Here is the finest jazz offerings of 2017, a year that gifted us with a kaleidoscope of sonic adventures, with each album being a testament to the genre’s ability to inspire, challenge and transcend musical boundaries. The albums featured in this Best Jazz Albums of 2017 list–which is in no order–represent styles, moods, and narratives that collectively embody the essence of jazz in its myriad forms.

So here are the 10 jazz albums that made 2017 an unforgettable chapter in the ever-evolving saga of this enchanting genre:

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Best Jazz Albums 2017

Stetson’s playing is intense and relentless, creating a sense of urgency that carries through the entire record. But what makes this album a gem is Stetson’s innovative use of extended saxophone techniques, circular breathing, and multiphonics, creating a unique and immersive sonic experience. It is specified that all songs are recorded live (no overdubs/loops). Knowing this will make you even more fall in love with this album.

Colin Stetson: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, contrabass clarinet
Released April 28, 2017

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Far From Over is a standout album blending intricate compositions with free-form improvisations. The Vijay Iyer Sextet, featuring a stellar lineup of musicians, creates a cohesive and dynamic sound throughout the record. The music here is just mesmerizing, made of complex rhythms, harmonically adventurous arrangements, and a seamless interplay between the musicians, creating a perfect balance between accessibility and innovation.

Discover next Uneasy

Vijay Iyer: piano; Graham Haynes: cornet, flugelhorn, electronics; Steve Lehman: alto saxophone; Mark Shim: tenor saxophone; Stephan Crump: double bass; Tyshawn Sorey: drums
Released August 25, 2017

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Released as the second installment of her “Mandorla Awakening” series, Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds is a fusion of avant-garde jazz, electronic elements, and Afrofuturism. Mitchell’s vision is groundbreaking, innovative, and expansive; this album had a significant impact on the world of jazz in 2017, making it a contester for any 2010s list.

Discover next Artifacts – …and then there’s this

Nicole Mitchell: flute, electronics; avery r young: vocals; Kojiro Umezaki: shakuhachi; Renée Baker: violin; Tomeka Reid: cello, banjo; Alex Wing: electric guitar, oud; Tatsu Aoki: bass, shamisen, taiko; Jovia Armstrong: percussion
Released May 5, 2017

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Ahmad Jamal must have fallen in love with Marseille, and he wanted to share it with the world. We can understand why, as Marseille is a vibrant French city by the Mediterranean Sea, a city much older than France itself, a unique melting pot of culture and history. The album features a mix of original compositions with guest vocalists–Abd Al Malik and Mina Agossi–and reimagined classics such as the exquisite “Motherless Child.” The music is an uplifting feel good brain teaser that just keeps delivering satisfaction.

Ahmad Jamal: piano; James Cammack: double bass; Herlin Riley: drums; Manolo Badrena: percussion; Abd Al Malik, Mina Agossi: vocals
Released July 7, 2017

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Live At The Blue Whale showcases perfectly de Clive-Lowe’s prowess as a pianist, producer, and live performer, offering a thrilling snapshot of a night at the renowned Los Angeles venue, The Blue Whale. The format is short–an EP of 28 minutes–but the music will take your breath away.

Mark de Clive-Lowe: piano, keys, live electronics; Josh Johnson: alto sax, flute; Brandon Eugene Owens: bass; Gene Coye: drums
Released February 17, 2017

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The Indo-Pak Coalition, featuring Rez Abbasi on guitar and Dan Weiss on drums, is an ensemble that transcends cultural boundaries, creating a sound that is both rooted in tradition of the Indian classical music and forward-looking jazz. One of the album’s standout qualities is its rhythmic complexity, with Weiss’s stunning drumming and Abbasi’s amazing guitar work, creating a musical fusion that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant with this–for many of us–distant culture.

Rudresh Mahanthappa: alto saxophone; Rez Abbasi: guitar; Dan Weiss: tabla
Released 2017

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“William Parker’s exceptional gift as a composer of beautiful melodies and infectious rhythms have long been intrinsic to his art, and it has always been on full display in the work of the quartets featured here. Being that these groups are among the highest caliber jazz bands of our time, Parker’s luminous compositions are brought to vibrant, ever-giving blossom.”
–AUM Fidelity

William Parker: bass, tarota; Hamid Drake: drums, gongs; Rob Brown: alto saxophone; Jalalu-Kalvert Nelson: trumpet [CD 1]; kalimba; Cooper-Moore: piano [CD 2]
Released August 4, 2017

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“Most people would never realize that I am closer to Thelonious Monk than to any other artist. What connects us is a vision of composition and its forms, music psychology, and our articulation of the ensemble as a trashing field for new information. With an illustration of silence, not as a moment of absence, or a space for resting, but as a vital field where musical ideas exist as a result of what was played before and afterward. Silence.”
–Wadada Leo Smith, New Haven, Connecticut, July 10, 2017

This solo project is a profound exploration of the music and legacy of the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. It embodies Wadada Leo Smith’s deep appreciation for Monk’s compositions and it offers at the same time a personal and introspective view on the iconic pianist’s world.

Wadada Leo Smith: trumpet
Released October 20, 2017

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“The music surges forward like an unstoppable wave, gathering energy as it rolls on. There is soaring saxophone and vicious drumming yoked together with superb bass playing. Savage in its intensity, it is an absolutely thrilling ending to a terrific recording, one of the finest of the year to date.“
–Tim Niland, Bandcamp

Gonçalo Almeida: double bass; Rodrigo Amado: tenor saxophone; Marco Franco: drums
Released March 1, 2017

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Blue Maqams is a sublime album, a meeting point of East and West. Released on ECM Records, it is a testament to the Tunisian oud player‘s ability to blend diverse musical traditions. It explores a delicate balance between Brahem’s Arab musical heritage and the jazz traditions represented by his collaborators. The compositions are both contemplative and meditative, and Brahem’s oud serves as the guiding force, weaving intricate melodies that dance gracefully with the exceptional ensemble of musicians, including the venerable jazz pianist Django Bates, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Anouar Brahem: oud; Dave Holland: double bass; Jack DeJohnette: drums; Django Bates: piano
Released October 13, 2017

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Best Jazz 2017 Albums’ List

• Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory (52Hz)
• Vijay Iyer Sextet – Far From Over (ECM)
• Nicole Mitchell – Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds (FPE)
• Ahmad Jamal – Marseille (Jazz Village/PIAS)
• Mark de Clive-Lowe – Live At The Blue Whale (Mashibeats)
• Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition – Agrima (Self released)
• William Parker Quartets – Meditation/Resurrection (AUM Fidelity)
• Wadada Leo Smith – Solo: Reflections And Meditations On Monk (TUM)
• Gonçalo Almeida, Rodrigo Amado, Marco Franco – The Attic (NoBusiness)
• Anouar Brahem – Blue Maqams (ECM)

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2010’s

Discover all the other 2010’s best of jazz playlists: 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010

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As we conclude this journey through the best jazz albums of 2017, we find ourselves immersed in a kaleidoscope of sonic adventures. Jazz, with its ability to embrace diversity, defy conventions, and tell stories beyond words, continues to inspire and captivate. Here’s to the musicians who push boundaries, challenge norms, and create a legacy that resonates far beyond the years of their release.