Take Five

MLK Day was first observed as a federal holiday precisely 34 years ago.

The occasion provides a welcome prompt to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy — as a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, as an emblem of resistance, and as a voice of unwavering conscience in American life.

It’s time to start making your plans.

After all, the Winter Jazzfest is right around the corner — and its wild profusion of sounds and scenes can feel totally overwhelming, without a little prep. 

New Year’s Eve is always a bonanza in New York jazz clubs.

So in this final Take Five of 2019, we’re spotlighting some of the best bookings in town. Those engagements may be sold out by now, but it never hurts to check — and some of these gigs stretch through the end of the week. Then there’s always the music itself, which you can sample here, and purchase for your enjoyment in 2020. Happy New Year! 

Chris Potter’s Circuits Trio, The Village Vanguard

This week, WBGO announcers take over Take Five with 12 — wait, make that a baker’s dozen — favorite holiday tracks. 

Have you broken the seal on Christmas music yet? Because we sure have.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and with it comes a call to gratitude. 

So in this Take Five, we offer reasons to be thankful.

Take Five goes international this week, with artists from South Africa, Germany, Cuba, Spain, Israel and the UK.

Also: new music by Nicholas Payton, Michael Dease, Nels Cline with Yuka Honda, and Big Band of Brothers.

Along with two other recommended albums — a total of six. (We’re feeling generous.)

New music that falls just outside the jazz sphere, in one way or another.

And a smooth new groove from David Benoit and Friends.

Along with the latest from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Buika, and Bushman’s Revenge.

Along with gripping new music by the avant-garde super trio Alcorn / McPhee / Vandermark, pianist Victor Gould, and the late alto saxophonist Art Pepper.

Also: new music by Al Foster, Jeremy Udden, Aaron Novik and Keiko Matsui.

Plus: new music by Nature Work, ¿Que Vola? and Melissa Gardiner.

(And by "other gifts," we mean an irresistible groove from Avishai Cohen; a mysterious swirl by Ben LaMar Gay and JayVe Montgomery; and a choice morsel of Andy Summers playing Thelonious Monk.)

Plus: Wynton Marsalis airs symphonic ambitions and Andrew Cyrille receives his due.