Monika Herzig - Sheroes (2018) [Hi-Res]

Jamie Baum - flute
Monika Herzig - piano
Leni Stern - guitar
Janice Jaffe - vocals
Hannah Johnson - drums
Bethany Robinson - bass
Jen Suikola - trumpet

One could argue that there is no better time than now to release this remarkable recording. Sheroes, brought together by pianist/composer Monika Herzig, features an international cast of virtuous players all women, all first-call talents including Reut Regev (trombone, Israel), Jennifer Vincent (trumpet, USA) Jamie Baum (flute, USA), Leni Stern (guitar, Germany/US), and drummer Rosa Avila (Mexico). Others, including Jennifer Vincent on bass, Mayra Casales on percussion and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen round out the theme as well as the serious pedigree. Herzig does much of the writing, but Regev, Baum, and Stern all contribute compositions, alongside a few covers, including Ain t No Mountain High Enough and House of the Rising Sun." Together, on this second recording, they are, in the broadest sense, a model of empowerment. As an ensemble, they stand unequivocally as a musical force, with deftness, invention, enthusiasm and ambition. This is an album full of extraordinary stuff that deserves your attention.