The album “Force & Grace” by the ensemble Blue Moods showcases the compositions of Freddie Hubbard, featuring saxophonist Diego Rivera without a trumpeter. With various pianists alternating, the quartet delivers a mix of energetic and tender performances, highlighting Hubbard’s melodic richness and rhythmic diversity, particularly through Afro-Cuban influences.
Hattie Webb’s second solo album, “Wild Medicine,” showcases her versatile harp skills and songwriting talent, influenced by diverse genres such as Celtic folk and rock. Collaborating with notable musicians, she addresses poignant themes like trauma and resilience while maintaining a graceful, uplifting tone. Webb’s unique take on the harp redefines its role in contemporary music.
Art Hirahara’s album “Good Company” features a unique trio with guitarist Paul Bollenbeck and trumpeter Ron Horton, showcasing their individual compositions alongside influential covers. This collaboration defies the myth of conflict between piano and guitar, offering a captivating mix of textures and tempos that highlights the musicians’ extensive jazz backgrounds.
Lisa Hilton’s latest album, “Lucky All Along,” features a talented quartet and emphasizes cool jazz alongside impressionist art influences. With nine originals and three covers, the album showcases Hilton’s improvisational skills and diverse inspirations, including Miles Davis and Lana Del Rey. It highlights the group’s collective talent, maintaining a bluesy essence throughout.
John Nau, a veteran keyboardist and producer, returns to Posi-Tone with his project Four Corners, celebrating the label’s 30th anniversary. The album features a core group and 21 accompanying musicians, with a five-part suite reflecting his family experiences. The music combines personal narratives with varied instrumentation, demonstrating Nau’s unique, cinematic style.
Duck Baker, a distinguished fingerstyle guitarist, showcases his mastery in “Breakdown Lane – Free Solos & Duos 1976-1998.” This collection features fourteen solo tracks and two duo pieces, blending genres like jazz, country, and blues. Despite being overshadowed by contemporaries, his avant-garde approach defines his unique sound, inviting listeners to explore his extensive catalog.
Ben Goldberg, Todd Sickafoose, and Scott Amendola collaborate in their trio recording “Here to There,” blending clarinet, bass, and electronics. This innovative work reinterprets Monk’s compositions, generating unique pieces while maintaining an experimental yet relaxed atmosphere. The album highlights intricate interplay and showcases each musician’s creativity across various compositions.
Guitarist Davy Mooney and drummer Ko Omura return with their album, The Word, featuring compositions that highlight their contrasting styles. Mooney’s pieces are darker and structured, while Omura’s are warm and free, incorporating Indian music influences. Collaborating with talented musicians, they create melodic and textured compositions that explore diverse musical landscapes.
“Colouring Hockets” is John Hollenbeck’s ninth large ensemble album, featuring Germany’s NDR Bigband and percussionist Marcio Doctor. The album creatively integrates a four-piece percussion quartet, presenting a unique blend of contemporary classical, jazz, and post-rock, influenced subtly by Latin rhythms. It includes both new works and repurposed compositions, showcasing innovative timbral textures.
“Taking Turns” is an archival album featuring notable musicians like Jacob Bro and Lee Konitz, recorded in 2014. It emphasizes atmospheric sounds, showcasing Bro’s compositions and including influences from Paul Motian. The music flows seamlessly, creating a beautiful soundscape that invites listeners to immerse themselves for a tranquil experience.
Corky Siegel’s “Symphonic Blues No. 6” might be his final work as a harp master, blending classical and blues elements. The recording features contributions from leading musicians and includes three main movements. Celebrating Siegel’s 80th birthday, the album showcases his adaptability in diverse musical settings, preserving his remarkable legacy.
Entre Amigos is a jazz supergroup featuring Roy McGrath, Hana Fujisaki, Kitt Lyles, and Gustavo Cortiñas, whose self-titled debut album emphasizes spontaneous improvisation and composition. With influences from hard bop and Latin music, the quartet showcases their skills through introspective pieces, marked by emotional depth and impressive musicianship. A sequel is anticipated in 2025.
