The classic era of jazz has, of course, passed. Lucky are those who still haven’t had their fill of it—blessed, too, those who are just now discovering it. As for the rest of us, let’s try to make do with the ephemeral yet noteworthy and, as far as possible, innovative pieces from contemporary productions. As it seems, these too will soon face tough competition from the creativity of listeners themselves, aided by the ever-evolving artificial intelligence. For now, jazz remains unwavering, but let’s not fool ourselves—machines already know their way around beats, bringing to the table the philosophical question: “To beat or not too bits?”
Following this, here’s a diverse selection of 15 enjoyable tracks from recent human musical creations:
A Few Words About the Tracks on the Playlist
——————–
The Provider / Thought It Was / To You (2024)
(rap/hip-hop, new jazz)
Three tracks, arriving with a slight delay, from Juicy J’s (Memphis, Tennessee) album Ravenite Social Club. Endorsed by Robert Glasper
Identity
(contemporary jazz, post-bop)
A beautiful theme and an exemplary solo from saxophonist David Negrete with his dynamic quartet, featured on the album Whisper
I’ve Heard It All Before
(smooth jazz, soul jazz)
A sample from veteran guitarist Bill Moio’s album Try This, which tastefully refreshes pieces by George Benson, Pat Martino, and Wes Montgomery. Featuring George Whitty (keys), Jimmy Haslip (b), Eric Marienthal (as), Wayne Bergeron (tp), and others. Reviewed by Paris-Move
Race Against the Sun
(Afro-jazz, beats)
With British trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Enser and his guests, from the album MATTERS UNKNOWN – Silhouettes: A Dream Sphere Journal
Whispers Of Absence
(fusion, hip-hop)
A representative piece from the multidimensional production Time Is Color Vol. 2 – a luminous world by Parisian pianist Cédric Hanriot, featuring guests such as Erik Truffaz, Soweto Kinch, Braxton Cook, and others. More details in DL Media’s press release
Bird Alone
(vocal jazz)
A song by Lisa Manosperti, who unfolds her expressive palette in Uncaged Bird, a tribute to Abbey Lincoln. Press Release
Blikkfang
(modern jazz, big band)
From the large ensemble of Norwegian trumpeter Vemund Styve, featured on the album Fantano, with original compositions and intriguing solos
Things We Did Last Summer
(contemporary jazz, big band, vocal jazz)
From the album Miki Hirose Jazz Orchestra – ON CUE, a song featuring Shouko Hirano and a beautiful woodwind arrangement
Abutbul’s Market
(modern jazz)
A piece in the style of McCoy Tyner, featuring the virtuoso pianist Gadi Lehavi, along with Tal Mashiach (bass) and Ofri Nehemya (drums), from the album GTO TRIO: Within
Sagittarius
(jazz-hop)
A creative approach to contemporary trends, performed by the quartet of pianist, composer, and producer Corey Bernhard (Philadelphia), from the album A Blessed Leap Into Eternity
Tape Town
(fusion, smooth jazz)
Escape is the impressive debut of Peruvian-born Lucia Sarmiento, showcasing a flawless personal sound on the tenor saxophone and well-structured, meaningful ideas. DL Media Press Release
Dream Of The Old
(modern jazz, big band)
Sophisticated and lyrical, the renowned guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel presents older compositions, now arranged for a large orchestra:
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Orquestra Jazz De Matosinhos – Our Secret World (Live At CARA, 2021). More details on the orchestra’s website
Dreams To Deeds
(folk, guitars, improvisation)
Costa Rican Jorge Strunz and Iranian Ardeshir Farah have been captivating audiences for 45 years with their virtuosity and the richness of the traditions they represent. A sample from their new album Guitar Whims
M O R E N E W R E L E A S E S
(that you may be interested in)
VOCALISTS
- Malia – One Grass Skirt to London
- Nel Begley – Small Flame
- Eugenie Jones – Eugenie
- Marie Lambert Quartet – Now’s The Time
- Luisa Muhr, María Grand, Eric Arn – In Trialogue
- Fred Hersch, Rondi Charleston – Suspended in Time
- Maria João – Abundância (Galileo)
- Sheila Jordan – Portrait Now
- Andreas Schaerer – Anthem For No Man’s Land (ACT)
TRUMPETERS
- Thomas Marriott – Screen Time (Imani)
Ft. Orrin Evans, Robert Hurst, Mark Whitfield Jr. - Jeremy Pelt – Woven (HighNote)
- Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone (Nonesuch)
- Alex Norris – Table for Three (SteppleChase)
- Mathias Eick – Lullaby (ECM)
- Yazz Ahmed – A Paradise In The Hold
- Jakob Bänsch – All The Others
- Rex Richardson – Elegy (Summit)
Ft. Charles Owens, Steve Wilson, ..
