Tom Hull: The Best Jazz Albums of 2023

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The Best Jazz Albums of 2023

Initial draft collected on Nov. 1, 2023. The file will be updated as additional worthy records are found (although updating may lag behind the official 2023 list). Last year's list was never frozen (OK, let's say it was frozen on Nov. 1, 2023). There also exists a parallel list of The Best Non-Jazz of 2023.

Note: numbering of lists (aside from A/A-) is only temporary, to make it easier for me to tally up stats. I've made no effort to order (other than alphaetical by artist) anything in grades below A-.

Also, several A-list albums below were close enough to Non-Jazz that I duplicated the entries in the Non-Jazz file (sometimes giving them lower rankings there; the year file rank is more authoritative).

[*] indicates that I reviewed this on the basis of an advance, often a CDR copy (a good thing, I might add, for vinyl-only releases). [**] identifies a record that I've only heard via download or through a streaming service like Napster.

For all lists, I've included a few 2022 (and possibly earlier) records that I discovered after last year's freeze date, but I've only included such records if they were released on or after Dec. 1, 2022, or were so little known that they received no mention in the 2022 metacritic file. These are marked, e.g., '22, after the label.

New Music

1.		*Rodrigo Amado/The Bridge: Beyond the Margins* (Trost)** Portuguese tenor saxophonist, easily one of the top half-dozen in the world since 2000, which should suffice here, but pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach is a special treat here, and the interaction is so masterful Gerry Hemingway and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten got in on the action. Beware: it does get a little rowdy.
2.		*Irreversible Entanglements: Protect Your Light* (Impulse!)** Jazz group with poet-vocalist Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother), eponymous debut 2017, core group: Aquiles Navarro (trumpet), Keir Neuringer (alto sax), Luke Stewart (bass), Tcheser Holmes (drums). Cosmic vibe rivals Sun Ra, but deadly serious words, and shooting star horns, and MVP bass.
3.		*Steve Lehman/Orchestre National de Jazz: Ex Machina* (Pi)** Alto saxophonist, a Braxton student, has a long list of outstanding albums from 2001, including complex octets and his African fusion Sélébéyone. ONJ is a venerable French organization, dating from 1986, directed since 2019 by Frédéric Maurin. I haven't followed them, but at least in this iteration, they're not just a budget big band. Maurin not only directed, but wrote 5 (of 11) pieces, as clever and tricky as Lehman's. This took me longer than usual, but surely will rank as one of the year's best.
4.		*James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet: For Mahalia, With Love* (Tao Forms, 2CD)** Tenor saxophonist, formed this group for his poll-winning 2021 album Jesup Wagon, reconvenes with Kirk Knuffke (trumpet), Chris Hoffman (cello), William Parker (bass), and Chad Taylor (drums), to play his arrangements of a set of trad. gospel pieces tied to Mahalia Jackson, but with no vocals, as nothing else can be as sanctified as his instrument. The digital album ends there (9 tracks, 71:32), and as long as it stays on track, it's as inspired as any gospel program since David Murray's Spirituals. The 2-CD package adds a second album, These Are Soulful Days, a suite (8 tracks, 47:24) that starts out as an interesting strings piece, played by Lutoslawski Quartet, with Lewis joining in and eventually dominating -- about as good as sax-with-strings gets. [There's also a 2-LP package of the album proper, with a download code for the bonus.]
5.		*Emmet Cohen: Master Legacy Series Volume 5: Featuring Houston Person* (Bandstand Presents) Pianist, has a few volumes from 2011 on featuring his own estimable work, along side this series, which started with Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, and Tootie Heath before moving on to the saxophonists, adding Benny Golson to the Heath volume, followed by George Coleman, and now Person -- who, by the way, sounds fabulous right out of the gate. With Yasushi Nakamura (bass) and Kyle Poole (drums).
