Rather late in the poll cycle, it occurred to me that I hadn't written very much about the actual music contained in the hundreds of albums that received votes. I've written about most of them over the course of the last six months (or longer for 2025 releases), but those reviews are scattered in monthly archives, mixed in with non-jazz reviews. So I've pulled this together as a reference of how one critic coped with a half-year's music. The list numbers are taken from the final totals. The grades are entirely my own, and are more representative of my own limits of understanding and taste than of the music itself. I've heard a lot of records, but I've rarely played the records more than once, and often the reviews are cut short for lack of anything more I wanted to say at the moment.
To speed up the compilation process, I've left the original letter grades (which include *, **, and *** divisions of B+ — most records fall in this range, as jazz albums that are incompetent or even uninteresting are very rare; lower grades are most likely personal pet peeves, which you are urged to ignore), as well as the source notes (cd, cdr, lp; sp = Spotify, bc = Bandcamp, yt = YouTube, dl = download, os = other stream). On rare occasions, you might also see U++ or U+ for records I was only able to stream part of. Those seemed promising, as in contrast to U- or U-- (or plain U). But as a practical matter, I've rarely bothered with records I didn't receive or couldn't easily stream.
Chart positions from here.
Tyshawn Sorey: Members . . . Don't (2025 [2026], Pi, 2CD): Drummer, MacArthur genius, arranged four pieces by Stanley Cowell plus three more (Jymie Merritt, Gary Bartz, Max Roach/trad.), for a quintet that expands them masterfully to an average over 13 minutes, with Adam O'Farrill (trumpet), Mark Shim (tenor sax), Lex Korten (piano), and Tyrone Allen II (bass), with vocalist Fay Victor nailing the finale. A- [cd]
The Tomeka Reid Quartet: Dance! Skip! Hop! (2025 [2026], Out of Your Head): Cellist, grew up around DC, made her name in Chicago, connected with AACM, worked extensively with Nicole Mitchell and Mike Reed, also with Anthony Braxton and his students, released several impressive albums as leader, ultimately winning a MacArthur in 2022. Quartet here with Jason Roebke (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums), and Mary Halvorson (guitar): the latter's power runs first got my attention, but the more intricate segments hold up equally well. A- [cd]
Adam O'Farrill: Elephant (2024 [2025], Out of Your Head): Trumpet player, son of Afro-Cuban Jazz majordomo Arturo O'Farrill (himself the son of famed Cuban bandleader Chico O'Farrill), has the chops to ply the family trade but on his own plays uninflected but often brilliant postbop. Quartet with Yvonne Rogers (piano), Walter Stinson (bass), and Russell Holzman (drums), with some electronics. A- [cd]
أحمد [Ahmed]: Play Monk (2025 [2026], Otoroku): British quartet of Pat Thomas (piano), Joel Grip (bass), Antonin Gerbal (drums) and Seymour Wright (alto sax), formed in 2017 as a tribute to Ahmed Abdul-Malik, seventh album, really came into their own with the 5-CD live box Giant Beauty (2024). Just six tunes, five running over 20 minutes, an extrapolation which can leave their models deeply buried. But they continue to impress, mightily. A- [sp]
Ambrose Akinmusire/Mary Halvorson: Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings (2025 [2026], Nonesuch): Two of the biggest names in jazz, the trumpet player with five top-five poll finishes so far, the guitarist with two outright wins, in a duo here after landing after landing on the same major label. Minor details prove their talents, in an intimate, low-key encounter that discourages hype. B+(***) [sp]
Bill Frisell: In My Dreams (2025 [2026], Blue Note): Jazz guitarist, major figure since 1980, one frequent theme is his use of folk materials (including "Hard Times" and "Home on the Range" here). Group with strings — Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), Hank Roberts (cello), Thomas Morgan (double bass) — and drums (Rudy Royston). B+(**) [sp]
Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard (2025 [2026], Blue Note): Alto saxophonist, 2020 debut on a major label made him an instant star, with serious chops even if he stays within usual boundaries. His rep led me to give him more chances, and often he's repayed extra listens. That could happen again, but rather than edit his stand down to one really exciting CD, they've spread it all out over three volumes, releasing them amonth apart, on some kind of a marketing hunch. I've reviewed them separately, but poll voters inisist on treating them as a single album — as the box set they'll inevitably become — which was easy for me to agree to, being unable to pick between them myself. B+(**) [sp]
Angelika Niescier: Chicago Tapes (2025 [2026], Intakt): Alto saxophonist, born in Poland, debut album 2000, with a fairly well known pick up band in Chicago, names on the cover: Jason Adasiewicz (vibes), Nicole Mitchell (flute), Mike Reed (drums), Dave Rempis (alto/tenor sax), and Luke Stewart (bass). B+(***) [sp]
Jeff Parker ETA IVtet: Happy Today (2025 [2026], International Anthem/Nonesuch): Guitarist, born in Connecticut, studied at Berklee, moved to Chicago in 1991 where he established himself (in post-rock groups Tortoise and Isotope 217, as well as jazz groups like Chicago Underground and many other collaborations), before moving to Los Angeles in 2013. There this quartet took its name from "a Monday night residency from 2016-2023 at ETA Highland Park." With Josh Johnson (alto sax), Anna Butterss (bass), and Jay Bellerose (drums). Two 20+ minute pieces, as basic patterns iterate, mutate, and develop. A- [bc]
Mark Turner: Patternmaster (2024 [2026], ECM): Tenor saxophonist, impressive debut in 1995, recorded for majors through 2001 then fell off, but has been busy since 2018. Quartet with Jason Palmer (trumpet), Joe Martin (bass), and Jonathan Pinson (drums), whose names appear on the over, under the title. B+(*) [sp]
Marta Sanchez: For the Space You Left (2024 [2026], Out of Your Head): Spanish pianist, "(2)" on Discogs, several albums since 2008, some remarkable, including this one, solo, prepared piano but only occasionally does this move into a distorted range. A- [cd]
James Brandon Lewis Quartet: Omni (2025 [2026], Intakt): Tenor saxophonist, possibly the best and certainly the most accomplished of any near his age (42), has won two of our jazz polls, often splitting his vote among multiple projects. Sixth quartet album on this Swiss label, with Aruán Ortiz (piano), Brad Jones (bass), and Chad Taylor (drums). Still keeps you on edge. A− [sp]
Craig Taborn: Dream Archives (2024 [2026], ECM): Pianist, first came to my attention in James Carter's 1990s quartet, has a wide-ranging solo career with several dozen albums and many more side-credits, ultimately leading to a MacArthur grant in 2024. Trio with Tomeka Reid (cello) and Ches Smith (drums). Talented group, but doesn't really take off (unlike, say, 2025's Trio of Bloom). B+(*) [sp]
Joe Lovano: Paramount Quartet (2025 [2026], ECM): Tenor saxophonist from Cleveland, emerged in the late 1980s working with Paul Motian and Bill Frisell in the 1980s, then John Scofield; dominated the 1990s with Blue Note albums like From the Soul. He has been steadily productive since then, but the albums have been hit and miss. New quartet here with Julian Lage (guitar), Asante Santi Debriano (bass), and Will Calhoun (drums). B+(***) [sp]
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis: Deface the Currency (2026, Impulse!): Guitar-bass-drums trio had a couple albums (2018-19) before they joined up with the powerhouse tenor saxophonist. I filed the early albums under rock as the bassist (Joe Lally) and drummer (Brendan Canty) came from Fugazi, although guitarist Anthony Pirog had a fringe-jazz resume (two albums with Henry Kaiser, one a conduction of Terry Riley, a couple more I've heard but don't particularly recall). Time to move them into the jazz file, but I'm not all that pleased. The saxophonist makes a strong effort, but the guitarist rarely if ever matches him, nor is he very complementary. It's not quite accurate to say that the rhythm section rocks: they move freely, but their energy mostly expresses itself in speed and volume, which can come off as clunky. My disappointment was such that I probably overreacted at first. B+(**) [sp]
Dave Douglas: Transcend (2025 [2026], Greenleaf Music): Postbop trumpet player, emerged as a more adventurous rival to Wynton Marsalis in the 1990s, tremendous chops, has always recruited top young musicians for his groups, hasn't always pleased me with his compositions. Another quintet, with James Brandon Lewis on tenor sax, and an unconventional rhythm section: Rafiq Bhatia (guitar), Tomeka Reid (cello), and Ian Chang (drums). B+(***) [sp]
Melissa Aldana: Filin (2025 [2026], Blue Note): Tenor saxophonist from Chile, debut 2010, third album on Blue Note, a quartet with Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Kush Abadey (drums), mostly playing Cuban ballads arranged by Rubalcaba. Cécile McLorin Salvant sings two of them. B+(**) [sp]
Harriet Tubman & Georgia Muldrow: Electrical Field of Love (2026, Pi): Avant-fusion trio of Brandon Ross (guitar/banjo), Melvin Gibbs (electric bass), and JT Lewis (drums), sixth album since 1998, with Muldrow added for vocals and keyboards (more than a dozen albums on her own since 2006). Heavy. B+(***) [cd]
Miles Okazaki: Boomtown (2025 [2026] Pi): Guitarist, a dozen-plus albums since 2006, including a "Complete Compositions of Thelonious Monk." Large group here with three saxophonists (Caroline Davis, Anna Webber, Jon Irabagon), two trombonists (Jacob Garchik and Kalia Vandever), piano (Matt Mitchell), drums (Dan Weiss), and two bassists (Chris Tordini and Hannah Marks). Most impressive at full strength. A- [cd]
Ben Wendel: BaRcoDe (2025 [2026], Edition): Tenor saxophonist, from Canada, a dozen or so albums since 2009, accompanied here by four vibraphonists (Joel Ross, Simon Moullier, Patricia Brennan, Juan Diego Villalobos), some also on marimba or balafon, most adding EFX. B+(**) [sp]
Jason Moran: Plays Duke Ellington (2026, Yes): Pianist, became a star during his 1998-2014 run at Blue Note, won the Jazz Critics Poll and a MacArthur in 2010, slipped back into obscurity after he retreated to his own label (although his 2023 album, From the Dancehall to the Battlefield, got consideable attention). + [bc: 7/12]
Michael Formanek: New Digs (2025 [2026], Intakt): Bassist, own albums started appearing in 1990, as well as many groups and side-credits. One of his most successful groups has been Thumbscrew, a trio with Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). They're the core here, augmented by John O'Gallagher (alto sax), Chet Doxas (tenor sax/clarinet), João Almeida (trumpet), and Alexander Hawkins (organ). This starts to get real interesting seven cuts in, which has sent me back to the beginning several times. B+(***) [sp]
Rodrigo Amado/This Is Our Language Quartet: Wailers (2019 [2026], European Echoes): The Portuguese tenor saxophonist's "American Quartet," with Joe McPhee (tenor sax), Kent Kessler (bass), and Chris Corsano (drums), first appeared on the album This Is Our Language in 2012. Impressive, as always, especially when both saxes crank up. A- [dl]
Irreversible Entanglements: Future Present Past (2026, Impulse!): DC-based free jazz collective, fifth studio album since 2017, with Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother, vocals), Aquiles Navarro (trumpet), Keir Neuringer (saxes/keyboards), Luke Stewart (bass), and Tcheser Holmes (drums). Impressive as ever. A- [sp]
Julian Lage: Scenes From Above (2025 [2026], Blue Note): Well-regarded guitarist, debut 2009, sixth Blue Note album, featuring credits for John Medeski (organ/piano), Jorge Roeder (bass), and Kenny Wolleson (drums), with a couple credits for Patrick Waren (dulcitone, strings). He often strikes me as a bit languid, but on occasion, Medeski kicks this up a notch. B+(*) [sp]
Chris Potter: Alive With Ghosts Today (2025 [2026], Edition): Tenor saxophonist, got an early start in 1994, impressive soloist, albums can be uneven. Original pieces here, inspired by John Brown's 1859 uprising, played by a septet featuring Bill Frisell (guitar), with clarinet, trombone, violin, bass, and drums. B+(*) [sp]
Alexander Hawkins: No Nation but Imagination (2025 [2026], Intakt): English pianist, prolific since 2006, mostly free but fairly eclectic, opens with a synth solo, then the quintet kicks in, light tones and frothy rhythm: Rhodri Davies (harp), Nicole Mitchell (flute), Hamid Drake (drums), and Matthew Wright (turntables/live sampling). B+(**) [sp]
Columbia Icefield: A Silence Opens (2024-25 [2026], Out of Your Head): Trumpet player Nate Wooley, prolific since his 2005 debut, group named for his 2019 quartet album with Mary Halvorson (guitar), Susan Alcorn (pedal steel guitar), and Ryan Sawyer (drums). Second group album since then, with Ava Mendoza in Halvorson's place. Alcorn is credited on four tracks (the long ones, separated by five short bits, mostly Wooley but one assembles a choir), but the liner notes offer a hint that she may have finished her bits in spirit only. B+(**) [cd]
Virginia MacDonald: In Search Of . . . (2024 [2026], Cellar): Canadian clarinetist, first album (although Discogs gives her a share of a Canadian Jazz Collective album), side credits especially with Michael Dease and Caity Gyorgy. Backed by piano (Geoffrey Keezer), bass, and drums, with voice on two tracks. B+(***) [cd]
Cécile McLorin Salvant: With Every Breath I Take (2025 [2026], Nonesuch): Jazz singer, born in Miami, father Haitian, mother French, moved to France at 18, studied classical voice (and Sarah Vaughan), eighth album since 2013, moving into the top echelon of jazz artists — with the MacArthur "genius grant" to prove it, as if winning the vocal section of our poll every year she had an album out wasn't testimony enough. Still, I've never been much of a fan. I admit that she has exceptional technical command (as did Vaughan), but I've never much enjoyed her albums (aside from the odd song or two). And this one, hyped as her first with an orchestra (Metropole Orkest, with big band master Darcy James Argue co-producing), seemed pretty unlikely to appeal. Then I found myself tempted, by "Send in the Clowns" (of all things), followed by "Barbara Song" (I'm always up for Weill, and she has impressed me there before). But after that, nothing really meshes — not even the French song, or her masterful navigation of the notoriously tricky "Lush Life." Why is hard to pin down, or maybe doing so just doesn't seem worth the effort. B+(*) [sp]
