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Katchie Cartwright's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025

By Katchie Cartwright
January 3, 2026
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These are a few of my favorite things from 2025: songs of water and womb; music of light, shadow and illusion; strange and familiar tongues; beginnings and golden days; suns, moons and mysterious particles; liminality and light; equipoise, gratitude and pure aesthetic pleasure. Many thanks to the dedicated musicians who offered deep and joyful music in a year that was not always merry and bright. May 2026 be peaceful and productive. Click the links for reviews and interviews with the artists.

Savina Yannatou
Watersong
ECM Records

Rachel Eckroth & John Hadfield
Speaking In Tongues
Adhyâropa Records

Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz
Lado B Brazilian Project 2
Sunnyside Records

Elana Sasson
In Between
PKMusik

Felipe Salles
Camera Obscura
Tapestry Records

Felipe Senna & Câmaranóva
Overture
Maritaca

Sharel Cassity
Gratitude
Sunnyside Records

Antonio Adolfo
Carnaval -The Songs Were So Beautiful
AAM Music

Gabriela Machado
Equilibrando no Acupe
Self Produced

Laura Dreyer
Água e Sol
Lavasphere

Kinan Azmeh
Live in Berlin
Dreyer Gaido

Sivan Arbel
Oneness
Adhyâropa Records

Jamile
Pursuit of a Pulse
Cellar Music Group

Ryan Keberle
Choro das Aguas
Alternate Side Records

Sam Sadigursky
Solomon Diaries Vol IV & V
Adhyâropa Records

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