A forum for jazz reviews, discussion of new jazz, blues music, the musicians, reviews of recent and historical releases, reviews of live performances, concerts, interviews and almost anything I find of interest.
by Ralph A. Miriello
The year 2022 has had its share of challenges for me, not the least of which was a decision to relocate from the Atlanta, GA area to the Pacific Northwest outside of Portland, OR in Washington state. That all-consuming decision gave me little time to pursue my passionate avocation- listening to and reviewing new and newly reissued or recently unearthed old jazz recordings that deserved note, acknowledgment, and in many instances praise. To try and establish a worthy list to create the traditional year-end recap of the best was, needless to say, a sprint in these last weeks.
There is so much diversity that can easily fall into the ever-expanding category of jazz music. In addition, the overwhelming volume of material being so successfully produced, recorded, and released by a myriad of talented musicians makes it even more difficult to give them all the recognition they deserve. Let's face it, if you love good music, ratings are nothing but one person's guideline to possible avenues of interest and enjoyment. As for labels and categories, the lines have been blurred for quite some time. Purists who love specific categories will never be satisfied if an artist doesn't play music that fits specific rules of qualification. To me, the variety and creativity are what makes jazz so inclusive and so beautiful. Vive la differénce! There seems to never have been more great music to choose from as was produced this year and the possibilities seem endless.
With no further delay, here is my admittedly limited list of the best of jazz for the year 2022, in no particular order of excellence or preference. I hope you will enjoy listening to these selections and are moved enough to get to know these artists better and support their musical efforts by purchasing their incredible work. Happy Holidays to all!
Best of Jazz 2022
Geoff Keezer and Friends:Playdate:MarKeez Records
Grant Geisman: Blooz: Mesa/Blueman Records
w/Randy Brecker, Robben Ford, Tom Scott, Joe Bonamassa, Russell Ferrante, John Jorgensen, Jimmy Cox, Emilio Palame, David Garfield, Trey Henry, Kevin Axt, Ray Brinker, Bernie Dresel, Ricardo Pasillas, Kevin Winard.
Peter Erskine Trio:Live in Italy:Fuzzy Music
w Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles
The Tyshawn Sorey Trio +1 w Greg Osby: The Off-Off-Broadway Guide to Synergism:
Pi Records w/ Tyshawn Sorey, Greg Osby, Aaron Diehl & Russell Hall
Dave Stryker: As We Are:Strikezone Records
w Julian Shore, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Sara Caswell, Monica K. Davis, Bennie van Gutzeit & Marika Hughes:
Claudia Acuna: DUO : Ropeadope Records
w/ Kenny Barron, Christian McBride, Carolina Calvache, Fred Hersch, Russell Malone & Arturo O'Farrill
Boris Kozlov: First Things First :Positone Records
w Art Hirahara, Donny McCaslin, Benn Gillece, Rudy Royston
Jeff Coffin:Between Dreaming & Joy:Ear Up Records
w/ Vincente Archer, Tony Hall, Michael League, Stefan Lessard, Felix Pastorius, Alana Rocklin, Jonathan Wires & Chris Wood.
Steven Feifke & Bijon Watsonpresent Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra: Cellular 20 Records
Reverso: Harmonic Alchemy: OutNote Records
Ryan Keberle, Frank Woeste, Vicent Courtois
Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Trio D'ete: Turning Point:5 Passion Records
w/ Matthew Brewer and Eric Harland
Mary Halvorsen : Amaryllis/Belladonna:NoneSuch Records
w/ Patrice Brennan, Nick Dunston, Jacob Garchik, Adam O'farrill, Thomas Fujiwara, The Mivos String Quartet
w/ Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferrante, Will Kennedy, Dane Alderson
Dave Liebman: Trust and Honesty: Newvelle Records
w Dave Liebman, John Hebert, Ben Monder
Martin Wind: New York Bass Quartet; AIR:Laika Records
Martin Wind, Gregg August, Jordon Frazier, Sam Suggs, Matt Wilson, Lenny White, Gary Versace
Giacomo Gates: You:Savant Records
w Tim Ray, John Lockwood, James Latini
Pete Malinverni : On the Town: Pete Malinverni Plays Leonard Bernstein
w Pete Malinverni, Ugonna Okegwo, Jeff Hamilton: Planet Arts Records
Sara Gazarek: Vanity:
w/ Sara Gazarek, Miro Sprague, Alex Boneham, Christian Euman, Michael Stever, Alan Ferber, Lenard Simpson, Daniel Torem, Adam Schroeder, Brad Allen Williams
Michael Blake: Combobulate: Newvelle Records
w/Michael Blake, Steve Berstein, Clark Grayton, Bob Stewart, Marcus Rojas, Alan Menard
Oz Noy, Ugonna Ukegwo, Ray Marchica :Riverside:Outside in Music Records
Pasquale Grasso: Be-Bop!:Sony Masterworks Records
w/Pasquale Grasso, Ari Rolland, Keith Balla
Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash: Healing Power:The Music of Carla Bley:Sunnyside Records
The Eubanks Evans Experience: EEE Imani Records
w/ Kevin Eubanks and Orin Evans
Miguel Zenon: Music de Las Americas:
w/ Miguel Zenon, Luis Perdomo, Hans Glawischnig, Henry Cole & Paoli Meijas, Daniel Diaz, Victor Emmanuelli, Los Plenerous De La Cresta
Michael Dease: Best Next Thing:PosiTone Records
w/Michael Dease, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Alex Sipiagin, Rene Rosnes, Boris Kozlov, Rudy Royston.
Cecile McLorin Savant: Ghost Song:Nonesuch Records
w Cecile McLorin Savant, Sullivan Fortner, Aaron Diehl, Alexa Tarantino, Keita Ogawa,Marvin Sewell, James Chirillo, Paul Sikivie, Burniss Travis, Daniel Swenberg, Kyle Poole
JD Allen: Americana Vol 2:Savant Records
w/JD Allen, Gregg August, Nasheet Waites, Charlie Hunter
The Jon Cowherd Trio: Pride And Joy: LeCroq Records
w Jon Cowherd, John Patitucci, Brian Blades, Chirs Potter, Alex Acuna
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