Label: Newvelle Records, 2026
Personnel - Ingrid Jensen: trumpet; Gary Versace: organ; Marvin Sewell: guitar; Jon Wikan: drums + George Coleman: tenor saxophone (#1).
Resourceful Canadian trumpeter and composer Ingrid Jensen—a key member of the acclaimed all-female jazz ensemble Artemis—continues to assert herself as a commanding bandleader and inventive composer with her new album, Landings. Released exclusively on vinyl to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the French label Newvelle Records, the album features eight tracks: five originals from members of her quartet and three carefully chosen covers.
Jensen is joined by the buoyant rhythm section of guitarist Marvin Sewell, organist Gary Versace, and her husband, drummer Jon Wikan, and welcomes legendary saxophonist George Coleman on the astonishing opener, “Amsterdam After Dark”. Composed by Coleman in 1978, the piece is delivered in sparkling form, tipping a subtle hat to Chick Corea and Donald Byrd. At 89, Coleman remains incisive and focused, weaving rapid, multihued lines over harmonically rich textures while Jensen’s inspired trumpet solo glows with effulgent tone, remarkable range, and striking melodicism.
Jensen’s own “New Body” plunges into atmospheric balladry with distinction, beginning with rubato guitar before settling into a steady 4/4 pulse, culminating in a breathy, contemplative finish. The title track, “Landings”, features adjustable grooves, melodic impact, and harmonic nuance, blending post-bop and fusion elements while later exploring R&B and funk frameworks.
Carla Bley’s impressionistic classic “Ida Lupino” is rendered with gentle refinement, while Sewell’s “The Worker’s Dance” anchors itself in a firm 3/4 lock-step, highlighting the guitarist’s semi-acoustic textures and Versace’s driving organ. Versace’s own composition, “Many Homes Many Places”, projects a lively Wes Montgomery Trio vibe fused with Miles Davis–inspired electric color, allowing the ensemble to swing freely and engage in crisp, responsive interplay.
The album closes with trumpeter Jim Knapp’s gorgeously bluesy “Home”, a piece closely associated with Jensen’s live repertoire. Marked by Wikan’s sensitive brushwork, the track showcases the quartet’s cohesion and melodic charm. Landings confirms the artistry of Jensen and her collaborators, delivering music that is both technically accomplished and deeply persuasive.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Amsterdam After Dark ► 02 - New Body ► 05 - Landings ► 06 - The Worker’s Dance