Goal achieved once more! We’ve curated 18 tracks from Q1 2026, woven into a unified set with all the background info needed for a total acoustic experience. From world music to avant-garde and rap/hip-hop, the spirit of jazz is alive and making a statement. Enjoy!
What we need to know
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Stefano Bollani All Stars – Tutta Vita Live (Alobar/Ponderosa Music Records)
World Jazz, Italy
Track: Yerakina (Live)
Info: Google AI, UmbriaJazz
Italian jazz legends unite in a live performance, taking us on a joyful journey through world music. Featured in our list is “Yerakina”, the famous Greek traditional piece in a septuple meter (7/8).
Stefano Bollani (p), Enrico Rava (tp), Paolo Fresu (tp), Daniele Sepe (ts, ss, fl), Ares Tavolazzi (b), Roberto Gatto (dr), Christian Mascetta (g). Vocals: soprano Frida Bollani Magoni
Nicole McCabe – Color Theory (Birdwatcher Records)
Modern Jazz, Post-bop, Los Angeles
Tracks: Air Sign, Hype Mter
Info: Bandcamp, Modernjazz.gr, Google AI
Following the rave review by modernjazz.gr, two tracks from this album are essential additions to our collection.
Nicole McCabe (as), Yvonne Rogers (p, synths), Kanoa Mendenhall (b), Eliza Salem (dr) .. Special guest: Adam O’Farrill (tp)
Django Festival Allstars – Evolution (Motéma Music)
Nouvelle Gypsy Jazz, Swing Jazz, France
Track: Rire Avec Charlie
Info: Bandcamp, Google AI
Original compositions that emphatically define the “evolution” of Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy Swing, delivered by virtuosos Samson Schmitt (G), Ludovic Beier (acc), Pierre Blanchard (vln), Francko Mehrstein (g), Antonio Licusati (b) and their devilish energy!
Lindsey Webster – Music In Me (Shanachie Entertainment)
Smooth Jazz, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, New York
Track: Time On You (feat. Keyon Harrol)
Info: Paris-move, Google AI
A high-spec contemporary production by the experts of this often-misunderstood commercial genre. Featuring Lindsey Webster (voc)
Ari Bragi Kárason – Unclear Family (AMM)
Jazz Standards, Iceland
Track: You Don’t Know What Love Is
Info: PrestoMusic, Google AI
A profound love for tradition, balanced with necessary harmonic interventions and exemplary solos.
Ari Bragi Kárason (tp), Karl-Martin Almqvist (ts), Rasmus Sørensen (p), Matthias Petri (b), Anders Mogensen (dr)
Quinsin Nachoff – Patterns from Nature (Whirlwind Recordings)
Modern Jazz, Contemporary Classical, New Music, London
Track: Winding Tessellations III. Tessellations
Info: Bandcamp, Google AI
Things get “dangerously” serious here, meeting the rigorous demands of High Musical Art. Featuring saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff’s 12-piece ensemble and the Molinari String Quartet.
Larry June, Curren$y & The Alchemist – Spiral Staircases (EMPIRE)
Drumless Jazz Rap, Alt. Hip Hop, Lifestyle Rap, Bay Area/New Orleans
Track: Spiral Staircases
Info: ShatterTheStandards, Google AI
A collaboration between three rappers / producers who, through sophisticated musical resources exorcise the emerging existential void, averting the visible risk of collapse
Kate Kortum – Wild Woman Tells All (Bandstand Presents/La Reserve Records)
Vocal Jazz, Classic swing, Big Band, Broadway Jazz, Houston TX/New York
Track: Lucky To Be Me
Info: Downbeat, Google AI
Rising star Kate Kortum displays exceptional vocal gifts, having rightfully earned first prize at the recent “2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.”
Maarja Aarma MA – Fall Into Love (Playground Music)
Smooth Jazz, Vocal Pop, Neo-Soul, Scandinavian Jazz, Estonia
Track: Lighter
Info: PiletiKescus, Google AI
“Jazz-infused pop music” by Maarja Aarma, who makes a winning impression
Arturo Serra – Evening Light (Fresh Sound Records)
Post-Bop, Vibraphone Jazz, Valencia/Barcelona
Track: Naima Eyes
Info: FreshSoundRecords
Classic jazz style, featuring worthy contributors and a traceable Mediterranean lyricism.