Ron Houston Real Outlaw Americana Music Self released Ron Houston is a singer-songwriter based in San Diego but originally hailing from the Bakersfield area. The title, Real Outlaw Americana Music, may seem a bit hyperbolic but Houston has the goods, and then some. Like most outlaws, he has that baritone, weathered voice and comes across […]
Full Cream is a jazz quartet featuring Greg Ward, Ziv Ravitz, Matthew Stevens, and Leo Genovese, formed from a combination of chance and planning. Their debut recording showcases inventive compositions blending various instruments and styles. Each member contributes unique soundscapes, resulting in an engaging mix of experimental and melodic pieces.
Bassist Joe Fonda’s album “Eyes on the Horizon” honors his mentor, trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, featuring pianist Satoko Fujii and drummer Tiziano Tomoni. Composed with Wadada’s style in mind, the pieces blend improvisation with structured ensemble passages, showcasing emotional solos and deep collaboration. The work demonstrates their rich musical histories and enduring connections.
The collaboration “United” features bassist Dave Holland and guitarist Lionel Loueke, linked through Herbie Hancock. Despite their different backgrounds, they create a potent musical connection. The album comprises eleven tracks blending West African influences and inventive percussive guitar. The result is a mesmerizing experience that emphasizes music’s unifying power.
Phil Haynes’ trio, Duke & Strays, showcases their latest album, Day Dream, blending traditional jazz with modernist elements of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Featuring a mix of well-known and obscure tracks, the trio’s unique style combines playful spontaneity with delicate interpretations, highlighting resilience and artistry from its seasoned members.
Johnny Delaware’s album “Para Llevar” reflects his diverse experiences recorded across multiple locations, blending roots rock and psychedelic sounds. With introspective lyrics capturing his personal journey, Delaware explores themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery. The album, rich in poetic imagery, reveals the complexities of finding oneself amidst physical and emotional landscapes.
March to August’s album, Songs Inspired By Witness, reinterprets Karen Hesse’s novel about a Vermont town during Prohibition, addressing themes of invasion, freedom, and social evil, particularly through the character Reynard Alexander, a newspaper editor. The album’s sparse folk/bluegrass sound enhances the lyrics, which explore complex social issues and moral dilemmas.
Pete Rodriguez’s debut album, “I’m Pete Rodriguez Vol. 1,” showcases his fierce identity and musical prowess as a trumpeter and composer. It features nine original tracks blending defiance, empathy, and personal reflections, addressing his struggles as a son of a salsero, military veteran, and educator. The quintet’s collaboration highlights diverse compositions and emotional depth.
Ben Graves, a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has collaborated with various renowned artists. His debut album “Settle Down” blends jazz with R&B, soul, and pop. It features six originals and two inventive covers. Graves’ crooner voice and skilled band create a unique sound, progressively leaning toward jazz throughout the album.
Thollem McDonas’s album “Infinite-Sum Game,” a solo piano performance recorded live in Palermo, celebrates his eclectic musical journey. Spanning 60 minutes, it blends classical, jazz, and experimental genres, showcasing dynamic comprovisations. Each piece explores varied emotions and techniques, culminating in a thrilling auditory adventure that highlights McDonas’s unique approach to music.
Randy Ingram’s trio album, “Aries Dance,” showcases his melodic and harmonic prowess alongside bassist Drew Gress and drummer Billy Hart. The album features subtle compositions influenced by notable pianists and incorporates Brazilian and Portuguese elements. With thoughtful interpretations of standards, Ingram delivers a captivating listening experience that stands out in the genre.
Steve Coleman and Five Elements’ album PolyTropos/Of Many Turns showcases an extraordinary level of improvisation and interconnectivity within the band. Their unique setup fosters intense communication, allowing for spontaneous creativity rooted in various musical styles. Inspired by diverse concepts, Coleman’s work presents a fresh, accessible approach to avant-garde jazz, defining their sound.
Kevin Sun’s “Quartets” features two distinct CDs showcasing his versatility as a saxophonist. Recorded in 2022 and 2023, each disc presents different quartets and compositions, blending intricate rhythms and melodies. While the first disc offers greater cohesion, both demonstrate Sun’s creative evolution and solidify his prominent position in contemporary jazz.
