“I’ll always keep the jazz harmonic side in my music because I could never go all the way and be a straight smooth-jazz guy,” says Warren Wolf of his groove-oriented music.

Michel Petrucciani breathes fire on 1987’s Kuumbwa.

“I feel a little lost in our pop music world today where the art of melody has been lost,” says Steve Wilson. “Hopefully we can get that back.”

“I want to leave something for people to hear what the music is about and you can vibe with it in the car or wherever you’re at, which is awesome,” says Noah Jackson.

“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.

“I will always believe that all humans have the capacity to love unconditionally,” says bassist and activist David Ambrosio. “It’s our divine nature. We’ve just lost our way.”

A changing of the guard, from left: Ellen Price, Darrian Douglas, Clara Winder and Mark Morganelli transition to keep Jazz Forum Arts on track.

Blank For.ms, Marcus Gilmore and Jason Moran discuss their new release, Shards.

“We’re not just putting things out because we have to — it’s all music that we really enjoy listening to and people we really enjoy working with,” says Out of Your Head’s Scott Clark, left, with label partner Adam Hopkins.

Bernhard he has chops to burn, but the quality of his writing indicates a fully rounded musician.