Maria Schneider Orchestra: American Crow (2025 [2026], ArtistShare, EP): Big band composer/arranger, a Gil Evans protégé, albums start with Evanescence in 1994, has swept the Jazz Critics Poll three times[*], every album since 2007's Sky Blue. Undoubtedly talented, but I've never warmed to her work — the only occasion where Francis Davis doubted not just my judgment but my sanity. Title piece here was commissioned in 2022 and recorded along with a second piece, totalling 18:37, but here is padded out with an alternate take and some crow vocal samples. [*Her 2015 album was tied for 1st on points, but had fewer votes, which at the time was the tie-breaker; but Davis declared a tie.] B [os]
DoYeon Kim: Wellspring (2026, TAO Forms): Korean, based in New York, plays gayageum (12- and 25-string), sings some, backed by Mat Maneri (viola), Henry Fraser (bass), and Tyshawn Sorey (drums). Interesting and fairly unique record, but not one I find myself particularly enjoying. B+(*) [cd]
Gregory Hutchinson: Kind of Now: The Pulse of Miles Davis (2026, Warner Music Arts): One of many projects revisiting Davis on his centennary, led by the drummer, with Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet) in the key role, accompanied by Ron Blake (tenor sax/bass clarinet), two guitarists (Emmanuel Michael and Jakob Bro), piano (Gerald Clayton), and bass (Joe Sanders), playing three originals and ten pieces from the songbook (4 by Davis, 4 by Wayne Shorter, one each for Tony Williams and Charlie Parker, with a Victor Feldman assist). B+(**) [sp]
Steven Bernstein/Scotty Hard: ResoNation Trio/Ultra Resonance (2025 [2026], Royal Potato Family): Two LPs on one CD, the first a trio of Bernstein (trumpets), Scott Colley (bass), and Nasheet Waits (drums); the second where the same music was reprocessed by the producer ("all instruments replayed, rearranged, and redeployed by Scotty Hard"), with Jeremy Gustin credited for extra percussion. Both are interesting on their own, but a bit underwhelming run together. B+(***) [cd]
Sylvie Courvoisier Trio: Éclats - Live in Europe (2025 [2026], Intakt): Swiss pianist, debut 1997, mostly plays duos, this just her fourth Trio per Discogs. With Drew Gress (bass) and Kenny Wollesen (drums), picked from four sets in Germany and France. B+(***) [sp]
Lakecia Benjamin: We Dream (2026, Artwork): Alto saxophonist, half-dozen albums since 2012, has toured with r&b bands, has crossed over enough to get some Grammy attention, but sounds pretty solidly rooted in Coltrane here, with a side of hip-hop. B+(**) [sp]
Meg Okura/Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble: Isaiah (2022 [2026], Adhyâropa): Violinist, born in Japan, makes a point in the notes of being an outsider ("an immigrant, a Jew by choice in an interracial marriage, and as a musician moving from classical to jazz"), but finding "solace" in composing, and in leading this twenty-year group with prominent names that don't strike me as conspicuously Asian. It's a terrific group, augmented by guests like Randy Brecker and Sam Newsome, playing scores that come from and go to pretty much everywhere. A- [cd]
Martin Wind: Stars (2025 [2026], Newvelle): German bassist, close to 30 albums since 1993, the title may well refer to the talent he lined up here: Kenny Barron (piano), Anat Cohen (clarinet), Matt Wilson (drums). A mix of originals and standards, with "The Stars Fell Down on Alabama" especially delectable. A− [sp]
Jon Irabagon: Focus Out (2022 [2026], Irrabagast): Saxophonist, alto here, a star in Moppa Elliott's Mostly Other People Do the Killing, has a substantial discography on his own. Quartet with Matt Mitchell (keyboards), Chris Lightcap (bass), and Dan Weiss (drums), plus guest spots, including two Kokayi raps, and spots for trumpet, guitar, and tenor sax (two at once). B+(***) [cd]
Myra Melford/Satoko Fujii: Katarahi (2024 [2026], RogueArt): Duets by two of the avant-garde's world class pianists, b. 1957-58, Melford got a start with a 1990 album that Francis Davis rated a pick hit for his brief Village Voice Consumer Guide, Fujii was a student at New England Conservatory in 1994 when she was introduced to Melford by Paul Bley. They have a previous duo album from 2007. I'm not a big fan of solo, let alone duo, piano, but they are astonishing, which by now is just what you expect. A- [cd]
Caroline Davis: Fallows (2025 [2026], Ropeadope): Alto saxophonist, born in Singapore (parents British and Swedish), moved to Atlanta when she was 6, then to Texas. Eighth album since 2012, solo over electronics (something called the Organelle, which looks to be an open source patch processor and/or sampler). John Surman has done similar things, but never pushed the electronics this far. A− [bc]
Jason Moran/BlankFor.ms/Marcus Gilmore: Shards (2024 [2026], Red Hook): Pianist, from Houston, early albums on Blue Note (1999-2006) established him as a major figure. (After two more Blue Notes, his self-released albums since 2016 have gotten little publicity, although 2023's From the Dancehall to the Battlefield was something of an exception; I haven't heard his new Plays Ellington.) Second album with this trio, Tyler Gilmore on electronics, and (presumably not related) Marcus Gilmore on drums. I can't say the electronics made much of an impression, but the piano did. B+(***) [sp]
Joel Ross: Gospel Music (2026, Blue Note): Vibraphonist, grew up in Chicago, based in Brooklyn, fifth Blue Note album since 2019 (or 7th if you cound Out Of/Into, the "supergroup" I file under his name). Mostly original pieces (two exceptions), mostly quintet with Josh Johnson (alto sax), Maria Grand (tenor sax), Jeremy Corren (piano), Kanoa Mendenhall (bass), and Jeremy Dutton (drums), with a couple of guest spots for vocals and others (like Brandee Younger on harp). B+(**) [sp]
Yvonne Rogers: The Button Jar (2025 [2026], Pyroclastic): Pianist, grew up "in rural Maine without the distraction of even a television," now based in Brooklyn, solo, second album. B+(**) [cd]
Phillip Golub: Partisan Ship (2025 [2026], Berthold): Pianist, from LA but based in NYC, several albums since 2020, plays various synths here (Flexichord, Behringer Neutron, Arturia Digital), with spots for Yuma Uesaka (clarinets, tenor sax, blass clariflute), Anna Webber (flute, tenor sax), David Leon (alto sax), Layale Chaker (violin), Elias Stemeseder (more synths), some bass and drums (or drum machine). B+(**) [bc]
Walter Smith III: Twio Vol. 2 (2026, Blue Note): Tenor saxophonist, from Houston, studied at Berklee and now chairs the woodwind department there, debut 2006, third album on Blue Note, revisits the concept of his 2018 album Twio, with a trio playing standards supplemented by two "eminent elders" (this time Ron Carter and Branford Marsalis; the bassist and drummer are also new this time, Joe Sanders and Kendrick Scott). B+(***) [sp]
James Brandon Lewis & Lutosławski Quartet: These Are Soulful Days (2021 [2026], TAO Forms): Tenor saxophonist, makes his entry into the sax-with-strings forum with a well-known Polish string quartet (dozen-plus albums since 2012, including jazz meets with Uri Caine and Kris Davis). This was originally released as a bonus CD with Lewis's poll-winning 2023 album, For Mahalia, With Love. A- [sp] [also in Rara Avis: 129]
Marilyn Crispell/Anders Jormin: Memento (2025 [2026], ECM): Brilliant pianist, emerged in the 1980s in Anthony Braxton's quartet and on her own outstanding albums. Landed on ECM in 1997 with an Annette Peacock tribute I didn't think much of at the time, probably because I suspected the label of trying to tame her and tone her down, although 2003's The Storyteller and 2008's One Dark Night I Left My Silent House overcame my misgivings. Approaching 80, these are mild, measured duets with bass. Probably too mild. B+(*) [sp]
Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp/William Parker/Bobby Kapp: Synesthesia (2024 [2026], Defkaz): Avant-saxophonist from Brazil, has hundreds of albums since 1989, many with the pianist, quite a few with the bassist. The drummer's discography is down around 30 credits, but it goes way back to 1967, and includes separate duo albums with Perelman and Shipp, as well as two previous quartet albums. B+(***) [sp]
Helen Sung Big Band: Oracles (2024 [2026], Sunnyside): Pianist, from Houston, parents from China, 10th album since 2003, first big band venture, conventional plus extra percussion. Note songs dedicated to Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Jimmy Heath. Also a section called "Pianism" that name-checks Barry Harris, Kenny Barron, and Herbie Hancock. B+(*) [sp]
Charles Downs Quartet: Inner (2024 [2026], ESP-Disk'): Drummer, this is billed as his "first album as sole leader, recorded shortly after he turned 81," which means if we keep the "Debut" slot in the Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll, I'm going to wind up rejecting a bunch of votes for him (as I did last year with Marshall Allen; why is it that in a category expressly designed to recognize young players the temptation to vote for someone old but marginalized is so great?). Granted, Downs isn't anywhere near as famous as Allen, and not just because he's spent most of his career recording as Rashid Bakr, only recently returning to his given name. Quartet with Hery Paz (sax), Jamie Saft (piano), and Joe Morris (bass). Took several plays to win me over, with precision and grace pursuing what can never be taken for granted. A- [cd]
Alden Hellmuth: Tether (2026, Leiter): Alto saxophonist from Connecticut ("she grew up surrounded by the legacy of the great saxophonist Jackie McLean"), based in New York, second album, seems to be a quartet with two basses (Logan Kane and Miller Wrenn) and drums (Justin Brown), but also "additional instrumentation" (trumpet, piano, voice, guitar, sound design, lots of effects). B+(***) [sp]
Brian Lynch: Torch Bearers (2024-25 [2026], Holistic MusicWorks): Trumpet player, started in a group with Charles McPherson (1980-81), moved on to Horace Silver, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Art Blakey, and especially Eddie Palmieri, with his own string of albums starting in 1986. He's reunited with McPherson (alto sax) here, along with Boris Kozlov (bass), various pianist and drummers, and singer Samara Joy (2 tracks). Has an old bebop feel, especially with McPherson. B+(***) [sp]
Nduduzo Makhathini: The Myth We Choose (2026, Blue Note): South African pianist, various local labels from 2009, picked up by Blue Note in 2020, fourth album there. He has some credentials as a "traditional sangoma header," which may be context I cannot begin to fathom. Sounds sedated to me, with many vocals I can make no sense of. But the piano has grown on me a bit. B+(*) [sp]
Emmet Cohen: Universal Truth (2025 [2026], Mack Avenue): Pianist, close to a dozen albums since 2011, many designed to showcase old-timers (including 5 volumes of his Masters Legacy Series). Trio here with Joe Farnsworth (drums) and Yasushi Nakamura (bass), the latter spelled on three cuts by Ron Carter, with ample guest spots for Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), George Coleman (tenor sax), and Tivon Pennicott (tenor sax). B+(***) [sp]
Brandon Seabrook: Hellbent Daydream (2026, Pyroclastic): Guitarist, also plays banjo, albums since 2014, many credits, has leaned toward metal noise, does some kind of chamber jazz experiment here, with bass (Henry Fraser), violin (Erica Dicker), and keyboards (Elias Stemeseder). Has some interest, but not much appeal. B+(*) [cd]
Dave Stryker: Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session (2025 [2026], Strikezone): Guitarist, from Nebraska, called his first album First Strike (1988), co-led a long-running group with saxophonist Steve Slagle, has lately been in the habit of releasing something new every January. This year's offering is a back-to-roots session with organ (Jon Gold) and drums (McClenty Hunter). B+(**) [cd]
Alan Braufman: Anthem for Peace (2025 [2026], The Control Group/Valley of Search): Alto saxophonist, plays some flute, joined the New York avant scene in the early 1970s, his only real album appearing in 1975, then a long hiatus before 2019, when he started dusting off old tapes and recording new ones. Quartet here with Patricia Brennan (vibes), Luke Stewart (bass), and Chad Taylor (drums), with Ken Filiano and Michael Wimberly on one track. B+(**) [sp]
Work Money Death: A Portal to Here (2026, ATA): British jazz group, name from tenor saxophonist Tony Burkill's 2017 debut album, fourth album under the group name, only Sam Hobbs (drums) remains from the orginal group, which now has Johnny Richards (piano), Neil Innes (bass), and Sam Bell (percussion), plus extras here and there. "Aim to produce longform, improvised pieces inspired by the work of Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane." A fairly surefire formula (cf. Nate Birchall), which they deliver on. A- [bc]
Amalie Dahl's Dafnie Extended: Live at Moldejazz (2025 [2026], Sonic Transmissions): Danish saxophonist, based in Oslo, group Dafnie comes from a 2022 quintet album with trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums, "extended" here to 12 pieces, adding baritone sax and flute, but mostly filling the middle with piano, accordion, and synths, and doubling down on bass and drums. B+(*) [bc]
Micah Thomas: Lucid (2026, Birdwatcher): Pianist, several albums since 2020, plays in Immanuel Wilkins Quartet. A notable here with Wilkins (alto sax), Kalia Vandever (trombone), Thomas Morgan (bass), and Lesley Mok (drums), but they are very careful to hew to the composer's vision. B+(**) [sp]
Patricia Brennan/Sylvie Courvoisier: Talamanti (2024 [2026], Antlia): Mallets player, from Mexico, based in New York, won our debut poll in 2018, finished 1st and 2nd overall with her last two albums, in a duo here with the Swiss pianist. Piano-vibes duos are rather common, partly due to similar tones, but also because the vibes focus the piano as a percussion instrument. You get a taste of that early here, but then the piano meanders into its own less-but-still-interesting space. B+(***) [sp]
Simon Moullier: Ceiba (2025 [2026], Simon Moullier Music): Vibraphonist, based in New York, sixth album, a quartet with Lex Korten (piano), Rick Rosato (bass), and JK Kim (drums), with guest percussion (Keita Ogawa) on two tracks. Original pieces. Sails right along. B+(***) [cd]
The Phoenix Trio: Tomorrow Is Today (2025 [2026], Giant Step Arts): Mark Turner (tenor sax), Joe Martin (bass), and Marcus Gilmore (drums), order from back cover, with front cover going Gilmore-Martin-Turner. Martin wrote 4 (of 6) songs, with one each for the others. Turner was part of the 1990s mainstream resurgence, which coincided with the revival of major labels like Blue Note and Verve, and to my mind at least was led by a dozen or more major tenor saxophonists. He's had ups and downs since then, but seems ideally situated with these younger players. A- [cd]
Steve Swallow: Winter Songs (2024 [2026], ECM): Bassist, has played electric since the early 1970s, long associated with Carla Bley, 83 when this was recorded. With Mike Rodriguez (trumpet), Chris Cheek (tenor sax), Steve Cardenas (guitar), Gil Goldstein (piano), and Adam Nussbaum (drums). Original pieces, modestly numbered, elegantly played. B+(***) [sp]