Arturo Serra (vbr), Perico Sambeat (as, ss), Albert Palau (p), Daniel Frank (b), Martin Andersen (dr)
Criolo, Amaro Freitas, Dino d’Santiago – CRIOLO, AMARO E DINO (Criolo Produções)
Afro-Luso Fusion, Brazilian Hip-Hop, Contemporary Jazz, MPB, Lisbon/Rio de Janeiro
Track: E Se Livros Fossem Líquidos_ (Poeta Fora da Lei Pt II)
Info: Google AI, KEXP
Afro-Brazilian rhythms underpinned by a meticulously crafted and lavish production from the -evidently successful- collaboration between Criolo (rap, Brazil), Amaro Freitas (p, Brazil), και Dino d’Santiago (voc, Cape Verde)
Meg Okura & Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble – Isaiah (Adhyâropa Records)
Jazz Fusion, Chamber Jazz, World Jazz, Japan/New York
Track: African Skies
Info: Google AI, AllaboutJazz, JazzTrail, Popmatters
A highly significant work highlighting the fitting use of “Japanese tonality” within a robust jazz environment, following in the footsteps of Michael Brecker.
Featuring Meg Okura (vln), the ten-piece Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and guests Randy Brecker (tp) -whose solo on “African Skies” is a distillate of wisdom- and Sam Sadigursky (cl), Remy Le Boeuf (as), Brian Marsella (p), Anne Drummond (fl), Sam Newsome (ss), Rogério Boccato (perc)
Witch Prophet – Words Are Spells, Thoughts Are Magic (Heart Lake Records)
Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B, Trip Hop, East African Traditions, Toronto
Track: Akisté
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp
Modern lounge now has many sophisticated tools at its disposal. Featuring Witch Prophet.
Kris Davis & Lutosławski Quartet – The Solastalgia Suite (Pyroclastic Records)
Third Stream, Chamber Jazz, Avant-Garde, New York
Track: Interlude
Info: Google AI, ArtsFuse, Paris-move, AllAboutJazz
Critics’ favorite, avant-garde pianist Kris Davis, tests her considerable compositional skills with the help of the Lutosławski Quartet and the necessary ideological framing. This will undoubtedly be featured in the “Best Jazz Albums of 2026” lists.
WAAN – We Want WAAN (Sonar Kollektiv)
Future Jazz, Nu-Jazz, Electronic Jazz, Hip-Hop, Netherlands
Track: Been Blue (feat. Ivy Sole)
Info: Google AI, SonarKollektiv
A fusion logic tailored to today’s needs, delivered by WAAN.
Elegant People, Lo Greco Bros, Soulstance – People Get The Music (Irma Records)
Jazz Fusion, Soul Jazz, Electric Funk, Italy
Track: Play The Funky Music
Info: Google AI
The famous duo of brothers Enzo and Gianni Lo Greco ceaselessly produce high-quality jazz grooves, indifferent to originality
Namas – Tonight (Dooinit Music)
Post-Jazz, Nu-Jazz, Jazz-hop, France
Track: Tonight
Info: Bandcamp, BlueInGreenRadio
A rhythmic and atmospheric trio, Namas –comprising Gaël Bourgeault (p, synths), Léo Debroise (b), and Victor Dubois (dr)- that does not lack harmonic interest.