6.		*George Coleman: Live at Smalls Jazz Club* (Cellar)** Tenor saxophonist, best known as the younger guy Wayne Shorter replaced in the Miles Davis Quintet, although he's turned in a few masterpieces over the years -- the first (and most classic) Eastern Rebellion (1976), My Horns of Plenty (1991), and A Master Speaks (2016) -- and still retains one of the instrument's most recognizable voices. His set here includes an original blues and seven standards (starting with Davis, and including a Jobim), backed by Spike Wilner (piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Joe Farnsworth (drums). Few have ever made great sound easier.
7.		*Art Ensemble of Chicago: The Sixth Decade From Paris to Paris: Live at Sons D'Hiver* (RogueArt, 2CD)** Quintet formed in 1966, the best known group to emerge from the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Music), from their inception dedicated to transcending jazz and performing "great black music." The original group stuck together more than 30 years, until the deaths of Lester Bowie (1999), Malachi Favors (2004), and Joseph Jarman (2019). That left Roscoe Mitchell (sax) and Famoudou Don Moye (percussion), who keep the faith with a long list of guests: I count 18 here, where the vocalists (Moor Mother, Roco Córdova, Erina Newkirk) are most prominent, and the percussionists most numerous. I don't love all the vocals, but there's much to celebrate here.
8.		*The Rempis Percussion Quartet: Harvesters* (Aerophonic, 2CD)** Saxophonist Dave Rempis, from Chicago, plays alto and tenor, assembled this two-drummer quartet (Tim Daisy and Frank Rosaly), with bass (Ingebrigt Håker Flaten), in 2006, and returns with their ninth album. I hit the second disc first, and thought it was nicely balanced, as cogent or more as anything they've done. The first was more typically aggressive, although it settled down after a nice bass solo. Next piece added Jean-Luc Cappozzo on flugelhorn.
9.		*Jason Kao Hwang Critical Response: Book of Stories* (True Sound)** Violinist, b. 1957 in Illinois, parents immigrated from Hunan after WWII, has spent considerable time mastering classical Chinese music but he's mostly recorded cutting-edge jazz, making him the heir apparent after the deaths of Leroy Jenkins and Billy Bang. Trio here with guitarist Anders Nilsson, who blends in beautifully, and drummer Michael T.A. Thompson.
10.		*Farida Amadou/Jonas Cambien/Dave Rempis: On the Blink* (Aerophonic)** Chicago saxophonist Rempis recorded in the Netherlands, with the two Belgian musicians on bass and piano, both with electronics. (Cambien is currently based in Oslo.) The background is enticing, something Rempis shows great sensitivity to, not that he never breaks loose for a power solo.
11.		*Javier Red's Imagery Converter: Life & Umbrella* (Desafio Candente)** Pianist, from Mexico, based in Chicago, second album, with Jake Wark (tenor sax), Ben Dillinger (bass), and Gustavo Cortinas (drums). Cover text: "Spreading empathy, understanding, and love for Autism." No idea what that means, but the music has an inner tension that is constantly shifting and refocusing. Remarkable.
12.		*Mark Feldman/Dave Rempis/Tim Daisy: Sirocco* (Aerophonic)** Violin, saxophones (alto/tenor/baritone), and drums, the latter two a long-running Chicago duo, Rempis one of the most consistent free jazz players around.
13.		*Ivo Perelman/Ray Anderson/Joe Morris/Reggie Nicholson: Molten Gold* (Fundacja Sluchaj) Tenor sax, trombone, bass, and drums. Anderson turns out to be a great accompanist here.
14.		*Paul Dunmall: Bright Light a Joyous Celebration* (Discus Music) The saxophonist leads a sextet here, with two more saxophonists (Soweto Kinch and Xhosa Cole), vibes (Corey Mwamba), bass (Dave Kane), and drums (Hamid Drake). The drummer goes without saying, but I'm really impressed by the vibes here, and the saxophones live up to the title.
