The Best Blues and Jazz Music of 2020

With a new year comes new music, and we’ve got the best blues and jazz albums of 2020 covered. From established artists like Gregory Porter to up-and-comers like Trombone Shorty, there’s something for everyone on this list.

Best Blues Albums of 2020

We’re counting down the best blues and jazz albums of 2020, including new releases from Darrel Nulisch, Larkin Poe, and more.

Best Jazz Albums of 2020

The past year has been tough on the music industry, with live venues and tours cancelled or postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic. But despite the challenges, some great music was still released in 2020. Here are our picks for the best jazz albums of the year.

Best Overall Jazz Album:
Beach House by Trombone Shorty
For his eighth studio album, Trombone Shorty assembles an all-star cast of musicians to pay tribute to his native New Orleans. The result is a fun and funky album that will make you want to get up and dance.

Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Recordings – 20th Anniversary Vol. 1 by Various Artists
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Recordings, a number of today’s top jazz singers came together to record some of Monk’s most iconic songs. The result is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to one of the greatest jazz composers of all time.

Best Traditional Jazz Album:
Blue & Lonesome by The Rolling Stones
On their first album in over a decade, the Rolling Stones get back to their roots with an honest and stripped-down take on the blues. Featuring guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Billy Gibbons, this is one album that fans of both the Stones and blues music will enjoy.

Best Blues Songs of 2020

The best blues songs of 2020 offer a snapshot of the genre at a time when it faces an uncertain future. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many clubs and venues to close their doors, and with them, the livelihoods of thousands of musicians. Though the blues has faced challenges before, this is perhaps the most daunting.

But the show must go on, and these 10 songs offer a glimpse of hope for the future of the blues. From traditionalists like Shemekia Copeland and Billy F Gibbons to daring innovators like Fantastic Negrito and Tash Sultana, these artists are keeping the blues alive in 2020.

Best Jazz Songs of 2020

The best jazz songs of 2020 represent a wide range of styles, from traditional to experimental and everything in between. These are the ones that caught our ears the most this year.

“African Bird” by Amir ElSaffar
Amir ElSaffar is known for his work fusing jazz and traditional Iraqi maqam music, and “African Bird” is a perfect example of his unique sound. The song features a hypnotic melody played on the oud (a traditional Iraqi lute), underpinned by a thumping bassline andElSaffar’s expressive trumpet playing.

“Tether” by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah’s “Tether” is a jazz song for our times. It’s a tense, anxious piece that reflects the feeling of being perpetually connected to technology and other people while still feeling isolated and alone. Scott’s searing trumpet playing is supported by an electronic pulse that throbs throughout the song, giving it an eerie urgency.

“Be Water My Friend” by Vijay Iyer & Prasanna
On “Be Water My Friend,” pianist Vijay Iyer and guitarist Prasanna come together to create a beautifully beautiful jazz song that incorporates elements of Carnatic music (a type of South Indian classical music). Iyer’s nimble piano playing weaves in and out of Prasanna’s intricate guitar work, creating a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

Best Blues Artists of 2020

Artists that were considered for this list are those that pushed the boundaries of what blues and jazz music can be in 2020. These are the artists that released innovative and exciting albums that helped to shape the sound of blues and jazz music in the year 2020.

Best Jazz Artists of 2020

The decade may be coming to a close, but there are still plenty of new blues and jazz releases to get excited about. Here are some of the best jazz artists of 2020.

Best Jazz Artists of 2020

John Coltrane- A Love Supreme (Deluxe Edition)
Miles Davis- Kind of Blue
Wayne Shorter- Speak No Evil
Herbie Hancock- Maiden Voyage
Cannonball Adderley- Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at ‘The Club’
Sam Rivers- A New Conception

Best Blues Albums of All Time

The best blues albums of all time includeelectric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano, saxophone, and trumpet performances by some of the genre’s most influential musicians. From Robert Johnson to B.B. King to Stevie Ray Vaughan, these artists have left their mark on the blues with their unforgettable music.

If you’re a fan of the blues, you’ll definitely want to check out our list of the best blues albums of all time. We’ve included a wide range of music from different eras and styles, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of classic blues or modern jazz, you’ll find something to enjoy on our list.

Best Jazz Albums of All Time

When it comes to the best jazz albums of all time, there are plenty of critics and fans alike who would have a thing or two to say about that. After all, jazz is one of America’s most original and widely influential musical genres, with a rich history and an impressive roster of legendary musicians. From the early days of ragtime and blues to the more modern sounds of bebop and fusion, there’s no shortage of great jazz albums out there.

So, what are some of the best jazz albums of all time? Well, that’s a tough question to answer, but we’ve done our best to put together a list of some essential listening for any fan of the genre. Below, you’ll find a mix of classic albums and contemporary releases, all of which showcase the many different sides of jazz. So whether you’re looking for something new to check out or you’re just trying to brush up on your jazz knowledge, this list has something for everyone.

Best Blues Songs of All Time

In a year when the world needed the Blues more than ever, these 10 songs helped us escape, dream and heal. From old-school legends to contemporary innovators, these are the best Blues songs of all time.

1. “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
2. “The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King
3. “Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson
4. “Stormy Monday” by T-Bone Walker
5. “I Can’t Quit You Baby” by Willie Dixon
6. “All That I Need” by Tedschi Trucks Band
7. “Love in Vain” by Robert Johnson
8. “Dust My Broom” by Elmore James
9.”I’m Tore Down” by Freddie King
10.”Born Under a Bad Sign” by Albert King

Best Jazz Songs of All Time

As the embodiment of cool, jazz has provided the soundtrack to some of the most defining moments in history. It’s been the score to presidential inaugurations and declarations of war, and it’s been used to sell cars and cigarettes. It’s been danced to by flappers and boppers, swingers and hipsters. It has influenced virtually every major musical movement since the early 20th century. In short, jazz is one of America’s greatest art forms.

And yet, for all its importance, there is no easy way to define jazz. As Duke Ellington famously said, “It’s all music.” That sentiment is echoed by Wynton Marsalis, who once wrote that jazz “occupies the same relationship to music as do language, religion, and custom to the human experience.”

That may be true, but there are certain sonic traits that are typically associated with jazz: a feeling of spontaneity and improvisation; a focus on melody and groove; and an emphasis on Swing (the rhythmic feel that characterized much of jazz in the 1930s and ’40s).

Of course, not all Jazz songs embody all of these qualities, nor do they need to. The best Jazz songs are those that capture the spirit of the genre while also expanding its musical boundaries. They’re the songs that make you want to tap your toes one minute and think deeply about life the next. They’re the songs that make you fall in love with Jazz all over again.