MORE NEW RELEASES
VOCALISTS
- Viktoria Tolstoy & Jacob Karlzon – Who We Are (ACT)
- Roderick Harper – Confidence
- Nils Landgren – Love of My Life (ACT)
Ft. Vince Mendoza, Ida Sand, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra - Lisanne Lyons – May I Come In (OA2)
- Jacob Collier – Something Heavy
- Andrea Motis – Intimate
- Julia Danielle & John Di Martino’s Romantic Jazz Trio – Watch What Happens
- Lois Deloatch, Nnenna Freelon, Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Kate McGarry – The Sistering
- Ana Carla Maza – Alamar
- Chie Ayado – UMAMI
TRUMPETERS
- Palle Mikkelborg – Light
- Dave Douglas – Four Freedoms (Greenleaf)
- Ingrid Jensen – Landings (Newvelle)
Ft. Gary Versace, Marvin Sewell, Jon Wikan, George Coleman - Alba Careta – Panical (Microscopi)
- Adam O’Farrill – ELEPHANT (Out Of Your Head)
- Brian Lynch, Charles McPherson – Torch Bearers (Hollistic MusicWorks)
Ft. Samara Joy, Orrin Evans, Boris Kozlov, Kyle Swan, .. - Jeremy Pelt – Our Community Will Not Be Erased (HighNote)
Ft. Orrin Evans, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Lasse Corson - Bria Skonberg – Brass (Cellar Live)
- Peter Somuah – Walking Distance (ACT)
- Dave Adewumi – The Flame Beneath the Silence
Ft. Joel Ross, Linda May Han Oh, Marcus Gilmore - Rémi Cormier – Rich State of Mind
Ft. Braxton Cook, David Binney, .. - Marquis Hill – (Beautifulism) Sweet Surrender
Ft. Junius Paul, Marcus Gilmore, Makaya McCraven, Immanuel Wilkins, .. - Kirk Knuffke – Brother (SteepleChase)
SAXOPHONISTS, CLARINETISTS, FLUTISTS
- John Ellis & Double Wide – Fireball (Sunnyside)
Ft. Alan Ferber, Gary Versace, Jason Marsalis, .. - Angelika Niescier – Chicago Tapes
Ft. Nicole Mitchell, Dave Rempis, Luke Stewart, .. - Joe Lovano, Winston Salem Symphony & Michelle Merrill – a raft, the sky, the wild sea
- Melissa Aldana – Filin (Blue Note)
Ft. Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Washington, Kush Abadey, Cécile McLorin Salvant - Johannes Enders – Standard Questions (enja yellowbird)
- Bob Reynolds – Eddie Told Me So
- Chad Lefkowitz-Brown – City Spirit (La Reserve)
- Marius Neset, Bergen Big Band, Anton Eger- Time to Live (ACT)
- Immanuel Wilkins – Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 1 (Blue Note)
Ft. Micah Thomas (p), Ryoma Takenaga (b), Kweku Sumbry (dr) - Mark Turner – Patternmaster (ECM)
Ft. Jason Palmer (tp), Joe Martin (b), Jonathan Pinson (dr) - Walter Smith III – Twio Vol. 2 (Blue Note)
Ft. Joe Sanders (b), Kendrick Scott (dr), Ron Carter (b, 5 tracks), Branford Marsalis (ts, 2 tracks) - Shabaka – Of The Earth
- Oded Tzur – Make A Sound
- Alex Hitchcock, Ant Law – House of Light (ZenneZ)
- Yuri Honing, Michiel Borstlap, Joost Lijbaart & Boudewijn Lucas White House (Stunt)
- Mark Lockheart, Huw V Williams & Jay Davis – Shapeshifter
- Caroline Davis – Fallows ((Ropeadope)
- Javon Jackson – Jackson Plays Dylan (Palmetto)
- Noah Preminger, Max Light – Stitching Life
- Ben Wendel – BaRcoDe (Edition)
- Bobby Selvaggio – Red Rhinoceros
TROBONISTS, TUBISTS
- Michael Dease – MSU Jazz Trombones: Spartan Strong (Origin)
- Nick Finzer – Legacy (Extended) [Outside in Music]
Ft. Renee Rosnes, Rufus Reid, Lewis Nash, .. - Nabou – Indigo (Edition)
- Brodie McAllister’s Wattle – Jazz in Meanjin 021 (Live at KEPK)
GUITARISTS, Mandolinists , Oudists
- Julian Lage – Scenes From Above
Ft. John Medeski, Jorge Roeder, Kenny Wollesen - Fred Frith, Karen Stackpole – Nature
- Louis Matute – Dolce Vita (Naive)
- James Muller, Ken Stubbs – BALLADEERS one
- Jesús Ángel – Take the Jazz
- Bill Frisell – In My Dreams (Blue Note)
- John Pizzarelli – Dear Mr. Bennett
- Brandon Seabrook – Hellbent Daydream (Pyroclastic)
- Pat Metheny – Side-Eye III+
- Sandro Fazio & Francesco Bearzatti – Dear Trane (ZenneZ)
- Gabriel Vicéns – Niebla
Ft. Roman Filiú, E.J. Strickland, ..
PIANISTS, KEYBOARDISTS
- Craig Taborn,Tomeka Reid, Ches Smith – Dream Archives (ECM)
- Alfredo Rodriguez – ¡Take Cover!
