Normally I do not like such lists due to the fact that one might be missing a lot of valuable works that are around but unheard of by the person creating the list. After all I am just an avid music listener and definitely not a critic or anything near that. So please take into consideration that the below artists/albums are only the ones I picked during the year and liked a bit better than the rest of the things I have listened to...
10) The Bad Plus “Activate Infinity”
Second album of The Bad Plus with the pianist Orrin Evans who replaced Ethan Iverson some time ago. All 8 pieces on the album are written by the band members. It is always a pleasure to listen to The Bad Plus and this album is no different. Lots of sophisticated and inspiring tunes...
Avail by The Bad Plus
9) Jon Batiste “Anatomy of Angels:Live at the Village Vanguard"
Recorded live in 2018 at the Village Vanguard in New York. As the high-profile bandleader on Late Night with Stephen Colbert, Batiste shifts to a more traditional jazz sound that evokes his deep New Orleans roots and passion for the music of innovative bebop pianist Thelonious Monk.
Round Midnight by Jon Batiste
8) The Comet Is Coming “Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery”
Because The End is Really The Beginning by The Comet is Coming
7) Nérija “Blume”
Another fine example of UK jazz. Almost an all women band including the great saxophonists Cassie Kinoshi and Nubya Garcia. The band is a true jazz power collective.
Nascence by Nérija
6) Hiromi “Spectrum”
Well no list is complete for me without Hiromi in it and I am really thankful she released a solo album after some years. Mostly she plays her own music but has chosen some great tunes to cover such as Blackbird and Rhapsody In Blue. This is a very good recording to listen to her technical mastery and marvelous improvisations.
Blackbird by Hiromi
5) Matana Roberts “Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis”
This is the 4th chapter of the Coin Coin series (a multi chapter musical work-in-progress exploring themes of history, memory and ancestry) of saxophonist Matana Roberts. Maybe it is one of the most powerful albums of this year.
As Far As The Eye Can See by Matana Roberts
4) Brad Mehldau “Finding Gabriel”
Here is another favorite artist of mine. It is always good to witness his novel approaches to music, this time with collaborations from people such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Mark Guiliana and Kurt Elling. You can find heavy use of electronics on this album too.
The Garden by Brad Mehldau
3) Kris Davis “Diatom Ribbons”
An album from a Canadian pianist. In her latest album, quıite she worked with many great musicians like Esperanza Spalding, Marc Ribot and Terri Lyne Carrington. I found the recording quite diverse which proves what a talented musician Kris Davis is.
The Very Thing by Kris Davis feat. Esperenza Spalding
2) Bremer/McCoy “Utopia”
It is difficult to define this album as pure jazz but I guess there is no other genre that would embrace the Danish Duo's latest. It is hypnotic and creates a unique integrity in a way you feel like there are not 12 pieces on the album but only one.
Aben Bog by Bremer & McCoy
1) Yonathan Avishai / Avishai Cohen “Playing the Room”
A perfect album from ECM. Great sounding musicians Avishai Cohen on the trumpet (yes not the bassist Avishai Cohen) and Yonathan Avishai on the piano. The music they perform is a pure but a complex conversation, very organic and aesthetic. For me it was the best jazz album of 2019.
Sir Duke by Yonathan Avishai & Avishai Cohen
I hope you have liked my Top 10 jazz albums of the year. And please post your comments as I would love to hear your favorite jazz albums of 2019...
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