Improvisation Archives - Best of Jazz

All posts tagged “Improvisation”

David Maranha, Rodrigo Amado – Wrecks

Wrecks is a duet album by David Maranha and Rodrigo Amado. It was recorded at Escola do Largo in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 4th, 2023, during a special evening dedicated to duets, and released on October 25, 2024, by Nariz Entupido.

Cecil Taylor – The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert

The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert is the full recording of the live performance Cecil Taylor gave in 1973 after a five years hiatus, for which he reunited the Unit members, Jimmy Lyons on alto saxophone and Andrew Cyrille on percussion, plus the addition of Sirone on bass. The concert was recorded at the Town Hall, New York City on November 4, 1973, and was released on February 15, 2022, on Oblivion Records.

Spam Likely by Jessica Pavone, Lukas Koenig, Matt Mottel

Jessica Pavone, Lukas Koenig, Matt Mottel – Spam Likely

Spam Likely is the first release by the trio made up of Jessica Pavone on viola and electronics, Lukas Koenig on drums, and Matt Mottel on keytar and three-string guitar. Spam Likely was recorded in September 2019 by John Epperly at Metropolitan Sound, in Brooklyn, New York, and it was released on September 16, 2022, via 577 Records.

gabby fluke-mogul – LOVE SONGS

LOVE SONGS is a violin solo album by gabby fluke-mogul. It was recorded at GSI Studios in New York City, on July 22, 2021, and it will be released on June 10, 2022, by Relative Pitch Records.

Miles Okazaki – Thisness

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.

(D)IVO Saxophone Quartet – (D)IVO

(D)IVO is an album by the (D)IVO Saxophone Quartet, comprised of saxophonists Ivo Perelman, Tony Malaby, Tim Berne, and James Carter on tenor, soprano, alto, and baritone, respectively. (D)IVO was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jim Clouse at Park West Studios, in Brooklyn, New York, in January 2022, and it was released on February 18, 2022, by Mahakala Music.

ORD – Hemligheter på vägen

Hemligheter på vägen is the first release by ORD, a jazz quintet formed a few years ago and led by pianist Karin Johansson–who also acts here as composer and arranger. The album was recorded in 2019 by Oskar Johnsen Rydh in Sweden and released by Havtorn Records on March 21, 2022, which was World Poetry Day.

Natsuki Tamura – Summer Tree

Summer Tree is a solo album by trumpeter and composer Natsuki Tamura. For the first time, Tamura overdubbed himself on this album, thereby creating “dense, richly textured pieces.” The album was recorded by Natsuki Tamura at his home in Kobe City, Japan in August 2021, and it was released on February 11, 2022, by Libra Records.

How Can I Identify Jazz Music?

Jazz music has been influenced by nearly every musical genre, from blues to rock and classical. This results in a diverse range of jazz genres (i.e., subgenres).

Nearly all forms of jazz (e.g., swing, big band, bebop, and cool jazz), are united by a few central elements that can help you identify them as jazz:

What Exactly is Jazz?

Jazz music is a broad musical style distinguished by complex harmony, syncopated rhythms, and a strong emphasis on improvisation. It is a musical style that originated in the early 20th century—primarily among African-Americans—and is characterized by improvisation and rhythmic invention at its core.