basses, and Johnathan Blake and Mark Whitfield Jr on drums – the last two pairs of whom shift in and out of the ensemble as the set moves on – but with such rock-solid energy, there's a unified vibe to the whole set. Some of the best tracks have this soaring, searching energy – and the whole album's got a very visionary approach, served up by musicians who are looking to do way more than just run through a few standards. Titles include "Black Heart", "Cold Switching", "Soliloquy", "Lookin For Leroy", "Coming Of Age", and "Truth To Power". CD

Wayne Escoffery has some great guests on this record – but honestly, the work at the core is more than great enough on its own – as Escoffery has a way of blowing beautifully alongside the piano and Rhodes of David Kikoski, bass of Ugonna Okegwo, and drums of Mark Whitfield Jr – a wonderfully soulful group who seem to push his tenor into these bold, snakey lines that are completely seductive! Then, on key tracks the group's joined by guests – the vocals of Gregory Porter on a great version of "Rivers Of Babylon" and the track "My Truth", and appearances at other points from Tom Harrell on trumpet and Mike Moreno on guitar. Other titles include "Nostalgia In Times Square", "Sincerely Yours", "Dear John", and "Song Of Serenity". CD

With Mark Whitfield Jr on drums. CD

With Lawrence Clark on tenor, Davis Whitfield on piano, Otto Gardner on bass, and Franklin Kiermyer on drums. CD

With Edgardo Miranda, Justin Quinn, and Mark Whitfield on guitar. CD

Nicholas Payton on trumpet, Mark Whitfield on guitar, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Reginald Veal on bass, Monte Croft on vibes, and Lewis Nash on drums. CD

Jimmy Smith on organ with Christian McBride on bass, Gregory Hutchinson on drums, Mark Whitfield on guitar and Nicholas Payton and Roy Hargrove on trumpet. CD

Mike Smith on alto sax, Ron Friedman on trumpet and flugelhorn, Jimy Ryanh on piano, John Whitfield on bass, and Bob Rummage on drums. CD

An album that reminds us that Manuel Valera's as great a writer as he is a pianist – as the set's overflowing with original material that really helps give the group a fresh direction – all sorts of rich colors, bold tones, and sensitive movements – delivered by a combo that also features John Ellis on tenor, Alex Norris on trumpet, Hamish Smith on bass, and Mark Whitfield Jr on drums! The leader's got a way of arcing in with his energy – leading the tunes in a great way, but letting the soloists unfold – especially Ellis, who's got a wonderful tone throughout. Titles include "Garzonian", "First Day", "Blues For Kenny K", "Alma", "Crisis", "Remembrance", and "Pablo". CD

Two great 90s sessions from Cedar Walton – back to back in a single set! Composer is a record that not only shows off the great skills of pianist Cedar Walton as a composer, but one that also shows how he can really work a special sort of magic when he lets some horns into his group, and shifts from his usual mode in a trio! Walton's always wonderful on the keys – and works here with Christian McBride on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – but it's the presence of the hornmen on the record who really shade things wonderfully – the presence of Vincent Herring on alto, Ralph Moore on tenor, and Roy Hargrove on trumpet – all really bringing out some great qualities in Walton's original tunes. Titles include "Martha's Prize", "Minor Controversy", "Hindsight", "Groove Passage", "Theme For Jobim", and "Groundwork". Roots is a masterpiece of color from pianist Cedar Walton – a set that has all the right elements and instruments really opening up his sound! The core trio is excellent – Cedar on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and the great Lewis Nash on drums – at his crackling 90s best – yet these players are expanded in all these great tonal ways – with rich tenor from Joshua Redman, sparkling trumpet from Terence Blanchard, and great guitar from Mark Whitfield – who really seems to echo Cedar's sense of color on his strings. Titles include "Mode For Joe", "Bolivia", "Fiesta Espanol", "Firm Roots", "I'll Let You Know", and "When Love Is New". CD