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Jua Howard's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025

By Jua Howard
December 23, 2025
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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 not only have been played multiple times on my show, but remain on repeat in my everyday life!

We Insist 2025!
Terri Lyne Carrington
Candid Records

Gadabout Season
Brandee Younger
Impulse! Records

Best Life Now
Sachal Vasandani
Self Produced

Without Further Ado, Vol 1
Christian McBride Big Band
Mack Avenue Records

Beneath the Skin
Nnenna Freelon
Origin Records

Time Wouldn't Wait
Dara Starr Tucker
Green Hill Records

This is the Life
Benny Benack III
Bandstand Presents

LIVE-ACTION
Nate Smith
Naive

1978: Revenge of the Dragon
José James
Rainbow Blonde Records

Loving You
Kieran Brown
Cellar Music Group

Carmen Sings Carmen: Echoes of Carmen McRae
Carmen Bradford
Artist Alliance Records

Corner of My Dreams
Kelly Green
La Reserve

Gullah Roots
Etienne Charles
Culture Shock Music

Everybody Loves Johnny O'Neal
Johnny O'Neal
Cellar Music Group

I Am Doing My Best
Curtis Nowosad
La Reserve Records

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