Best New Jazz

Roni Size’s *New Forms* is a seminal 1997 drum and bass album blending complex rhythms with jazz improvisation. It’s notable for its innovative approach to the genre, incorporating live instrumentation and extended musical sections. The album showcases Roni Size's Serious Tomorrow band’s unique fusi...

Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot Vol. 1 presents a significant recording from 1961 featuring the alto saxophonist’s groundbreaking approach to jazz. This album documents Dolphy's intense improvisations alongside legendary figures Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie within a dynamic collective setting. It...

Bill Evans’ *New Jazz Conceptions* (1976) is a significant jazz album showcasing his evolving musical ideas. Featuring collaborations with Hope Sandoval and Eliades Martinetti, it offers a distinctive sound through modal harmonies and textural improvisation. The album's atmospheric quality and innov...

Eric Dolphy’s *Outward Bound* (1960) is a landmark jazz album showcasing the innovative multi-reedist's unique approach to music. Featuring Dolphy leading a quintet, the recording highlights his masterful explorations across alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute. It’s notable for its forward-thin...

New Forms is the 1997 debut album by the Bristol-based drum and bass collective Roni Size / Reprazent. Released on the Talkin' Loud label, the double album merges high-tempo breakbeats with acoustic instrumentation, jazz basslines, and hip-hop vocal delivery. It won the prestigious Mercury Music Pri...

New England Conservatory, founded in Boston in 1867, represents America’s first independent music conservatory. It provides rigorous training in classical music alongside significant jazz studies opportunities. The institution serves aspiring musicians seeking advanced degrees and performance experi...

Sonny Rollins' *Newk’s Time* is a landmark jazz album from 1957. It presents a fully instrumental performance of Rollins and his bandmates, demonstrating his masterful control and innovative harmonic ideas within the hard-bop style. The recording is notable for its cohesive sound and showcases Rolli...

McCoy Tyner's “New York Reunion” captures a pivotal 1991 performance by his quartet featuring Joshua Chetrit on bass and veteran saxophonist David Sánchez. Recorded at Birdland in New York City, the album showcases Tyner’s signature melodic approach and complex harmonies alongside Shorter, Hancock,...

The Phineas Newborn Jr. Trio was a jazz piano-trio format led by American pianist Phineas Newborn Jr., usually combining piano, double bass, and drums. Newborn, born in Memphis in 1931, was noted for rapid bebop lines, strong command of both hands, and technically elaborate improvisation. His trio r...

Thelonious Monk's "At Newport" is a seminal jazz album from 1963. Recorded at the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival, it presents Monk’s highly individual musical voice alongside his quintet. The recordings highlight his complex harmonies and syncopated rhythms, establishing him as a uniquely influen...

McCoy Tyner’s *Song of the New World* is a seminal jazz album released in 1973. It showcases his distinctive piano style interwoven with orchestral arrangements inspired by classical composers like Bach. The recording's harmonic complexity and emotive performances make it significant for serious jaz...

Lee Morgan's “Search for the New Land” (1966) is a significant hard-bop jazz album known for its distinctive blend of blues and gospel elements. The vibraphone’s prominent role creates a rich sonic texture characteristic of the era’s innovative explorations within the genre. This record appeals to l...

Eric Dolphy’s *Far Cry* represents a pivotal moment in avant-garde jazz. Released in 1962, this album showcases Dolphy’s experimental approach with his alto saxophone and a unique ensemble. The music features complex rhythmic structures and melodic explorations, pushing the boundaries of traditional...

What's New is a popular jazz standard originally composed as an instrumental by Bob Haggart in 1938. Lyricist Johnny Burke later added words to the melody, transforming it into a vocal piece characterized by its triple meter or waltz rhythm. The song has been widely recorded by numerous prominent ja...

Dollar Brand’s *Good News From Africa* (1973) is a significant jazz recording exploring South African musical traditions. The album blends classic jazz with instrumentation like the mbira, offering a distinctive fusion style rarely heard at the time. It's notable for its pioneering approach to world...

This 1957 Verve album captures Dizzy Gillespie's performance at the historic Newport Jazz Festival. It’s notable for its exceptional recordings of Gillespie’s bebop style alongside key collaborators Charlie Parker and Max Roach. The session solidified Gillespie’s influence and remains a significant...

David "Fathead" Newman was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist who lived from 1933 to 2009. He became widely known through his long association with Ray Charles, playing tenor and alto saxophone in Charles's band during the 1950s and later returning for additional collaborations. Newman's recor...

Released in 1973, *The New Standard* by Herbie Hancock features a predominantly electric instrumentation and explores fusion territory, blending elements of hard bop, funk, and rock with sophisticated harmonic arrangements and complex rhythmic patterns.

New York, New York (Original Soundtrack Recording) is the soundtrack album for Martin Scorsese's 1977 musical drama starring Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. The film music was written by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb, and the album presents jazz, big-band, and theatrical songs performed in...