Year in Review

Best Jazz Albums of 2026: All-Star Break Edition

by AAJ Staff
July 13, 2026

As we reach the halfway point of 2026, All About Jazz once again borrows a page from Major League Baseball's All-Star break, replacing home runs with jazz albums. This year, 78 staffers submitted their picks, surpassing 2025's participation by 23 contributors--an incredible turnout. Our album reviewers and radio & podcast hosts bring big ears and eclectic tastes to the table, which means most selections were unique to each contributor. A handful of recordings, however, appeared on multiple ...

2025 Year in Review by the Numbers: The Magnificent Seven and the Pluralism of Taste

by Marek J. Śmietański
February 17, 2026

My Journey From Sports Analytics to Counting Jazz I've always had a soft spot for statistics and rankings--especially those that try to say something more than just “what people like." This is probably a result of my rigorous mathematical-informatics education and the scientific research I conducted over a dozen years ago on classification and ranking methods in sports (Formula 1, cycling, team sports, among others). So when the opportunity arose to prepare a summary in the field of music, I ...

Marek Śmietański's Favorite Polish Jazz Albums Of 2025

by Marek J. Śmietański
February 3, 2026

As part of Year in Review series, I've already highlighted my favorite albums of 2025 (you can view the list here). While I included artists from around the world, intentionally leaving out my own Poland. And yet Polish jazz has a remarkably strong and distinctive identity. It emerged from a deep craving for freedom and a dialogue with the West, serving for decades as a subtle form of artistic resistance. After many years of searching for its own voice, it ...

Frank Housh's Favorite Jazz Albums Of 2025

by Frank Housh
January 19, 2026

2025 was a great year for jazz. Below are my reviews for the year, from established artists like Brad Mehldau, John Scofield, and Celine McLorin Salvant to rising talents like Christian Pabst and Jo-Yu Chen. The first two album reviews are of artists that did more than simply demonstrate superior artistry, they spoke powerfully about the world. I can think of no higher musical accomplishment. Honey From A Winter Stone Ambrose Akinmusire Nonesuch Records

Kerilie McDowall Favorite Jazz Albums of 2025

by Kerilie McDowall
January 14, 2026

It's a long list of inspiring artists this year on the Canadian Best Of 2025 roster. Jazz spirit is in the air. An 11th release from the kaleidoscopic-robed, comedic powerhouse ensemble, saxophone groove favorites the Shuffle Demons, enhanced the year with their beyond-fab 2025 writing. Funky sax lines interspersed with laughs, fun, and hipster-king attitude make them a Canadian treasure. Impressive Canada-US-Japan female-led supergroup Artemis' creative virtuosic music adventures kept us captive. And raved-about glowing artistry came from ...

Marek Śmietański's Favorite Jazz Albums Of 2025

by Marek J. Śmietański
January 13, 2026

Here's a list of albums released in 2025 that left more than just a mark on my memory. For many years now, I've stopped ranking albums as “the best." Such lists usually end up being either personal favorites or, in the case of vote-based rankings, simply the most popular ones--which aren't necessarily the best. I also don't feel any need to arrange them in any particular order or according to any specific criterion. Quick note: I rarely include live albums ...

Pierre Giroux's Favorite Jazz Albums of 2025

by Pierre Giroux
January 12, 2026

The story of my selection of the top jazz albums of 2025, is, fittingly a conversation between past and present. New recordings by working bands and veteran leaders proved that the language of swing, blues and modern harmony is still being spoken with conviction, while carefully curated reissues reminded us just how deep the tradition runs. Equally compelling were the previously unheard sessions finally brought to light, offering a fresh glimpse of great artists caught in unguarded, inspired moments.Together these ...

Glenn Astarita's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025

by Glenn Astarita
January 11, 2026

Another year, another reminder that jazz refuses to stay in its lane. The ten albums that grabbed me most in 2025 don't follow any neat narrative or trend--they're just the records I kept coming back to, the ones that made me hit repeat or sit up and pay closer attention. Some are from veterans who still have plenty to say, others from artists I'm just discovering. A few feel like natural progressions, while others surprised me in ways I'm still ...

David Bruggink's Best Jazz Albums of 2025

by David Bruggink
January 10, 2026

In a tumultuous year, these albums provided a shelter in the storm, with no shortage of intriguing stylistic directions and cross-pollinations. New directions in post-minimalism mingled with reimaginings of folk songs; chamber music crossed paths with modern classical and cool jazz. Stories Of life Triosence Sony Music Ce Qui Tourne Dans L'Air Sébastien Sauvageau Ronin Rhythm Records

Ken Hohman's Iconoclastic List of the Top 9 Jazz Recordings for 2025

by Ken Hohman
January 9, 2026

I feel like a few of my favorite jazz records over the past year were overlooked or didn't fare well with many jazz critics. But I filter through a heck of a lot of jazz each year in advance of my radio shows, so I feel justified in being quixotic or even setting the record straight when it's called for. Thus, here are my favorite records of 2025. Does that mean they're the best? I'll let you be the judge. ...