This is the third annual survey of this kind. This year, I have adopted the same basic approach as in the 2022 survey: The table below combines the Anglo-Saxon view of the jazz world, represented by the New York Times and The Guardian and two German sources, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Public Radio). This year, I have added a French source, TSF Jazz, “la première radio Jazz de France.”
As a result, the survey has its fair share of European artists. There is a bit more overlap than we found last year, with four albums mentioned twice – but still, Jazz critics appear to cherish diversity. The albums that got listed twice are:
- Joshua Redman feat. Gabrielle Cavassa: Where Are We
- Jaimie Branch: Fly or Die Fly of Die ((World War))
- Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke: Lean In
- Cécile McLorin-Salavant: Mélusine
As different as these albums are, the one thing they have in common is a female lead.
| The Guardian | The New York Times | Süddeutsche Zeitung | Bayerischer Rundfunk | TSF Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyshawn Sorey: Continuing | Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah: Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning | Joshua Redman feat. Gabrielle Cavassa: Where Are We | Chet Baker: Blue Room. The 1979 Vara Studio Sessions in Holland | Thomas Enhco § Stéphane Kerecki: A Modern Singbook |
| Marius Neset & London Sinfonietta: Geyser - Live at Royal Albert Hall | Jaimie Branch:Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) | Jamimie Branch: Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) | Elina Duni: A Time to Remember | Pierrick Pédron & Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Pédron & Rubalcaba |
| Michael Blake / Croma Nova: Dance of the Mystic Bliss | Kassa Overall: Animals | Irreversible Entanglements: Protect Your Light | Stuten Erdenebaatar Quartet: Rising Sun | Kenny Barron: The Source |
| Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke: Lean In | Ambrose Akinmusire: Owl Song | Web Web: Web Max II | Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Rakesh Chaurasia: As We Speak | Léon Phal: Stress Killer |
| Uriel Herman: Different Eyes | Zoh Amba, Chris Corsano, Bill Orcutt: The Flower School | Michael Hornstein & Oliver Hahn: Conversations Now | Sun-Mi Hong Quintet: Third Page Resonance | Sean Mason: The Southern Suite |
| Naissam Jalal: Healing Rituals | Jonathan Suazo: Ricano | Leo Bettel Trio: Abstract | Nils Kugelmann Trio: Stormy Beauty | David El Malek: Travelling |
| Angelika Niescier, Tomeka Reid, Savannah Harris: Beyond Dragons | Mendoza Hoff Revels: Echolocation | Yussuf Dates: Black Classical Music | Massa: Beit | Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke: Lean In |
| Sissoko, Segal, Parisien, Peirani: Les Égarés | Micah Thomas: Reveal | Billy Childs: The Winds of Change | Joshua Redman feat. Gabrielle Cavassa: Where Are We | Cécile McLorin-Salavant: Mélusine |
| John Scofiled: Uncle John’s Band | Matana Roberts: Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden | Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Max Roach, Charles Mingus & Bud Powell: Hot House | Cécile McLorin-Salavant: Mélusine | Emile Londonien: Legacy |
| Nikki Iles: Face to Face | Enji: ULaan | Les McCann: Never a Dull Moment | Ben Wendel & José James: All One | Erik Truffaz: Rollin' |
The photo shows Lionel Loueke, one of the “winners”. I have heard him play in very different contexts: With Herbie Hancock’s band on a big stage, with Dave Holland in a quartet, and in the rather intimate setting of Berlin’s A-Trane with his own trio.
Dear readers, have a wonderful 2024! May you always find time for the kind of music that lifts you up, invigorates you and soothes your mind & soul.