Kurt Rosenwinkel will release an archival recording and tour with his Next Step band with Mark Turner.
Guitarist Mark Turner seems to be in a reflective mood these days. Last year he released the archival beautiful 2012 duo live recording A Lovesome Thing with pianist Geri Allen.
Next up is another archival release from 1996 with his Next Step band with saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Ben Street, and drummer Jeff Ballard, with pianist Brad Mehldau sitting in on a track.
The album The Next Step Band Live at Smalls 1996 will be released on July 26. A first single called “A Shifting Design” has already been released and it sounds great both musically and soundwise.
In addition, the band has reunited and is currently on tour together and will play in several major cities in the US, Europe, and Asia the following months, including North Sea Festival and Umbria Jazz in July.
Reunion trend
The band recorded several albums together some twenty years ago, including The Next Step (2001) which have studio versions of most of the songs from the upcoming live album.
Many listeners have fond memories of the band, and their reunion has been met with positive response. All four members have continued to evolve and be among the most sought-after musicians in jazz, so it is little wonder they still sound great together.
There also seems to be a certain trend for reunions. Joshua Redman recently reunited with Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade who had popular band together around the same time as the Next Step band.
Rosenwinkel seems to take the trend one step further by also releasing his own archival material instead of recording new music which Redman and his colleagues did. Who knows what is next?
Jazz Desk 