Joel Futterman/William Parker: Transcendent Universe (2025 [2026], Burning Ambulance): Piano and bass duo, although I was thrown at first with a piercing sound that reminded me of saxophone (no such credit, but Futterman has played sax in the past). But as similar sounds evolved, I figured they must have been emanating from Parker's bass. But after a few minutes, this settles into what you might expect: a rhythmically adventurous pianist and a relentlessly inventive bassist. A- [bc]
Ran Blake & Dominique Eade: Roots & Byways (2023 [2026], Sunnyside): Pianist, debut 1965, won a MacArthur in 1988 (along with Max Roach, the first jazz musicians so honored), many records, I haven't done the math but roughly speaking they fall into three fairly equal bins: solos, trios, and duos with singers (starting with Jeanne Lee in 1966). (Although as with all generalizations, there are exceptions: my favorite of his albums is a piano duo with Clare Ritter, Eclipse Orange, and I very rarely fall for piano duos.) Eade has 9 albums since 1990, this her 3rd with Blake. She is one of those soprano divas I rarely react well to, but Blake brings out the best in her. B+(***) [cd]
Caleb Wheeler Curtis: Ritual (2025 [2026], Chill Tone): Plays stritch mostly, with spots of soprano/sopranino sax and trumpet. Has several albums since 2018. This one with Hery Paz (tenor sax/flute), Orrin Evans (piano, 4/9 tracks in the middle), Vicente Archer (bass), and Michael Sarin (drums). B+(***) [cd]
Kaja Draksler Octet: Bare, Unfolding (2025 [2026], Zavod Sploh/Clean Feed): Pianist, from Slovenia, third octet album, other albums since 2008. Octet includes two saxophone/clarinet players (Ada Rave and Ab Baars), violin, bass, drums, and two vocalists (Laura Polence and Björk Nielsdóttir, also credited with mouth organ). B+(**) [bc]
Simon Hanes: Gargantua (2024 [2026], Pyroclastic): California-born, Brooklyn-based composer/arranger, has a couple previous albums, draws inspiration from Rabelais for this "audacious new album," featuring three soprano voices, backed by three each on French horns, trombones, basses, and drum sets. The voices are the sticking point with me. B+(**) [cd]
Chuck Bergeron: Bass & Face: Duets With Ten Premier Vocalists ([2026], Summit): Bassist, from New Orleans, Discogs credits him with three albums since 1995, 44 more side credits, including big bands and singers. The ten vocalists here are: Janis Siegel, Pete McGuinness, Roseanna Vitro, Kevin Mahogany, Sheila Jordan, George Rabbai, Lisanne Lyons, Deborah Silver, Kate Reid, and Nicole Yarling. Only recording date I can find is 2005 for Mahogany (d. 2017), but that is probably the only non-recent track. (Jordan died in 2025, but was 95 when her track was cut, so 2023-24.) A few cuts have extra guest musicians: Charles Pillow (sax), Phil Strange (piano), John Riley (drums). Some nice pieces here. B+(**) [cd]
Marta Warelis: Still Life With Lemons (2024 [2026], Relative Pitch): Polish pianist, based in Amsterdam since 2014, recordings since 2019 include work with Dave Douglas. Sextet here includes Ben LaMar Gay (trumpet/electronics), Ab Baars (clarinet/tenor sax), Karen Ng (clarinet/alto sax), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass), and Frank Rosaly (drums). B+(**) [bc]
SML: Spontaneous Music Live (2025 [2026], International Anthem): Los Angeles-based jazz quintet, third album, two pieces (23:46 + 24:34), selected and mixed from a three-night stand (credit Bryce Gonzales, who mixed Jeff Parker's live EVA IVtet albums). Close-knit group, most also known for their solo efforts: Anna Butterss, Jeremiah Chiu, Josh Johnson, Booker Stardrum, Gregory Uhlmann. Groove is somewhat minimalist, but the differences matter. A− [sp]
Ingrid Jensen: Landings (2025 [2026], Newvelle): Trumpet player from Canada, debut 1995, seems like her recent efforts have been lost in collaborations (including Artemis) and exotica, but this one focuses on her trumpet, backed by Gary Versace (organ), Marvin Sewell (guitar), and Jon Wikan (drums). B+(***) [dl]
Nicolas Leirtrø's Action Now!: Entrance (2025 [2026], Sauajazz): Norwegian bassist, side credits since 2016, just emerging as a leader. Quartet with Mats Gustafsson (saxophones/flute), Kit Downes (organ), and Veslemøy Narvesen (drums), playing the leader's music, which mostly keeps Gustafsson safe from blowing our brains out, although it also saddles him with a flute section I didn't get into — not nearly as much as the loud section at the end. B+(***) [bc]
David Adewumi: The Flame Beneath the Silence (2024 [2026], Giant Step Arts): Trumpet player, first album, side-credits since 2020, label touts this "modern masters and new horizons series," offering him a live venue and major league support: Joel Ross (vibes), Linda May Han Oh (bass), and Marcus Gilmore (drums). He's off to a strong start? B+(***) [cd]
Shabaka: Of the Earth (2026, Shabaka): Last name Hutchings, British saxophonist, has been a major figure in groups like Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming, his own Ancestors, has a couple solo albums, at one point swore off sax in favor of flute, but seems to have recovered. Solo, with rhythm tracks and some rap. Still a lot of flute. B+(*) [sp]
Gabrielle Cavassa: Diavola (2026, Blue Note): Jazz singer, "Blue Note debut" but actually one previous album, also a feature with Joshua Redman (2023), two songwriting credits here. A very skilled singer, with unusual song selection. Jeff Parker plays guitar, with Larry Grenadier (bass) and Brian Blade (drums). Redman plays tenor sax on two tracks. B+(**) [sp]
Josh Berman Trio: Everybody Else's Life Too (2025 [2026], Corbett vs. Dempsey): Chicago cornet player, credits start in 2002, include groups with Keefe Jackson, Ken Vandermark, Mike Reed, Jason Adasiewicz, many more. Trio with Jason Roebke (bass) and Chris Corsano (drums). B+(***) [bc]
Terry Waldo & the Gotham City Band: Treasury Volume 3 (2026, Turtle Bay): Ragtime pianist, b. 1944, mentored by Eubie Blake 1969-83, but also studied with Roland Hanna, Dick Wellstood, and Jaki Byard; called his first band The Fungus Five Plus Two ("our music grows on you"), but best known for Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators (1969-81), and now for his Gotham City Band (since 1984). Old songs, recently recorded (I've been assured). The first two volumes are treasures indeed. This is, if anything, even more delightful. A- [sp]
Pat Metheny: Side-Eye III+ (2026, Ubiquity Music): Jazz guitarist, long career, exceptionally popular, second Side-Eye recording (after 2021's Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)), but a different group — the trio with Chris Fishman (keyboards) and Joe Dyson (drums) gets cover billing, plus guests including a vocal ensemble. B+(*) [sp]
Ben Allison/Steve Cardenas/Ted Nash: Triological (2026, Sunnyside): Bass, guitar, and tenor sax/clarinet trio, stylized on cover as "Allison, Cardenas & Nash," all three long-established and familiar (with at least four previous albums together), song credits split 4-3-3. Model referred to is Jimmy Giuffre's drummer-less trio, but with guitar instead of piano. I'm not sure I ever got the model, but such distinctions are pretty subtle. B+(**) [sp]
Florian Arbenz Feat. Bill Frisell/Greg Osby: Quiet Lights (2026, Hammer/Conversation Lab): Swiss drummer, started in the trio Vein, started remotely piecing together his "Conversations" during the pandemic, originally by passing tapes back and forth. This started with the drummer's soundscapes, but was recorded in a studio session without overdubs. B+(***) [sp]
Harry Skoler: Echoes (2026, Red Brick Hill): Clarinetist, debut 1995, not many albums since, this one a quartet featuring Bill Frisell (guitar), with bass (Dezron Douglas) and drums (Johnathan Blake). B+(**) [sp]
Anthony Joseph: The Ark (2026, Heavenly Sweetness): Spoken word artist from Trinidad, based in England, honed his craft writing poetry and novels, half-dozen albums since 2013 (per Discogs; Wikipedia goes back to 2007), a striking lyricist but I'm even more impressed with the music. A- [sp]
Ben Wolfe: Any Time After Now (2025 [2026], Resident Arts): Bassist, a dozen albums since 1998, mostly mainstream labels, side credits start with Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, and Wynton Marsalis. Quintet draws on two rising stars — Joel Ross (vibes) and Sullivan Fortner (piano) — adding tenor sax (Chris Lewis) and drums (Aaron Kimmel). B+(*) [sp]
John Beasley & SWR Big Band: Invisible Piano (O-Tone Music) [U]
Carlos Henríquez: Monk Con Clave (2026, self-released): Bassist, from New York City, fifth album since 2015 (including the similar title Dizzy Con Clave), started with Tito Puente in 1999 but main gig since 2004 has been the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, which provides much of the fire power for this big band album, with some vocals. B+(**) [sp]
Mark Lomax II & the Urban Art Ensemble: The Unity Suite (2025 [2026], CFG Multimedia): Drummer, based in Columbus, Ohio, has a remarkable run of album since 1999, not least thanks to powerhouse tenor saxophonist Edwin Bayard, but has been little noticed — I initially noticed his 2010 album The State of Black America, which may have been the only album of his to get any promotion at all. Here he expands beyond his usual trio (with Dean Hullett on bass) and quartet (add William Menefield on piano) to include trumpet (Kenyatta Beasley) and alto sax (Rob Dixon). Sometimes sounds (perhaps a bit too much) like the second coming of Saint John Coltrane. A- [os]
Catherine Russell: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center (2024 [2026], Dot Time): Jazz singer, got a late start at 50 with her 2006 debut, but her famous father was older still when she was born (that's swing bandleader Luis Russell, 1902-63, who after 1930 ceded top billing to his star, Louis Armstrong), although her less famous mother, Carline Ray (1925-2013, a singer who played guitar and bass) must have had a more direct influence. She's impressed every time out, but rarely moved this far into the old songs, with a seven-piece swing band — including Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), John Allred (trombone), Evan Arntzen (tenor sax/clarinet), and Matt Munisteri (guitar), plus a tap dancer on four tracks. B+(***) [sp]
Zu: Ferrum Sidereum (2026, House of Mythology): Italian group, founded 1999, came to my attention in jazz but always had a fondness for noise and lately have gravitated toward metal. Principally Luca T Mai (sax) and Massimo Pupillo (bass), both also on keyboards, plus new drummer Paolo Mongardi. I have this tagged as "avant-metal," but it's instrumental, and as tricky as ever. B+(**) [sp]
Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet: The Solastalgia Suite (2024 [2026], Pyroclastic): Pianist, originally from Canada, put together a series of impressive albums in the 2000s, then moved to the forefront when she set up a label that is much more than just herself. Now she's making moves, this one with a scratchy Polish string quartet that doesn't allow you the option of not listening. A bit too "classical" for my taste, but those not similarly prejudiced are likely to be impressed. B+(***) [cd]
Asher Gamedze: A Semblance: Of Return (Northern Spy) [U]
Christian Lillinger: Open Form for Society II (Plaist) [U]
Vera Morais: Eupnea (Porta Jazz) [U]
Pat Thomas & XT: Strata, Act (Joy Contemporary) (2022 [2026], We Jazz): British avant-pianist, also electronics, in a trio Paul Abbott ("real and imaginary drums") and Seymour Wright ("actual and potential sax," of [Ahmed]). The duo has 7 other albums, one with Thomas (a rendition of Cecil Taylor's Akisakila). Three long (36:02, 43:24, 50:05) live sets on the 2-CD, plus two more digital tracks (20:31 + 16:43). Way too much, but pretty awesome when they all his peak intensity. B+(**) [bc]
John Butcher: Away, I Was (2008-25 [2026], Relative Pitch): British avant-saxophonist, prolific since 1985, offers a widely scattered collection of solo tenor and soprano pieces. B+(**) [sp]
The Outskirts: Orbital (2025 [2026], Aerophonic, 2CD): Trio of Dave Rempis (alto/tenor sax), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass), and Frank Rosaly (drums), active in Chicago when the Norwegian bassist live there (2005-08), belatedly released a 2009 live album ("a barely usable rough mix") in 2020, but regrouped here for a couple of live dates in Europe: one in Padova on the first disc (74:41), and one a week earlier in Antwerp on the second (69:45), joined by pianist Marta Warelis. (I filed the old album under Rosaly's name, but Rempis claims all the compositions here.) Rempis is terrific, as usual. Warelis isn't necessary, but a plus. A- [dl]
Kalia Vandever: Mana (2026, International Anthem): Trombonist, sings some, fifth album since 2019, second solo album, with "spare piano" and other electronic effects. Title Hawaiian. Vibe ambient. Short (7 songs, 27:06). B+(*) [sp]
Julia Hülsmann Octet: While I Was Away (2023 [2026], ECM): German pianist, albums since 2000, ninth (or tenth) album on ECM, first octet, but that's counting three vocalists, leaving you with a piano-bass-drums trio (with Eva Kruse and Eva Klesse) plus violin and cello. Five songs by Hülsmann with borrowed lyrics (mostly poets), two songs (plus one lyric) by singer Live Maria Roggen, three others including an Ani DiFranco cover. B+(**) [sp]
Lao Dan Chicago Quartet: Klotski (2024 [2026], Trost): Saxophonist from China (Dandong, near the border with North Korea), majored in bamboo flute, was featured in the Shenyang Conservatory of Music's youth orchestra, toured the US in 2018, has many albums since then, some trad Chinese, and some free jazz. He plays tenor sax, chinese flute, and suona here, with piano (Mabel Kwan) and a Chicago rhythm section of Joshua Abrams (bass) and Michael Zerang (drums). B+(***) [bc]
Barcelona Art Orchestra & Miguel Zenón: Expressions: Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (2025 [2026], Miel Music): Barcelona-based group, has at least one previous album, led by Néstor Giménez (piano), Lluc Casares (tenor sax), Joan Vidal (drums), and Lluis Vidal (piano), each composing a section here, featuring the alto saxophonist. B+(*) [sp]
Jean-Luc Thomas Quartet: Sillons (Hirustica) [U]
Jesse Davis Quartet: Reflections (2025 [2026], Cellar): Alto saxophonist, from New Orleans, was a student of Ellis Marsalis, early albums (1991-2000) on Concord, regular side credits since then but not a lot of albums under his own name. Quartet with Spike Wilner (piano), John Webber (bass), and (cover says "featuring") Lewis Nash (drums). Mainstream, but exceptionally vibrant, which could very well be a superb drummer hard at work, but you mostly hear it in the horn. A- [sp]
John Clayton: The Two-o Duo Project (2026, ArtistShare): Bassist, brother of saxophonist Jeff Clayton, they've recorded 8 albums as the Clayton Brothers (1991-2015), as many more as Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, also father of pianist Gerald Clayton, who plays as this "duo-centered studio project grew organically into select trio performances." The third "duo" partner here is singer René Marie. I quickly lost track of who plays what with whom, and wasted a lot of time trying to look such basic info up. Part of that problem is that they all flow together so seamlessly. B+(**) [sp]
