A colorful collection, full of pleasant surprises, comes as the outro of a hard year, mainly characterized by lots of small/independent productions, reissues and previously unreleased historical recordings, something that will probably continue this year as well.
Let’s wish that this period of forced introversion for musicians will lead to a future explosion of artistic creativity!
Enjoy the playlist on music streaming services:
(misses one track)
Information about the 19 albums contributing to the playlist:
ERJ Orchestra – Cedar’s Blues
Genre: Contemporary jazz, Big Band
Label: Camera Jazz Record Sessions
Place: Italy
Reviews: CameraJazzClub
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Let’s warm up with ERJ Orchestra, a quality band that works on tradition
Moose the Mooch – King of the Castle
Genre: Jazz-hop, funk
Label: Moosemania
Place:
Reviews:
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
There is no information available about this album, we simply trust our ears
Will Bonness – Change of Plans
Genre: Contemporary jazz, vocal
Label: Will Bonness Music
Place: Manitoba, Canada
Reviews: JazzWeekly, OrangeGroovePublicity
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
An interesting, energetic quintet, by pianist/composer, professor Will Bonness, featuring Jon Gordon (as), Julian Bradford (b), Fabio Ragnelli (dr), Jocelyn Gould (voc)
Aaron Burnett & The Big Machine – Jupiter Conjunct
Genre: Modern jazz
Label: Fresh Sound New Talent
Place: USA
Reviews: JazzTrail, Glidemagazine
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Holding important credentials, saxophonist Aaron Burnett, on his second album, presents a modern concept together with notable, new generation musicians: Adam O’Farrill (tp), Joel Ross (vib), Carlos Homs (p), Nick Jozwiak (b), Kush Abadey (dr), Esperanza Spalding (voc. #3,9)
Saxappeal – Black Gold
Genre: Smooth jazz, hip-hop, funk, R&B/Soul
Label: EVRY Music
Place: Detroit
Reviews: SoulBounce, SaxDacota (interview)
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Smooth jazz with a fresh beat, by saxophonist LaDarrel Johnson who tells us he has something for everyone
Marya Lawrence – Paying the Bills
Genre: Vocal jazz, Soul
Label: Marya Lawrence / Madamorphosis Music
Place: NY
Reviews: About
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Marya Lawrence, with her pretty voice, her cheerful temperament and the contribution of her brother, saxophonist and flutist Erik Lawrence, pays tribute to “Bills” (Billy Holliday, Bill Withers, Bill “Count” Basie, Bill Preston and Billie Eckstine).
The two different groups also include some famous musicians who were friends with her father, saxophonist Arnie Lawrence.
Larry Goldings (p), Peter Bernstein (g), Cameron Brown (b), Ben Perowsky (dr), or Grégoire Maret (harm), Freddie Bryant (g), Jennifer Vincent (b), Mino Cinelu (perc)
János Löber – Cherry Blossom
Genre: Contemporary jazz, post-bop, modern jazz
Label: recordJet
Place: Cologne, Germany
Reviews:
Listen: Bandcamp, Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Trumpeter János Löber’s youthful sextet does not lack moments of inspiration
The Royal Bopsters – Party of Four
Genre: Vocal jazz
Label: Motema
Place: New Jersey
Reviews: LondonJazzNews, GlideMagazine
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Royal Bopsters (Amy London, Holli Ross, Pete McGuinness, Dylan Pramuk) showcase the art of the vocal bop quartet, accompanied by Steve Schmidt (p), Cameron Brown (b), Steve Williams (dr), Steven Kroon (perc) and 91 y.o. Sheila Jordan (#4), Bob Dorough (#8), Christian McBride (#2,7) as guests
inDOLPHYlités – inDOLPHYlités
Genre: Modern jazz, avant-garde
Label: Arfi
Place: Lyon, FR
Reviews: Citizenjazz, JazzLyon
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
A creative approach, as befits Eric Dolphy’s music, by a group from the historical ARFICollectif (Association à la Recherche d’un Folklore Imaginaire – est. 1977, Lyon).
Clément Gibert (cl, bcl, as), Guillaume Grenard (tp, flh, fl), Mélissa Acchiardi (vib), Christophe Gauvet (b), Christian Rollet (dr)
Kobi Arad Band – Sketches of Monk
Genre: New jazz, fusion
Label: GMP Inc.
