The saxophonist and composer Jaleel Shaw has become a dominant force in 21st century jazz as it speaks to America’s trying times. His latest album release of 11 tracks, “Painter Of The Invisible” (Changu Records 2025), is his first album with a band since 2013. This latest album speaks to the realities of this crumpling democracy, the attempt to erase Black history, ban books, and diminish human rights. His sax speaks with outrage, warmth, compassion, and hope, accompanied by his working artists: pianist Lawrence Fields, bassist Ben Street, drummer Joe Dyson, Shaw on alto and soprano saxophones, with vibraphonist Sasha Berliner and guitarist Lage Lund (both on two tracks each).
Shaw will celebrate his CD release party for his new album “Painter Of The Invisible” on October 10, at The Jazz Gallery (1158 Broadway). His longtime bandmates and friends for this performance will feature pianist Cameron Campbell, bassist Dezron Douglas, and drummer E. J. Strickland. Shows at 7pm and 9pm.
We can’t see music; it is invisible, but in the dark of night or even in the light of day, hearing is monumental. There is still time to prepare, but once you actually see the danger, it’s basically too late! Here, Shaw and his abled musicians paint the invisible with vivid strokes of today’s reality.
Three tracks that stand out are “Baldwin’s Blues,” based on James Baldwin’s influence on Shaw, by “watching a lot of his debates and interviews.” A stimulating tune that romps with swinging riffs from alto, Fields’ rhythmic flyin’ harmonies, with Dyson comping in all the right spaces, and Street bellowing in and about.
“Tamir” honors Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old boy killed by Cleveland police in 2014, while playing with a toy pistol. “Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile — it was just happening back-to-back to back, to the point where you weren’t even shocked anymore,” said Shaw. This tune, over ten minutes long, hits a compassionate note with Shaw playing in intense spiritual mode (Coltrane-ish), long wailing intonations, crying drums, and bold bass. Feel the emotional invisible lines!
Shaw’s passionate soprano saxophone soars as the members comp with soft whispers on “Meghan,” dedicated to Revive Music Group founder Meghan Stabile, who died by suicide in 2022. “She was a tireless advocate for Black American music, a close collaborator and a friend,” said Shaw. For reservations, visit jazzgallery.org.
The genius of pianist and composer Thelonious Monk was his unorthodox playing style, the way he committed to each note. His melodies were twists and turns of multiple phrases that translated his fierce compositions into brilliant masterpieces. His unorthodox playing style alone was worth the price of admission to witness him in creative motion. He didn’t use the assigned, normal curved hands. No, Monk hit the keys with fingers held flat, high above the keys, creating that unique crushing percussive sound.
Acknowledged, there are many great American pianists but there was only one Thelonious Monk. Not a bad reputation for a young man born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, who is one of five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time (the others being Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Wynton Marsalis).
In celebration of Monk’s birthday (born on Oct. 10, 1917), Smoke Jazz and Supper Club (2751 Broadway at 105th Street) will present a two-week celebration of the pianist’s birthday beginning on October 8 through October 12 with a quartet led by pianist, composer, and inventive big band leader Orrin Evans with the young invigorating saxophonist Melissa Aldana, bassist Robert Hurst [longtime sideman to Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, and Brandford and Wynton Marsalis], and drummer, composer, multi-Grammy Award-winner, and NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington. This quartet represents an explosive array of talent who will add their own interpretation of Monk’s unique compositions and magical sound.
Monk at Smoke continues its second week on October 15-19 with another invigorating quartet led by pianist Kevin Hays [Benny Golson, Bob Belden, Eddie Henderson, and Steve Potter], along with the inspired inventiveness of saxophonists Joe Lovano, The New York Times says that Lovano is “one of the great connectors in the history of New York jazz over the last few generations” (wed – sat), and Miguel Zenón (sun). The final two pieces of this exciting quartet are bassist Rick Rosato and drummer Obed Calvaire [SFJAZZ Collective and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra]. Another thrilling moment to witness another quartet of musicians offer their perspective on the music of one of America’s great pianists and composers of jazz history. For reservations, visit smokejazz.com.
It seems astrological constellations are responsible for birthing genius under the same sign of Libra on October 10, as Thelonious Monk, legendary singer/songwriter, playwright, poet, and activist Oscar Brown Jr., and drummer, composer Marcus Gilmore were all born on that auspicious day.
Gilmore, who will be 39 on October 10, has been working with his own ensemble for over a year. The collaborative unit leans outside the average jazz configuration, featuring the strings of guitarist Emmanuel Michael, double bassist Rashaan Carter, electric bassist Burniss Travis, pianist David Virelles, Morgan Guerin on EWI (electronic wind instrument), and Gilmore on drums and percussion.
The young drummer, along with his creative unit, returns to the Village Vanguard (178 7th Avenue South), where Gilmore released his latest album “Journey to the New: Live at the Village Vanguard” (2025). The drummer produced and arranged the album, which offers seven tracks of over 50 minutes of music written by him and several band members, with a Geri Allen cover. The title track (14:26) features Gilmore in high velocity with an outrageous solo and comping brilliantly on this jaunty ride of jazzy electronics, engrossed in the piano dexterity of Virelles.
Most of Gilmore’s repertoire will come from this latest CD. The album is a sublime journey through dancing electronics, moving piano rhythms, acoustic bass melodies, and harmonies that move intuitively, striking the ear with a fresh sound. Gilmore will also appear in the Fred Hersch Trio from October 21-26. For reservations, visit villagevanguard.com