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Ben Boddie On Jazz 2025
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 ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Libero Farnè's Best Jazz Albums of 2025
Once again this year, the most forward-looking strand of the U.S. jazz scene has proven to be especially rich and compelling. In my list, however, I have tried to make room for a number of emblematic releases from the European scene, which remains consistently vital and authentic. In this spirit, I chose to highlight a historic figure such as Barry Guy, also because in the course of 2025 I had the privilege of hearing him live on two occasions. ...
SOURCE: All About Jazz
¡Viva la resistencia! Cafe Central, Madrid
A story of Madrid's Cafe Central, going out of business after over 40 years as the beating heart of jazz in the Spanish capital. The old saying “wherever you go, there you are" is one of those deceptively simple adages that never lets you down. And yet, the longer I've lived with it, the more I've come to believe that there are certain times and places when a person is just a little more where they are. ...
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Ralph "Bigfoot" Hamilton: The Lost Legend Behind Two Guitar Pioneers
Nowadays, every move we make is recorded in some way, and wherever a person goes, whatever they do or say is often captured. Of course, this has not always been the case, and in fact, many details concerning historical events frequently rely on speculation based on the evidence at hand. This is undoubtedly the case with many blues and jazz musicians during the early twentieth century, such as Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker, two of the most influential ......
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Jerome Wilson's Favorite Jazz Albums Of 2025
Many things in the world were not faring too well in 2025 but jazz music, as always continued to thrive and evolve throughout the year. The music that really caught my ear this year included a number of imaginative and ambitious large ensemble albums and two powerful solo piano sets from veteran artists who are rarely heard from. Claire Cope Every Journey Adhyâropa Records Amina ......
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Charisa The Violin Diva In First Sunday Blues And Blessings At Mt Zion Ame Millburn NJ on January 4
Mt. Zion AME Church in Millburn opens the new year with a powerful and joy‑filled 1st Sunday Blues & Blessings celebration, featuring the incomparable Charisa the Violin Diva—a radiant artist whose sound blends gospel fire, jazz, soul, and classical elegance into a testimony all its own. Guided by the visionary leadership of Rev. Eyesha Marable, this service continues Mt. Zion’s tradition of honoring faith, culture, and community through music that uplifts the spirit and strengthens our bonds. At the piano, ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Kyle Simpler's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
As I was preparing my selections, the line, “He's making a list and checking it twice," from “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" kept running through my head. It turned out to be a pretty accurate description of my process. Well, other than the fact that I have no interest in finding out who was naughty or nice. Instead, I was trying to figure out which 2025 albums resonated most with me. That may sound like an easy ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Cab Calloway & The Nicholas Brothers: Jumpin' Jive
Born on Christmas Day 1907 in Rochester, New York, bandleader Cab Calloway enjoyed a brilliant career that spanned the 1920s to the 1990s. He made his name at the helm of the Cab Calloway Orchestra between 1930-1948, a period that included a four-residency at the Cotton Club. At various times his swing orchestra included musicians of the caliber of Chu Berry, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Milt Hinton, Doc Cheatham and Dizzy Gillespie--the latter who was fired from the band for ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
The 2nd Annual Bradley Beach Jazz Festival 2026 Announces Five Days Of World‑class Music Across The Jersey Shore
The 2nd Annual Bradley Beach Jazz Festival 2026 returns with an expanded five‑day celebration of world‑class jazz, blues, and community spirit, bringing together legendary artists, rising stars, and local favorites for one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events. From February 3–7, venues across Bradley Beach will come alive with electrifying performances leading into a powerhouse Mainstage Weekend. Festival Schedule February 3 The soulful Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio igniting The Elbow Room. February 4 Stringbean Blues featuring Bernard Purdie brings ......
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Interruptions On A Christmas Eve
The small restaurant and occasional music bistro was closed for Christmas Eve. Its owner Ernie DiVitale had darkened the room. There was light enough, from the Christmas tree in the corner and spilling in from a lamp over the prep area in the kitchen, to relax with his wife Veronica at a back table over cappuccini and frutti di bosco tortas, ricotta cheese cake with fresh fruit toppings, a special treat in winter. For Ernie and Veronica it ......
