The 21st Annual
Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll:
2026 Mid-Year

Ballot 2026 Mid-Year

Chris Monsen (Musikkmagasinet [Klassekampen], Jazznytt, Chris Monsen's Listening Booth)

NEW JAZZ ALBUMS

  1. Nicolas Leirtrø's Action Now!, Entrance (Sauajazz) →
  2. أحمد [Ahmed], Play Monk (Otoroku) →
  3. James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Omni (Intakt) →
  4. Tyshawn Sorey, Members . . . Don't! (Pi) →
  5. The Tomeka Reid Quartet, Dance! Skip! Hop! (Out of Your Head) →
  6. The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis, Deface the Currency (Impulse!) →
  7. The Outskirts, Orbital (Aerophonic) →
  8. Josh Berman Trio, Everybody Else's Life Too (Corbett vs. Dempsey) →
  9. Angelika Niescier, Chicago Tapes (Intakt) →
  10. Henriette Eilertsen Trio, Moder (Motvind) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Charles Tyler Ensemble, Voyage From Jericho (1974, Frederiksberg) →
  2. Joe Henderson, Consonance: Live at the Jazz Showcase (1978, Resonance) →
  3. Schlippenbach Trio, Elf Bagatellen (1990, Cien Fuegos) →
  4. Duke Ellington, Copenhagen 1964 (Storyville) →
  5. Cecil Taylor Unit, Fragments: The Complete 1969 Salle Pleyel Concerts (Elemental Music) →

Note: Also see 25 favorite 2026 albums around the halway mark