Scores of excellent CDs were released in 2012. These are some of the finest. Click on the CD titles for more in depth reviews.

Hal Galper
Airegin Revisited
Origin Records

Pianist Hal Galper Hal Galper
b.1938
piano has been delving deeply into his rubato explorations of the standards, along with his own distinctive compositions, and each release is better than the last.

Marc Johnson / Eliane Elias
Swept Away
ECM Records

An extraordinarily beautiful set. Bassist Marc Johnson Marc Johnson
b.1953
bass and his musical/marital partner, pianist Eliane Elias Eliane Elias
b.1960
piano , joined by drummer Joey Baron Joey Baron
b.1955
drums and, on of five numbers, by saxophonist Joe Lovano Joe Lovano
b.1952
saxophone , have created a classic.

Brad Mehldau Trio
Where Do You Start
Nonesuch Records

Pianist Brad Mehldau Brad Mehldau
b.1970
piano , along with trio mates, bassist Larry Grenadier Larry Grenadier
and drummer Jeff Ballard Jeff Ballard
b.1963
drums , released two great CDs this year, one of Mehldau originals and one of covers. Both could be included, but this, the trio's covers outing, grabbed me just a little harder.

Todd Bishop Group
Little Played Little Bird
Origin Records

Drummer Todd Bishop Todd Bishop
b.1967
drums is an underground treasure. He doesn't boast the highest of profiles, but he has put out two consecutive great CDs for the Origin Records label: 2009's 69 Annee Erotique and now, this nod to alto saxophonist/free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman Ornette Coleman
b.1930
sax, alto .

Satoko Fujii / Natsuki Tamura
Muku
Libra Records

Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura Natsuki Tamura
b.1951
trumpet and pianist Satoko Fujii Satoko Fujii
b.1958
piano haven't been as prolific this year, recording-wise, as they've been in years past, but they've produced a real gem in this duo set, a follow-up to sorts to their previous duo outing, Chun (Libra Records, 2008).

Mark Soskin
Nino Rota
Kind of Blue Records

Mark Soskin Mark Soskin
b.1953
piano is, perhaps, best known as saxophonist Sonny Rollins Sonny Rollins
b.1930
saxophone ' pianist from 1978 to 1991. On this marvelous solo outing, he explores the music of Italian composer Nino Rota, the composer behind Federico Fellini's film soundtracks, as well as the music for Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 movie, The Godfather. Extraordinarily beautiful.

Enfants Terribles
Live at the Blue Note
Half Note Records

Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz Lee Konitz
b.1927
sax, alto , along with bassist Gary Peacock Gary Peacock
b.1935
bass , drummer Joey Baron and guitarist Bill Frisell Bill Frisell
b.1951
guitar , delivers an hour of some of the most inspired spontaneity imaginable.

Gato Libre
Forever
Libra Records

Gato Libre Gato Libre
is trumpeter Natsuki Tamura's acoustic, European-hued quartet. Joined by keyboardist Satoko Fujii—on accordion here—along with bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu and guitarist Kazuhiko Tsumura, the sound is old world, with an often modern tint. An enchanting set.

Bobo Stenson Trio
Indicum
ECM Records

Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson Bobo Stenson
b.1944
piano , along with trio mates Anders Jormin Anders Jormin

bass (double bass) and Jon Fält, has created another stellar outing. This is one of today's—or any day's—top trios.

Jessica Williams
Songs of Earth
Origin Records

Jessica Williams Jessica Williams
b.1948
piano keeps going deeper and deeper into her art of the piano. She shines on her solo outings, never more so than here.

Marc Copland
Some More Love Songs
Pirouet Records

Pianist Marc Copland Marc Copland
b.1948
piano 's trio outings are always mesmerizing affairs, and Some More Loves Songs is no exception.

Sam Newsome
Art of the Soprano, Vol. 1
Self Produced

This is soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome Sam Newsome

saxophone solo, sounding percussive and haunting, driving into enduring classics from pianist Duke Ellington Duke Ellington
1899 - 1974
piano and saxophonist John Coltrane John Coltrane
1926 - 1967
saxophone .

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