Frank Glover debuted his group Kilo at Owl Studios' Jazz at the Point in Eagle Creek Tuesday, July 15. This was a radical departure from Glover’s normal cutting-edge style with a few surprises. Glover played a rented soprano sax, the band opened with a funky version of “Tutu” and featured a rare Jack Helsely performance on electric bass.

Owl Studios held its release party for the Dixon/Rhyne Project’s new CD Reinvention Friday, July 18 at the Jazz Kitchen. Dixon’s sax and Rhyne’s B-3 organ were propelled by Kenny Phelps on drums and guest Bill Lancton holding down the guitar spot. They opened with “End of a Love Affair” in a medium tempo with Dixon burning away with a singing tone on alto sax. Lancton wasted no time getting lyrical lines into the mix. It was Rhyne’s rhythmic bass line and probing comping and Phelps’s sympathetic time keeping that kept things moving. This tight-knit group covered all the bases of blues, funk and soul for a satisfying outing.

Saturday, July 19, the New York Voices were superb in two sold-out shows at the Jazz Kitchen. They completely wowed the crowd with their four-part harmony excursions delving into counterpoint, from unison scat to big band style ensemble riffs behind whoever happened to be soloing at the time. The Voices opened with their take on John Coltrane’s “Moments Notice,” renamed “Noticing the Moment” for the lyrics they created, with Darmon Meador wailing away on tenor sax.

It’s hard to believe that the New York Voices are celebrating their 20th year together, given the enthusiasm with which they approach performing. They came with an excellent rhythm section that complemented every mood they generated. Their a cappella rendition of “Stone Soul Picnic” was a highlight. This type of group singing in jazz is rare today and it’s easy to see why Darmen Meador, Kim Narzarian, Peter Eldridge and Lauren Kinhan are consistently Grammy nominees.