This all-star female band first put together in 2016 by pianist Renee Rosnes to celebrate International Women’s Day is now on to its third album and it’s another fine showcase of superb playing and standout composition. Rosnes and acclaimed trumpeter Ingrid Jensen lead from the front with Allison Miller on drums (Miller’s own new Big Band album is also superb), Nicole Grover on tenor ( check out her fine debut leader set from late ’24) and, a new name to me, Noriko Ueda on bass. Each of the band get to bring their own tune to the session as well as standards from Wayne Shorter (“Footprints”) and Burt Bacharach ( “What the world needs now”).
“Our goal is to make honest music that touches people,” says Rosnes. “We inspire one another and feel passionate about playing together. All that positive energy comes through in the music and I believe the audiences feel it.”
This is our album of the week for the week commencing 3rd March 2025