Another year of musical releases has come and gone and jazz fans were treated to a variety of new music from familiar faces and upcoming artists. Here were some of the best releases this year. Although this list is not a ranking, the true stand-out recordings sit at the top of this article. These releases are recommended listening for anyone just getting into the genre or seasoned ears who might have missed some new releases. Below is also a playlist with the best jazz of the year, including music from other unmentioned releases.
Link to playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4YCz76LK1IZwBDie2170lx?si=f28dd5a82293484c
Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement – Album released May 3, 2024
Kamasi Washington is back. It has been since 2018 that listeners have waited to hear what Washington could do next with his one-of-one technical saxophone playing and composing ability. Between Washington’s last full album, “Heaven and Earth,” and now, he has still been busy. Washington composed the music for Netflix film “Becoming,” and appeared on Terrace Martin’s “Dinner Party,” project, among many live performances.
Despite these various appearances, this year’s release felt like a reawakening. Washington continues to craft beautiful melodies and compositions, incorporating the talent of tens of other artists, including Thundercat, Andre 3000, George Clinton, and Terrace Martin. The intro track is classic Kamasi: melodic free flow and controlled chaos. Moving through the album, Kamasi expands on genre, incorporating elements of hip-hop and dance music, most apparent in tracks like “Asha The First,” and “Get Lit.” Despite moving out of genre, Kamasi’s careful composition choices are still apparent. With this newest album, Kamasi Washington has reaffirmed that he is the gold standard for today’s jazz music.
Kokoroko – Get the Message – EP released November 1, 2024
London-based seven-piece afrobeat and jazz group Korokoro came out with their third musical release this year following their 2022 album “Could We Be More.” With this release, the group continued their output of tasteful, inspired jazz music. The strong brass section is still a remarkable part of the ensemble, but with the songs on this EP being shorter than many of their previous releases, the brass takes a backseat, guiding the melody and providing harmony, rather than exploding into solos. The rhythmic elements in this record are as solid as they always have been with this group. Although all four tracks are phenomenal, the stand-out track is the single released a month prior entitled “Three Piece Suit,” featuring Nigerian born R&B singer Azekel. The vocals and guitar on this song show a different dimension to the jazz group. Overall, this is another solid addition to the slowly growing Kokoroko catalogue.
Marshall Allen – African Sunset – Single released October 4, 2024.
The time has come for Marshall Allen to release his own music. After working with the Sun Ra Arkestra since the late 1950s and leading the group since 1995, the now 100-year-old saxophonist released his career first solo single this year, and it is a great one. The 7-minute 28 second song oozes class and patience as Allen is joined by trumpet player Cecil Brooks on this leisurely walk of a jazz single.
The sub-genre of this song lies somewhere between a slow afro-beat and psychedelic groove. The single is a part of Allen’s first solo album “New Dawn,” which was set to release this year, but has been delayed to February 2025, according to Allen’s bandcamp page.
McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson – Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs’ – Album released November 22, 2024
After spending nearly 60 years in drummer Jack DeJohnette’s personal archives, this never-before issued 1966 live recording of McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson’s quartet with DeJohnette and bassist Henry Grimes has finally been released. The live concert in 1966 took place in Slugs’ Saloon, a jazz club that closed in 1972. The album features 5 songs, all of which are over 7 minutes long, with the longest being a 28-minute version of Taking Off.
The longer songs tend to border on free jazz, with Henderson and Tyner launching into their signature spacey and open flows. Accompanying the freer songs, the album includes a cover of ballad “We’ll Be Together Again,” where Henderson’s sensible saxophone playing and Tyner’s elegant piano is well accompanied by the percussion of DeJohnette. In addition, songs “The Believer,” and “Isotope,” are hard-bop jazz tunes that showcase the talent on display with this lineup. With this being an older recording and a live recording, the sound quality of this record lacks the technical perfection that has been achieved in many of the other releases on this list. Still, the atmosphere of a hot 1960s jazz club rings throughout these recordings.
This album is another positive addition to both Henderson and Tyner’s discography, offers a rare combination of the jazz legends’ respective abilities, and displays the percussive range of the unique Jack DeJohnette.
Louis Matute – Small Variations from the Previous Day – Album released March 29, 2024
Trouble is brewing in Europe as Geneva-born artist Louis Matute dropped his second expertly crafted album this year. Matute’s composing ability is akin to a Swiss army knife, drawing on widely different jazz influences, from the samba influence of “Alma No Mar,” featuring Gabi Hartmann’s vocals, to the afro-beat feel of the opening track “Narcissus.” Matute is able to make each song on this album feel distinct while still creating his own stylistic mold in songs like “2000 Years.” Matute’s ability as a composer shines throughout this album.
