When three jazz masters get stuck in South Europe due to a world lockdown, they manage to make the best out of it; they take the opportunity to play together for the first time, perform a few concerts, and crystalize this fabulous moment in a nearby studio as Seriana Promethea.
Continue reading David Murray Brand New World Trio – Seriana PrometheaAcid jazz (also known as “club jazz”) is a genre that combines elements of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and funk. It is hugely inventive and often extremely groove-based. So, if you’re looking to get into jazz, then the list hereafter features some of the best acid-jazz albums to start with.
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Poetic is the third album by drummer Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead, featuring pianist Taber Gable, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, alto-saxophonist Godwin Louis, and guitarist Andrew Renfroe. Poetic was recorded at Parkville Sounds, in Hartford, Connecticut, and it was released on May 13, 2022.
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Folk is an album by the Swedish jazz group Oddjob, released in 2015. The project is based on archival recordings of traditional Swedish pastoral music, which the band reworked and arranged into seven compositions.
Note: This review was originally published in 2015 on Archaicpop.com, before the launch of Bestofjazz.org. At the time, the editorial line covered a broader range of music beyond jazz.
Interpret It Well is an album by drummer, vibraphonist, and composer Ches Smith, accompanied by guitarist Bill Frisell, violist Mat Maneri, and keyboardist Craig Taborn. Interpret It Well was recorded on October 12 and 13, 2020, by Ron Saint Germain and Ryan Streber, at Oktaven Audio, in Mount Vernon, New York, and it was released on May 6, 2022, by Pyroclastic Records.
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What should you expect in Jazz this month? This is our May 2022 Selection of albums that have already been released or have yet to be released this month (What to Wait For?). These albums got our full attention and should be worth your time.
The albums are ordered by the release date.
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Thisness is an album by composer, producer, and guitarist Miles Okazaki. The musician gathered for this album is the usual Trickster band with pianist Matt Mitchell, bassist Anthony Tidd, and drummer Sean Rickman. Thisness was recorded on March 19 and 20, 2021, at Oktaven Studios, Mount Vernon, NY, and was released on April 25, 2022, by Pi Recordings.
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Hafla is the third album by Jon Balke’s Siwan, “the transcultural, trans-idiomatic musical collective.” Hafla was recorded in May and June 2021 at Village Recording Studios, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and it was released on April 22, 2022, on ECM Records.
Continue reading Jon Balke Siwan – Hafla
For many people, music is an essential part of their daily lives. It can provide a much-needed source of entertainment, relaxation, and inspiration. With the advent of streaming services like Spotify, it’s easier than ever to access the music you love, and for fans of jazz, Spotify is a veritable goldmine. The platform offers a wide range of jazz artists, both old and new, thereby making it easy to create the perfect jazz playlist for any mood or occasion.
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The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2022” list. As you are about to discover, 2022 was another great year for jazz!
First, all the jazz clubs and venues suddenly reopened, and it was possible to see and listen to the music we love and the artists we worship live again! It is hard to believe that less than one year ago, the music scene was non-existent. This is such a relief! Now that we deeply understand the fragility of this ecosystem, it feels important—and even better—to go out and enjoy what is definitely not a given.
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