- Makoto Ozone – For Someone (Universal)
- Julia Hülsmann Octet – While I Was Away (ECM)
- Tigran Hamasyan – Manifeste (naive)
- Gregory Lewis & Ms. Raina – Organ Monk Sings (Introducing Ms. Raina) [Sunnyside]
- John Zorn – The Bagatelles Vol. 6 – Brian Marsella Trio (Tzadik)
- Antonio Faraò & Stéphane Belmondo – Do it!
- Mário Laginha – Retorno
- Terrace Martin – PEACE (Sounds of Crenshaw / EMPIRE)
- Shai Maestro – The Guesthouse (Naive)
Ft. Michael Mayo, Immanuel Wilkins, Philip Dizack, .. - Marilyn Crispell, Anders Jormin – Memento (ECM)
- John Zorn The Bagatelles Vol. 7 – Brian Marsella (Tzadic)
- Omer Klein – The Poetics (XJAZZ!)
Ft. Tineke Postma, .. - Dave Burrell & David Liebman – Reservoir
- Yelena Eckemoff – Rosendals Garden
- Grégory Privat – Darling
- Elan Mehler – Renee Said (Newvelle)
Ft. Loren Stillman, Scott Robinson, Ben Monder, Tony Scherr, Matt Wilson, Francisco Mela - Sylvie Courvoisier Trio – Éclats – Live in Europe (Intakt)
Ft. Drew Gress, Kenny Wollesen
BASSISTS
- Björn Meyer – Convergence (ECM)
- Paddy Fitzgerald – Floot Bird (Dox)
- Shawn Lovato – Biotic (La Reserve)
Ft. Ingrid Laubrock, .. - Thommy Andersson – Shimmering Blue (SteepleChase)
Ft. Kirk Knuffke , .. - Hannah Marshall – Grazing (Relative Pitch)
- Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, Kenny Wheeler – Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler)
Ft. London Vocal Project, Mark Lockheart, Nikki Iles - Stefano Battaglia – One Mile Away
Ft. Milena Casado, Morgan Guerin, .. - Bruno Raberg – Circulus
- Harvie S – Bright Dawn (Origin)
- Michael Formanek – New Digs (Intakt)
Ft. Alexander Hawkins, Mary Halvorson, Tomas Fujiwara, John O’Gallagher, Chet Doxas, João Almeida - Alexander Claffy – Alive in Philadelphia, Vol 1 (Live)
Ft. Seamus Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Kevin Hays, Bill Stewart - Miroslav Vitous, Michel Portal & Jack DeJohnette – Mountain Call (ECM)
Ft. Esperanza Spalding, Bob Mintzer, Gary Campbell, Gerald Cleaver, Czech National Symphony Orchestra - Jasper Høiby – 3Elements: Conversations of Hope
- Flea – Honora (Nonesuch)
DRUMMERS, PERCUSSIONISTS
- Dave Liebman, Billy Hart & Adam Rudolph – Beingness
- Nate Smith – LIVE-ACTION (Deluxe)
- Yussef Dayes – LIVE FROM MT. FUJI (Brownswood)
- Ulysses Owens Jr. – Around The World With U (Cellar Live)
VIBRAFONISTS
- Arturo Serra – Evening Light (Fresh Sound)
Ft. Perico Sambeat, .. - Duarte Ventura – Blurred Image (Fresh Sound New Talent)
- Joel Ross – Gospel Music (Blue Note)
Ft. Josh Johnson, Maria Grand, Jeremy Corren, Kanoa Mendenhal, Jeremy Dutton - David Friedman & Tony Miceli – Glow – a tribute to Dave Samuels (SteepleChase)
ACCORDEONISTS, HARMONICISTS, ..
