In this post, we take a moment to spotlight the standout Jazz Albums of 2011—each one delivering a distinct and powerful experience that has left a lasting mark on the jazz landscape.
Instead of ranking these albums, we focus on honoring the incredible talent of the artists who created them. The albums on this list represent a wide array of styles and explorations that truly embody jazz. We’re excited to hear your opinions on this collection, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts. If there are any albums you believe should be featured, we welcome your suggestions in the comments below!
The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2024” list. The selection is divided into albums featuring solos, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and larger ensembles, with three selections per category, for a total of 18 albums. We also have one category for “Artist of the Year”, and one for “Archive of the Year”, thereby adding two albums to the final selection, for a grand total of 20 albums that sum up how great 2024 was for jazz.
The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2024” list. The selection is divided into albums featuring solos, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and larger ensembles, with three selections per category, for a total of 18 albums. We also have one category for “Artist of the Year”, and one for “Archive of the Year”, thereby adding two albums to the final selection, for a grand total of 20 albums that sum up how great 2024 was for jazz.
Wrecks is a duet album by David Maranha and Rodrigo Amado. It was recorded at Escola do Largo in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 4th, 2023, during a special evening dedicated to duets, and released on October 25, 2024, by Nariz Entupido.
In this post, we highlight the Best Jazz Albums of 2012—each one offering a unique experience that has made a significant impact on the world of jazz.
Rather than ranking them, we want to celebrate the exceptional talent of the artists behind these remarkable albums. They showcase a variety of styles and sounds that truly capture the essence of jazz. We’re eager to hear your thoughts on this collection, so please feel free to share your feedback. If you have any suggestions for albums that should be included, we’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!
In this post, we take a look at the Best Jazz Albums of 2013—each one providing a unique experience that has contributed to an important part of jazz history.
Instead of ranking them, we’re highlighting outstanding jazz created by talented artists who have enriched the genre. These albums showcase a range of styles and sounds that make jazz so special. We’d love to hear your opinions on this selection, so feel free to share your thoughts. If you know of any albums that should be included, please suggest them in the comments section below!
The Susceptible Now is the new release from drummer Tyshawn Sorey’s trio, with Aaron Diehl on piano and Harish Raghavan on bass. They present 4 long tracks: (1) the McCoy Tyner classic “Peresina” from his album Expansions; (2) “A Chair in the Sky” (composed with Charles Mingus) from the Joni Mitchell album Mingus; (3) “Your Good Lies,” from the contemporary soul group Vividry; and (4) “Bealtine” by Brad Mehldau. The Susceptible Now will be out October 11, on Pi Recordings.
As a lists lover, every year, I want to order the latest sounds, compiling end-of-the-year best-of lists that represent, from my point of view, the best releases in jazz. It’s a process I deeply enjoy, but lately, I’ve questioned whether I’m giving digital-only releases the same consideration as their physical counterparts: Am I unconsciously biased against them?
this post, we will explore the Best Jazz Albums of 2014—each one a unique journey that contributed to making this year a new unforgettable chapter in the history of jazz.
No rank, nor order, just high-quality jazz, by outstanding artists. Listen to the Spotify playlist and scroll through the art covers. Comments on the current selection and suggestions for albums you believe should have made the list are very welcome in the comments section at the end of the post!
Aloft is the ninth duet album by life partners, pianist Satoko Fujii—who released her 100th album as a leader in 2022—and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura. The album was recorded on December 13, 2003, at Samurai Hotel in New York by Mike Marciano and was released on July 12, 2024, on Libra Records.
Satoko Fujii, Natsuki Tamura
Aloft (Libra Records)
What more can we say after nine conversations? It’s hard to guess. It probably depends on the understanding between the two partners.
Naturally, if the initial meeting is haphazard and ends abruptly due to a lack of common understanding, there might not be much more to say. But if the conversation is between a couple united by love, friendship, passion, or even life in its entirety, the ninth conversation is just as unique as the third or the thousandth.
In such a case, the conversation would get filled with the unexpectedness of the moment, the day’s happenings, and what has yet to be said or experienced, building up on a ground solidified by the already existing habits that strengthen the bonds and engage even more in discussing the unknown together.
Aloft is indeed an illustration of the second possibility. It captures that incredible moment where nothing exists, yet creation happens again, seemingly from thin air, or perhaps from everything; what seems so mysterious to us feels like a daily occurrence for Satoko Fujii and Natsuki Tamura.
Of course, all conversations offer different intensities, moments of shock, and specific depths. But Aloft stands out as an album that captivates naturally and simply in its accessibility, in what it provokes and inspires, offering a constant depth tinged with humor, seriousness, culture, and–above all–exceptional speaking skills.
Aloft was released on July 12, 2024 // Libra Records 102-075
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