What should you expect from jazz this month? Welcome to our October 2023 selection of albums that have already been or will soon be released this month. These albums grabbed our full attention, and they are worth your time. They are listed in order of release date.
Best Jazz Releases October 2023
Jessica Pavone
Clamor
(Out Of Your Head Records)
More akin to chamber music than jazz, yet undeniably avant-garde, Clamor is strikingly beautiful. The depth of its music, as well as its intentions—to “rethink the notion of ‘women’s work’ as a space for both collaboration and individual expression” and, ultimately, to “reflect on the circumvention of obstacles to personal freedom”—almost make it a fitting alternative soundtrack for Krzysztof Kieślowski’s film Three Colors: Blue. That is just how exceptional it is.
Jessica Pavone: vialo; Katherine Young: bassoon solo; Aimée Niemann, Charlotte Munn-Wood: violin; Abby Swidler: viola; Mariel Roberts: cello; Shayna Dulberger: double bass
Release date October 6, 2023
RYMDEN
Valleys and Mountains
(Jazzland Norway)
Valleys and Mountains is RYMDEN’s 3rd studio album. The experience is again wild, grandiose, and diverse, ranging all the way from nostalgia to hope for the future, but always contemplative and accessible.
Amadou, Cambien, Rempis
On The Blink
(Aerophonic Records)
The way these three musicians manage to incorporate electronic elements into their sound is truly amazing. Perhaps it is due to the addition of electronics by two of the musicians–bassist Farida Amadou and pianist Jonas Cambien–expanding the realm of possibilities. It could also be attributed to the electric bass, which seamlessly blends the layers together. Or, their skillful combination of a raw approach to their instruments resulting in a sound that is both metallic and ethereal.
In any case, this album is mesmerizing and unquestionably one of the most original trio albums of the year.
Farida Amadou: electric bass, electronics; Jonas Cambien: piano, electronics; Dave Rempis: alto, tenor saxophone
Release date October 10, 2023
Ivo Perelman, Nate Wooley
Polarity 2
(Burning Ambulance Music)
Polarity 2 might be succinctly described through Coltrane’s famous phrase, “…move both directions at once.” The saxophone and the trumpet, like interconnected poles on a sphere, are deeply linked, guided by an invisible force. Even as they explore the vast expanse of their musical universe, they consistently find their perfect balance and tranquility within the strength that allows them to be 2 as 1, or let’s say, to move both direction at once.
Ivo Perelman: saxophone, tenor; Nate Wooley: trumpet
Release date October 13, 2023
Rodrigo Amado The Bridge
Beyond The Margins
(Trost Records)
This live recording captures a 2022 concert at Pardon, To Tu in Warsaw, Poland, featuring The Bridge, Rodrigo Amado’s new quartet with Alexander Von Schlippenbach, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, and Gerry Hemingway. The talent, energy, freedom, imagination, and their clear determination to make every moment count are all present in this album, making it a true gem to listen to.
Rodrigo Amado: tenor saxophone; Alexander Von Schlippenbach: piano; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten: double bass; Gerry Hemingway: drums, voice
Release date October 20, 2023
Anna Webber
Shimmer Wince
(Intakt Records)
The album starts quite surprisingly. After her two perfect releases on Pi Recordings in 2019 and 2021 (Clockwise and Idiom), the first few minutes were not quite in line with what you might have expected.
However, with Shimmer Wince, Anna Webber now focuses on ‘Just Intonation,’ an ancient tuning system based on the natural harmonics and resonances of notes. This is the reason behind the initial surprise.
As the music progresses and the tracks unfold, the more you immerse yourself in the album and its concept, the more you fall in love with it. By the end, you even feel ashamed for doubting Anna Webber’s talent as both a musician and a composer: Shimmer Wince is definitely a must-have.
Anna Webber: tenor sax, flute, bass flute; Adam O’Farrill: trumpet; Mariel Roberts: cello; Elias Stemeseder: synthesizer; Lesley Mok: drums
Release date October 20, 2023
The Angelica Sanchez Nonet
Nighttime Creatures
(Pyroclastic Records)
“The title Nighttime Creatures came out of my fascination of the night in the deep woods, where light seems to get eaten, as if it were in the center of a black hole. Hearing sounds of creatures I don’t recognize makes my imagination run wild. The night transforms the deep woods into an astral plane that is only accessed through complete and beautiful darkness. Music transports me to such places -a portal through the darkness to universes full of light.”
–Angelica Sanchez
Her all-star nonet was the perfect vehicle to express her intention as Nighttime Creatures will indeed make your imagination run wild, and the complete and beautiful darkness as we experience this automn, will be its jewellery case.
Angelica Sanchez: piano, compositions; Michaël Attias: alto saxophone; Ben Goldberg: contra alto clarinet; John Hébert: bass; Thomas Heberer: quarter-tone trumpet; Sam Ospovat: drums; Chris Speed: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Omar Tamez: guitar; Kenny Warren: cornet
Release date October 27, 2023
Discover next: Jazz January 2024
October 2023 – New Albums Selection
- Jessica Pavone – Clamor (Out Of Your Head Records)
- Ivo Perelman, Nate Wooley – Polarity 2 (Burning Ambulance Music)
- RYMDEN – Valleys and Mountains (Jazzland Norway)
- Amadou, Cambien, Rempis – On The Blink (Aerophonic Records)
- Rodrigo Amado The Bridge – Beyond The Margins (Trost Records)
- Anna Webber – Shimmer Wince (Intakt Records)
- The Angelica Sanchez Nonet – Nighttime Creatures (Pyroclastic Records)
Next, discover the selection of our Best Jazz Albums 2023.
Playlist
Listen to these tracks on our Spotify playlist