Diego Rivera (album release)

The current director of jazz studies at the University of Texas, saxophonist Diego Rivera (named after the famed Mexican muralist) unleashes his latest record With Just a Word with a release show at Parker Jazz Club. The Michigan native’s fifth album blends originals and covers in dedication of Rivera’s mentors, musical and otherwise, as evidenced by cuts like “Mandela’s Muse” and “Song of the Underground Railroad.” On disc, he performs with a band made up of his Posi-Tone labelmates, plus drummer’s drummer Rudy Royston (Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas, Jon Irabagon), so there’s no doubt he’ll be surrounded by top caliber players for this show as well. – Michael Toland