JazzMatters: The Best New Jazz of Winter 2024
PopMatters presents the best new jazz recordings from the winter of 2024 and reflects on the relationship of the Grammys to jazz.
brian blade
Ron Miles’ ‘Rainbow Sign’ Is Quietly Fantastic
Don't sleep on this magical, flowing music, even if it purposely courts a dreamy mood. The jazz cornetist and composer gets four other distinctive players to come quietly together for a greater good.
Steve Cardenas’ ‘Blue Has a Range’ Is Steeped in Blues Tradition and Expressed with Elegance
Jazz guitarist Steve Cardenas' Blue Has a Range sports modern but vintage jazz guitar at the center of a gorgeously balanced group of composer and players.
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade Come ‘RoundAgain’
Joshua Redman's 1994 quartet of young jazz lions reunites as contemporary masters on RoundAgain.
Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Shorter Proves He Can Still Bring the Goods on ‘Emanon’
Even if you can't tell what the endgame is, Wayne Shorter's Emanon is an intriguing listen.
Ron Miles: I Am a Man
Cornet specialist Ron Miles, from Denver, brings in a stupendous band for a set of gorgeous, intriguing explorations that are lyrical, free, and incisive in turns.
Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band: Body and Shadow
The first-call jazz drummer Brian Blade and his longstanding band make a recording that is more mood than movement.
Mike Holober: Balancing Act
Mike Holober and his band want it both ways -- all ways -- on Balancing Act.