Paul Medrano - Author at BestofJazz.org

All posts by “Paul”

The History of Jazz: A Guide to Its Key Periods

Jazz is often approached through its genres, each of which describes a particular sound, style, or way of playing. But these styles did not appear in isolation. They emerged over time, shaped by musicians, places, and contexts that continuously redefined what jazz could be.

Looking at jazz through its periods offers a different perspective. Instead of focusing only on how the music sounds, it helps us understand when and why it sounds that way. From its early development in New Orleans at the beginning of the 20th century to its current global and hybrid forms, jazz has evolved through a series of phases, each marked by distinct musical ideas and cultural shifts.

Best Jazz Albums of 2026 (So Far)

A few months in, and certain albums have already settled in as records you return to without really thinking about it. This selection of the Best Jazz Albums of 2026 (so far) is simply about choosing what is certainly worth sitting with. Of course, time will tell. But for now, these albums have made a real impression; they have stayed with us, finding their way back onto our stereos again and again.

You will find a mix of directions and styles here. But each of these records, in its own way, is already making 2026 feel like a great year for jazz. We will be adding new releases as the months go by, and will share the final selection, as always, in early December.

Jazz April 2026

Where should you start your next jazz discovery? April brings a rich and varied set of releases, from raw, collective energy and uncompromising free improvisation to intimate solo explorations and finely balanced chamber textures. These are the albums that stood out.

Here is our New Jazz Releases selection for April 2026, featuring records genuinely worth your listening time, presented in order of their release dates.

Juli Deák – Brisk

Brisk is a solo album by Hungarian flutist Juli Deák. It was recorded in single takes, without overdubs, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Budapest, primarily on April 14, 2025, with additional tracks recorded on January 2, 2026, by Ádám Gyöngyösi, and will be released on April 24, 2026, by Thanatosis Produktion.

Jazz March 2026

Where should you start your next jazz discovery? March delivers a strong set of releases, and these are the ones that stood out. Here is our New Jazz Releases selection for March 2026, featuring memorable albums that should be genuinely worth your listening time.

Johannes Gammelgaard Kvartett – The Sweet Sweden Suite

The Sweet Sweden Suite is a new album by the Johannes Gammelgaard Kvartett. The quartet features Johannes Gammelgaard on tenor saxophone, alongside Karl Wallmyr on trumpet, Mauritz Agnas on double bass, and Arild Wahl on drums, with guest appearances by Felicia Roos, Simon Skogh, Anton Svanberg, and Milton Öhrström. The album was recorded on January 8 and May 14, 2023, at Örnsbergs Musikstudio in Stockholm and released on March 6, 2026, by Mark the Music.

Jazz February 2026

Where should you start your next jazz discovery? February delivers a strong set of releases, and these are the ones that stood out. Here is our New Jazz Releases selection for February 2026, featuring memorable albums that should be genuinely worth your listening time.

International Jazz Day

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization declared International Jazz Day in 2011 “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people from all corners of the globe.” Every year, it is commemorated on April 30th, and people can celebrate in any way they want.

Chicago, United States, has been selected as the 2026 International Jazz Day Host City.

Booker Stardrum – Close-up On The Outside

Close-Up On The Outside, a solo album by drummer and composer Booker Stardrum, will be released on February 27, 2026, by We Jazz Records. All compositions were written by Stardrum in collaboration with the performing artists, featuring contributions from Anna Butterss, Jeremiah Chiu, Chris Williams, Lester St. Louis, Logan Hone, and Michael Coleman.

The Best Bebop Jazz Albums

Bop isn’t always the easiest jazz to approach. It moves fast, demands attention, and rarely slows down. But once you give it time, it becomes one of the most thrilling chapters in jazz history, a moment when musicians stopped playing for the dance floor and started playing for themselves. So here are 10 essential bebop jazz albums, plus one extra, as an invitation to listen closely and let the music pull you into its fast-moving, uncompromising world.