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Two duos and a trio in Lewisham, London
Shift Register, Akira vs Tigersonic, Data Swamp Lewisham Arthouse London December 13, 2025 Right from the moment the first audience member entered and sat down, there was an electric atmosphere in the room of the Lewisham Arthouse where three acts were to play. As the room filled up, an excited buzz was audible from the audience, some of whom had come along with friends who had recommended that they attend. For some of them, the ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Angelo Leonardi's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
The five U.S. jazz albums and the five Italian jazz albums selected here represent, in my view, the very best of what was released in 2025. They stand out for their innovative spirit, expressive intensity, and interpretive freshness. The list is not ranked: each title fully deserves its place at the top. Patricia Brennan Of the Near and Far Pyroclastic Records Andrea ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Jua Howard's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
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 ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Holiday Notes Across A Hallway
A knock on the door of Augie Cannataro's apartment. He peered through the security window to see the single mother from across the hall. They had always nodded politely at each other when passing in the lobby or hallway. He was respectful but didn't want to approach an involvement in whatever her life was with her son, who Cannataro had also seen in passing and had heard through the walls of their apartments making painful attempts at saxophone practice....
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Announcing February 2026 Line-up At Smoke Jazz Club Including Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenón, Theo Croker And More
Hailed as the “#1 Jazz Club in New York City (SecretNYC),” SMOKE Jazz Club today announced an exciting line-up for the month of February 2026. Joe Lovano, one of the world’s most celebrated musicians, makes his SMOKE Jazz Club debut as a leader followed by a special Valentine’s Week concert series with the acclaimed Bill Charlap Trio. Genre-defying trumpeter Theo Croker returns to SMOKE with his stellar Quartet. February ends with the unique voice of saxophonist Miguel Zenón at the ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Arturo Sandoval at Miner Auditorium
Arturo Sandoval Miner Auditorium San Francisco, CA December 18, 2025 At 76, Arturo Sandoval still walks onstage with the authority of someone who knows exactly what he offers--and how to deliver it. Thursday night at SFJAZZ's Miner Auditorium, his Swinging Holiday program unfolded as something more enduring than a festive detour. It was a living survey of bebop lineage, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and the hard-earned wisdom of a musician who has outlasted eras without dulling his edge. ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Geno Thackara's Favorites of 2025
To look at the commentary on the year's big stars and famous releases, one would almost think 2025 had been a lackluster year in music. Lucky for us that the jazz world is constantly full of things much more interesting. Fergus McCreadie The Shieling Edition Records The breakout trio only continues breaking out in ways fresh and unexpected. While the folk-rooted bounce in their step is always there, this outing adds a more ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
Ian Patterson's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025
The number of albums released year upon year seems to grow exponentially, with self-released albums increasingly the norm. Much of the most interesting and courageous modern jazz is released on small, independent labels where artistic value and not commercial potential is the principal driving force. The challenge for these free spirits is to get their music heard--not always an easy task in a flooded market and a competitive world. Still quality music will always find an appreciative audience. This list ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz
All About Jazz & Jazz Near You Improvements: 2025
A look at what your contributions made possible in 2025 Since 2018, reader and community contributions have helped fund ongoing development and infrastructure work across All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. These efforts focus on improving editorial tools, supporting musicians and venues, optimizing performance, and making both platforms easier and more rewarding to use. Below is a snapshot of what your support helped us accomplish in 2025. Throughout the year, we introduced major improvements for musicians, staff, and readers, ......
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Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas Sauce: Adding Spice to Charlie Brown Vanilla
It's not simply that pianist Vince Guaraldi slipped jazz past the unsuspecting in composing A Charlie Brown Christmas, the evergreen “Peanuts" animation and soundtrack that has become inescapably part of the holiday. First broadcast in 1965, going on to six decades ago, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a tradition unto itself. It returns to television through PBS and PBS Kids on the evening of Sunday, December 19. Some who can't wait, or want to watch and listen again and again, ......
SOURCE: All About Jazz