15.		*Jason Moran: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield* (Yes) "A meditation on the life and legacy of James Reese Europe" (1881-1919), a composer and bandleader born in Mobile, moved to Washington, DC when he was 10, and on to New York in 1904, where he organized his first bands. He went on to lead a military band in WWII, touring widely and recording several songs in France. When he returned to America, he played Carnegie Hall with a 125-piece orchestra. Moran stitched this together from Europe's compositions, three W.C. Handy blues in Europe's repertoire, a couple originals, and bits of Albert Ayler and Pauline Oliveros, played by a tentet with four brass, three reeds, piano, bass, and drums.
16.		*Floy Krouchi/James Brandon Lewis/Benjamin Sanz: Cliffs* (Off '22) Two French musicians I had never heard of invited the saxophonist for a week in the south of France, where they came up with this totally unheralded album. Not as expansive as Lewis's own work, but in many ways a better showcase for his prodigious skills.
17.		*Ivo Perelman/Joe Morris: Elliptic Time* (Mahakala Music '22)** Brazilian tenor saxophonist, extremely prolific, comes out with another duo, this with guitar. I've fallen behind in my Perelman listening: I missed his 9-CD Brass and Ivory Tales, haven't gotten to my download of his 11-CD Reed Rapture in Brooklyn, and I'm sure there are others. This, however, is the right combination for a reasonable stretch of time. **
18.		*David Murray/Questlove/Ray Angry: Plumb* (Outside In Music) Tenor sax/bass clarinet giant, jamming with the drummer and keyboard player from the Roots. Product status is iffy: runs 14 songs, 136 minutes, which can be streamed now, with a 4-LP box is promised for sometime 2024 ($150, "ships in about six months," which sounds more like a reverse twist on loansharking). The Roots guys aren't much more than fit for purpose here, but Murray is once again a tower of strength.
19.		*Wadada Leo Smith and Orange Wave Electric: Fire Illuminations* (Kabell)** Trumpet player, has a new group in his Yo! Miles! mode, with three guitarists (Nels Cline, Brandon Ross, Lamar Smith), two bassists (Melvin Gibbs and Bill Laswell), drums (Pheeroan aKlaff), percussion (Mauro Refrosco), and electronics (Hardedge) bringing the avant electrofunk. **
20.		*Myra Melford's Fire and Water Quintet: Hear the Light Singing* (RogueArt)** Pianist, a major figure since 1990, with Mary Halvorson (guitar), Ingrid Laubrock (tenor and soprano sax), Tomeka Reid (cello), and Lesley Mok (drums). Second group album, a rhythmic tour de force.
21.		*Peter Brötzmann/Majid Bekkas/Hamid Drake: Catching Ghosts* (ACT)** A founder of the German avant-garde, here 81, still strong on tenor sax and clarinet, but takes a back seat here to Moroccan Gnaoua adept Bekkas, who chant-sings and plays guembri, with Drake's drums offering perfect support. This live set recalls another superb 2019 album, The Catch of a Ghost, with Gnaouan master Maâlem Moukhtar Gania joining Brötzmann and Drake -- itself a reprisal of work they did as far back as 1996. **
22.		*Jim Black & the Schrimps: Ain't No Saint* (Intakt) Drummer, modeled this band on Tim Berne's Bloodcount, which he was a member of in the late 1990s, starting afresh with young musicians I've never heard of: Asger Nilssen (alto sax), Julius Gawlik (tenor sax), and Felix Henkelhausen (bass). Gets the sound right (minus Berne's later addition of guitar), and keeps the rhythm well lubricated, as he always does.
23.		*Ivo Perelman/Dave Burrell/Bobby Kapp: Trichotomy* (Mahakala Music) Tenor sax trio, with piano and drums, veterans who go way back. Kapp is the least well known, but played on 1967-68 albums for Gato Barbieri, Marion Brown, and Noah Howard, and played on Burrell's most famous album in 1976. He appeared on two recent albums with Perelman, Matthew Shipp, and William Parker, so this lineup squares a circle. Two long blowouts, with details that matter.
24.		*Christian McBride's New Jawn: Prime* (Mack Avenue) Bassist, from Philadelphia, established himself as the premier mainstream jazz bassist with his 1994-2000 Verves. Introduced this group on his 2018 album, with Josh Evans (trumpet), Marcus Strickland (tenor sax/bass clarinet), and Nasheet Waits (drums), with all four bringing songs. This one adds covers of Larry Young, Ornette Coleman, and Sonny Rollins; each, in its way, sharpening the edges.
