Reviewed: Ingrid Jensen | Mateusz Smoczynski | Håkan Broström

The international jazz landscape in 2025 continues to be defined by a synthesis of traditional mastery and avant-garde exploration, as evidenced by three major new releases from prominent instrumentalists across…

A Retrospective and Contemporary Evaluation of the Sam Braysher and Annie Majin Performance at Crazy Coqs Celebrating the Lerner and Loewe Songbook

The performance held on March 27, 2026, at London’s Crazy Coqs featured saxophonist Sam Braysher and vocalist Annie Majin in a curated exploration of the collaborative works of Alan Jay…

Reflecting on the Thirty Year Legacy of Monkjack Jack Bruce and Bernie Worrell’s Minimalist Masterpiece Reevaluated

In the spring of 1996, the jazz and experimental music communities were presented with a recording that defied the conventional expectations of rock-era virtuosity. Originally reviewed in the March 1996…

Bill Nelson’s Orchestra Futura: Live At Nelsonica & Clothworkers Hall

The contemporary landscape of jazz and experimental guitar music is currently witnessing a significant trifecta of releases that bridge the gap between 1970s art-rock, modern avant-garde improvisation, and the hallowed…

Contemporary Jazz Landscapes Analyzing New Releases from Joel Ross Aneta George and the Legacy of Peacock and Towner

The landscape of contemporary jazz continues to evolve through a sophisticated blend of ancestral reverence and avant-garde exploration, a trend vividly illustrated by the latest releases from vibraphonist Joel Ross…

Jack Harlow’s ‘Monica’ Signals Bold Neo-Soul Shift Amidst Diverse New Music Friday Releases

This week’s New Music Friday heralds a vibrant and eclectic array of releases, with Jack Harlow’s latest album, Monica, leading the charge as a bold and unexpected artistic departure. The…

Woody Shaw Love Dance The Descendants Of Mike And Phoebe A Spirit Speaks and QOW Trio The Rule Of Three

The landscape of contemporary jazz continues to be shaped by a dual trajectory: the meticulous preservation of historical archives and the persistent innovation of modern ensembles. Three recent releases—Woody Shaw’s…

The Legacy of Paula Gardiners Tales of Inclination and the Renaissance of Contemporary Welsh Jazz Composition

The 1996 release of Paula Gardiner’s debut album, Tales of Inclination, marked a definitive moment in the evolution of British jazz, signaling the arrival of a composer whose work bridged…

The Evolution of a Jazz Visionary: Wayne Shorter and the Pursuit of Musical Elusiveness

Wayne Shorter, a cornerstone of modern jazz composition and improvisation, has entered a significant new chapter in his storied career with the signing of a high-profile contract with Verve Records.…

Retrospective Examination of Herbie Hancock’s 1968 Masterpiece Speak Like a Child and Its Impact on Post-Bop Jazz Composition

The recording of Speak Like a Child in March 1968 marked a pivotal moment in the career of Herbie Hancock, serving as a sophisticated bridge between his early hard-bop roots…