For those of you not in the know, the innovative jazz bassoon soloist Michael Rabinowitz performs a celebratory set of mostly new music on his newly-released album, Next Chapter (out March 1st, 2023).

With his regular quartet, Tommy Campbell on drums, Matt King on piano and Andy McKeo on bass, Rabinowitz stars on a variety of forward-looking straight ahead jazz originals that are both swinging and explorative while blazing new paths for the bassoon.

1. Lydian Dream
2. Minor Blues Experiment
3. Next Chapter
4. MRab
5. Twelve Note Samba
6. Emily Alt Line
7. One Four All
8. Tuesday Blues

Opening on the dulcet jazz bassoon and piano work within Lydian Dream, that is followed by the more upbeat and cultured Minor Blues Experiment, the laid back, titular soiree within Next Chapter and then comes the more intricately crafted, drum infused MRab.

Along next is one of my own personal favorites on this new recording, the perky, and aptly-named number Twelve Note Samba, which is itself followed by the quietly rambunctious Emily Alt Line, the album rounding out on the earnest, at first, free flowing and glamorous One Four All, closing on the finger-snapping vibes within Tuesday Blues.

Whether blowing bebop over a Mingus tune or freely improvising with Anthony Braxton, Michael Rabinowitz�s contributions have changed the conception of what the bassoon can do.

Since graduating with a BFA in music performance from SUNY at Purchase in the late seventies Michael�s improvisational skills opened the door for the bassoon to enter a variety of musical environments.