Catherine Delaunay: L'Homme Des Damps (Nato) [U]
Omar Sosa/Joo Kraus/Diego Pinera: Vibe Factor (2026, Music Hub): Cuban pianist, left in the 1990s for Ecuador, eventually wound up in Spain. Many albums since 1996. Strangely very little info available on this album, but Kraus (from Germany) plays trumpet, and Pinera (from Uruguay) drums. Apt title. B+(**) [sp]
Thommy Andersson: Shimmering Blue (2026, SteepleChase): Swedish bassist, Discogs credits him with 14 releases since 2004, 98 total performance credits (many with Pierre Dørge). Drummerless trio with high and low brass: Kirk Knuffke (cornet and soprano trombone) and José Davila (trombone, tuba, euphonium, helicon, bass flute, didgeridoo). Nicely done, worth focusing on the bass. B+(***) [sp]
Aaron Shaw: And So It Is (2025 [2026], Leaving): Saxophonist from Los Angeles, also plays bass clarinte and alto flute, first album, has some side credits with rappers (Tyler the Creator, Billy Woods), but mostly with Carlos Niño, who co-produced here. Shaw has a horrific health story which may contribute to the focus on what's called "spiritual jazz," or he may just dig Coltrane. B+(*) [sp]
Aymeric Avice/Luke Stewart/Chad Taylor: Deep in the Earth High in the Sky (2025 [2026], RogueArt): I've seen every permutation of artist credit order for this, with my CD listing the Taylor (drums) first above the title, then last under the title, while Bandcamp lists Stewart (bass) first, with a cover scan that seems to favor Avice (trumpet). Discogs, with the same cover scan (I just got a CD with no packaging) credits Stewart first. I initially listed Taylor, but on second thought, let's give it to the French trumpeter (evidently his first album). Free jazz bash, with mbiras. B+(***) [cdr]
Keyvan Chemirani: Tales of Nar (2025 [2026], PeeWee!): French zarb player, albums since 1995, including work in Louis Sclavis Quartet. Some very elegant folk-jazz fusion. B+(***) [sp]
Alexis Marcelo: Solo Piano (2025 [2026], Intakt): Pianist, from the Bronx, parents immigrants from Panama and the Dominican, has a couple of albums, side credits back to 2000, many with Adam Rudolph. Solo, makes an impression. B+(**) [sp]
Pedrito Martínez/Antonio Sánchez/Michael League: Elipsis (2026, GroundUP Music): Cuban percussionist (conga/bata), moved to New York in 1998, also sings, with the Mexican drummer and a "genre-busting" bassist (founder of Bokanté, Forq, and Snarky Puppy), and others, one presumes. The percussion impresses, the vocals seem frantic, and the bassist brings doom and gloom, for better or worse. B+(**) [sp]
Django Festival Allstars: Evolution (2026, Motéma): Group originally organized for the Django Reinhardt NY Festival in 2002, have released a couple previous albums, back for a 25th anniversary reunion, led by Dorado Schmitt (guitar), with Ludovic Beier (accordion), and Pierre Blanchard (violin), with a drumless rhythm section of Antonio Licusati (bass) and Francko Mehrstein (rhythm guitar). B+(*) [sp]
Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Exit) Knarr: Fly (2025 [2026], Sauajazz): Norwegian bassist, scores, probably hundreds of album since the early 1990s, several with this group since 2021: two saxophonists (Amalie Dahl and Karl Hjalmar Nyberg), piano (Marta Warelis), guitar (Jonathan F. Horne), and drums (Olaf Olsen). B+(***) [bc]
Steve Wilson: Enduring Sonance (2025 [2026], Smoke Sessions): Saxophonist (alto/soprano, also flute), has a couple dozen albums since 1992, many more side credits, including big bands (notably Maria Schneider). With Joe Locke (vibes), Renee Rosnes (piano/electric), Jay Anderson (bass), and Kendrick Scott (drums), plus french horn on two tracks. B+(*) [sp]
Christine Abdelnour/Frantz Loriot/David Meier/Pascal Niggenkemper: Et Il Y Aura . . . (Veto) [U]
Colin Hancock's Joymakers: A Texas-Sized Band (2026, Turtle Bay): Austin-based ten-piece trad jazz outfit, named for a 1920s Texas band of the same name, led by arranger Colin Hancock, who also plays cornet, alto & baritone sax, mellophone, kazoo, and is one of several singers. B+(**) [sp]
David Janeway Trio: Live at Blue LLama (2024 [2026], SteepleChase): Pianist, debut album 1986, but not much more until 2021, when he landed on SteepleChase. Third album there, trio with Robert Hurst (bass) and Billy Hart (drums), playing two originals and a bunch of standards. B+(*) [cd]
Camila Nebbia & Chris Corsano: Six or Seven Ways Towards Becoming Undone (2025 [2026], Relative Pitch): Tenor sax and drums duo, the former from Argentina but has been tearing up Europe since 2020. B+(***) [sp]
Ivo Perelman/Wadada Leo Smith: Duologues 5 (2026, Ibeji): Tenor sax and trumpet duo. Two masters, though not a lot of contrast or momentum. B+(***) [sp]
Fie Schouten/Vincent Courtois/Sofia Borges/Pierre Baux: Open Space (2025 [2026], Relative Pitch): Clarinets, cello, drums, and spoken voice (in French, which I'm not following very well, but finding interesting). B+(**) [cd]
Ron Carter & Yotam Silberstein: Duets (2026, Jojo): Bass and guitar duo: the 89-year-old bassist almost certainly holds some kind of record for most albums appeared on; while he's still best known for his 1960s work with Miles Davis, one could probably construct a whole CG from his duo work, and delight in doing so. (Pick hit would be Chemistry, his 2016 duo with Houston Person.) The guitarist has appeared regularly since 2008, with a soft tone and delicacy that I find pleasant but rarely give a second thought. But this brief set (2 originals, 7 standards, 34:02) raises pleasant to pleasure. A- [cd]
Dominique Cravic Et Les Primitifs Du Futur: Les Crimes Du Musette (2026, Buda Musique): French guitarist, fondly remembered for two albums Sunnyside released in 2006-08 (World Musette and Tribal Musette, the former dating back to 1999). The booklet (scanned on Discogs) includes two pages of credits, and a gallery of 77 pics, which presumably map to the credits. French chanson, many singers, most offhand as is the fairly minimal music, booklet has notes on the 27 songs but no recording dates, cover art by R. Crumb. B+(***) [sp]
Jon Irabagon: Raw Dog (2025 [2026], Corbett vs. Dempsey): Always excited to find a new album by the MOPDTK saxophonist. Less excited to find out that it's solo, even more that it's bass saxophone, covering two compositions each from Anthony Braxton and Julius Hemphill. But it probably helps that the big horn handles slow, and is impervious to screeching (unlike, say, Braxton's For Alto, which some regard as a masterpiece but I couldn't stand). The results are neither "mind-blowing [nor] ear juddering," but the explorations of "Hemphill's deep blues feel and Braxton's erector set structures" are interesting. B+(**) [bc]
Art Edmaiston & Chad Fowler: Memphis Mandala (2024 [2026], Mahakala Music): Tenor/soprano saxophonist from Tennessee, based in Memphis since 1990, has quite a few side credits since 1997, mostly with blues groups like JJ Grey & Mofro. Gets a shot at a free jazz album, with label head Fowler playing strich and flute, backed by bass (Damon Smith) and two drummer/percussionists (Ra Kalam Bob Moses and Clifford "Pee Wee" Jackson). Seems a little subdued. B+(*) [sp]
Kenny Barron: Songbook (2025, Artwork): Pianist, b. 1943, recorded some fine albums for Muse starting in 1973, came to my attention backing Stan Getz on People Time (1991), Discogs credits him with 98 albums and 770 performance credits, starting in 1960 with Yusef Lateef, then his brother, saxophonist Bill Barron. But while he's justly famous for his albums, he may have had even more impact as an educator: the number of famous pianists who cite him on their resumes must run well past 100. One thing he's not especially noted for is accompanying singers (unlike, say, Tommy Flanagan, or Ran Blake), but there have been a few (catching my eye, up to 1991, are Maria Muldaur, Sheila Jordan, and Jay Clayton; next screen adds Helen Merrill, Abbey Lincoln, Dianne Reeves, and lesser names). This is billed as his "first album to fully feature vocals." At first, I figured this was would just be a showcase for singers — he lined up eight, some famous (Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell), some "up and coming" (Tyreek McDole, Ekep Nkwelle, Kavita Shah) — with his piano trio — Kiyoshi Kitagawa (bass) and Johnathan Blake (drums) — tying them together. But it turns out they're all singing his music, with new lyrics by Janice Jarrett. So it takes longer to sink in than standards, and the scattered voices depersonalize it a bit. But the piano is superb. B+(***) [sp]
Hannah Gill: I Like the Sunrise (2026, Turtle Bay): Standards singer, several albums since 2023, backed by guitar-bass-drums, with Ricky Alexander (sax). B+(**) [bc]
Vinny Golia Quintet: Angular Momentum (2025 [2026], Nine Winds): Plays all saxophones and clarinets, turns 80 this year. Quintet with Kris Tiner (trumpet), Cathlene Pineda (piano), Miller Wrenn (bass), and Clint Dodson (drums, vibes, waterphone). B+(***) [bc]
Edward Simon: Venezuela: Latin American Songbook Vol. 2 (ArtistShare) [U]
Tyrone Allen II: Upward (2024 [2026], Dreams and Fears): Bassist, based in Brooklyn, first album, a dozen side-credits back to 2018, with several notable younger players: Neta Raanan (tenor sax), Lex Korten (keys), Samantha Feliciano (harp), Aidan Lombard (trumpet), Kayvon Gordon (drums), Abe Nouri (live effects). B+(*) [cd]
Goal Weight [Maggie Cox & Jennifer Gersten]: Keep Telling Yourself That (2025 [2026], Relative Pitch): New York City duo, bass and violin. B+(***) [sp]
Duchess: A Marvelous Party (2025 [2026], Anzic): Vocal trio, fourth album (including one live) since 2015, all three with notable solo careers: Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner, Melissa Stylianou. Favors older songs with harmonies reminiscent of the Andrews Sisters, and swinging arrangements by Oded Lev-Ari. B+(**) [sp]
Dave Holland/Norma Winstone/London Vocal Project: Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler) (Edition) [U]
Bill Orcutt: Music in Continuous Motion (2026, Palilalia): Guitarist, has a noise-rock background starting in the group Harry Pussy, has quite a few instrumental albums, of late some with four guitars (including this one, but apparently here they're all him). B+(**) [sp]
Quagmire & Christer Bothén: Rörane (Relative Pitch) [U]
Tom Raworth & Giancarlo Nino Locatelli: A Decent Run (We Insist!) [U]
Jonathan Suazo: Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto De Mi Corazónn (Miel Music) [U]
Tia Fuller & Shamie Fuller-Royston: Fuller Sound Vol. 2: Dynasty (Cellar) [U]
Kiri Ra!: Nen (2026, We Jazz): Finnish trio, second album, all three play piano, keyboards, balafon, and other instruments — Linda Fredriksson also plays sax and flutes. No recording dates, but "it took 10 years to combine the right pieces for the album." Intricate and slightly exotic music closer to ambient than to jazz, which doesn't mean it isn't. B+(**) [sp]
Magda Mayas: Chant (Unsounds) [U]
Camila Nebbia/Marilyn Crispell/Lesley Mok: A Reflection Distorts Over Water (2024 [2025], Relative Pitch): Tenor sax, piano, and drums trio. Another typically strong free sax record. B+(***) [bc]
Miho Hazama: Frames (2025 [2026], Edition): Japanese composer/conductor, based in New York, tenth album since 2012, has been leaning on European big bands since 2018, here with the Danish Radio Big Band (who Discogs gives a co-credit to, but Bandcamp doesn't). She's very good at this, and they're good enough, but I don't feel like figuring out exactly how much. B+(**) [sp]
Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere: Theta Seven (Discus Music) [U]
Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project: The Longest Way Round (2025 [2026], One Trick Dog): Pianist, also plays accordion, nothing much on Discogs although I have two previous Nebula Project albums in my database. Fancy postbop, the accordion picking up folk signals and whipping them into a frenzy. B+(***) [cd]
Billy Childs: Triumvirate (Mack Avenue) [U]
Sei Miguel: Viva! (O Carro De Fogo De Sei Miguel) (2023 [2026], Clean Feed): Portuguese trumpet player (1961-2025), first album 1988. This offers two improv sets (54:56 + 52:24) of an octet with trombone, alto sax, electric guitar, electric bass, organ, drums, and extra percussion, nicely spaced out with plenty of food for thought. This is being billed as the label's final new release, after 25 distinguished years. (A quick check reveals I have 639 of their records in my database: 6 A, 70 A−.) They will be missed, but the music will continue. B+(***) [sp]
Nolatet: Somethin' to Relax With (2025 [2026], Royal Potato Family): New Orleans quartet, third album since 2016, names on cover: Brian Haas (piano), Mike Dillon (vibes/percussion), Johnny Vidacovich (drums), and James Singleton (bass). Closer to MJQ than anything I associate with New Orleans. B+(*) [sp]
Ballister + Luke Stewart: Clocking the Wheel (2025 [2026], Aerophonic): Trio of Dave Rempis (4 saxophones), Fred Longerg-Holm (cello), and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums), 7th album since 2019, adds the bassist for this go around. Two pieces, 72:46, exactly the sort of hard hitting free jazz one expects by now. A- [cd]
Sam Barsh/Mark Guiliana/Keyon Harold: Straight08 (2026, La Reserve): Keyboardist, from Chicago, based in Los Angeles, has a previous album from 2008, but 40+ side-credits, mostly jazz but the big names are in or near hip-hop (Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Macy Gray, Doja Cat, Logic, Anderson .Paak). With drums and trumpet, the latter often quite striking. B+(**) [sp]
Dietrichs: Live Bahdu (Relative Pitch) [U]
Tigran Hamasyan: Manifeste (2023-25 [2026], Naïve): Armenian pianist, lives in Yerevan after some time in Los Angeles, over a dozen albums since 2006, most on major labels (Verve, ECM, Nonesuch), draws on a wide array of styles, using electronics and voices (including the Yerevan State Chamber Choir). Impressive moves, just not a mix I particularly enjoy. B [sp]
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band: Arsenio and Beyond: Live at the Bronx Music Hall (2026, Jazzheads): Drummer, from the South Bronx, started with Mongo Santamaria in 1983, recorded an album in 1993, and many more since 2000, adopted Multiverse in 2012, has several big band tributes to prominent Afro-Cuban figures, including Arsenio Rodriguez here. A mind-boggling tsunami of vocals, horns, and percussion. B+(*) [cd]
Gerry Hemingway: Live at Bau 4 (2025 [2026], Hat Hut): Drummer, part of Anthony Braxton's famous 1980s Quartet, also of the long-running BassDrumBone trio, with several dozen albums on his own. This one features Izumi Kimura (piano) and Frank Gratkowski (clarinet/bass clarinet/alto sax/alto flute), who turn in exemplary solos, and Christian Weber (bass). A− [cd]