SAXOPHONISTS, CLARINETISTS, FLUTISTS
- Xhosa Cole – On A Modern Genius, Vol.1
- Nat Birchall – New World
- Joe McPhee – I’m Just Say’n
Ft. Mats Gustafson - Dayna Stephens – Hopium
Ft. Aaron Parks, Ben Street, Gregory Hutchinson - James Brandon Lewis – Apple Cores (Anti-Epitaph)
- Peter Brötzmann, John Edwards, Steve Noble and Jason Adasiewicz – The Quartet (Live)
- Marshall Allen – New Dawn
- Anthony Ferrara – Factory Fresh (SteepleChase)
Ft. Gary Versace, Jay Anderson, Billy Drummond - Jim Snidero – Bird Feathers (Savant)
Ft. Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth - Noah Preminger – Ballads
- Paul Kendall – Vintage Tenor
- Marius Neset – Cabaret (ACT)
- Steve Lehman – The Music of Anthony Braxton (Pi)
Ft. Matt Brewer, Damion Reid, Mark Turner - Mark Turner – We Raise Them To Lift Their Heads
- Nick Hempton & Cory Weeds – Horns Locked (Cellar Live)
- Andrew Rathbun – Lost in the Shadows (SteppleChase)
- Hobbs and Shanko – The Depression Tapes (Relative Pitch)
TROBONISTS, TUBISTS
- Sergio Armaroli & Giancarlo Schiaffini – Deconstructing Ayler in the Universe (Dodicilune)
- Bigger Badder Bones – Sliders (Summit)
- Nanami Haruta – The Vibe (Origin)
Ft. Michael Dease, Xavier Davis, Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr.
GUITARISTS
- John Zorn & Mary Halvorson Quartet – The Bagatelles Vol. 1 (Tzadik)
- Dustin Carlson – Krakowians
- Pasquale Grasso – Fervency (Sony)
- Eleonora Strino – Matilde (Cam Jazz)
PIANISTS, KEYBOARDISTS
- Benjamin Lackner – Spindrift (ECM)
Ft. Mathias Eick, Mark Turner, Linda May Han Oh, Matthieu Chazarenc - Bill O’Connell – Touch
Ft. Santi Debriano, Billy Hart - François Couturier & Dominique Pifarély – Preludes and Songs (ECM)
- Joachim Kühn – Échappée (Intakt)
- Julia Hülsmann Quartet – Under the Surface (ECM)
- Pierre de Bethmann Quartet – Agapé
- Andy Emler – Le Temps est parti pour rester (PEEWEE!)
Ft. Louis Sclavis, Thomas Savy, .. - Alex Koo – Blame It on My Chromosomes (W.E.R.F.)