Tenor saxophonist Ohad Talmor releases “Back to the Land,” a double album featuring unreleased Ornette Coleman pieces from discovered rehearsal tapes, mixed with fourteen of Talmor’s original works. The project showcases various ensemble configurations and innovative interpretations, marking a significant milestone in Talmor’s career and likely making its mark on year-end best lists.
Courtney Cutchins’ debut album, Grunge to Grace, creatively fuses jazz with grunge influences from her youth, particularly reflecting her Seattle roots. Featuring notable musicians, Cutchins presents three grunge covers alongside six originals, showcasing her vocal prowess and emotional depth. Her work emphasizes self-discovery, offering both hope and authenticity through music.
Amy Speace’s album, The American Dream, explores themes of nostalgia, resilience, and emotional turmoil beyond just heartbreak. Through evocative lyrics and collaboration with talented musicians, she reflects on personal experiences, societal fragility, and the pursuit of dreams. The album showcases her growth as an artist and resonant storytelling.
Diego Rivera’s album “Ofrenda,” his seventh and fifth for Posi-Tone, explores themes from the Mexican holiday Dia De Los Muertos through ten movements. Joined by Posi-Tone’s rhythm section and trumpeter Terell Stafford, Rivera blends jazz with cultural traditions, creating a vibrant tribute that honors lost loved ones while celebrating life.
Jason Robinson’s “Ancestral Numbers II” explores his family roots through innovative music encompassing themes of mythology, immigration, and personal history. Collaborating with a talented quintet, he delivers compositions that blend playfulness with emotion, honoring ancestors while maintaining accessibility. The project reflects a deep connection to memory and community throughout its diverse pieces.
Avishai Cohen’s album Ashes to Gold captures the emotional aftermath of conflict in the Middle East. Recorded shortly after the Israeli-Gaza war, it features a five-part suite that reflects tragedy and hope, showcasing carefully composed music in contrast to previous improvisational styles. The album emphasizes the necessity of expressing profound feelings through art.
Ben Wendel’s “Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard” showcases his eclectic style as a saxophonist and composer. Collaborating with a skilled rhythm section, Wendel delivers a dynamic collection of original compositions, blending tradition with innovation. The live performance captures a warm atmosphere, engaging the audience throughout with improvisations and thoughtful arrangements.
Michael Mayo’s sophomore album, “Fly,” embraces pure jazz, diverging from his jazz-infused R&B debut, “Bones.” Collaborating with notable jazz musicians, Mayo delivers a mix of originals and jazz classics. Highlights include scatting, vocalese, and family contributions, showcasing his vocal prowess and improvisational skill. His approach offers a rich, immediate, and soulful jazz journey.
Eric Person’s “Rhythm Edge,” originally released in 2007, has been remixed and reissued. This standout jazz album features Person’s Meta-Four Quartet, prominent guest artists, and diverse compositions, from high-energy post-bop to soulful ballads. With vibrant solos, contemporary infusion, and Person’s dynamic leadership, it underscores his prowess as a saxophonist and composer.
Dann Zinn’s album “Two Roads” is a testament to his resilience and musical prowess, featuring collaborations with renowned musicians like Rachel Z and Omar Hakim. Despite a hand injury that required modifications to his saxophone, Zinn delivers a diverse range of compositions. The album balances intense and sensitive musical expressions, maintaining Zinn’s commitment to his craft.
Caleb Wheeler Curtis, a versatile multi-instrumentalist, showcases his talents in two recent albums: “The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery” and “Raise Four: Monk The Minimalist.” Featuring a range of saxophones and a blend of original compositions and covers, Curtis explores innovative jazz techniques, demonstrating his musicianship and distinct style.
Darius Jones, a saxophonist known for his avant-garde and experimental music, releases “Legend of e’Boi (The Hypervigilant Eye),” part of his Man’ish Boy series. This work embodies themes of Black mental health and healing, featuring a chordless saxophone trio and artistic collaborations. It’s a personal journey of overcoming trauma, highlighting Jones’ expressive horn playing and emotional depth.
