jazzmatters

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Summer 2023

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Summer 2023

Our jazz columnist chooses the best new jazz albums of the summer while reflecting on the passing of Astrud Gilberto and Tony Bennett.

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of April and May 2023

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of April and May 2023

Our jazz columnist chooses the best new jazz albums of the past two months while reflecting on the passing of Ahmad Jamal and highlighting Walter Smith III.

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of February and March 2023

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of February and March 2023

Our jazz columnist chooses the best new jazz albums of the past two months while reflecting on the passing of Wayne Shorter and the Grammy Awards.

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of January 2023

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of January 2023

Will Layman rounds up the best new jazz albums and cocoons with jazz documentaries, Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues and Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes.

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Autumn 2022

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Autumn 2022

PopMatters jazz critic Will Layman rounds up the best new jazz albums of recent vintage, including some thoughts about the US festival season and the undersung virtuoso Warren Wolf.

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Summer 2022

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Summer 2022

The best new jazz and creative music this summer features masters Charles Lloyd and Al Foster, experimentalist Tyshawn Sorey, and young cats DOMi and JD Beck.

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of June 2022

JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of June 2022

PopMatters jazz critic Will Layman rounds up the best new jazz albums of recent vintage, including some thoughts on Paul McCartney and Ron Carter.

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – May 2022

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – May 2022

Critic Will Layman listens to jazz podcasts, muses on Charles Mingus, reads Jason Miles, and discusses the best new jazz recordings of May 2022.

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – April 2022

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – April 2022

Jazz critic Will Layman has been listening to classical piano and Afro-Cuban music in various forms. The best new jazz this month is also strong and extensive.

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – March 2022

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – March 2022

JazzMatters is a new monthly round-up of the best new jazz and creative music. March 2022 features Cécile McLorin Salvant, Melissa Aldana, and Ryan Keberle.