In this post, we take a closer look at the Best Jazz Albums of 2009—another year filled with remarkable releases. From bold innovations to standout performances, these albums capture the diversity and creative spirit of jazz. We’re thrilled to present this selection and invite you to explore the music that made 2009 a standout year for jazz:
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We can already tell that the end-of-year selection for 2025 is going to be a tough call, especially in the duet category. During the first three months of the year—January, February, and March—an overwhelming number of outstanding duo albums have been released. This is great news for us–jazz enthusiasts–but it also means we will face a real challenge when the time comes to decide which ones stand out the most (though isn’t that always the case?).
This year’s opening quarter has set a high bar. In this post, we will explore the albums that have already captured our attention and perhaps set the tone for the rest of the year. So, here it is, our selection of jazz for January, February, & March 2025.
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The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2024” list. The selection is divided into albums featuring solos, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and larger ensembles, with three selections per category, for a total of 18 albums. We also have 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 20 albums that sum up how great 2024 was for jazz.
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In this post, we highlight the Best Jazz Albums of 2012—each one offering a unique experience that has made a significant impact on the world of jazz.
Rather than ranking them, we want to celebrate the exceptional talent of the artists behind these remarkable albums. They showcase a variety of styles and sounds that truly capture the essence of jazz. We’re eager to hear your thoughts on this collection, so please feel free to share your feedback. If you have any suggestions for albums that should be included, we’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!
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To be a musician is to have authenticity. Amidst myriads of notable contemporary artists, pioneering jazz guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi has checked that box from the onset of his emergence in the jazz music scene. His sincere love for music led him to find his niche where he weaves the stories of ancient rhythms through the lens of modern sensibility. Music is more than sound in his world. It’s an intricate and entwined net of traditional and innovative ideas. Abbasi’s virtuosic improvisation on the guitar has made him one of the most distinctive and stylistic guitarists in the contemporary jazz scene.
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Compassion is the second release by the Vijay Iyer Trio, featuring Linda May Han Oh on double bass and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. The 12 tracks were recorded in May 2022 at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon, New York, and the album was produced by Vijay Iyer and Manfred Eicher. Compassion was released on February 2, 2024, on ECM.
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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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Prepare to immerse yourself in the enchanting sounds of Indo Jazz. With its mesmerizing amalgamation of Indian classical music’s rich traditions and the improvisational spirit of jazz, Indo Jazz has birthed a treasure trove of remarkable albums over the years.
We will uncover here for you the 10 Best Indo Jazz Albums that have captivated audiences and pushed the boundaries of musical expression. From the soulful melodies of Indian ragas intertwining with the grooves of jazz rhythms to the spellbinding improvisations that transcend borders, each album on this list represents a unique fusion masterpiece. So let’s delve into these extraordinary albums:
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The March 2023 selection will start as a list, without review.
Yes, it’s a bit raw. But this month looks so good, there’s no point in waiting at the risk of missing the releases of the following albums; our inputs or reviews will come later.
So, what should you expect from jazz this month? Welcome to our March 2023 selection of albums that have already been released or will soon be released this month (“What to Wait For”). These albums got our full attention and are worth your time. They are listed in order of release date.
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The first album with this line-up (Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, & Tyshawn Sorey), UnEasy, is another beautiful ECM album. It was recorded in Mount Vernon, New York (Oktaven Audio Studio) in December 2019.
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