Ava Mendoza: Alive Alone, Alive Together (2026, Burning Ambulance): Guitarist, based in Brooklyn, can play heavy rock as well as avant-jazz, sings/shouts some, could make it as the next Kim Gordon, but holds her own on four solo tracks here, and gets some help from Hamid Drake (drums) on four more. B+(***) [bc]
Andrew Oliver & Hal Smith Incomparables: Stomp Your Stuff (2025, Turtle Bay) [U]
Reverso: Between Two Silences (2024 [2026], Alternate Side): Trombonist Ryan Keberle, his name no longer up front in this chamber jazz trio, with Frank Woeste (piano) and Vincent Courtois (cello), in what is at least their fifth album together (back to a Ravel-inspired 2017 album), this one original material from all three (3-5-2), this time inspired by Satie. B+(***) [cd]
Willy Rodriguez, In the Unknown (I Will Find You) (Sunnyside) [U]
These Things Happen: A Gentle Reminder (Corbett vs. Dempsey) [U]
Thundercat: Distracted (2026, Brainfeeder): Neo-soul singer-songwriter Stephen Bruner, mostly plays bass, has a rep as a producer, fifth album since 2011. B+(*) [sp]
Yelena Eckemoff: Rosendals Garden (L+H Production) [U]
Kurt Elling & WDR Big Band: In the Brass Palace (Big Shoulders) [U]
Maria Grand: Both Sides (2026, Lilaila): Swiss saxophonist (tenor/soprano), sings some, half-dozen albums since 2017; first side with bass-drums-percussion; second side with piano (Angelica Sanchez), voice (Jasmine Wilson), and alto sax on two tracks (Immanuel Wilkins). The spoken word is interesting. B+(***) [bc]
Emilio Solla & La Inestable De Brooklyn: Handmade (Club Del Disco) [U]
Matthew Stevens: Matthew Stevens (2026, Candid): Canadian jazz guitarist, half-dozen albums since 2015, varying cast beyond bass and drums, with Josh Johnson (alto sax) on most tracks, including two vocals, and some Joel Ross vibes. Originals, with a Sonny Sharrock cover. B+(*) [sp]
Christian Wallumrød Ensemble: Non Sonett (Aspen Edities) [U]
Michael Blake: Piccolos Before Rifles (Baby Tank) [U]
Marty Ehrlich: Cartographies of Flight: Lines Set Afloat Towards Hope (2024 [2026], Corbett vs. Dempsey): Alto saxophonist, plays a lot of clarinet and some flute, grew up in St. Louis, where he started working with Julius Hemphill and Oliver Lake, moved to New York in 1978, albums from 1984. Sextet with Ron Horton (trumpet), Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon), Erik Friedlander (cello), Matt Pavolka (bass), and Satoshi Takeishi (drums), with poetry read by Erica Hunt. B+(***) [bc]
Colin Hinton, Three Suites (Endectomorph Music) [U]
Pascal Niggenkemper Ensemble Tuvalu: D'Une Rive à L'Autre (2024 [2026], Subran Musiques Aventureuses): German-French bassist, living in Brooklyn, 20 albums since 2008. This piece is inspired by the Pacific archipelago of Tuvalu, a land especially endangered by climate change. "The stage plot consists of sixteen sounding curtains which surround the audience, 8 musicians and a poet circling nine sounding islands at the very center which symbolise the South Sea archipel Tuvalu." The group splits into two quartets, of cornet/trumpet, clarinet, accordion, bass/cello, with voice parts all around, in however many languages they can muster. B+(**) [bc]
Lo Steele: Only a Drop (Side Hustle/Little Village) [U]
Bobby Bradford/Mark Dresser/Hafez Modirzadeh: Sonic House Reunion (2026, NoBusiness): Cornet player, started in 1970 in a group with John Carter (1929-91), has worked steady and lasted a long time, appearing here at 92, in a trio with bass and tenor saxophone. B+(**) [cd]
Flea: Honora (2026, Nonesuch): Famous bassist, I recognized the pseudonym but couldn't place him (Red Hot Chili Peppers), debut solo album, plays trumpet on what is reportedly aa return to his jazz roots. That's not a parade I particularly want to rain on, but it doesn't particularly work as jazz, even as fusion. Part of this is that his social circle intrudes, and they're even less jazz-oriented than he is. B- [sp]
Henry Now: Then Again (2025, Dark Companion) [U]
Shelley Hirsch/Christian Weber/Alfred Vogel: Vanish (Boomslang) [U]
Nikita Korzoun: A Pot of Gold: Live at Philly Joe's Volume 1 (self-released) [U]
LEIDA: Mythological Portraits (Artway) [U]
Ben Markley Big Band: Tuesday Morning Feeling (OA2) [U]
Nicole McCabe: Color Theory (2026, Birdwatcher): Alto saxophonist, several albums since her impressive Introducing in 2020, this with Yvonne Rogers (piano/synth), Kanoa Mondenhall (bass), Eliza Salem (drums), plus spots for Adam O'Farrill (trumpet on 4 tracks), Christie Dashiell (vocals on 1), and more. Original pieces, some postbop, some farther out. B+(***) [sp]
Mikiko Nagatake: Live at Nardis: Tribute to Cecil Taylor (RINDO) [U]
Sweet Megg: Massive Negroni (2026, self-released): Retro standards singer Meaghan Farrell, has a dozen albums since 2017. Less swing and more slow ballads than I expected, but "Where or Win" sticks with you. B+(**) [sp]
TOC + Jean-Luc Guionnet: Quelques Idées D'Un Vert Incolore Dorment Furieusement (2025, Circum-Disc) [U]
Mariam Wallentin & Vestnorsk Jazzensemble: Spring Flood (Hubro) [U]
What You May Call It: Da Qi (2024 [2026], MechaBenzaiten): Quartet of Chris Kelsey (soprano/tenor sax, stritch), Rose Tang (guitar, vocals), Steve Holtje (keyboards, trombone), and Charles Downs (drums). Kelsey I recall as a jazz critic who did some records on CIMP that were long in my shopping list but hard to find. Holtje I know as ESP-Disk's publicist. Downs has a long and distinguished discography with Billy Bang, Cecil Taylor, William Parker, Jemeel Moondoc, etc., but mostly as Rashid Bakr. They make for some powerfully interesting music, but Tang's vocals — an acquired taste, quite possibly — disincline me from playing this again. B+(**) [cd]
Jack Wright and Ben Bennett: Tourne (2026, self-released): Sax and drums duo, the former from Pittsburgh, with dozens of albums since 1983; the latter from Philadelphia, with several albums together since 2011. Three tracks (35:12). That's a good length for this sort of prickly free jazz, which I find instantly appealing as long as it doesn't run too long, or too loud. Reminds me that I've long appreciated Wright, even if I rarely remember his name. A− [bc]
Yazz Ahmed: Shinrin-Yoku (2026, Night Time Stories, EP): British trumpet player, father from Bahrain, four albums since 2011, also several EPs, this one with four songs, 24:36. She's one of several London jazz musicians who, like Miles Davis, seem capable of crossover without compromise, but she's never quite hit the mark yet. B+(**) [sp]
Richard Baratta: Another Kind of Bird (2026, Savant): Drummer, has several albums of film music, dives into Charlie Parker tunes here, with Bill O'Connell (piano) arranging, Vincent Herring (alto sax), Paul Bollenback (guitar), Michael Goetz (bass), Paul Rossman (percussion), and guest spots for saxophonists Eric Alexander, Eric Burton, and Craig Handy. B+(*) [sp]
The BLCK Madonna: Between the Lines (Downtown Music) [U]
Alabaster DePlume: Dear Children of Our Children, I Knew: Epilogue (2026, International Anthem): British saxophonist, spoken word poet, actual name Angus Fairbairn, half-dozen albums since 2015, counts this as an EP (5 songs, 26:02), styled as an epilogue to his 2025 album A Blade Because a Blade Is Whole, and a bookend to his 2024 EP Cremisan: Prologue to a Blade. Also plays synths, sampler, and guitars, backed by bass (Shahzad Ismaily) and drums (Tcheser Holmes). B+(**) [sp]
Paul Dunmall Quartet, Afghan Women (RogueArt) [U]
Peter Evans, Mike Pride: A Window, Basically (2022-25 [2025], Relative Pitch): Avant trumpet and drums duo. This is often terrific. B+(***) [bc]
Satoko Fujii: Satoko Fujii's Bunker Ulmenwall Orchestra (2014 [2026], Libra, 2CD): Japanese avant-pianist, very prolific since 1996, went on a big band kick around 2007, organizing a series of orchestras wherever she traveled (first three were New York, Nagoya, and Tokyo). Many more since, with five new tapes of various vintages promised this year, starting with this one from Bielefeld, Germany (Bunker Ulmenwall was a WWII-vintage air raid shelter; to be followed later this year by the Orchestras Kobe, Nagoya, Berlin, and Tokyo). Detailed with many remarkable passages, demanding close scrutiny. A− [cd] [also in Rara Avis: 60]
Gaudi: Jazz Gone Dub (2025, Dubmission): Italian producer Daniele Cenacchi, plays keyboards, has been dabbling in jazz, electronica, and especially dub since the late 1980s, moving to London in 1995. B+(**) [sp]
José Lencastre/João Hasselberg/Kresten Osgood: This Anger Is a Liar (Fundacja Słuchaj) [U]
Hannah Marks: Feed the Fire (2025 [2026], Endectomorph Music): Bassist, second album (first was on Out of Your Head), quartet with Nathan Reising (alto sax), Lex Korten (piano), and Steven Crammer (drums), produced by Jason Moran. Originals and selected jazz covers, including Dewey Redman and Geri Allen. Impressive. B+(***) [sp]
Louis Matute: Dolce Vita (Naive) [U]
Kaori Nishijima & Yasuhito Mori: Conversations at Vilja (Apparat Studios) [U]
Mariam Rezaei/Sakina Abdou/Kobe Van Cauwenberghe: 1984 [I IX VIII IV]: The Forward Process (2025 [2026], Dropa Disc): Turntables, saxophones, guitars: I filed it under the latter, as he is principal composer. Most sources give group name as 1984, but cover offers four Roman numerals, in a 2x2 matrix, with the artist names above and the album title below, both in small print. B+(**) [bc]
Jeremy Sassoon: Older and Wiser (ECN Music) [U]
Ricky Alexander: Ragology (2025 [2026], Turtle Bay): Clarinet player, third album since 2018 (plus one with singer Sweet Megg), "takes an emphatic dive into the roots of ragtime and tangentially related genres that morphed into jazz." Conal Fowkes plays piano, along with banjo, bass, and drums. B+(***) [sp]
Atlantis Jazz Ensemble: Mystic Suite (Marlow) [U]
Magnus Carlson & the Moon Ray Quintet: Shadows (2025, We Jazz) [U]
Chrome Hill & Dōjō: Free Rangers (2024 [2026], Clean Feed): Norwegian free jazz group, sixth album since 2008, down to three here — Asbjørn Lerheim (bass guitar, electric guitar), Roger Arntzen (double bass), and Atle Nymo (tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet), joined by a Japanese duo: Michiyo Yagi (electric 21-string koto) and Tamaya Honda (drums), with most also credited with electronics. B+(***) [bc]
Corima: Hunab Ku (2026, Soleil Zeuhl): Los Angeles band "playing rock-fusion in the Zeuhl vein" — a term I had to look up, one originally applied to the French prog rock band Magma (which I recall from the 1970s; realizing that French wouldn't work for rock, and unwilling to switch to English, they invented a new lanaugage to sing in, Kobaïan); fourth album. Only one I recognize is saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi, but others play violin, keys, bass, and drums/tabla/harmonium. Most are credited with vocals, but they're not very intrusive. B+(*) [bc]
Marquis Hill: (Beautifulism) Sweet Surrender (2026, Black Unlimited): Trumpet player, from Chicago, debut 2011, impressive sax solo early on (Immanuel Wilkins), but also a lot of vocals, including rap. Has been billed as an EP, with a demo and a remix pushing this out to 10 songs, 34:20. B [cd]
Ramona Horvath Trio: Absinthe (2025, Fresh Sound) [U]
Javon Jackson: Jackson Plays Dylan (2025 [2026], Solid Jackson/Palmetto): Tenor saxophonist, has done impressive work since his 1991 debut, but hasn't always made the best choices. Plays ten Bob Dylan tunes here (after an original intro), backed by keyboards (Jeremy Manasia), bass, and drums, with two guest vocalists (Lisa Fischer and Nicole Zuraitis), singing the two canon songs I least want to ever hear the lyrics to ever again. I've heard a lot of Dylan over the years, and almost never want to hear him again these days. I've often been out of sync with other critics, which may have led to some bad feelings. But I was surprised by the three Jewels & Binoculars albums, where his melodies proved fruitful for a purely instrumental jazz trio. But this isn't that. B+(*) [cd]
Daunik Lazro/Joëlle Léandre/Paul Lovens: For Baritone Sax, Double Bass & Drumset (2013 [2026], Relative Pitch): French saxophonist, plays baritone here but primary instrument is probably alto, many albums since 1980, several previous encounters with the bassist and drummer. This is one improv piece, titled "Temps du Corps" for the venue in Paris. B+(**) [sp] [also in Rara Avis: 41]
Chris Morrissey: Infinite Source of Heat (GroundUP Music) [U]
Odense Jazz Orchestra: Meets Loren Stillman (AMM) [U]
The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters: The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (2024 [2025], Corbett vs. Dempsey): Useful abbreviation here TSORPM, first album, quartet of Gabriele Mitelli (piccolo trumpet/electronics/voice), Mette Rasmussen (alto sax), Mariam Rezael (turntables), and Lukas Koenig (drums/amplified cymbals/bass synth), from all over but recorded in Vienna. This can be tough going, but it's not like it was ever going to be easy to stand up to the monsters. B+(***) [bc]
Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest: Somni (2025, GroundUP Music) [U]
Soft Machine: Thirteen (MoonJune) [U]
Henry Threadgill/Vijay Iyer/Dafnis Prieto: Fifteen (Nonesuch) [U]
Álvaro Torres Trio: Mairena (2025 [2026], Fresh Sound New Talent): Spanish pianist, based in New York, website has several previous albums, trio with Masa Kamaguchi (bass) and Kresten Osgood (drums), but recorded live in his old home town of Madrid. Five originals, plus a Cole Porter cover. B+(**) [cd]
Circular Arcs: Conventicle (2020 [2025], Castor & Pollux Music): Trio of Esteban Flores (guitar), John Rieder (bass), and Nathan Hubbard (drums); Hubbard has a substantial discography going back to 2002, but the others are relatively new. Fairly heavy noise-fusion, impressive as far as it goes. B+(***) [bc]
Braxton Cook: Not Everyone Can Go (2025, Nettwerk): American saxophonist, several albums since 2015, sings some, also plays guitar and keyboards. B+(*) [sp]
Kieran Daly and Sam Weinberg: Live Unison and Unison Continued (Stern) [U]
Eliane Elias: Ao Vivo (Candid) [U]
Kristian Enkerud Lien's Krise: Apt Opt Kroma (2025, Catalytic Sound/Sonic Transmission) [U]
Last Dream of the Morning [John Butcher/John Edwards/Mark Sanders]: Sharp Illusion (2025, Fundacja Słuchaj) [U]
Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore: Tragic Magic (2026, In Finé): The former is known for wrapping choral vocals in electronic loops, with four solo (and now three collaborative) albums since 2011. The latter, with solo albums back to 2013, adds harp. B+(*) [sp]
Janel Leppin's Ensemble Volcanic Ash: Pluto in Aquarius (2026, Cuneiform): Third group album led by cellist (also plays synthesizer), with Brian Settles (tenor sax), Anthony Pirog (guitar), Luke Stewart (bass), and Larry Ferguson (drums). Develops some rock velocity toward the end. B+(**) [dl]
Brian Marsella & Sae Hashimoto: Tunnel Vision (Red Palace) [U]
Onilu: Jakuta's Dance (2025 [2026], 577): Group name is Yoruba for drummers, was used as title in 2025 for an album attributed to Joe Chambers, Kevin Diehl, and Chad Taylor. I filed that one under the first-listed Chambers, but Diehl (ex Sonic Liberation Front) is the evident leader here, with Taylor out and two more percussionists added: Craig McIver and Daniel Villarreal. While all four know their way around a drum kit, Chambers' first credit is for vibraphone, and McIver's is for marimba. Diehl favors bata drums, and Villarreal adds conga and cajon to all of the above. B+(***) [dl]
