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When you hear there’s a new release from a Scottish musician on the Scottish label Haggis Records, you might assume bagpipes and strathspeys. Not so with this terrific trumpeter, who delivers a variety of jazz styles from modal jazz grooves to Brazilian samba beats, Latin rhythms to cinematic soundtrack vibes, and along the way, some beautiful ballads.

The next three selections for “New Tunes at 2” this week take us in a jazz direction. He’s mostly been known as an acoustic jazz guitarist, but on this one Kingsley was inspired to go in a more electric direction.

It’s the first of two solo tributes in a row from one well-known WNCW favorite to another for “New Tunes at 2” this week. Seth of The Avett Brothers has been studying and recording the songs of Greg Brown’s roughly 30 albums for years now, and is excited to share some of the songs that speak to him so deeply

She hails from Wales, but calls New Orleans home now, and that seems to be her spiritual home by the sound of this swinging Jazz and Blues tribute to many “pioneering but oft-forgotten women” like Blossom Dearie, Nellie Lutcher, and Peggy Lee. Accompanists include Jason Marsalis, Donald Harrison Jr., Charlie Gabriel, and Nicholas Payton.

Melissa Carper has previously gotten airplay here with groups like The Carper Family and The Buffalo Gals Band. We fell in absolute love with her 2021 album Daddy’s Country Gold, and this follow-up from the singer/songwriter/bassist does not disappoint. Also featured on the album are Dennis Crouch on bass, Chris Scruggs on guitar and console steel, Billy Contreras on fiddle, Sierra Ferrell and Larry Marrs on harmony vocals, John Palmer on keys, and Matty Meyer on drums. Crouch and Andrija Tokic, both of The Time Jumpers, produced this. It will be released on November 18th via Thirty Tigers.

After a two year hiatus, one of our favorite modern funk/soul/jazz bands is back! The Denver/UK/Spain band retreated to a new studio in the valley of an Icelandic peninsula, and the beautiful weather, stunning scenery, and coziness of their surroundings had a certain “effect” on them, as bandleader/guitarist Eddie Roberts said. Lamar Williams Jr. (son of The Allman Brothers’ 1972-1976 bassist Lamar Williams) sings vocals on seven of these cool tracks.

“This record is all about love and good lovin’ and other things that matter,” says frontman, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Lech Wierzynski of the new LP, which exhibits the Honeydrops’ unique musical style that draws from roots, Bay Area R&B, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second line. This the 14th year for this fun 5-piece band.

John Hartford…Sam Bush…Two of WNCW’s absolute favorites! Did you know Bush was lifelong friends with Hartford? He frequently jammed with hero and mentor, on and off stage, going back to the early ‘70s. Did you also know Bush plays bass, guitar, and banjo? He plays every instrument on every cut but one (his band joins him on the one non-Hartford song), pouring himself and all his love for John into the performances.

Perhaps ALL of us are brave in one way or another. And we’re featuring songs throughout Monday that reflect upon the bravery of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr… But Ponder was brave enough to leave her successful day job working in the public defender’s office in her hometown of Rochester, NY to devote herself full-time to sharing her powerful singing voice with the world. Her debut album blends R&B, blues, pop, moody trip-hop, and above all, that powerful voice.