Home » Jazz Articles » Year in Review » Ben Boddie On Jazz 2025

Ben Boddie On Jazz 2025

By Benjamin Boddie
December 27, 2025
View read count

Every year, jazz reminds us of its vastness, and 2025 was no different. These recordings consistently graced Ben Boddie on Jazz, showcasing a blend of deep tradition and bold exploration. From grand ensemble pieces to intimate, personal recordings, the albums on this list capture the creativity, curiosity, and emotional depth that keep jazz moving. These are the jazz releases that defined 2025 for me—records that keep surprising me with each listen.

Unleashed
Altin Sencalar
Posi-Tone Records

Arboresque
Artemis
Blue Note Records

Mad Scientist Music
Ben Patterson
Origin Records

Belonging
Branford Marsalis
Blue Note Records

You Don't Know Jack!
Brian Charette
Cellar Music Group

Tippin'
Carl Allen
Cellar Music Group

Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies
Dave Stryker
Strikezone Records

Out Late
Eric Reed
Smoke Sessions Records

Live At The Jazz Standard
George Colligan
Whirlwind Recordings

Painter Of The Invisible
Jaleel Shaw
Changu Records

As We Are Now
Jimmy Greene
Greene Music Works

The Big Room
Joe Farnsworth
Smoke Sessions Records

Still We Dream
Josh Lawrence
Posi-Tone Records

Songbook
Kenny Barron
Artwork Records

Bop Contest
Mark Sherman
Miles High Records

City Life: Music of Gregg Hill
Michael Dease
Origin Records

Consentrik Quartet
Nels Cline
Blue Note Records

Waking Dream
Randy Napoleon
OA2 Records

Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
Rodney Whitaker
Origin Records

Shadows and Silence: The Erik Satie Project
Tessa Souter
NOANARA Records

Bluegrass
Bob Mintzer
MCG Jazz

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Duo Réflections
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.