Best Jazz of 2018

Dec 06, 2018 · 15 comments
Nico (Chicago)
Nice list. Would consider Kamasi Washington as well. Heavily influenced by Coltrane and an amazing live show.
Mark Holston (Kalispell, Montana)
Jazz is an enormous universe of styles and influences. I author two annual top 10 lists, for NPR and JAZZIZ Magazine, and am the music critic for LATINO Magazine, and none of these titles are among my selections. That's fine -- Giovanni and I (and many of the rest of you) are drawn to different sounds. I would suggest, however, that the claim that many on the NYT's list offer something fresh and new is a bit misguided. For those with a long term interest in the music, many of these tracks will sound like s rehash of concepts that flowered in the late '60s and 1970s -- hardly profound, cutting edge stuff that represents something dramatically new.
Phound (Marin County)
@Mark Holston What an unfortunate comment. Top 10 lists are highly subjective by nature, including judgments about what sounds "fresh." The Ambrose Akinmusire, Myra Melford, John Hollenbeck and Andrew Cyrille albums are quite fresh to my ears as a jazz player and presenter. I suggest taking a chill pill.
Bangdu Whough (New York City)
@Mark Holston Perhaps you should share your selections with us as we may not be aware of some of them?
Kevin Stevens (Buffalo, NY)
Excellent list. My addition would be Stefon Harris’ Sonic Creed.
cheezees (NYC)
Should have added the Sons of Kemet album Your Queen is a Reptile. There are at the vanguard of a blossoming London jazz scene that doesn't get enough attention.
Tom F. (New Mexico)
Jason Moran, the doyen of jazz piano? No aspersion on Mr. Moran, but this seems a bit premature.
Vivek menezes (nyc)
I was quite disappointed when you didn't have Kamasi Washington listed here. His album, Heaven and Earth, has been on my play list all year long
Bantu (Jones)
These are good times for jazz heads. There are so many good young artists ( and some old stalwarts as well) doing so much, new interesting music. Support this music. Get out see these people perform.
Jeff (Salt Lake City)
Thank you for the list. I would add Mary Halvorson's Code Girl as well as Sparrow Nights by Peter Brötzmann and Heather Leigh.
robsea69 (Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand)
Some cutting edge stuff. Listened to Logan Richardson. Fantastic. And am already a big fan of Ambrose.
Whatever (NH)
C'mon, I listen to a great deal of jazz, but I haven't heard of at least half the people mentioned here. No mention at all of the incandescent 2018 album "Live in San Francisco" from the brilliant guitarists John McLaughlin/Jimmy Herring and their bands, playing together, reprising the work of the Mahavishnu Orchestra!? With jazz reviewers like this, it's really no wonder that this greatest of American art forms is dying.
Bill Metcalfe (Nelson, BC)
@Whatever I listen to a great deal of jazz and have heard of all but one.
Diego (Durham, NC.)
@Whatever- you should take a listen to the half of the folks that you mention not having heard of - that might be why jazz would be dying, which of course it isn't.
Larry Buchas (New Britain, CT)
@Whatever You ought to listen to these. In fact, I would recommend the former Times columnist Nate Chinen's book "Playing Changes" - Jazz in the 21st Century." There are more brilliant artists, especially women, than what you're listening to.