Place: NY
Reviews:
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
An album without any promotion, by Israeli pianist Kobi Arad’s electric trio, that rhythmically and harmonically modernizes Thelonius Monk’s compositions
Terrace Martin – Village Days
Genre: New jazz, neo-soul, hip-hop
Label: Sounds of Crenshaw / EMPIRE
Place: LA
Reviews: SoulBounce
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Famous producer, saxophonist/musician Terrace Martin‘s latest EP is inspired by his homeland
Nicole McCabe – Introducing Nicole McCabe
Genre: Contemporary jazz, post-bop
Label: Minaret Records
Place: LA
Reviews: DebbieBurkeAuthor
Listen: Bandcamp, Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Dexterity and advanced vocabulary, by talented Nicole McCabe on her debut album, together with her mentor George Colligan (p) and Jon Lakey (b), Alan Jones (dr), Charlie Porter (tr. – #3,5,6)
Lori Williams – A New Book
Genre: R&B/Soul, Smooth jazz
Label: LoriJazz-CSI
Place: Washington, D.C.
Reviews:
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Lori Williams’ deep, warm and sensual voice is quite reminiscent of Maysa’s and can cause similar effects
Subway Jazz Orchestra – Still Screaming
Genre: Contemporary big band jazz
Label: Galileo Music Communication
Place: Cologne, DE
Reviews: JazzImSubway
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Original compositions and arrangements, by the Subway Jazz Orchestra on their fourth album
Theresia Philipp – Pollon with Strings
Genre: Modern jazz, avant-garde
Label: Galileo Music Communication
Place: Cologne, DE
Reviews: NRWjazz
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
A sophisticated project including strings, from the winner of “2020 Cologne Jazz Prize”, saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Theresia Philipp, featuring David Helm (b), Thomas Sauerborn (dr), Axel Lindner (vl), Radek Stawarz (vla) and Elisabeth Coudoux (vlc)
R-Kay – Ivory
Genre: Neo-soul, rap/hip-hop
Label: Rhythm & Reason
Place: London
Reviews: InSearchOfMedia
Listen: Bandcamp, Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Today’s grooves painted with jazzy colors, by producer/musician R-Kay on his debut album
Kei Matsumaru – Nothing Unspoken Under The Sun
Genre: Modern jazz, free-bop
Label: SOMETHIN’COOL
Place: Tokyo
Reviews: DiskUnion
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
“Genious with a strong personality”, winner of a 2018 Downbeat competition, 25-year-old saxophonist (alto, soprano) Kei Matsumaru uses the modern language of jazz to offer substance and spectacle, in a mature and charming second album, along with Akira Ishii (p), Hideaki Kanazawa (b), Shun Ishiwaka (dr, perc). – Five stars from modernjazz.gr!
Julia Werup – The Thrill of Loving You
Genre: Vocal jazz, new jazz
Label: Stunt Records
Place: Copenhagen
Reviews: JazzViews, UKpromotion
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
“Cool modern interpretations and new arrangements of classic jazz standards, with an electronic and fresh touch” by Julia Werup (voc), Sven-Erik Lundequist (p), Johnny Åman (b), Thomas Blachman (dr, el.prog)
Louis Dowdeswell, Callum Au – Louis & Cal’s On Stage!
Genre: Contemporary jazz, Big Band
Label: Louis & Cal’s
Place: London
Reviews:
Listen: Deezer, Spotify, YouTube
Classic mainstream jazz, by the high-performance trumpeter Louis Dowdeswell and the super band of the rising band-leader, composer, arranger, trombonist Callum Au
Enjoy the playlist on music streaming services:
(misses one track)
More new releases are listed below (links to Deezer)
TRUMPETERS
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Matthew Halsall – Salute to the Sun (Gondwana)
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Dave Scott – Ambiguity (SteepleChase)[Rich Perry, Gary Versace, John Hebert, Billy Mintz]
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Cyrus Nabipoor – Live at the Marigny Opera House
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J-Sound – Loose Tongue
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Ndabo Zulu, Umgidi Ensemble – Queen Nandi: The African Symphony(ft. Nduduzo Makhathini, Zoë Modiga..)
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Nate Birkey Quintet – Indelibly You
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Yazz Ahmed – Polyhymnia Remixed
SAXOPHONISTS, CLARINETISTS, FLUTISTS
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Chris Potter – There is a Tide (Edition)
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The Kaleidoscope Quintet – Dancing On The Edge[ Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Tony Marino, Michael Stephans, Judi Silvano]
- Noah Preminger – Contemptment (SteepleChase)
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Matana Roberts & Pat Thomas – The Truth
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Sabir Mateen – Creation
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Paquito D’Rivera – Cariberian
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Jeff Ellwood – The Sounds Around the House
[Alan Pasqua, Darek Oles, Joe Labarbera, Bob Sheppard] -
Yuri Honing, Wolfert Brederode – Avalon Songs (Challenge)
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Ingrid Laubrock – Dreamt Twice, Twice Dreamt (Intakt)
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Ian Hendrickson-Smith – The Lowdown (Cellar Live)[Cory Weeds, Rick Germanson, John Webber, Joe Farnsworth]
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Tom Smith – Gecko (Basho)
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Tom Keenlyside (fl) – The Fortune Teller (Cellar Live)
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Toine Thys – Orlando
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Sylwester Ostrowski – Jammin’ with KC
(ft. Bobby Watson, Logan Richardson, ..) - SaxShop – Sax Sells
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Jesse Ryan – Bridges
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Stephen Riley – Friday the 13th (SteepleChase)[Kirk Knuffke, Jay Anderson, Billy Drummond]
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Santi de la Rubia – Changes (Fresh Sound New Talent)[Vinícius Gomes, Doug Weiss, Jorge Rossy]
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Sylvain Rifflet – Rebellion(s)(ft. Jon Irabagon . .)
