Craig Taborn Is at the Apex of Contemporary Jazz
In 2026, Craig Taborn and other improvisers of his generation are at the peak of their creativity. This music has rarely been more elevated, refined, and exciting.
jazz piano
Aaron Parks Looks Back and Points Forward with Gorgeous LP
The music is beautiful in jazz pianist Aaron Parks’ new album, but the truth of By All Means is more wonderful and complicated than that.
Carmen Staaf’s New LP Takes on Williams and Monk
Jazz artist Carmen Staaf’s Sounding Line makes compelling sonic arguments about the relationship between the tunes of Mary Lou Williams and Thelonious Monk.
Jazz Trio Fieldwork’s ‘Thereupon’ Is Buoyant and Open
Fieldwork are a cooperative jazz band spanning the last quarter-century. Yet their music still sounds a lot like the future. Their new LP is where “New Jazz” is in 2025
Jazz Pianist Caili O’Doherty Reclaims Lil Hardin Armstrong
We chat with Caili O’Doherty about her career, new recording celebrating the life of Lil Hardin Armstrong, and how hard it is to make jazz in the current climate.
Vadim Neselovskyi Takes Us to ‘Odesa: A Musical Walk Through a Legendary City’
Taking inspiration from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Vadim Neselovskyi takes us on a guided tour through the city of his childhood, leaving a bittersweet impression.
Bill Charlap’s Jazz Trio Elevates Tradition with Subtle Wonder
Bill Charlap is not so much leading a neo-traditionalism movement as he is playing a traditional style well—and with as much nuanced artfulness—as anyone in his generation.
Jazz Saxophonist Chris Potter Reunites a Trio on ‘Sunrise Reprise’
Chris Potter’s Circuits Trio, featuring James Francies and Eric Harland, return with Sunrise Reprise – laying synthesizers and woodwinds without cliche.
Pianist Vijay Iyer Looks Back and Ahead with His New Trio on ‘Uneasy’
Vijay Iyer Trio’s Uneasy is a set of modern piano jazz covering a remarkable range, featuring three brilliant musical imaginations playing well together.
Jazz’s Denny Zeitlin and Trio Get Adventurous on ‘Live at Mezzrow’
West Coast pianist Denny Zeitlin creates a classic and adventurous live set with his long-standing trio featuring Buster Williams and Matt Wilson on Live at Mezzrow.
Rising Young Jazz Pianist Micah Thomas Debuts with ‘Tide’
Micah Thomas' Tide is the debut of a young jazz pianist who is comfortable and fluent in a "new mainstream": abstraction as well as tonality, freedom as well as technical complexity.
The James Carney Sextet Remain Quietly Essential on ‘Pure Heart’
Jazz pianist and composer James Carney returns with a session featuring sparkling collective improvisation and inventive composition.