Home » Jazz Articles » Year in Review » C. Andrew Hovan's Best Releases of 2017

C. Andrew Hovan's Best Releases of 2017

By C. Andrew Hovan
December 30, 2017
View read count

The landscape is constantly changing when it comes to the viability of jazz recordings in our world of free downloads and pervasive internet exposure. Add to that a propensity these days for media to tout anything that is a bit off-center and right wing as the next greatest thing. Much of what passes for jazz these days eludes this reviewer's understanding. As such, some might deem my year end compendium as too safe or mainstream. I prefer to think of it as offering wider exposure to artists who have mastered their craft and are using the important elements of the jazz lexicon in their own creative endeavors. So here are eight of the best jazz releases to cross my desk this year along with two vastly important historical documents that are not to be missed.

organissimo
B3tles: A Soulful Tribute to the Fab Four
Big-O Records

Brian Charette
Kurrent
Self Produced

Christian McBride Big Band
Bringin' It
Mack Avenue

Matt King
Monk in Brazil
Mighty Quinn

Matt Wilson
Honey and Salt
Palmetto

Dave Stryker
Strykin' Ahead
Strikezone

Johnny O'Neal
In the Moment
Smoke Sessions

Peter Bernstein
Signs Live!
Smoke Sessions

Jaco Pastorius
Truth, Liberty & Soul
Resonance

Bill Evans
Another Time: The Hilversum Concert
Resonance

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Weapons Of Mass Distraction
< Previous

Leading The British Invasion
Next >

Brian Charette Concerts

Nov 10 Mon

Brian Charette - Hammond B3 Week

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Nov 10 Mon

Brian Charette - Hammond B3 Week

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

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.