All posts by “Paul

What are the genres of jazz

What Are the Genres of Jazz?

Jazz is more than just a style of music; it has a history of constant change, creative freedom, and personal expression. From its early roots in African-American communities in New Orleans, jazz has grown into a wide spectrum of styles that reflect different eras, places, and approaches to improvisation and rhythm. At its core, jazz remains defined by spontaneity, swing, and the interplay between musicians, even as the sounds around those ideas have evolved dramatically over more than a century.

In this guide, “What are the genres of jazz?”, we will explore the key genres that have shaped jazz history, from the collective polyphony of early jazz to the high-speed invention of bebop, and beyond to modal, free, and post-bop styles.

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January 2026

Jazz January 2026

What does jazz sound like in January 2026? The opening month of the new year often arrives quietly, once the end-of-year lists have settled and the rush has passed, creating space for new records again. This January 2026 jazz selection brings together albums that value nuance, beauty, and strong artistic intent. These are releases that stayed with us, each in its own way, and felt worth sharing to start the year with focus, curiosity, and open ears.

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A Listener’s Companion to the 20th Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll

The results of the 20th Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll are now out, gathering the collective voice of 168 critics. As always, Tom Hull has assembled everything with his usual precision, and the full list is available on his site.

What you will find here is simply a listening companion, as we know how useful it can be to have everything in one place when you want to explore the poll: the covers, the musicians, and an easy way to hear what each record sounds like. So this page brings together Bandcamp players when available, along with basic details to help readers move from the list to the music with as little friction as possible.

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Best Jazz 2025

Best Jazz Albums of 2025

The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2025” list. It is divided into albums featuring solos, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and larger ensembles (three albums per category), for a total of 18. We have also added two special mentions: “Artist of the Year” and “Archive of the Year.” Altogether, that makes 20 albums that, in our view, sum up just how great 2025 was for jazz.

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Does the world really need this album

Does the world really need this album?

We live in a time where music has never been so abundant. Every week, dozens of new albums appear, streaming services highlight fresh releases, and social media keeps reminding us (including us) of what we “should” be listening to. It is exciting, of course, but also overwhelming. With so much coming at us, it is natural to pause and wonder: Do we really need all of this? Does the world truly need one more album?

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July August September 2025 - New Jazz releases

Jazz July, August, September 2025

Summer 2025 is now behind us. Our Jazz Summer 2025 roundup revisits the most exciting new jazz albums released in July, August, and September 2025. From bold big band to intimate solo, here are the eleven highlights worth remembering, and returning to.

If you would like to write a jazz album review or put together your own selection of new releases, I wouldd love to feature it. This space is meant for more than just one perspective, so if you feel like stepping up and adding yours, get in touch.

New Jazz Releases Summer 2025 July August September
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Jazz June 2025

Jazz June 2025

Curious about what jazz has in store this month? We are excited to share our June 2025 selection of albums set to drop later this month. These releases have caught our ear and we are certain they will captivate yours too. From fresh sounds to unforgettable performances, each album is a must-listen. Explore them in the order of their release dates as you won’t want to miss a single one.

New Jazz Releases June 2025
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Piano Solos to Discover in 2025

We are excited to celebrate today’s release of Keith Jarrett’s New Vienna, but we also want to shine a spotlight on other standout solo piano releases of 2025. By doing so, we hope to help you discover albums you may have missed or even challenge your ideas of what a solo piano recording can sound like and how it can make you feel.

Piano Solos to Discover in 2025
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