Eivind Opsvik/Elias Stemeseder/Will Graefe: The Setting (Loyal) [U]
Philipp Schiepek & Lorenz Widauer: Bangers & Ballads (Wooden Waggon/Galileo) [U]
Loren Schoenberg and His Jazz Orchestra: So Many Memories (2025, Turtle Bay): Tenor saxophonist (b. 1958), bandleader, Discogs gives him a lot of "acting, literary & spoken" credits — especially on Benny Goodman, but he's expert on everything swing, as much a scholar as a musician. He had five albums under this byline 1987-98, reviving it here (where he plays piano) on discovering, as the subtitle puts it, "Unheard Eddie Sauter Arrangements for Red Norvo and Mildred Bailey," to which the cover adds "featuring Kate Kortum & Warren Wolf." B+(***) [sp]
Stephan Thelen: Fractal Guitar 4 (MoonJune) [U]
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra & Sean Irvine: Forgotten Stories Suite (Chronograph) [U]
Zanja All Stars: Cuban Jam Session Volume 2 (2025, Zanja) [U]
BITOI: Sirkulu (2025, Supertraditional) [U]
Betty Bryant: Nothin' Better to Do (2026, Bry-Mar Music): Jazz singer, plays piano, originally from Kansas City, where Jay McShann was a mentor, moved to Los Angeles in 1955, played clubs but didn't record much — Discogs lists an album in 1987, two in 1999 — until she started releasing her own albums in 2013. Her Lotta Livin' (in 2023, at 93) was terrific, and this (at 96) is also quite satisfying. Three songs by her and/or producer Robert Lyle (soprano/tenor sax, flute). Some guest spots, good for trumpet, not so good for strings. B+(***) [sp]
Entropic Hop: The Quest for the Normal Is the Death of the Self (2025 [2026], ESP-Disk'): Group of Aron Namenwirth (guitar, voice, electronics), Ayumi Ishito (sax, electronics), and Kevin Shea (drums, voice, electronics), with special guest Sonic (voice, guiro), recorded in Brooklyn. Shea I recall from MOPDTK and Talibam!, and I've heard several of Ishito's albums on 577. Namenwirth has a couple albums I haven't heard [PS: below], but his guitar is key here, the foundation of their "post-human soundscape." Song titles start with "ChatGPT Grafted My Identity" and end with "Justice is no more than just ice," with scattered words, pondering much existential anguish along the way (a long one, 16 tracks, 76:47). B+(***) [cd]
Hugo Fernandez: Rivermind (self-released) [U]
James Fernando: Philly 3 (Spring Garden) [U]
Christopher Hoffman: Rex (2025 [2026[, Out of Your Head): Cellist, has several albums, this one is solo (13 tracks, 37:58), more varied than I would expect, as the instrument has unexpected qualities. B+(**) [cd]
New Jazz Underground: Hoodies (Artwork) [U]
Michael Jenner: Sparkle On! (self-released) [U]
Shawn Lovato: Biotic (2024 [2026], Endectomorph Music): Bassist, has a couple previous albums, this one a trio with Ingrid Laubrock (tenor sax) and Henry Mermer (drums), a fine example of the form. B+(***) [cd]
Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns: Bitches Blues (2026, Rune Grammofon): Norwegian guitarist, trio with Ståle Storløkken (keyboards) and Ole Mofjell (drums), group name from a 2023 live album (evidently some slang term for Norwegians). Opens with tough fusion, then relaxes a bit. B+(***) [sp]
Aja Monet: The Color of Rain (2026, Drink Sum Wtr): Poet, performer, activist, from New York, based in Los Angeles, second album after four books. Promises "all rhythm and no algorithm." But she lays on some serious politics: "From Palisades to Palestine/ An actress compares the LA oceanfront to Gaza/ Never mentions the Rafah border/ The cutoff of two thousand aid trucks / Neglects to mention body bags, rubble, or the Israeli snipers aimed at children," and "nothing like disaster to shock a heart into beating" and "HEPA can't filter this coruption/ Maybe, maybe socialism is on its way." A- [sp]
Paal Nilssen-Love & Terrie Ex: What?! (Terp) [U]
Outer Worlds Jazz Ensemble: The Kármán Line (2026, ATA): Leeds group, principally Chip Wickham (flutes) and Neil Innes (bass), with piano, bass, harp, drums/balafon, and percussion, plus some extra orchestra. Title refers to the hypothetical boundary between atmosphere and outer space. Some nice grooves at that distance. B+(***) [sp]
Jeremy Pelt: Our Community Will Not Be Erased (2025 [2026], HighNote): Trumpet player, close to 30 albums since 2002, mostly quartet with piano (Orrin Evans), bass (Buster Williams), and drums (Lenny White), plus extra keyboards on three tracks. B+(**) [sp]
Remergency: Wave Benders (Squid Note) [U]
Tyler "Twerk" Thomson: Plays in Bands (2026, self-released): New Orleans bassist, "young" by one account, no dates given but earliest side credit I can find, either under Tyler or Twerk, is 2013, but album cover is in the style of the old Bunk Johnson anthologies, and the music dates back a century (more or less). Five tracks with Thomson's Starting 7, followed by five with Charlie Halloran's Quality 6 and 4 with Tommy Mack's Band. Nothing spectacular, but exactly what this classic music should sound like. A− [bc]
Samuel Torres: Trio Libre (Blue Conga) [U]
Triple Blind: Cold Walk (self-released) [U]
The Westerlies: Have You Heard? The Music of Bill Frisell, Vol. 1 (2020-24 [2026], Westerlies): Brass quartet, formed in 2011 by Riley Mulherkar (trumpet) and Andy Clausen (trombone), here with seconds Chloe Rowlands (trumpet) and Addison Maye-Saxon (trombone). Over a dozen albums since their first on The Music of Wayne Horvitz. This one compiles eight Frisell compositions from eight separate dates, evidence that they've been thinking about his music for a long time. B+(**) [sp]
Rich Willey: Laid Back Vol. 1 (2025 [2026], Boptism): Trumpet player, early credits go back to 1993 (with Mel Tormé, on trombone), has more recently released albums as Rich Willey's Boptimism Big Band and his Boptimism Funk Band. Splits the difference here, with a featuring credit for John Swana (EVI) and arrangements by Wally Minko. B+(*) [cd]
Michael Winograd: Plays Tanz! Live in New York City (2025, Borscht Beat) [U]
Meredith Bates: The Observer Effect (Phonometrograph) [U]
Dave Burrell & David Liebman: Reservoir (2026, Bespoke Jazz): Pianist, b. 1940, records start in 1969, in a duo with the saxophonist, playing soprano. B+(**) [sp]
Andrés Coll Cosmic Trio: Ride to Heaven (2026, XJAZZ Music): Mallets player from Ibiza, mostly marimba here, with Mateusz Smoczynski (violin) and Ramón López (drums/tabla). B+(**) [sp]
Kris Davis Quartet: John Zorn: The Bagatelles Vol. 5 (Tzadik) [U]
Entre Amigos: Joyful Foundation: The Music of Justin Copeland (Entre Amigos) [U]
Mané Fernandes: sQuigg: playground_etiQuette (Porta Jazz) [U]
Joy Harjo: Insomnia & Seven Steps to Grace (2026, Smithsonian Folkways): Singer-songwriter (b. 1951), from Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma, has over a dozen volumes of poetry, a play, several non-fiction volumes, eighth album since 1997 (including one as Poetic Justice). Some jazz touches, including a coda of "Goodbye Pork Pit Hat." B+(***) [sp]
Alex Hitchcock & Ant Law: House of Light (ZenneZ) [U]
Corcoran Holt: Freedom of Art (Holt House Music) [U]
House of the Black Gardenia: Mazurka in Jazz (2026, HOTGB): Trad jazz nonet, led by bassist Neil Hopper and vocalist Elise Rana Hopper, second album after a 2020 debut. Mostly original songs, which shifts them from nostalgia act to some kind of cabaret sophistication. A− [sp]
Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band: Incarnadine (self-released) [U]
Knats: A Great Day in Newcastle (2026, Gearbox): "Geordie jazz" group from Newcastle, started by Stan Woodward (electric bass) and Kind David-Ike Elechi (drums), expanded to a quintet for their first album — trumper (Ferg Kilsby), tenor sax, keyboards — expanded much more here, with extra horns, strings, vocals, and Geordie Greep (from Black Midi) on guitar. Seems like another case of the "great" overwhelming the "good." B [sp]
Kirk Knuffke: Brother (2026, SteepleChase): Cornet player, "one of modern jazz's most skilled navigators of the divide between freedom and swing," presents a trio with Charlie Burnham (violin) and Thommy Andersson (bass), mostly keyed to Yusef Lateef. B+(***) [sp]
La La Lars: Lilla Lars (2026, Gothborgen, EP): Swedish drummer Lars Skoglund, has four albums as La La Lars since 2017, many side credits since 1998, trio here with Carl Bagge (piano) and Johan Berthling (bass), four songs (18:00). B+(*) [sp]
Fred Lonberg-Holm/João Madeira/Bruno Pedroso/Carlos Zinagaro: Convergência Do Vô (4DaRecord) [U]
Joe Morris/Elliott Sharp: Realism (2023 [2025], ESP-Disk): Two guitarists, the former also credited with "effects," the latter with "electronics," both have been on the fringe since it was called "avant-garde" (hype sheet says since 1983 and 1979, respectively). This sums their life's work up admirably. A- [cd]
John Scofield/Dave Holland: Memories of Home (2024 [2025], ECM): Guitar and bass duo, both legends: Holland left Miles Davis to record one of the greatest avant-jazz albums of 1972 (Conference of the Birds), then developed into one of the definitive postbop composer-bandleaders; Scofield picked up the fusion banner in 1981 and brought it to a new level of intricacy and sophistication. Not their first meeting, but their first duo album together. A- [sp]
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Ellington Masterworks (2024 [2026], MCG Jazz): Charlie Young is conductor and artistic direction, for "a live program of rare Duke Ellington compositions from 1940-68" — the only titles I recognize are "Jack the Bear" and "Ad Lib on Nippon," and few of the musicians ring a bell, but the Ellingtonia is unmistakable. B+(***) [cd]
Elias Stemeseder/Thomas Morgan: Io Pur Respiro (2024 [2026], Squama): Austrian pianist, increasingly active since 2013, in a duo with the bassist. Starts with a madrigal, adding two 1930s standards and two originals to span "400 years of melodic evolution." B+(***) [sp]
Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet: A Blue Time (2023-25 [2026], Circle 9): Drummer, third group album since 2015, personnel varies over sessions, but Adam Birnbaum (piano) and Doug Beavers (trombone) are constants, and help with arrangements (which also draw on outsiders, like John Fedchock and Rich DeRosa). All standards, including a Jobim and a Lennon-McCartney, with feature spots for Paul Bollenback (guitar) and Lucy Yeghiazaryan (vocals). B+(**) [cd]
Judith Berkson: Thee They Thy (ECM) [U]
Luciano Biondini/Michel Godard/Lucas Niggli: Fables of Time (2025 [2026], Intakt): Italian accordion player, many albums since 2000, including a previous (2011) trio with Godard (tuba, serpent, E-bass) and Niggli (drums). B+(*) [sp]
Stefano Bollani All Stars: Tutta Vita Live (Ponderosa) [U]
Paul Cosentino's Boilermaker Jazz Band: Everything Is Jumpin' (2025, self-released): Clarinet player, leader of a trad jazz group with over a dozen albums back to 1995 (most just under the band name). This one is subtitled "Plays the Artie Shaw Songbook," so mostly hits from 1937-39, with vocals by Erin Keckan. B+(**) [sp]
Cassie Watson Francillon: Bardo (self-released) [U]
Leo Genovese: Solo Brooklyn (577) [U]
Stella Heath: For Billie (Matterhorn) [U]
Hyper Elastic Jinx: We Vote Force Majeure (Barefoot) [U]
Guus Janssen: Live at the Pletterij (Geestgronden) [U]
Mike Khoury/Jason Kao Hwang/Ben Hall/Andrew Drury: Spite of Darkness (Entropy Stereo) [U]
Anna Kolchina: Reach for Tomorrow (2021-25 [2026], OA2): Standards singer from "the Soviet Union about 18 hours from Moscow" (an odd measurement that could mean dozens or thousands of miles, but evidently someplace with horses), moved to New York City in 2017, "a place where you can become friends with your heroes." At least one previous album, as well as a connection to Sheila Jordan. Twelve songs recorded over several years, each backed by a sole guitarist: Paul Bollenback, Peter Bernstein, Ilya Lushtak, Romero Lubambo, Russell Malone, Yotam Silberstein. I couldn't sort out the guitarists, but they might make an interesting blindfold test. They are all fine, and the singer shines with such minimal support. A- [cd]
Noa Levy & Paul Edis Trio: Portrait in Evans (Dot Time) [U]
ContraPunctus [Mike McGinnis/Carmen Staaf/Gui Duvignau/Hamir Atwal]: ContraPunctus (2025 [2026]. Adhyâropa): Surnames on the cover, but group name is more than implied. Respectively: clarinet/bass clarinet/soprano sax, piano/fender rhodes, bass, drums. B+(***) [sp]
Dave McMurray: I Love Life Even When I'm Hurting (2025, Blue Note): Saxophonist from Detroit, discography starts around 1980 with Griot Galaxy and Was (Not Was), has involved a lot of prominent studio work (B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Gladys Knight, Rolling Stones, B-52s, Iggy Pop, Bootsy Collins, John Sinclair, Mitch Ryder, Brian Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen, Kid Rock), with occasional records as a leader (3 1999-2003 albums on Hip Bop, Blue Note since 2018). I like the grit in his saxophone here. I'm less impressed with his vocalists (Herschel Boone, Kem). B+(*) [sp]
NOHMI: Brightness & Darkness (ZenneZ) [U]
Nikolett Pankovits: Red Dress (self-released) [U]
Ivo Perelman: Trifecta (2022-24 [2026], Mahakala Music, 3CD): Avant-saxophonist from Brazil, moved to the US in the early 1980s, after a normal start in 1989, he went on a tear around 1996, and has kept it up, typically releasing 8-12 albums per year, sometimes in clusters, like this series of tenor sax and guitar duets, one disc each with Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp, and Joe Morris. The Ribot session ends especially strong, but all the guitarists pick out interesting terrain, which the saxophonist navigates masterfully. A- [bc]
Mariá Portugal/Emilio Gordoa/Burkhard Beins: Erosão Percussion Trio (Kassiani/Fun in the Church) [U]
Noah Preminger: Dark Days (2024 [2025], Criss Cross Jazz): Tenor saxophonist, was our Debut winner in 2008, has a solid mainstream career with 20+ albums since. Quartet with Ely Perlman (guitar), Kim Cass (bass), and Terreon Gully (drums), mostly playing originals (one by Perlman), with two covers (Don Cherry, Nando Michelin). B+(***) [sp]
Adrian Quesada: Trio Asesino (ATO) [U]
Skerik: Skerik 061725 (2026, Loosegroove): Seattle-based saxophonist Eric Walton, has worked in many groups since the 1990s, including Garage A Trois, Critters Buggin, the Dead Kenny G's, and his Syncopated Taint Septet. This one is full-on ambient, like Eno's first ambient albums. Seems like a waste of a good saxophone to me, but on its own terms, this is nicely done. B+(**) [sp]
Tommaso Starace Organ Trio: Live at the Beaver Inn (Dodicilune) [U]
Craig Taborn/Nels Cline/Marcus Gilmore: Trio of Bloom (2024 [2025], Pyroclastic): Keyboards (mostly electric), guitars (too, including lap steel), drums. Billed as a self-titled debut, but the names are big enough they couldn't keep them off the cover. Long (70:18). A- [cd]
