South Florida-based guitarist / composer Russ Spiegel is making inroads with his 2023 album Caribbean Blue. The 10-track, 62-minute instrumental CD features Russ in a Miami studio backed by a solid trio with Jim Gasior (organ) and Lucas Apostoleris (drums), while a number of guest musicians appear, including chromatic harmonica ace Hendrik Meurkens along with a full horn section of Brian Lynch (trumpet), Tim Armacost (tenor sax, flute) and Javier Nero (trombone). Ben Beal adds vocals to the Jobim-flavored “Inquietude”.

The all-original Caribbean Blue might not break any new ground yet it’s quite pleasant and easy on the ears and as such, should appeal to a range of instrumental jazz fans worldwide. The combination of Russ on guitar with Jim Gasior’s sound evokes great organ trios of the past, while there’s enough musical acuity and dexterity to go around, plus the horn section gives the album another sonic coloration.

As a composer, Russ has it down to a science with the music bringing together a range of compositional influences such as McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis and, of course organ trio legend Jimmy Smith. The chromatic harmonica of Hendrik Meurkens echoes the sound of the great Toots Thielemans. Even with those influences in abundance, Caribbean Blue is nevertheless an all-original guitar-centric album with Spiegel’s skillful acoustic and electric guitar work serving as the sonic lynchpin for these fine players to spin off and do their own thing.