Nubya Garcia – Odyssey – Album released September 20, 2024
Nubya Garcia’s sophomore release “Odyssey,” is sure to turn heads in the direction of a rising star in today’s jazz music. The 33-year-old London-born saxophonist shows immense composing ability with this album, incorporating elements of classical music in songs like “Dawn,” and “Water’s Path.” Working with Esperanza Spalding on “Dawn,” this album feels knighted by the jazz elite. Garcia’s rise is one to watch out for, and this album is further proof of her ascent.
Evan Dexter – Venice – Album released November 25, 2024
The youngest player in this list, Evan Dexter is holding it down for the next generation jazz musicians with the release of his debut album, “Venice,” released this year. Dexter brings together his ability in both trombone and piano playing with this album and recruits help from other young musicians including students from the University of Southern California and the Manhattan School of Music.
Dexter’s piano playing is clearly inspired by the work of Bill Evans, lacing together colorful chords over bluesy melodies in songs like “Mickey’s Theme.” Dexter’s piano ability is well complemented by his expertise in trombone. Dexter’s trombone playing is a trademark of these recordings, and shows much promise for future releases and compositions. Despite mostly staying in a laid back or cool-jazz vibe for most of the album, the final track, “Mild Inconvenience,” is a living, breathing track, helped largely by the drumming of Joseph Mintz. Dexter’s album feels like the personal project of a young musician come to life.
The Offline – Les cigales – EP released November 1, 2024
Hamburg-based and Mediterranean-seasoned Felix Muller followed up on a promising debut album “La couleur de la mer,” with a more laid-back flow on his newest release “Les cigales,” which translates in English to “The Cicadas.” This 8-track, 20-minute EP reaffirms The Offline’s coastal jazzy flow clearly influenced by the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Using a variety of instruments, The Offline is able to transcend traditional jazz composing. Prominent singles off the release include “Fumee,” and “Generique.” With all of the songs titled in French and the art for the album consisting of Muller’s photography, the release has an artsy vibe that fits well with the music. The Offline fits in the mould of the new wave, lo-fi jazz creators, but some of Muller’s off kilter instrumentation, strong hip-hop percussion, and occasional use of horns make the album worth more than simple background music.
Robert Glasper – In December – Album released November 1, 2024
It wouldn’t be a modern jazz stand-out list without the inclusion of pianist Robert Glasper. Glasper’s newest album, “In December,” is a winter-themed album that includes takes on Christmas songs such as a God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Carol of the Bells medley. The medley includes the soothing vocals of Cynthia Erivo, a singer who made her own impressive 2024 with the release of the film version of the musical “Wicked” in November. Other Christmas songs on the album include “Joy to the World,” with Alex Isley’s vocals, “Little Drummer Boy,” with The Baylor Project, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” with Doobie Powell.
The rest of the songs on the album all carry wintry vibes and feature other artists including PJ Morton, Sevyn Streeter and Andra Day. Many of the songs border on R&B, but Glasper’s solid keyboard and piano work always has the ability to perk up jazz listening ears.
Various releases from Greg Spero –
Chicago-area native and Los Angeles-based pianist Greg Spero followed up a prolific 2023 with even more music coming out this year. Dropping a whopping 43 singles, 4 eps, and 2 albums on Spotify, there is a lot of new ground to cover in Spero’s discography this year. Spero often works with saxophonist Nicole McCabe, drummer Ka’cye Thompkins and bassist Germaine Paul. Spero’s style is distinct, often flowing through his songs without a set melody along with his accompanying musicians. Although Spero’s music sometimes veers into the repetitive lo-fi sub-genre of modern jazz, these were some of his highlights from this year that are worth listening to:
Shapes of Thought – Single released November 1. Opening this song with a tilting piano beat, Spero creates an off-kilter setting which occasionally settles, only to retighten. The beat is always ahead as Spero drops a quick-fire piano solo. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe also joins Spero in this similar off-balanced flow.
Is it Time – Single released September 6. This song is a beautiful arrangement that echoes the musical palette of Bill Evans, with modernist percussion sensibilities. Gongs, symbols, and drum tapping dance across this carefully orchestrated piano feature. This is a slower song, but it is a refreshing take on slower modern jazz.
Kavka’s choice – Upbeat percussion runs through this song. Spero accompanies and plays melodically over the pocket along with saxophonist Nicole McCabe. Their solos are distinct and do not overlap, which gives this song a more straight-ahead jazz feel.