Udeigwe: Four Lemmas (2026, LU Factors): First name Lawrence, from Nigeria, moved to US in 2000, got a Ph.D. and is a professor of mathematics, also sings, several albums since 2007. B+(*) [sp]
Sofia Borges/Rieko Okuda/Peter Van Huffel: Lagrangian Points (2024 [2026], 4DaRecord): Drums, keyboards, alto/baritone sax, all with minors in electronics, recorded live in Berlin. Title refers to "positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large masses and the centrifugal force balance out." In this context, that suggests precise balance in improv interactions, and they've done that. B+(***) [dl]
Karsten Vogel: Late Night Ballads (2026, Storyville): Danish alto saxophonist, b. 1943, credits since the 1960s, albums since 1976. Seven standards and an original, played slow, backed by piano-bass-drums.B+(*) [sp]
Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing: Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit (2025 [2026], Origin): Composer and arranger, eleventh album since 2004, previous groups called Ascent and Imagine, this one well stocked with name talent: Steve Wilson (alto/soprano sax, flute), Pete McCann (guitars), Simona Premazzi (piano), John Hébert (bass), Rudy Royston (drums), and Aimée Allen (vocals). B+(***) [cd]
Jonas Cambien/Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard/Dag Erik Knedal Andersen: The Ear Behind the Airport (2025 [2026], Motvind): Belgian pianist, based in Norway, with bass and drums. I'm most impressed by the percussion here. B+(***) [bc]
The Paul Carlon Trio: Between Us Three (2024-25 [2026], TRRcollective): Tenor saxophonist, has several albums since 2006, credits include Grupo Los Santos and Schapiro 17; trio with bassist Alex "Apolo" Ayala and percussionist Wilson "Chembo" Corniel (congas, güiro, guataca, chemboro). I reckon this could count as Latin Jazz: the rhythms sure do, and the sax adds a single, uncluttered voice, a simplicity I admire. A- [sp]
Marleen Dahms' Alloy: Running and Belonging (2025, XJAZZ Music) [U]
Matt Dwonszyk: Live at the Sidedoor (2024 [2026], self-released): Bassist, third release as leader, eight originals, two covers, no musician credits on the packaging but per hype sheet: Josh Bruneau (trumpet), Matt Knoegel (tenor sax), Taber Gable (piano), Jonathan Barber (drums). The venue is located in Old Lyme, CT, and the musicians evidently have some kind of relationship to Jackie McLean. It comes through, and maybe a bit of Mingus too. B+(***) [cd]
Flöjter: Brest Blow (2025 [2026], Utech/Gigantonium): Improv duo of Mats Gustafsson (flute, slide flute, spilåpipa, harmonica, live electronics, organ, so he left the heavy artillery at home) and Delphine Joussein (flute, electronics). Two tracks, 32:09. B+(**) [bc]
Nick Fraser: Areas (2026, Elastic): Canadian drummer, close to 100 credits since his 1997 debut album, has several albums with Tony Malaby (tenor sax) and Kris Davis (piano), who return here, along with John Kameel Farah (electronics). B+(*) [bc]
Satoko Fujii Quartet: Burning Wick (2025, Libra): Japanese pianist, well over 100 albums, this is more/less her core group, with Natsuki Tamura (trumpet), Hayakawa Takeharu (bass), and Tatsuya Yoshida (drums). B+(***) [cd]
Devin Gray/Andrea Parkins/Frank Gratkowski: Hz of Gold (2021 [2026], Rataplan): Drummer, fair number of albums and side-credits since 2006, in an improv trio with electronics/accordion/wurlitzer and saxes/flutes/clarinets. B+(*) [sp]
Almut Kühne/João Pedro Brandão/Marcos Cavaleiro: Stones and Seeds (Carimbo Porta-Jazz) [U]
Joe Magnarelli: Decidedly So (Cellar) [U]
Wynton Marsalis & Vince Giordano: The Wonderful Word of Louis Armstrong (2012 [2026], Blue Engine): They pulled this old tape off the shelf to celebrate the centennary of Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven sessions, so the reference is to the cutting edge of 1920s jazz, not to the pop icon of later years. Giordano is a long-time trad jazz leader, playing bass sax and tuba here, while Marsalis shares trumpet duties with Jon-Erik Kellso. B+(**) [sp]
Pete Mills: This Is Now (Mighty Ernie) [U]
Quinsin Nachoff: Patterns From Nature (2023 [2026], Whirlwind): Canadian saxophonist, based in New York, albums since 2006, some earlier side credits (especially with Michael Bates). Two long, complex pieces (one dubbed a concerto), played by a large ensemble with extra strings, a bit much for my taste. B+(***) [cd]
John Pizzarelli: Dear Mr. Bennett (2026, Green Hill Music): Guitarist, like his father, and standards singer, many albums since his 1983 debut, I'm Hip (Please Don't Tell My Father), including many tributes, especially to Nat King Cole. Bennett's just a prism into everyone else's songbook, which is fine, especially as I like Pizzarelli's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" more than the original. Backed with piano (Isaiah J. Thompson) and bass (Mike Karn), also listed as co-producers. B+(***) [sp]
Ragini Trio: 3 (2026, W.E.R.F.): Sax trio from Belgium, with Nathan Daems (tenor sax/effects), Marco Bordoscia (double bass/bass guitar), and Lander Gyselinck (drums). Fine print says the group name comes from "years of deep exploration into long-form ragas, South Indian Carnatic traditions, konnakkol, and Western jazz." And here I thought I was just a sucker for a well-formed, full-throated saxophone trio. A- [bc]
Lisa Rich: I Still Rise (Tritone) [U]
David Sanchez: Tambó (2025 [2026], Ropeadope): Tenor saxophonist, from Puerto Rico, made a big impression in the 1990s (peaking in 1998 with Obsesión), first album since 2019, half soaring over Latin percussion like the good olde days, half slacks off a bit to show his ballad skills. B+(***) [sp]
Adam Schatz: Civil Engineering Vol. 1 (Jealous Butcher) [U]
Dave Schumacher & Cubeye: Agua Con Gas (2025 [2026], Cubeye Music): Baritone saxophonist, albums go back to 1993, second Cubeye album, with a mixed bag of Latin jazz musicians (notably pianists Manuel Valera and Silvano Monasterios, who contribute songs/arrangements). Three Schumacher originals, and two covers from Ronnie Cuber, who somehow figures into the motif. B [cd]
Susana Santos Silva/Vasco Trilla: Mushin (2024 [2026], Defkaz): Trumpet and percussion duo, from Portugal and Spain. B+(*) [bc]
Simon Spang-Hanssen: Afrolantic (Spangster/Alisio Music) [U]
Colin Stetson/Greg Fox/Trevor Dunn: Nethering (2018 [2026], Envision): Saxophonist, plays a wide range of instruments but is best known for his bass saxophone, which he's employed in various projects, rock and classical as well as jazz. Improv here with drums and bass. B+(**) [sp]
Soojin Suh: Prism of Existence (2026, Endectomorph Music): Korean drummer, has several previous albums, this a trio with piano (Jaehun Kang) and bass (Hoo Kim), recorded over four sessions (but dates not given). B+(**) [sp]
Joshua White: Flora and Fauna: 9 Preludes for Solo Piano (2025, Orenda) [U]
@xcrswx: Moodboard (2025, Feedback Moves): British duo of Crystabel Elemena Riley (human/drum-skin) and Seymour Wright (sax), the latter especially notable for his work in Ahmed but he's done a fair amount since 2001. Focus on percussion here. B+(***) [bc]
Samir Aouad: Casablanca (Les Luths Du Monde) [U]
Nat Birchall Quartet: Path of Enlightenment (2025 [2026], Ancient Archive of Sound): British tenor saxophonist, first album 1999, bears the "spiritual jazz" label because few if any have worked longer or harder to sound like John Coltrane, but also to expand on his legacy. To that end, he's kept the classic quartet format, with piano (Adam Fairhall), bass (Michael Bardon), and drums (Paul Hession). B+(***) [bc]
Alexander Claffy: Alive in Philadelphia Vol. 1: At Chris' Jazz Cafe (2025 [2026], Cellar): Bassist, has several albums since 2016, more side credits, mostly mainstream. Leads a veteran quintet with two saxophonists — Seamus Blake (tenor) and Jaleel Shaw (alto) — piano (Kevin Hays) and drums (Bill Stewart). Strong set, especially for Blake. B+(**) [sp]
E'Joung-Ju/Simon Mary/Anne-Laure Bourget: Samin Dong Rak (Label Ouest) [U]
Frankfurt Radio Big Band/Nils Wogram/Jim McNeely: Trilogue + 15: A Tribute to Albert Mangelsdorff (ACT Music) [U]
Monika Herzig: Transparent (Key of B) [U]
Insufficient Funs: Chunk (Diatribe) [U]
Clément Janinet/Arve Henriksen/Ambre Vuillermoz/Robert Lucaciu: Garden of Silences (BMC) [U]
Caroline Kraabel/Pat Thomas/John Edwards/Steve Noble: Transgressive Coastlines (Shrike) [U]
Finola Merivale & Catherine Sikora: Abhaile (Fort Evil Fruit) [U]
Humberto Ramírez: Catalino: Canciones De Tite Curet Alonso (Nilpo Music '25) [U]
Jim Robitaille Trio: Sonic (2026, Whaling City Sound): Guitarist, at least eight albums since 2004, backed by bass (Tom Casale) and drums (Chris Poudrier), eight originals plus covers of Coltrane and Davis. B+(**) [cd]
Kemuel Roig: 3Discovery (Life in Music) [U]
Adam Rudolph/Alexis Marcelo/Kaoru Watanabe: Sunrise (Meta) [U]
Arturo Sandoval: Sangú (TM) [U]
Shake Stew: Ten One Two (Traumton) [U]
Henry Threadgill Zooid: Cut You Where You Was (Pi) [U]
Juanma Trujillo/Kenneth Jiménez/Vasco Trilla: Nada Es Nada (Ramble) [U]
Miroslav Vitous: Mountain Call (2003-10 [2026], ECM): Czech bassist, studied music in Vienna, then got a scholarship to Berklee, emerging in 1970 as a founder of Weather Report, leaving in 1973 to pursue an eclectic solo career. Discography jumps a decade from 1992-2002, resumes with one of his best albums (Universal Syncopations), and continues, but with nothing since 2018. This picks from several sessions, with Michel Portal (clarinets) and Jack DeJohnette (drums) in large print on the cover, and variously the first nine pieces; Esperanza Spalding (voice), Bob Mintzer (bass clarinet), Gary Campbell (soprano/tenor sax), and Gerald Cleaver (drums) in smaller print, plus "members of Czech National Symphony Orchestra" (two extended pieces near the end). B+(*) [sp] [also in Rara Avis: 18]
Håvard Wiik/Antonio Borghini/Tim Daisy: One Brief Cure (2025 [2026], Relay): Norwegian pianist, side credits since 1996, especially with Atomic, gained some note in Chicago at least in Ken Vandermark groups, notably Free Fall (named for the Jimmy Giuffre trio with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow). With the Italian bassist and Chicago drummer (ex-Vandermark Five), both with previous Wiik duos. B+(***) [bc]
Wrens: Live @ Nublu (2025 [2026], Out of Your Head): Quartet, fronted by rapper Ryan Easter (also trumpet), mostly dense electronics from Elias Stemeseder and Lester St. Louis (also cello), with Jason Nazary (drums), following up a very interesting debut album (Half of What You See) with a rather rough improv live set. B+(***) [os]
Joshua Achiron: Climbing (2026, Calligram): Young guitarist, from Chicago, first album, playing original pieces (plus one Ellington), backed by veteran who elevate his game: Geof Bradfield (tenor sax), Clark Sommers (bass), and Dana Hall (drums). B+(**) [cd]
Nat Adderley Jr.: Took So Long (2025, NAJ) [U]
Eric Alexander: Like Sugar (2024 [2025], Cellar Live): Mainstream tenor saxophonist, has a lot of records since 1995, especially quartets like this one, with David Hazeltine (piano), Dennis Carroll (bass), and George Fludas (drums). Title is a nod to Stanley Turrentine, but not quite a tribute. This suits him very nicely. B+(***) [sp]
Ishmael Ali: Burn the Plastic, Sell the Copper (2023-25 [2026], Amalgam): Cellist, from Chicago, touted as his debut album but Discogs credits him with ten since 2020. Also credited with voice, electronics, and compositions, with Ed Wilkerson Jr. (tenor sax/alto clarinet), Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Jim Baker (piano, ARP), Brianna Tong (voice), and Bill Harris (drums). Voice a plus, for once. B+(***) [bc]
Lina Allemano Four: The Diptychs (2024 [2025], Lumo): Canadian trumpet player, divides her time between Toronto and Berlin, side credits since 1996, albums since 2003, mostly "Fours," this one with alto sax (Brodie West), bass (Andrew Downing), and drums (Nick Fraser). Two two-horn interplay can take off. B+(***) [bc]
Marshall Allen: New Dawn (2024 [2025], Mexican Summer): Alto saxophonist, joined Sun Ra's Arkestra in 1958, has led the ghost band since 1995, started work on this shortly after his 100th birthday, also playing kora and EWI, leading a large band with a string section and guest vocalist Neneh Cherry. I'm seeing hype for this as his "debut" album, although I have eight previous albums under his name in my database, not all co-credited to Sun Ra Arkestra. I'm also seeing a lot of people treating this as monumental album, but I'm still not hearing it. Wishful thinking, perhaps? It seems unlikely to me that they're appraising it against the 81 Sun Ra albums I've heard, as well as 6 more under Allen's own name. On the other hand, I paid so little attention first time around that I got the title wrong, so felt I had to fix that. B+(***) [sp]
Paulo Almeida: Love in Motion (2025 [2026], Dox): Brazilian drummer, also sings, sixth studio album, with Lorenzzo Vitolo (piano, synths), Josh Schofield (alto/soprano sax), Joan Codina (bass), plus vibes (Jorge Rossy) on one track, vocals (Lisette Spinnler) on another. Nice groove, vocals hit/miss. B+(**) [cd]
Julian Argüelles: Echo Fields (2026, Escapade): English saxophonist (tenor/soprano), albums since 1991, trio with Larry Grenadier (bass) and Jorge Rossy (drums). B+(**) [bc]
Marc Benham: Tricératops (Pégazz & L'Helicon) [U]
Louis Billette: Lux II (Jazz Family) [U]
David Binney: History:Memory (Mythology) [U]
Black Nile: Indigo Garden (2026, Hen House Studios): Los Angeles jazz fusion group, principally Aaron Shaw (sax) and Lawrence Shaw (bass), with keys (Luca Mendoza) and drums (Myles Martin), seems to be their fourth album since 2019 (but none on Discogs). More conventional than my initial take, which may just mean the sax is growing on me. B+(***) [sp]
Joseph Branciforte & Jozef Dumoulin: ITERAE (Greyfade) [U]
Federico Calcagno & the Dolphians: Face the Music (Da Vinci Jazz '25) [U]
Sarah Elizabeth Charles: Dawn (2024-25 [2025], Stretch/Ropeadope): Singer-songwriter, mostly in jazz, based in New York, teaches, has at least six albums since 2004, this one played by Maya Keren (keyboards), Linda May Han Oh (bass), Savannath Harris (drums), with strings (Stkye Steele and Marika Hughes, plus Jarrett Cherner arrangements on four tracks). B+(**) [sp]
Josh Collazo's Jazzboree: Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That (2025, Maximum Future) [U]
Marc Copland: String Theory (Inner Voice Jazz) [U]
Gustavo Cortinas: The Drum Also Sings (Desafio Candente) [U]
Douglas J. Cuomo: A Raft, the Sky, the Wild Sea (Blue Cloud Music) [U]
Daggerboard: The Skipper and Mike Clark (2022 [2026], Wide Hive): Group led by Erik Jekabson (trumpet) and Gregory Howe (percussion), has a handful of albums since 2021. Skipper (bassist Henry Franklin) was a guest last time, joined here by keyboardist Mike Clark, Dave McNab (guitar), Dave Ellis (tenor/soprano sax), Mads Tolling (violin), and Babatunde (congas). B+(**) [cd]
Christopher Dammann: Dead Words (Shifting Paradigm) [U]
Danalogue: Teleportations (Castles in Space) [U]
