Articles by Jua Howard
Jua Howard's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
by Jua Howard
I'm elated to share my “Best Jazz Albums" list once again! 2025 has been another year of extraordinary music that has kept me inspired, reflective and creatively full. Even though we've lost musical giants this year such as Jack DeJohnette , Sheila Jordan , Eddie Palmieri and Nancy King; to name a few, the music released this year has kept me optimistic about where this incomparable art form is headed. Here are some of the albums released in 2025 that ...
Continue ReadingElla Fitzgerald, Gregory Porter, Olivia Van Goor, Leslie Odom Jr. and More!
by Jua Howard
Happy Holidays! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of holiday cheer to share with new music from April Varner, Wycliffe Gordon, Olivia Van Goor,Christian Wiggs; and a lot of other timeless holiday music including from Ella Fitzgerald, Kevin Mahogany, Laila Biali, Joe Williams, Natalie Cole, Leslie Odom Jr. and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Gregory Porter “Heart for Christmas" from Christmas ...
Continue ReadingLedisi, The Manhattan Transfer, Tony Bennett, Lady Blackbird and Many More
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the First Instrument Jazz Show. I've got a lot of new music to share including music from Ledisi, Sachal Vasandani, Juliet Ewing, Whitney Ross-Barris; and a lot of other timeless music including from The Manhattan Transfer, Lady Blackbird, Tony Bennett, Patti Austin, Olatuja and many more. Come get lost in the music with me. Playlist Intro 00:00 Ledisi “If I Never Get to Heaven" from For Dinah (Candid) 3:16 ...
Continue ReadingCarmen McRae, Gretchen Parlato, Carmen Bradford, Alan Hampton And More!
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of new music to share including music from Carmen Bradford, Gretchen Parlato, Alan Hampton, saje, Catina DeLuna; and a lot of other timeless music including from Carmen McRae, Andy Bey, Norah Jones, Carol Sloane and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Nate Smith feat. saje “Big Fish" from Live-Action (Waterbaby Music) 2:20 Michael ...
Continue ReadingSheila Jordan, Nancy King, Ola Onabule, Dara Starr Tucker, Nicolas Bearde and More!
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show." I've got music from two vocal jazz giants who recently joined the ancestors, Sheila Jordanand Nancy King. I also have a lot of new music to share including music from Ola Onabule, Dara Tucker, Sinne Eeg, Kelly Green, Camille Thurman and Peter Campbell. Come get lost in the music with me. Playlist Intro 00:00 Sheila Jordan “Laugh Clown, Laugh" from Portrait of Sheila (Blue ...
Continue ReadingSarah Vaughan, G. Thomas Allen, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Billy Eckstine and More!
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show!" I've got new music from The DIVA Jazz Orchestra with Ann Hampton Callaway, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Benack III, Emma Smith and Kieran Brown, and more timeless music from Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Cecile McLorin Salvant, G. Thomas Allen, Kate McGarry, Take 6 and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Lambert, Hendricks and Bavan “Feed Me" from Recorded ...
Continue ReadingShirley Horn, Jackie Paris, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Christie Dashiell and More!
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got new music from Christie Dashiell with Terri Lyne Carrington, Carrie Jackson, Anais Reno and the The Hot Toddies Jazz Band, and more timeless music from Shirley Horn, Allan Harris, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Jackie Paris, Incognito, Nina Simoneand many more. Come get lost in the music with me!Playlist Intro 00:00 Incognito “Wild and Peaceful" from No Time LIke the Future (Talkin' Loud) 2:24 Erik ...
Continue ReadingJohnny Hartman, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Will Downing, Joanna Majoko and More
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got new music from Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joanna Majoko and Sandra-Mae Lux, and more timeless music from Johnny Hartman, The Blackbyrds, Whitney James, Will Downing, Etta Jones, Darmon Meaderand many more. Come get lost in the music with me!Playlist Intro 00:00 The Blackbyrds “Walking in Rhythm" from Flying Start (Fantasy) 2:55 Terrence Blanchard feat. Jane Monheit “Too Young to Go Steady" from Let's ...
Continue ReadingDianne Reeves, Jon Lucien, Ella Fitzgerald, Ernie Andrews And More
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's finally time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got new music from Ella Fitzgerald, Gillian Margot, José James and Olivia Van Goor; and more timeless music from Dianne Reeves, Jon Lucien, Catherine Russell, Ernie Andrews, Laila Bialiand many more. Come get lost in the music with me!Playlist Intro 00:00 Ella Fitzgerald “The Moment of Truth" from The Moment of Truth: Ella at the Coliseum (Live) (Verve) 2:36 Nancy Harms “Rocks ...
Continue ReadingJohnny O'Neal, Somi, The Ostara Project, Blossom Dearie and More
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's finally time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got new music from Johnny O'Neal, The Ostara Project, Hard Bop Messengers and Kurt Elling; and more timeless music from Nancy Wilson, Somi, Blossom Dearie, Bilal, The RH Factor and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Benny Benack III “I Only Have Eyes for You" from One of a Kind (La Reserve) 2:36 Atlantic Jazz ...
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