Sheroes

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.