Franco D'Andrea Trio: Live (2025, Parco Della Musica) [U]
Eddie Daniels: To Milton With Love (2025, Resonance): Clarinet and saxophone player, in his 80s, debut 1966, quickly developed an interest in Brazilian music, which he's pursued recently with tributes to Egberto Gismonti and Ivan Lins. Here he recreates Milton Nascimento's 1969 CTI album, Courage, with Anthony Wilson (guitar), Josh Nelson (piano), Kevin Axt (bass), Ray Brinker (drums), and the Lyris String Quartet. B+(**) [sp]
Jean Derome & Somebody Special: Le Sourire (Ambiances Magnétiques) [U]
Maria Pia De Vito: Buarqueana (Parco Della Musica '25) [U]
Brian Dickinson & Penderecki String Quartet: October Songs (Cellar) [U]
Philipp Eden/Frantz Loriot/Marina Tantanozi: And Raw, Lift My Eyes (2025, Inexhaustible Editions) [U]
Henriette Eilertsen Trio: Moder (2024 [2026], Motvind): Norwegian flute player, side credits since 2011 and several albums, trio with Joel Ring (cello/electronics) and drums (Øystein Aarnes Vik), with pianist Jon Balke on a couple of cuts. B+(***) [sp]
Andy Emler/Claude Tchamitchian/Eric Echampard: There Is Another Way (2025 [2026], La Buisonne): French pianist, albums back to 1982, in a trio with bass and drums, his regular group at least since 2003. B+(**) [bc]
Christoph Erb/Magda Mayas/Gerry Hemingway: Phyla Music (2025, Veto) [U]
Daniel Erdmann's Thérapie De Couple: I Wanna Hold Your Hand, François (Budapest Music Center) [U]
Experiments in Opera: Anthony Braxton Theater Improvisations (EiO) [U]
Giovanni Falzone: Suite for Miles (Tǔk Music) [U]
Jimmy Farace: Big Shoulders, Big Sounds (Shifting Paradigm) [U]
Joe Farnsworth: The Big Room (2025, Smoke Sessions): Mainstream drummer, albums since 1998, Discogs counts 234 side-credits since 1992 (most often with Eric Alexander). Sextet with Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Sarah Hanahan (alto sax). Joel Ross (vibes), Emmet Cohen (piano), and Yasushi Nakamura (bass), with all but the bassist bringing songs (one cover is "I Fall in Love Too Easily"). Flashy up front, but interest tails off. B+(*) [sp]
Fathers: Fathers (2026, Blue Note): New collective — Kenny Beats (producer), Kiefer (keyboards), CARRTOONS (bass), Nate Smith (drums) — pitch is "to explode existing notions of what jazz is by fearlessly taking the music in new directions." Which is what? Something in the gap between instrumental hip-hop and disco, I guess. Eight pieces, 27:16. Voice on the finale doesn't help. B [sp]
Rob Garcia: Sizzle Works (Connection Works) [U]
Gianni Gebbia: Petrichor (Objet-A) [U]
George: Looking for Consonance (2024 [2026], Out of Your Head): Drummer John Hollenbeck formed this group as a pandemic project, recorded an initial album in 2022, took it out touring in 2024, and came up with this second album. With Sarah Rossy and Chiquita Magic on voice and synthesizer (or vice versa), and Anna Webber on tenor sax/flute. Quirky as expected. Vocals not really my cup of tea, but something that has long fascinated Hollenbeck. B+(***) [cd]
Arkady Gotesman: Music for an Imaginary Ballet (2000-25 [2025], NoBusiness): Lithuanian drummer, b. 1959, credits since 1990, some as Arkadijus Gotesmanas, including early work with Vyacheslav Ganelin and Charles Gayle. This "summation of a thirty-year journey" impressed first with its earliest recording, a duo with saxophonist Liudas Mockunas, then skips around, including 2025 live sets with Jan Makismovic's trio and a duo with Martin Küchen, bits with Ganelin and Gayle, Ned Rothenberg and Nate Wooley, a drums duo with Mark Sanders, and more, held together by his own relentlessly creative percussion. A- [cd]
Gordon Grdina's Nomad Trio: Ash (2026, Attaboygirl): Third group album since 2020, with Matt Mitchell (piano) and Jim Black (drums). B+(**) [bc]
Michael Hampton: Into the Public Domain (2025, Sound Mind): Funkadelic guitarist, sometimes appeared as "Kidd Funkadelic," secure slot in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but limited discography under his own name, with a 1998 album in Japan and a collection of P-Funk Guitar Riffs for DJ's. Instrumental album, some nifty guitar pyrotechnics. B+(**) [sp]
Asaf Harris: I Thought I Was Ready (self-released) [U]
Paul Hecht: Pyrography II (Ears & Eyes) [U]
Conrad Herwig: The Latin Side of Chick Corea (Savant) [U]
The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band: Live at Birdland (2025, Turtle Bay): Seven piece trad jazz band, led by Simon Wettenhall (trumpet) and Conal Fowkes (piano), "New Orleans" is inspiration, but this was recorded in New York City, which seems to be home — the band is known for playing with Woody Allen. B+(**) [sp]
Eric Hofbauer & EHX: Tongues/Hope Language (Creative Nation Music) [U]
Alternative Guitar Summit: Honoring Pat Martino, Volume 2 (HighNote) [U]
Ize Trio: Global Prayer (2023-25 [2026], self-released): Names, also on the cover: Chase Morrin (piano), Naseem Alatrash (cello), and George Lernis (percussion), plus a "featuring John Patitucci" (bass). Second group album. B+(**) [cd]
Hilary Jeffrey: Green Prism: Music by Keith Tippett (Discus Music) [U]
Ernesto Jodos/Rocio Giménez López: Una Casa Con Dos Pianos (2026, Blue Art): Two pianists from Argentina. Jodos has over a dozen albums since 1997. López a shorter discography, since 2017. Nice. B+(**) [sp]
Per Texas Johansson: Orkester Omnitonal På Musikaliska Kvarteret (Moserobie) [U]
Seu Jorge: The Other Side (Amor in Sound) [U]
Sylvain Kassap/Steve Swell/Benjamin Duboc/Chad Taylor: Edges (2025, RogueArt) [U]
KIND: Count (2025, Umland): Group led by German alto saxophonist Jan Klare, dozen-plus albums since 1998, also plays bassoon, all original compositions, group a sextet with clarinet (Shabnam Parvaresh), trombone (Shannon Barnett), cello (Emily Wittbrodt), bass (David Helm), and percussion (Bruna Cabral). Superb postbop, as the ever-shifting harmonics revolve eccentrically around an ever-changing rhythmic drive. A- [bc]
Bonner Kramer & Thurston Moore: They Came Like Swallows: Seven Requiems for the Children of Gaza (Silver Current) [U]
Roberto Magris & Denis Razz Quartet: In Action (2025, JMood) [U]
Magda Mayas' Filamental: Murmur (Relative Pitch) [U]
Elan Mehler: Renee Said (2025 [2026], Newvelle): Pianist, based in Brooklyn, eleven albums since 2007, most of his Discogs credits are for producing records on Newvelle, which he co-founded. Originals plus one song each by Paul Motian and Frank Kimbrough. With Scott Robinson (tenor sax), Loren Stillman (alto sax), Ben Monder (guitar), Tony Scherr (drums), and either or both drummers (Francisco Mela and Matt Wilson). B+(**) [sp]
Neal Miner: Invisibility (2025, Cellar Music): Bassist, a name I thought I recognized from Lou Kaven's Smalls labeld, but I find I hadn't made any note of his 2006 album there -- I do have several side-credits from then and since. This is a trio with Chris Byars (tenor sax, also on his Smalls album) and Jason Tiemann (drums), playing his compositions ("mostly contrafacts over classic American standard songs"). Bryars is the leading talent who came out of that scene, a retro player jumping off from bebop, much like Scott Hamilton did with swing. B+(***) [sp]
Billy Mohler: Live in Europe (Dox) [U]
Luis Nacht & Camila Nebbia: Noche Y Niebla (Ears & Eyes) [U]
Giovanni Nardiello: Perspectives (Aut) [U]
Fabiano do Nascimento & Vittor Santos E Orquestra: Vila (2026, Far Out): Brazilian guitarist, has a dozen-plus albums since 2011. Santos I know as a trombonist, but here he leads a large and rather lush orchestra: not my favorite thing, but lovely, for sure. B+(*) [sp]
Camila Nebbia/James Banner/Max Andrzejewski: Presencia (2024 [2025], Ears & Eyes): Tenor saxophonist from Argentina, albums since 2015, six in 2025, this one with bass and drums, recorded in Berlin. B+(***) [bc]
Vadim Neselovskyi: Perseverantia (Tzadik) [U]
Nite Bjuti: Minwi (2023 [2026], Intakt): Trio of Candace Hoyes (vocals), Mimi Jones (bass, vocals), and Val Jeanty (drums, electronics), lyrics credited to Hoyes. Seems to be Hoyes' first album. Art song, deeply ensconced in dark atmospherics. B+(**) [sp]
Sylvie Noble & Ursula Harrison: New Eve (Flaming Sword) [U]
Nomad War Machine and Susan Alcorn: Contra Madre (VG+) [U]
North Sea String Quartet: Zonar (Happy Seal) [U]
Northwoods Improvisers: Unified View (2025, Entropy Stereo) [U]
Shoko Numao: The Siwnin Sails (Elsewhere '25) [U]
Ray Obiedo: Slight Accent (Rhythmus) [U]
John O'Gallagher/Ben Monder/Andrew Cyrille/Billy Hart: Ancestral (2024 [2025], Whirlwind): Alto saxophonist, many albums since 2002, some quite impressive. With guitar and two drummers here. Here again he rises to the occasion. A- [cd]
Linda May Han Oh & Melissa Aldana: Beneath Lifted Skies (Biophilia) [U]
Orchestre National De Jazz: With Carla (2025 [2026], ONJ): French big band + strings, created 1986 by the Ministry of Culture, has had 12 directors and released 33 albums. This one seems to be led by Sylvaine Hélary (flute), mostly playing music by the late Carla Bley. B+(**) [bc]
Out Of/Into [Joel Ross/Gerald Clayton/Kendrick Scott/Matt Brewer/Immanuel Wilkins]: Motion II (2025, Blue Note): House label supergroup, second album, six originals developed during a tour, unclear where or when or why but song credits are widely distributed in the band. Fitting that the mallets whiz gets first mention. B+(**) [sp]
Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y: Around the World With U (Cellar) [U]
Keith Oxman: Home (2024 [2025], Capri): Tenor saxophonist, mainstream, based in Denver, has a dozen-plus albums since 1995, this a nice, relaxed quintet with trumpet, guitar, bass, and drums, playing original pieces. B+(**) [cd]
Parlor Greens: Emeralds (Colemine) [U]
Rebecca Patterson & Ron Wilkins: The Vigil and the Sleeping Giant (Adhyâropa) [U]
Alex Paxton: Candyfolk Space Drum (Jonah) [U]
Leigh Pilzer: Keep Holding On (2025 [2026], Strange Woman): Baritone saxophonist, DC native, teaches at University of Maryland, seems to be her first album, original compositions, trio with Paul Bratcher (organ) and Greg Holloway (drums), starts with a "hard bop tribute" and keeps swinging. B+(***) [cd]
Chris Pitsiokos Ensemble: Doing Something, Doing Nothing (Eleatic) [U]
Brooks Prumo Orchestra: Good Bait (2025 [2026], self-released): Austin-based guitarist, third group album, a 13-piece big band plus singer Alice Spencer, wants you to dance. B+(**) [sp]
Nat Reeves: Now in Time (The Side Door) [U]
Ted Rosenthal Trio: The Good Old Days (2024 [2026], TMR Music): Pianist, debut was a trio in 1990, quite a few albums since, including a Maybeck Hall solo and many trios. This is mostly trio, a mix of originals and standards, one session with Martin Wind (bass) and Tim Horner (drums), the other with Noriko Ueda (bass) and Quincy Davis (drums), with two of the latter including "special guest" Ken Peplowski (clarinet), who has since passed. The rags are especially delightful. B+(***) [05-01]
Jorge Rossy & Michael Kanan: Red on Maroon (UnderPool) [U]
Olaf Rupp: Berlin Eiskeller (2025-26 [2026], Scatter Archive): German guitarist, many albums since 1998, mostly in free jazz contexts, although he's largely escaped my attention. This one is solo. B+(**) [bc]
The Ali Ryerson Quartet (ARC Music) 1 (1)
Brandon Sanders: Lasting Impression (2025, Savant): Drummer, has at least one previous album, variable cast here, including Stacy Dillard (tenor sax on 6 tracks), Warren Wolf (vibes on 3), Jazzmeia Horn (2 vocals), with Eric Scott Reed (piano) and Eric Wheeler (bass) on 7 (of 8) tracks. B+(**) [cd]
Udo Schindler & Paul Rogers: Ephemeral Essences of LowTone Studies (for Duo) (2025, FMR) [U]
Sharada Shashidhar: A Foot on the Ground (Colorfield) [U]
Bria Skonberg: Brass (2025 [2026], Cellar Music Group): Trumpet player from Canada, also sings (just the last song), eighth album since 2009, backed by piano (Luther Allison), bass, and drums. B+(**) [sp]
Tyshawn Sorey: Monochromatic Life (Afterlife) (2023 [2026], Dacamera): Jazz drummer, MacArthur Genius, just composer and conductor of this single 74:52 piece, played by Kim Kashkashian (viola), Sarah Rothenberg (piano/celeste), and Steven Schick (percussion), featuring the many voices of the Houston Chamber Choir: not that this sounds like a big vocal production — I'd file it under ambient, and forget it. B [sp]
Lisa Stick: Live at Loft (Unit) [U]
Skúli Sverrisson & Bill Frisell: For All Your Flowers (Newvelle) [U]
Alexa Tarantino: The Roar and the Whisper (Blue Engine '25) [U]
Hound Dog Taylor's Hand and Joe Paradiso: The Structure and Dynamics of Disordered Systems (HDTH) [U]
Teiku: Klang (Ginkgo) [U]
Håkon Thelin: Echoes and Traces, Together (Peninsula Audio) [U]
Vance Thompson: Lost and Found (2024 [2026], Moondo): Trumpet player, founder/director of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, lost his ability to play due to focal dystonia, but has returned to music here, playing the vibraphone in a quintet with piano, guitar, bass, and drums. B+(*) [cd]
Tino Tracanna: Panorchestra (Flying Robert Music '25) [U]
Kalia Vandever: Another View (2025, Northern View): Trombonist, based in New York, fourth album, quartet with Mary Halvorson (guitar), Kanoa Mendenhall (bass), and Kayvon Gordon (drums). Nice, steady record. B+(***) [sp]
April Varner: Ella (2025 [2026], Cellar): Standards singer, based in New York, masters degree from Mahnattan School of Music, 2023 winner of "the International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition," second album (or fourth if you count two volumes of Winter Songs). The notes insist on how original her approaches are to the material, how she "never imitates her long-time idol," instead striving to "capture the spirit of Ella" with "her own creative imagination." Still, her voice is dead on, and her professional help — notably pianist-arranger Emmet Cohen and drummer-producer Ulysses Owens Jr. — know how to work a sure-fire formula, which is great songs swung hard with a more than capable singer. [PS: Alternate parsing of title: Ella by April Varner.] B+(***) [sp]
Angela Verbrugge & Ray Gallon: In the Wonder of the Night (2025, G2) [U]
Mark Wade Trio: New Stages (Dot Time) [U]
Brad Walker: A Sliver of Catharsis (self-released '25) [U]
Alicia Waller: Louder, Then (Frente) [U]
Trevor Watts/Barry Guy/Ramon Lopez: The First Touch (Fundacja Słuchaj) [U]
WDR Big Band & John Goldsby: Big Band Bass (2025, Bass Lion) [U]
Joe Webb: Neath Beat (2025 [2026], Edition): Pianist, grew up in Wales, based in London, Discogs seems to have this album filed under the wrong Joe Webb (should be 5). Has a couple previous albums, including a Mercury nomination for Hamstrings & Hurricanes (2025). Trio with Will Sach (bass) and Sam Jesson (drums). Beat matters. B+(**) [sp]
Lis Wessberg Featuring Veronika Rud: In the Wake of Blue (April) [U]
Your Brother's Keeper & Gary Bartz: Where Rivers Meet (2023 [2026], Brownswood): British group, first album under this name but most were members of Maisha, which backed the veteran alto saxophonist (b. 1940) on his 2020 Night Dreamer Direct-to-Disc Sessions. This has a nice spiritual dimension. B+(***) [sp]
Total number of records: 461. Total unheard: 191 (1 partial).