Ft. Ambrose Akinmusire, .. - Duduka Da Fonseca Trio – Rio Fantasia (Sunnyside)
- Sullivan Fortner – Southern Nights
Ft. Peter Washington, Marcus Gilmore - Russ Lossing – Moon Inhabitants (Sunnyside)
- Ben Markley – Tell the Truth (OA2)
- Jon Balke – Skrifum (ECM)
BASSISTS
- Stef Joosten – More Life
- Omer Avital – Live at Smalls
Ft. Joel Frahm, Jason Lindner, Jonathan Blake (Cellar) - Rodrigo Villagra – Rhythms of Resilience
- John Patitucci – Spirit Fall
Ft. Chris Potter & Brian Blade
DRUMMERS, PERCUSSIONISTS
- Allison Miller & One O’Clock Lab Band – Big & Lovely (Royal Potato)
- Dominik Raab – Mocambo Affair (JazzJazz)
Ft. Tony Lakatos, Billy Test, Doug Weiss - Richard Baratta – Looking Back (Savant)
Ft. Bill O’Connell, Vincent Herring, Paul Bollenback, .. - Billy Hart Quartet – Just (ECM)
Ft. Ethan Iverson, Mark Turner, Ben Street - Carl Allen – Tippin’ (Cellar)
Ft. Chris Potter, .. - Ilia Rayskin – Beauty In Complexity
VIBRAFONISTS
- Kevin Hays & Jorge Rossy – The Wait (Clap Your Hands)
- Sergio Armaroli & Giancarlo Schiaffini – Deconstructing Ayler in the Universe (Dodicilune)
HARPISTS
- Ahya Simone – Neptunian Blue
VIOLISTS, VIOLONISTS, CELLISTS
- Jeong Lim Yang – Synchronicity (Sunnyside)
- Adam Bałdych – Portraits (ACT)
- Petra Onderuf Quartet – An Odd Time of Day
- John Zorn – The Bagatelles, Vol. 2 (Tzadik)
Ft. Erik Friedlander, Michael Nicolas - Annwen Roberts – SKY OMENS
BIG BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES
- Brad Goode – Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer (Origin)
- Intokables Big Band – A Ferro!
- Gabriele Comeglio – The Journey (Dodicilune)
Ft. Bob Malach, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, William Kennedy, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, Emilio Soana, Adam Nussbaum - Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra – East Meets West: Connections
- Omar Thomas Large Ensemble – Griot Songs
- Blue Lou Marini – Out of the Blue (La Reserve)
- Tom Smith – A Year In The Life
- Arturo O’Farrill, The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley (ZOHO)
- Josephine Davies & The Ensō Ensemble – The Celtic Wheel of the Year Suite (Ubuntu)
- Kenny Wheeler Legacy, The Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra & Frost Jazz Orchestra – Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores (Greenleaf)
Ft. Etienne Charles, John Daversa, Ingrid Jensen, Brian Lynch, Evan Parker, Chris Potter, Norma Winstone, .. - Juan Saus’ Big Band – The Charts I Recorded with My Friends While in Boston
GROUPS
- Blue Moods – Force & Grace (Posi-Tone)
Ft. Diego Rivera, Art Hirahara, Jon Davis, Boris Kozlov, Vinnie Sperrazza - The Exu – The Exu (Discus)
Ft. James Mainwaring, Dave Kane, Emil Karlsen - Yellowjackets – Fasten Up (Mack Avenue)
Ft. Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferrante, Dane Alderson, Will Kennedy - Painkiller – The Equinox (Tzadik)
Ft. John Zorn, Bill Laswell, Mick Harris - Dj Muggs – Notes & Tones
- Artemis – ARBORESQUE (Blue Note)
Ft. Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda, Allison Miller
BEATS, DJs & PRODUCERS, GROOVES & MOODS, SOUNDTRACKS ..
- Machado Mijiga – Left Of Center
- Papik and The Soultrend Orchestra – Now Imagine
- Ebo Taylor, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad – Ebo Taylor JID022
- Tony Allen, LA BOA – LA BOA MEETS TONY ALLEN
- Jon Batiste – The New Orleans Collection (UMG)
- Anthony Joseph – Rowing up River to Get Our Names Back
Ft. Dave Okumu, .. - Confucius MC – Songs for Lost Travellers
- Mama Terra – Chameleons (Live Interpretations Of Herbie Hancock)
- Bandler Ching – Mercurial
- Hot 8 Brass Band – Big Tuba (Tru Thoughts)
- Terrace Martin – Albion Files (Sounds of Crenshaw)
FEATURING GREEK ARTISTS (visit jazzlibrary.gr, keepjazzin.gr)
- The City Trio – The City Trio (Jazz Breeze)
Ft. George Micros [p], .. - Tassos Spiliotopoulos [g] – Anamnesis: Compositions for Electric Guitar
- Petros Klampanis [b], Ziv Ravitz, Kristjan Randalu – Latent Info (Enja Yellowbird)
- Yiannis Kassetas [ts, bs] – Far (Puzzlemusic)
- The Soul Peanuts – The Soul Peanuts