The Best Jazz Music Reviews
Looking for the best in jazz music reviews? Check out our blog for the latest and greatest in jazz music news, album reviews, artist interviews, and more!
Best Jazz of 2020
It’s been a big year for jazz music, with a number of great albums released across the genre. Here are some of the best jazz albums of 2020, as reviewed by the BBC Music website.
-Nubya Garcia – Source
– Joshua Redman – Come What May
-Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis – The Democracy! Suite
– Chick Corea – The Vigil
-Kendrick Scott Oracle – A Wall Becomes a Bridge
Best Jazz of 2019
It was a good year for jazz, with many great albums released by both established artists and promising newcomers. Here are our picks for the best jazz albums of 2019.
McCoy Tyner – “McCoy Tyner With Stanley Clarke & Al Foster”
On this all-star trio album, legendary pianist McCoy Tyner is joined by two of the most respected names in jazz – bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Al Foster. Together, they explore a wide range of material, from standards to originals, withTyner’s signature angular approach to the piano at the forefront. It’s a truly special album from three giants of jazz.
Cécile McLorin Salvant – “The Window”
Cécile McLorin Salvant’s “The Window” is a stunning showcase for her incredible vocal talents. She’s equally at home singing standards, original compositions, or reinterpreting well-known pop songs like Radiohead’s “Creep” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” With her soaring voice and impeccable phrasing, she brings new life to every song she tackles.
Brad Mehldau – “Finding Gabriel”
On his latest album, pianist Brad Mehldau takes on a wide range of styles, from gospel to classical to pop. He’saccompanied by an impressive group of musicians that includes trumpeter Joshua Redman, saxophonist Aruan Ortiz, and violinist Jenny Scheinman. The result is an eclectic and engaging album that highlights Mehldau’s immense talent as both a pianist and composer.
Nasheet Waits – “Equality”
Drummer Nasheet Waits’ “Equality” is a masterful display of his prodigious talent. Joined by bassist William Parker and pianist Matthew Shipp, Waits explores a wide range of material with his signature blend of power and grace. From the hard-hitting opener “Moorish Duke” to the delicate ballad “Elvin,” this is an album that should not be missed by any fan of jazz drums.
Best Jazz of 2018
It’s been a great year for jazz fans, with plenty of great albums released across the genre. We’ve put together a list of our favorite jazz albums of 2018, including releases from established artists like Brad Mehldau and Kamasi Washington, as well as some excellent debuts from new voices on the scene.
1. “Emanon” by Thelonious Monk
2. “Migration Stories” by Branford Marsalis
3. “Origins” by Terence Blanchard
4. “After Hours” by Tony Bennett and Diana Krall
5. “Undercurrent” by Brad Mehldau
6. “Heaven and Earth” by Kamasi Washington
7. “Rebirth” by Helen Sung
8. “All About That Basie” by Christian McBride Big Band
Best Jazz of 2017
As the year comes to a close, we take a look at the best jazz of 2017. This was a year filled with great music from musicians old and new. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite albums and artists of the year.
Some of the standout albums of 2017 include “The Emancipation Procrastination” by Kamasi Washington, “GFeatures” by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, “A Day in February” by Nate Smith, and “Rebirth” by Brad Mehldau. These albums represent the best of what jazz has to offer — they’re creative, forward-thinking, and engaging.
We were also impressed by the work of some up-and-coming artists this year. Saxophonist Jorja Chalmers released her debut album “The Red Book,” which received rave reviews. Pianist Tony Paele also released his debut album “The Wander Years,” which garnered critical acclaim. These are two artists to keep an eye on in the coming years.
2017 was a great year for jazz music. We can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for us!
Best Jazz of 2016
2016 was a very good year for jazz. We saw new albums from living legends like Wayne Shorter and Eddie Palmieri, as well as breakout releases from exciting young artists like Kamasi Washington and Matthew Stevens. It was also a year marked by tragedy, with the deaths of greats like Ornette Coleman and Phife Dawg.
In this roundup, we take a look at some of the best jazz albums of 2016. These are our favorites, but there were many other great releases this year. We encourage you to check out our honorable mentions, as well as our reviews of individual albums.
Best Jazz of 2016
1. Wayne Shorter – Emanon
2. Kamasi Washington – Heaven and Earth
3. Matthew Stevens – Preverbal
4. Eddie Palmieri – Sabiduria
5. Makaya McCraven – In the Moment