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(ft. Jorge Rossy . . )
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Martín Diaz – Identities (Fresh Sound New Talent)
TROMBONISTS, TUBISTS
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Clifton Anderson – Been Down This Road Before
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Mariel Bildsten – Backbone (Outside in Music)(ft. Stacy Dillard, Ben Wolfe, ..)
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Papo Vazquez, Mighty Pirates Troubadours – Chapter 10: Breaking Cover
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Jeff Bradshaw – Stronger
(ft. Robert Glasper, ..) -
Rafa M. Guillén & The Jazz Walkers – Shining Forever
GUITARISTS
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The Nels Cline Singers – Share The Wealth (Blue Note)
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Alex Wintz – Live to Tape (Outside in Music)
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George Benson – Weekend in London (Live)
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Lee Ritenour – Dreamcatcher
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Peter Bernstein & Guido Di Leone quartet – Tribute to Jim Hall
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Vic Juris – Let’s Cool One (SteepleChase)[Gary Versace, Jay Anderson, John Riley]
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Andrew Green – Dime Dancing: The Music of Steely Dan (Shifting Paradigm)
PIANISTS, KEYBOARDISTS
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Mark de Clive-Lowe – Dreamweavers
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Fred Hersch – Songs from Home (Palmetto)
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Gary Versace – All for Now (SteepleChase)
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Stanley Cowell – Live at Keystone Korner Baltimore (SteepleChase)
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Manoel Vieira – Rhizome (Effendi)
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Mário Laginha – Atlântico[Julian Argüelles, Helge Andreas Norbakken]
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Pablo Held – Descent (Edition)
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Eric Reed – For Such a Time as This
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Ben Sidran – Who’s the Old Guy Now (Bonsaï)
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Alan Pasqua – Day Dream
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Justin Lee Schultz – Gruv Kid (Shanachie)
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Pierre de Bethmann Trio – Essais, Volume 4 (Losen)
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Brian Culbertson – Music from The Hang
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Lisa Hilton – More Than Another Day
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Mark Soskin – Everything Old Is New Again (SteepleChase)(ft. Mat Wilson, ..)
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Yosuke Yamashita – QUIET MEMORIES
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Guido Manusardi – Leah
BASSISTS
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Michael Feinberg – From Where We Came (SteepleChase)
(ft. Dave Liebman, Noah Preminger, Garry Versace, ..) -
Steve LaSpina – A Change in the Weather (SteepleChase)
[Joel Frahm, Luis Perdomo, Eric Mcpherson] -
David Friesen – Testimony (Origin)
(ft. National Academic Symphonic Band of Ukraine) -
Richard Whiteman – Very Well and Good (Cornerstone)(ft. Pat Labarbera, ..)
