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Richard Baratta’s ‘Another Kind of Bird’ is out May 22, 2026 via Savant Records March 18, 2026 NEW RELEASE: Richard Baratta’s ‘Another Kind of Bird’ is out May 22, 2026 via Savant Records DRUMMER/BANDLEADER RICHARD BARATTA REIMAGINES THE CHARLIE PARKER SONGBOOK ON ANOTHER KIND OF BIRD, HIS FIFTH ALBUM, DUE MAY 22, 2026 VIA SAVANT RECORDS Savant Records announces the May 22, 2026 release of Another Kind of Bird, the compelling new album from drummer and bandleader Richard Baratta. His fifth recording for the label finds Baratta revisiting music associated with Charlie Parker, reimagining the repertoire through inventive new arrangements and a forward-looking ensemble approach. Baratta’s standout band features GRAMMY-nominated pianist and arranger Bill O’Connell, saxophonist Vincent Herring, guitarist Paul Bollenback, bassist Michael Goetz, and percussionist Paul Rossman and special guest saxophonists Eric Alexander, Abraham Burton, and Craig Handy. A musician long before he became a film producer, Richard Baratta has built a career defined by range and reinvention. He began playing professionally more than four decades ago, performing with big bands and ensembles around New York before transitioning into film, where he became a highly respected producer with credits including The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman, Joker, and several Spider-Man films. In 2020, Baratta returned decisively to the bandstand with Music in Film: The Reel Deal, reimagining iconic movie themes in a dynamic jazz setting. The album proved both a commercial and artistic success, amassing millions of streams and reestablishing him as a serious presence in the contemporary jazz landscape. Its follow-up, Music in Film: The Sequel, continued that momentum, and in the years since, Baratta has recorded two additional albums for Savant Records, expanding his repertoire beyond film-inspired projects and further defining his voice as a bandleader committed to exploration and growth. It will then come as no surprise that Richard Baratta has never been interested in standing still. “I don’t want to continue to make those records, ” he has said of conventional straight-ahead projects. “I want to keep challenging myself. Keep moving. I’m looking for the next thing.” That restless creative drive defines his latest release, Another Kind of Bird, a bold reimagining of music associated with Charlie Parker that serves less as tribute than as reinvention. Rather than treating the material as sacred text, Baratta approached it as living language. Working with longtime collaborator, arranger, and pianist Bill O’Connell, he set out to explore the repertoire from a fresh vantage point. “Bill’s such a great arranger and player; the ideas just flow from his brain, ” Baratta says. Their fourth recording together reflects a deep musical trust. After shaping and refining O’Connell’s initial drafts, the pair arrived at what Baratta calls “a reimagination of Charlie Parker” — one that balances reverence with risk. The result is music that moves fluidly across post-bop drive, Latin-inflected grooves, and flashes of rock-tinged energy, yet remains cohesive and focused. For Baratta, innovation must coexist with accessibility. He speaks candidly about attracting listeners without “compromising the music to the extent that it’s not that music anymore.” Experience, he believes, brings clarity. Each project builds upon the last, guided by a deeper musical awareness and a willingness to stretch beyond expectation. One of Baratta’s most ambitious decisions on Another Kind of Bird was expanding his customary sextet to feature a larger saxophone front line on selected tracks. The added horns bring power and dimension, amplifying both the rhythmic thrust and the harmonic color of the arrangements. “In the history of jazz, nobody has made more of an impact than Parker, ” Baratta explains, “so I thought I’d pay homage by adding more horns.” The result is an ensemble sound that feels both urgent and expansive. Equally important is the choice of musicians Baratta has assembled. He selected Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, Craig Handy, and Abraham Burton not only for their formidable reputations but for the musical rapport developed over years of collaboration. “They’re some of the greatest jazz musicians and sax players on the planet, ” he says, adding with a grin that they are “freakin’ monsters on their horns.” Each is a respected bandleader in his own right, and together they form a collective capable of dynamic interplay and commanding presence. Baratta’s artistic independence has long been a defining trait. He often describes the music business as “brutal, ” and credits the stability of his career in film production with allowing him to pursue projects on his own terms. That freedom is audible here. Another Kind of Bird is not a museum piece, but a statement of intent from a bandleader committed to growth, collaboration, and fearless reinterpretation. ### Tracklisting: Donna Lee – 7:11 Anthropology – 5:16 Little Suede Shoes – 6:08 Ah-Leu-Cha – 6:40 Embraceable You – 4:46 Now’s the Time – 5:30 Moose the Mooche – 6:18 Yardbird Suite – 4:12 Segment – 6:04 Au Privave – 4:55 |
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