WBUR 2025 SPRING ARTS GUIDES: 14 albums by New England musicians to listen to this spring

March 11, 2025, Noah Schaffer

Clockwise from top left: Aversed (Courtesy Tom Couture); Lady Pills (Courtesy Sophie Adams); Mehmet Ali Sanlikol (Courtesy DÜNYA); John Lentz and Harvey Diamond (Courtesy Isabella Dellolio); Hallelujah the Hills (Courtesy Ben Stas); Mark Erelli + His String Quintet (Courtesy Bri Gately); and Naomi Westwater (Courtesy Ally Schmaling).

After an especially frigid end to this New England winter, we’re likely all craving a bit more warmth and light. Local musicians seem to be answering that call. At a time of constant division and negativity, the albums being released have a tinge of optimism and hope that can seem almost subversive. Whether it’s a longtime rocker like Adam Sherman finding his “Gratitude” or the explosive MC and producer MO the Great inviting us to join her in “Drinks of Hope,” or Naomi Westwater offering the full cycle of a year, or fascinating concept records from jazz great Greg Hopkins and rockers Lady Pills and Hallelujah The Hills, there will be no shortage of music to match the season.

GHJO Session Photo CHRONOGRAPHY

The Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra

'CHRONOGRAPHY'
April 1

Trumpeter/bandleader/educator Greg Hopkins has been an integral part of the Boston jazz scene for over 50 years, and a mentor to generations of players and arrangers. “CHRONOGRAPHY” is his ode to the Great American Songbook and Boston jazz history through burning big band rearrangements of standards like “Come Sunday” and “In a Sentimental Mood.” Among the many Boston jazz greats whose soaring solos are heard are pianist Tim Ray, saxophonist Bill Pierce and singer Renese King. The album will be released by Boston’s Un-Gyve Records, Un-Gyve Limited Group.

The Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra celebrates the album release on April 4 at Scullers Jazz Club.