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Marcus Miller – Safety (Original Soundtrack)
DRUMMERS, PERCUSSIONISTS
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Yussef Dayes – Welcome to the Hills
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Giuseppe D’Ambrosio – A Peaceful Place
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Marilyn Mazur – Live Reflections
(ft. Petter Molvaer) -
Jeff Williams – Road Tales (Live at London Jazz Festival) (Whirlwind)
[Josh Arcoleo, Sam Lasserson, John O’Gallagher] -
Rob Garcia – Illumination (Fresh Sound New Talent)[John O’Gallagher, Noah Preminger, Marcos Varela]
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Aldo Romano – Reborn
(ft. Enrico Rava..) -
Raphaël Pannier Quartet – Faune
[Miguel Zenón, Aaron Goldberg / Giorgi Mikadze, François Moutin] -
Piotr Budniak Essential Group – Heart, Mind & Spirit
VIBRAPHONIST
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Lewis Wright, Matt Brewer, Marcus Gilmore – The Colour of Intention
VIOLINISTS, CELLISTS
HARMONICISTS/ACCORDIONISTS
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Max De Aloe Quartet – Just for One Day (The Music Around David Bowie)
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Frederic Viale – L’envol (Diapason)
HARPISTS
- Tori Handsley – As We Stand (Cadillac)
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Riza Printup, Marcus Printup – Gentle Rain
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Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger – Force Majeure
VOCALISTS
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Becca Stevens – Pallet on Your Floor
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Elina Duni – Lost Ships (ECM)
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Camille Bertault – Le tigre
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Götz Alsmann – L.I.E.B.E. (Blue Note)
- Gregg Arthur – Jazz & Cocktails (Australian Broadcasting Corp)
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Juan Ramon – Lo Mejor De Sinatra
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Ellen Andersson – You Should Have Told Me (Naxos)
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Kristin Berardi – Haven
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Roderick Harper – Evolving
(ft. Ellis Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Jamison Ross, ..) -
Kristiana Roemer – House of Mirrors (Sunnyside)
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Brenda Alford – Messages…Songs for the Soul
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Lucia Cadotsch – Speak Low II (We Jazz)
BIG BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES
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Ed Palermo Big Band – The Great Un-American Songbook, Vol. III
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Florian Ross, WDR Big Band – Front & Center
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UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra – Music of Haarla, Heinilä, Kasurinen & Rönkä
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AP Big Band – Plays Radiohead
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Michael Davis – Brass Nation (20th Anniversary Special Edition)(ft. Randy Brecker, Lew Soloff, Tim Hagans ..)
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Sointi Jazz Orchestra – Kolibri
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The Blueshift Big Band – The Blueshift Big Band
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The Steve Spiegl Big Band – The Steve Spiegl Big Band: the LA Sessions at Capitol Studios
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Cotatcha Orchestra – Bigbandová elektronika
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Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra – Sonder (Modest Room/Sony)
(ft. Alex Sipiagin) -
Nublu Orchestra, Butch Morris – Live in Skopje
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Sam Siefert Ensemble Project – Of Where We Are and Where We Got so Far
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Keith Tippett – The Monk Watches the Eagle
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Søyr – Bussene Lengter Hjem (Curling Legs)
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HOT Het Orgel Trio & Brass – Reflections of Duke
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Silvije Glojnaric, Jazz Orkestar HRT-a – MUSIC CONVERSATION (Croatia)
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Maxime Bender Orchestra – Fellowship
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Sant Andreu Jazz Band – Jazzing 10 Vol.3
GROUPS
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Will Vinson, Gilad Hekselman, Antonio Sanchez – Trio Grande
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Yellowjackets, WDR Big Band – Jackets XL
- Avgenicos Brothers (tp, sax) – Treading Water (Earshift)
- Diego Donati (g) – CAPPOLI Ensemble – A Portrait of Radiohead
- EABS – Discipline of Sun Ra
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Anthropic Neglect – Anthropic Neglect (Clean Feed)
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Old School Funky Family – Tonus !
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Cortex – Legal Tender (Clean Feed)
- Emanuel Ruffler, Rashaan Carter, Timothy Angulo – Three Words to Thrive (Enja)
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Submotion Orchestra – Unplugged Vol i
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Derupeto – Derupeto
BEATS, GROOVES & MOODS, SOUNDTRACKS, DJs, PRODUCERS
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Analog Players Society – Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film (Ropeadope)
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Ambient Jazz Ensemble – Aura (Here & Now)
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David Binney (sax) – Aerial
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Liv.E – Couldn’t Wait to Tell You…
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André gonçalves – Instrumentals (Clean Feed)
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Marc Cary (p) – Twi Light Rhythms and Chants
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GODTET – III
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Brotherly – Analects (Whirlwind)
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Parov Stelar – Voodoo Sonic (The Album)
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Jahari Massamba Unit – Pardon My French
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Buscemi – Eight Notes In Blue (Remixed By Buscemi)
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Hifilo – Speak Your Name
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Tiago Frúgoli Ensemble – Casa Remixes (Deluxe)
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Evan Shay – New Normal
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LVDS – Golden Days
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Pink Siifu – FlySiifu’s
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Don Glori – Dawn Calling
- Branford Marsalis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Music from the Netflix Film)
- RAfeeki – RAfeeki
GREEK ARTISTS
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Tania Giannouli Trio – In Fading Light (Rattle)[Andreas Polyzogopoulos, Kyriakos Tapakis]
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Maria Manousaki – Sole Voyage (Pkmusic)(ft. Petros Klampanis, Shai Maestro, ..)
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Savina Yannatou – Ways of Notseeing
Extra bonus material here: The Critics’ Choices!
Download a table containing 358 albums that appeared on 49 different lists titled “BEST JAZZ RELEASES OF 2020” on the web
Happy, Jazzy and Covid-free New Year!
Imitonios