The Best Jazz Music of 2017

If you’re a fan of Jazz music, then you’ll want to check out our list of the best Jazz albums of 2017. From classic artists to modern masters, there’s something for everyone on this list.

Best Jazz Albums of 2017

1. “The Odyssey” by Vijay Iyer Sextet
2. “Gumbo” by Marcus Miller
3. “Black Radio 2” by Robert Glasper Experiment
4. “Blue Note Revisited” by The Cookers
5. “The Emancipation Procrastination” by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

Best Jazz Songs of 2017

If you’re a fan of jazz music, then you’re in for a treat. 2017 was an incredible year for the genre, with a wide range of artists releasing some truly phenomenal songs. From up-and-coming talents to established legends, there was something for everyone.

To help you find the best jazz songs of 2017, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites. From soulful ballads to toe-tapping swing tunes, these are the tracks that have been getting us through the year. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best music the genre has to offer.

1. “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Buble
2. “My Funny Valentine” by Chet Baker
3. “It’s Only a Paper Moon” by Nat King Cole
4. “Ain’t Misbehavin'” by Louis Armstrong
5. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
6. “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald
7. “Misty” by Erroll Garner
8. “Sophisticated Lady” by Duke Ellington
9.”Take the ‘A’ Train” by Count Basie 10.”All That Jazz” by Cab Calloway

Best Jazz Musicians of 2017

The best jazz musicians of 2017 are a varied and talented bunch, with plenty of fresh new faces making waves in the scene. Here are our picks for the top 12 jazz artists of the year, in no particular order.

– Gregory Porter
– Kamasi Washington
– Mary Halvorson
– Matthew Shipp
– Jason Moran
– Joe Lovano
– Bill Frisell
– Dave Douglas
– Chris Potter
– Amir ElSaffar
– Rudresh Mahanthappa

Best Jazz Festivals of 2017

Just as there’s no one way to define jazz, there’s no single type of jazz festival. While some destinations stick strictly to traditional artists, others showcase the genre’s more experimental side. Some even blur the lines, programming everything from R&B and soul to funk and hip-hop. But all of them have one thing in common: They celebrate jazz in all its forms. Here are our picks for the best jazz festivals of 2017.

Monterey Jazz Festival // Monterey, California
Now in its 60th year, the Monterey Jazz Festival is considered one of the longest-running and most prestigious Jazz events in the world. The non-competitive event takes place over three days and features more than 500 artists performing on eight stages throughout the Monterey County Fairgrounds. This year’s lineup includes big names like Norah Jones, Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, and Chris Potter.

The Newport Jazz Festival // Newport, Rhode Island
The Newport Jazz Festival is one of the oldest and most iconic jazz festivals in existence. Founded in 1954 by socialite Elaine Lorillard and her husband Louis Lorillard, the festival was originally intended to bring national attention to Newport as a tourist destination (and it did—the first year alone, an estimated 20,000 people descended on the city). These days, the event takes place over two weekends and features a mix of both established artists (Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner) and up-and-comers ( Ambrose Akinmusire , Miguel Zenón ).

Satchmo Summerfest // New Orleans , Louisiana
New Orleans is naturally synonymous with jazz—after all, it’s the birthplace of Louis Armstrong—so it only makes sense that one of the best jazz festivals takes place in The Big Easy . Satchmo Summerfest pays tribute to legendary trumpet player Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong with three days of live music , food , art , and panel discussions . This year’s lineup includes musical performances by Dr. Michael White , Preservation Hall Jazz Band , Wycliffe Gordon , Delfeayo Marsalis , and many others.