- Hendrik Meurkens – Samba Tonto (Cellar Live)
HARPISTS
- Laura Perrudin – Tempus
VIOLISTS, VIOLONISTS, CELLISTS
- Tomeka Reid – dance! skip! hop! (Out of Your Head)
Ft. Jason Roebke, Mary Halvorson, Tomas Fujiwara
GROUPS
- John Zorn & Kris Davis Quartet – The Bagatelles Vol. 5 (Tzadik)
Ft. Mary Halvorson, Drew Gress, Kenny Wollesen - John Zorn & The Gnostic Trio – Sing Me Now Asleep
Ft. Bill Frisell, Kenny Wollesen, Carol Emanuel - JJ Whitefield & Forced Meditation – Birth Of Consciousness
- Terrea – Raz (Unit)
- Mammal Hands – Circadia (ACT)
- Brass Mask – Cygnus
- Irreversible Entanglements – Future Present Past (Impulse!/Verve)
BIG BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES
- NDR Bigband – Talking to Béla
- Palle Mikkelborg, Claus Ogerman, Thomas Clausen Trio, Singapore Symphony Orchestra & Jean Thorel – Symbiosis · Tribute to Bill Evans
- Lucas Santana Grand Orchestra, Lucas Figueiredo Santana – Candomblé (Live at Bimhuis, Amsterdam) [Zennez]
- Jan Dintheer Large Ensemble, Jan Dintheer – Tiger’s Den / Jazz Thing Next Generation Vol. 111 (Double Moon)
- Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard – Sweet, Sweet Spirit
- Turku Jazz Orchestra & Henri Lyysaari – The Labyrinth Garden
- Dave Slonaker Big Band – Shifty Paradigms (Origin)
- Oulu All Star Big Band, Ingá-Máret Gaup-Juuso, Jukka Eskola – Davvi Oktavuohta – Pohjoinen yhteys (Eclipse)
- John Zorn’s Olympiad – Curling (Tzadik)
Ft. Rova Saxophone Quartet, William Winant Percussion Group - Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis – We the People
- Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis – Let Freedom Swing
- Erios Jazz Orchestra – Round Wheeler (Da Vinci Jazz)
- Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra – Alkebulan (Outside in Music)
Ft. Sean Jones, Randy Brecker, Veronica Swift, Nicole Zuraitis. Warren Wolf, Lucas Pino, Alex Brown - Metropole Orkest – Arakatak
Ft. Miho Hazama, Vince Mendoza, Donny McCaslin, Tineke Postma, Mark Guiliana, Shai Maestro, Louis Cole, .. - Sant Andreu Jazz Band, Joan Chamorro – Jazzing 16 (Vol.1)
- Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere – Theta Seven (Discus)
- Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra & Sean Irvine – Forgotten Stories Suite
BEATS, DJs & PRODUCERS, GROOVES & MOODS, SOUNDTRACKS ..
- Ilhan Ersahin, Alp Ersönmez, Izzet Kizil, Turgut Alp Bekoglu – Istanbul Sessions: Mahalle
- Kin Gajo – Tsuki 月
- Shake Stew – TEN ONE TWO
- Cory Wong – Lost In The Wonder
- Joabe Reis – Drive Slow – A Última das Fantasias
- Moonchild – Waves
- Mark De Clive-Lowe, Andrea Lombardini, Tommaso Cappellato – Dreamweavers II (Tru Thoughts)
- Jill Scott – To Whom This May Concern
- DJ Harrison – Electrosoul (Stones Throw)
Ft. Yazmin Lacey, Kifer, .. - Neon Ion – Laugh Now, Cry Later (Jazzland)
- Sera Kalo – eX.II – Jazz Is Punk (u n i t)
- Momoko Gill – Momoko (Strut)
- Barry Can’t Swim – Late Night Tales
- Nubiyan Twist – Chasing Shadows (Strut)
- Mammal Hands – Circadia
Feat. GREEK ARTISTS (Go to jazzlibrary.gr & keepjazzin.gr for more)
- Viktorija Pilatovic – Seven Letters
Ft. Petros Klampanis, .. - Srdjan Ivanovic, Blazin’ Quartet – Cosmogonie
Ft. Andreas Polyzogopoulos, .. - Resonance – Resonance (Jazz Breeze)
Ft. Giorgos Koutsikoulis, Antonis Arvanitis, Dimitris Koutantos, Stergios Polyzos - Evi Filippou & Robert Lucaciu – Love at Last Sight
- Five-Way Split – Modus Operandi
Ft. Vasilis Xenopoulos, .. - Andreas Mniestris, Agamemnon Moustakas, Yiannis Despotakis – A Bolt From The Blue
- Yiotis Samaras, Kostas Konstantinou – Lunar Breeze (FM)
- Kimon Karoutzos – Bass Echoes
- Greg Foat & Sokratis Votskos with The Giorgos Pappas Trio – Impressions of Samos
- Jako Quartet – Everything In Between
Ft. Iakovos ‘Jako’ Symeonidis, ..