Witt deserves wider recognition. With a Doctorate in jazz studies from the University of Houston Moores School of Music, the Omaha native has devoted significant time to educating budding artists as well as playing in such eclectic company as the Houston Symphony, Broadway touring shows, and jazz greats like James Moody, Joe Lovano, and Branford Marsalis. He also manages one of Houston’s jazz clubs, Cézanne. His self-titled debut recording featuring Houston-area musicians prompted Randy Brecker’s compliment, “Wonderful CD--great big sound with much depth, nice tunes, swingin’, everyone is killin’..”

Witt credits Honig’s initiative in bringing the band together, while it’s largely Witt’s compositional chops that give each of 8 tracks the space to soar and evolve. (Brecker contributes the ninth track, the soulful “Dirty Dogs.”) While post bop modernism permeates this music, the compositions nevertheless have a familiar, accessible, melodic framework. Witt reminds me a bit of Joe Lovano—a big mellow sound with elastic tone and color. In fact, all together this ensemble recalls Lovano’s mid-90s quartets with Tom Harrell while expressing its own musical persona.

As a producer and writer, he has worked with acclaimed artists such as Ricky Peterson, Hiram Bullock and The Steeles. Schumacher co-wrote several songs with J.D. Steele, many of which became staples of The Steeles live act. Melanie Rosales' outstanding debut CD, Can't Change It (1999), was produced by Schumacher and featured three of his original songs. Schumacher has also written songs with Tim Mahoney and composed the movie trailer music for the independent film “Bound and Gagged: A Love Story.” Craig Schumacher's debut CD, Live at Creation, was released in 2002. Featuring top Twin Cities musicians, the “live in the studio” recording took a spontaneous approach to Schumacher’s eclectic song list.

• Artist: Tom Tallitsch
• Title: Duality
• Genre: Jazz-Instrumental
• Website: http://www.tomtallitsch.com
• CD Baby Link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/tallitsch

Tom Tallitsch keeps things on an even keel and uncomplicated with his new CD Duality. The only instruments that you hear on the entire recording are the tenor saxophone of Tallitsch and the acoustic guitar of Dave Manley. Thus, the title Duality sums up what this album is. Even without words, the title implies that there is some duality in everyday life; at least it did for me when I stopped to think about what other meaning it could have related to the music and our human tendencies.

Tallitsch gives 50% of his own compositions then the rest are dedicated to some heavyweights in the world of music, such as Wayne Shorter and Stevie Wonder. Not bad company to keep that is for sure. Shorter and Wonder are worlds apart yet the artist does manage to make the connection to his own realm and visions in a musical sense by interpreting the honored musicians compositions with doses of smooth jazz that melt away the tension of a hard day away in an instant. This is music to relax in front of warm fire with or just to kick back and empty your mind and let the soulfulness of each note permeate your being; it is wonderful if you can let it happen.

• Artist: Shannon Janssen
• Title: The Keys Of Christmas
• Genre: Jazz-New Age-Classical-Traditional
• Label: Maxville Records
• Website: http://www.shannonjanssen.com
• CD Baby Link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/janssen3

This is the third album I have covered by Shannon Janssen and I am continually impressed and enlightened by her tremendous talent on the piano.

• Artist: Brent Magstadt
• Title: Brent Magstadt
• Genre: Jazz-Rock-Fusion
• Label: Slippina Disc
• Website: http://www.brentmagstadt.com