WHRV Host Jae Sinnett knows jazz. As a performer, composer and music educator himself, he knows what makes jazz work and what makes it exceptional. What are the best jazz albums of last year? Check out his top picks.
10. Antonio Farao – Tributes – Criss Cross
Pianist Farao’s ferocious piano playing is comped masterfully with the bass and drums. The vibe and spirit of energized playing in a superb trio context.
9. Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra – OR (Operating Room) – bjurecords
Beautiful arranging with unique voicing tonal development. Smart pacing and sequencing which allows each piece to develop its own original story.
8. Samara Joy – Portrait – Verve
She exploded onto the scene with high profile Grammy wins but deservedly so. She’s a wonderful talent with a voice that is texturally original, full and varied. Outstanding creative arrangements on mostly familiar material simply enhances the musical picture.
7. Thom Rotella – Side Hustle – HighNote
Sonically appealing with in the pocket grooves. Guitarist Rotella’s tone is a thing of beauty. Warm with on-point clarity. One of the best feel good records of the year too.
6. Catherine Russell/Sean Mason – My Ideal – Dot Time Records
Voice and piano. Not necessarily an easy venture but they pull it off beautifully. Pianist Mason has ears of gold. It’s needed in this context and Russell’s voice is the perfect lead voice. Strong, in tune, swingin, range varied, well-paced, on point enunciation and fantastic material selection.
5. Jim Rotondi – Finesse – Cellar Records
Jim Rotondi passed suddenly this year. Way too young but his body of work is extremely impressive. This is a masterfully produced project with big band and orchestra. Jim’s brilliant trumpet work is on full display here but it’s his writing that I find most impressive. R.I.P. Brother.
4. Monty Alexander – D-Day – Peewee
There’s an art and complex understanding that’s needed to demonstrate swing. There’s also a deep soulful emotional core that’s needed too, and one of the best to swing us into good health is Monty Alexander. He’s given us swing his entire career. A master versatile pianist that has defined soulful, swingin piano playing for the masses for decades.
3. Etienne Charles Creole Orchestra
Another swingin' trumpeter out of the Crescent City. Not sure what it is about trumpeters down there but the area produces great ones. Etienne is a fantastic trumpeter, arranger and orchestrator. I dig his versatility and vision. The band plays in tune, swings and grooves and has all the necessary nuances to make it a classic.
2. Dave Stryker Trio with Bob Mintzer – Groove Street – Strikezone Records
I love Dave’s trio but adding saxophonist extraordinaire Bob Mintzer is an added musical plus. The longevity of the trio is evident in how complex nuances are captured, manipulated and demonstrated. This is another swingin' in-the-pocket release with an extra added extension of melodic sophistication from saxophonist Bob Mintzer.
1. John Beasley and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning to Forever – Candid – My top jazz pick of 2024.
Firstly, I’m a huge fan of Chick Corea’s electric Return to Forever with Lenny, Al, Stanley and Bill. First names are good enough here and if you have to ask what their last names are you won’t get this record. I particularly appreciate how John maintains the integrity of Chick Corea’s compositional intentions with keeping the incredibly complex twists and turns of the original compositions intact. Playing these masterpieces with a big band adds extraordinary levels of challenges but that said, it works. If you want to jump on material like this you better add to them but many can’t, and that’s one reason why these songs aren’t often recorded. What are you going to add that makes them stand out from when they were originally recorded? Beasley figured out a way. Bring in the big band. Amazing players that clearly were familiar with these tracks and I can tell so by the way they breathed new fire into sacred material. Hats off to John Beasley for having the brass to attempt the project in the first place but double hats off for making it work. All the makings of a masterpiece!
Jae Sinnett hosts Sinnett in Session, The R&B Chronicles, and Students in Session on WHRV FM. He also shares his love of the culinary arts on Cooking with Jae on Facebook every Sunday at 6 p.m. Plus, catch up with past episodes.
