It may be unwieldy to keep a large jazz ensemble together for economic reasons but this year was still full of outstanding big band recordings, whether done through commissions, arrangers working with established orchestras or even actual working ensembles. Several of the releases on my list are examples of that. Also this year had the usual strong statements from younger, up-and-coming musicians as well as greybeards like
Charles Lloyd and
Wayne Shorter who proved that creative genius does not fade with age.
Charles Lloyd Vanished Gardens Blue Note
Charles Lloyd in the company of
Bill Frisell and pedal steel guitar is special enough but add the weathered voice of Lucinda Williams and the result is music as ageless and wise as time itself.
Claudia Döffinger Monochrome QFTF
Claudia Doffinger is a young composer from Germany who puts the Graz Composers Orchestra through a program that folds hip hop, prog rock and the earnest soul of indie rock into the imposing edifice of big band jazz.
Edward Simon Sorrows & Triumphs Sunnyside
Ravishing widescreen music from pianist Edward Simon that mixes together his jazz quartet, the
Imani Winds woodwind quintet and the hypnotic voice of
Gretchen Parlato.
Kate Reid The Heart Already Knows Self-produced
The mature and subtly sensual voice of Kate Reid creates magic in duets with several different guitarists and pianists including
Fred Hersch and
Larry Koonse.
Wayne Shorter Emanon Blue Note
With his superb quartet and a chamber orchestra in tow, the old master creates some of the most challenging and far-reaching music of his career. The accompanying graphic novel and 2 CDs of the quartet in concert make an excellent bonus.
Darrell Katz Rats Live on No Evil Star JCA Recordings
A long-time Boston musical secret, Katz and the JCA Orchestra present an impressive, varied set containing swaggering jazz-rock, haunting art songs and topical blues and featuring the impressive singing of
Rebecca Shrimpton.
Owen Broder Heritage ArtistShare.
Owen Broder invites several generations of jazz composers including
Bill Holman,
Ryan Truesdell and Miho Hazama to interpret American folk music. The results are varied and moving, particularly on
Alphonso Horne's "The People Could Fly" which brings African rhythms into the mix.
Michael Leonhart The Painted Lady Suite Sunnyside
Michael Leonhart is best known as Steely Dan's musical director but he shows he's also hip to
David Axelrod and
Ennio Morricone with this cool, subtly grooving orchestral music.
Kevin Bales/
Keri Johnsrud Beyond the Neighborhood: The Music of Fred Rogers Self-produced
Fred Rogers and his beloved TV series, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" has gotten a lot of attention lately. This musical tribute, featuring pianist Bales and the warm vocals of Johnsrud, adapts the songs he wrote for the show to a jazz setting with playfulness and love.
Kate McGarry/
Keith Ganz/
Gary Versace The Subject Tonight Is Love Binxtown
Joy, passion, hope, regret...Many feelings associated with love are touched on in this intimate recital by vocalist McGarry, guitarist Ganz and keyboard player Versace.
Billie Davies Perspectives II Self-produced
Over an hour of intense spiritual music from New Orleans that combines Beat poetry, minimalist
Sun Ra and ever-changing rhythm grooves.
Jim McNeely Barefoot Dances and Other Visions Planet Arts
The criminally unsung Jim McNeely creates a gorgeous set of intelligent and creative modern jazz for the members of the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.