Page 5 – Best of Jazz

Best Jazz Albums of 2023

The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2023” list. The selection is divided into albums featuring solos, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets, and larger ensembles, with three selections per category, for a total of 21 albums. We also added one category for “Artist of the Year”, and one for “Archive of the Year”, thereby adding two albums to the final selection, for a grand total of 23 albums that sum up how great 2023 was for jazz.

Discover now the Best jazz 2025 (so far)

The Best Christmas Jazz Albums

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration—and of course, music! What better way to get into the festive spirit than with some jazz-infused Christmas tunes?

Jazz and Christmas music have been intertwined for decades, with many jazz musicians putting their own spin on classic holiday songs. From the legendary Vince Guaraldi Trio’s iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas to the sultry vocals of Diana Krall’s Christmas Songs, there are plenty of jazz Christmas albums to fill your home with the perfect ambiance.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 Best Christmas Jazz Albums that are sure to bring some cheer and warmth to your holiday season. So, sit back, relax, and let these timeless Christmas jazz albums transport you to a winter wonderland, filled with jazz-infused holiday cheer!

The 10 Best British Jazz Albums

Jazz is an American art form, and its roots are deeply embedded in the history and culture of the United States. However, across the pond, there has long been a thriving jazz scene, played out in smoky bars from The Shim Sham to The Flamingo Club and Ronnie Scott’s. From the swinging sounds of the 1960s to the jazz fusion revival of recent years, these 10 best British jazz albums reflect the depth and diversity of the British jazz scene, showcasing the immense talent and originality of some of its renowned musical stars.

The Best Thelonious Monk Albums

Thelonious Sphere Monk was a pioneer of modern jazz music. Known for his eccentricity and improvisational impishness, Monk’s performances said as much with their silences as the raw chords that dominated some of the more stripped-back ballads.

Monk was also one of the most prolific composers in the history of jazz. Throughout his career, he recorded albums for labels including Blue Note, Prestige Records, and Riverside Records. Somehow, we’ve managed to unpick all of those releases to find The Mad Monk’s 10 of the best.

Jazz October 2023

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.

The 10 Best Bill Evans Albums

Bill Evans’ greatest talent was his unparalleled ability to convey emotion through his music. What stands out most about listening to his records today is the emotional breadth his piano reaches. Evans had depth in a way no other jazz musician did. His mature style, nuanced touch and widely imitated sound have left an indelible mark on the jazz landscape. Today, we revisit the 10 albums that put Bill Evans on the jazz map forever.

Left-Handed Jazz Guitarists (& Blues)

Have you ever wondered whether left-handed people are smarter than right-handed ones? You might have even heard people say that left-handers are more creative, as most of them use their “right brain.” This might sound like a plausible explanation that makes you say “Yes” to the posed question. However, you would be wrong if your answer is a simple “Yes.” This argument might just be a myth.

The 10 Best Jazz Pianists

Here we celebrate the virtuosity, innovation and (sometimes frustrating) brilliance of jazz pianists. Throughout over a century of the genre, the piano has been a canvas for former child prodigies, creative geniuses and unconventional boundary pushers.

There have been so many incredible jazz pianists who have left an enduring mark on the genre over the years. Therefore, it is very difficult to leave out masters of the craft such as Bill Evans, Bud Powell, Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, plus countless others.

One, then, must resort to personal preference. It is with this that we present 10 of the very best jazz pianists to have graced the ivories.

Jazz September 2023

What should you expect from jazz this month? Welcome to our September 2023 (and a little of August actually) 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.

James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet For Mahalia With Love

For Mahalia, With Love – James Brandon Lewis, Red Lily Quintet

For Mahalia, With Love is a Mahalia Jackson tribute album by saxophonist James Brandon Lewis and his Red Lily Quintet with Kirk Knuffke on cornet, William Parker on bass, Chad Taylor on drums, and Chris Hoffman on cello. For Mahalia, With Love was recorded at Skyline Studios, New Jersey, and will be released on September 8, 2023, by TAO Forms.