Jeff Lederer’s album “Guilty!!!” offers a satirical political statement through jazz, marked by humor and intricate compositions. Addressing socio-political themes of the 2024 election year, it features chaotic electronic and instrumental elements. Emphasizing dishonest discourse, it aims to engage listeners with a live-streamed event on Election Eve, culminating in “Truth is Marching In.”
Joy Clark’s album “Tell It to the Wind” highlights her journey as a Black, queer, Southern artist breaking through the music scene with support from artists like Brandi Carlile and Ani DiFranco. Produced by Margaret Becker, the album features themes of resilience, empowerment, and belonging, with a blend of gentle sonics and infectious choruses, marking Clark as an influential voice for survivors.
Ben Monder’s “Planetarium” is a meticulously crafted project spanning ten years, resulting in three CDs of evocative music. It showcases a complex blend of heavenly and dark tones through layered guitars and vocal harmonies. Each disc offers unique compositions, with contributions from notable musicians, creating a profound auditory experience.
Satoko Fujii’s avant jazz-rock quartet releases “Dog Days of Summer,” their first album in 18 years. Featuring bassist Takeharu Hayakawa, drummer Tatsuya Yoshida, and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, the album blends free jazz and jazz-rock with unpredictable, volcanic energy. Each track offers dynamic, adventurous explorations of rhythm and melody.
Acclaimed pianist and composer George Burton’s album “White Noise” addresses the struggles of Black people today, calling for resistance against colonialism, caste systems, and slavery. Inspired by artists like Max Roach and Kendrick Lamar, Burton combines spoken word, jazz, and electronic music. The album features various renowned musicians and aims to raise awareness and inspire reflection.
Michael Dease’s album, “Found in Space – The Music of Gregg Hill,” showcases Hill’s compositions with a blend of genres from classical to avant-garde, featuring a talented ensemble. The work, co-produced by Hill and Dease, is highlighted by intricate arrangements, unpredictable shifts, and dynamic solos, evoking comparisons to Frank Zappa and Charles Mingus.
Caroline Davis’ “Portals, Volume 2: Returning” is a jazz album inspired by her late grandmother, poet Joan “Lady” Anson-Weber. The album features a quintet and vocalists interpreting Lady’s poetry, blending spiritual and contemporary jazz. Highlights include archival voice recordings and improvisations, offering a deeply emotional, reflective journey.
Michael McDermott, an underrated yet brilliant singer-songwriter, releases two albums, “Lighthouse on the Shore” (acoustic) and “East Jesus” (electric), reflecting his dual personalities. His work is highly personal, addressing themes like addiction and perseverance. McDermott’s masterful lyrics and varied music make these albums rich and thought-provoking.
Yosef Gutman Levitt, a South African-born, Jerusalem-based bassist and composer, creates spiritually rich and soothing music. His recent albums “Why Ten?” and “Unity” showcase collaborations with artists like Gilad Hekselman and Itay Sher. These works combine jazz, Jewish liturgical melodies, and modern influences, offering a peaceful, introspective listening experience.
Vanessa Collier’s new album “Do It My Own Way” reflects her defiance of industry sexism, recorded independently to stay true to her vision. This eight-track album captures a retro feel with influences from Memphis’ Stax and Hi Records. With notable collaborations, Collier showcases her musical versatility in blending soul, vintage R&B, and early rock.
Milton Suggs’ new album “Pure Intention” is a stripped-down jazz project featuring just Suggs and pianist Michael King. The album, rooted in blues, soul, and jazz, is Suggs’ first since 2016. His powerful baritone and dynamic range shine through original compositions and reinterpretations of classics, making this a standout vocal album.
Janel Leppin and Anthony Pirog’s “New Moon in the Evil Age” consists of two albums: an instrumental and a vocal one. Their work blends cello, guitar, and various instruments, delivering both ambient and dramatic pieces. Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash offers a political, intense set performed by a sextet. All three albums showcase extraordinary versatility and musical talent.
Frank London’s album “Spirit Stronger Than Blood,” released by ESP-Disk, honors friends lost to blood diseases and cancer. Featuring The Elders, the album blends spiritual jazz with post-bop, inspired by notable jazz figures and personal experiences. Highlights include dedications to Lester Bowie, Jewlia Eisenberg, and Ron Miles, showcasing emotional depth and musical intensity.