25.		*Natural Information Society: Since Time Is Gravity* (Aguirre/Eremite) Chicago bassist Joshua Abrams, debut 2002, fifth album since 2015 with variants of this group, expanded here to eleven, including Ari Brown (tenor sax) and Hamid Drake (percussion). The key to the group has always been its ability to sustain a groove while doing interesting things with it. More horns here steers it back a bit toward a more conventional jazz sound, so that's what's interesting this time.
26.		*Das Kondensat: Andere Planeten* (WhyPlayJazz)** German saxophone/clarinet player Gebhard Ullmann, prolific since 1985, leads a quartet with Liz Kosack (keyboards), Oliver Potratz (electric bass/electronics), and Eric Schaefer (drums/modular synthesizer) on third group album. The keyboard is an addition from two earlier trios.a
27.		*Kris Davis Diatom Ribbons: Live at the Village Vanguard* (Pyroclastic, 2CD)** Canadian pianist, based in New York since 2001, impressed me early, especially with 2008's Rye Eclipse, eventually rising in DownBeat's polls, and winning the Jazz Critics Poll in 2019 for Diatom Ribbons. The latter album, with its fusion elements (various guitars, Val Jeanty's turntables, vocals and spoken word), threw me at the time (or maybe, without a CD, I just didn't give it enough time, but I did recheck it during the poll). But this new one isn't a live take on the original. It's new material -- incorporating pieces by Wayne Shorter, Geri Allen, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Conlon Nancarrow/Eric Dolphy -- played by a slimmed down but fully functional band, with Jeanty, Julian Lage (guitar), Trevor Dunn (bass), and Terri Lyne Carrington (drums), with several vocal samples (Messiaen, Stockhausen, Sun Ra, Paul Bley). It opens up and stretches out (53:42 + 51:09), which among other luxuries gives the pianist more time to claim the spotlight. Which she does.
28.		*Sylvie Courvoisier: Chimaera* (Intakt) Swiss pianist, many albums since 1997, leads a sextet through a series of extended compositions, inspired by painter Odilon Redon ("a universe of symbolism, dreams and fantasy"). Group includes two trumpets (Wadada Leo Smith and Nate Wooley), Christian Fennesz (guitar/electronics), Drew Gress (bass), and Kenny Wollesen (drums/vibes). This would sit nicely in one of Smith's recent boxes.
29.		*Izumi Kimura/Gerry Hemingway: Kairos* (Fundacja Sluchaj)** Japanese pianist, based in Ireland, has a 2010 album and several more since 2016, including a 2019 trio with the drummer and Barry Guy. Sharper here as a duo, the focus shifting from piano to drums (or marimba or vibraphone), and back again. Then out of nowhere comes something totally different: a trad piece with Hemingway's bluesy, otherworldly vocal.
30.		*Allen Lowe and the Constant Sorrow Orchestra: In the Dark* (ESP-Disk, 3CD)** Lowe's been complaining a lot lately about the state of avant-jazz composition, and seems to think he's found the solution here. I don't begin to understand it technically. It just sounds like he's overcome the modernist impulse and just decided to mix it all together. To that end, he's recruited previously trad players like Ken Peplowski and Lisa Parott, as well as esteemed musicologist Lewis Porter, plus many others I've barely heard of if at all. Casual listening just washes over me, but he's bothered to break this up into 31 pieces, most with historical referents if not baggage.
31.		*Angelika Niescier/Tomeka Reid/Savannah Harris: Beyond Dragons* (Intakt) Alto saxophonist, born in Poland, 16th album since 2000, recorded in Chicago with cello and drums. A constantly mutating free jazz extravaganza.
32.		*Rich Halley Quartet: Fire Within* (Pine Eagle)** Tenor saxophonist from Portland, Oregon, has turned his retirement project into a remarkable career. (Checking myself, I find that he had a few albums as far back as 1986 before I first noticed him in 2005 with Mountains and Plains, and that he was only 58 then, but the model stuck in my head, partly because I have other examples, like Fred Anderson and Mort Weiss.) I can't say that he's getting better, but he's been remarkably inspired for two decades, aided here by his best rhythm section ever: Matthew Shipp (piano), Michael Bisio (bass), and Newman Taylor Baker (drums).
33.		*Kresten Osgood/Bob Moses/Tisziji Muñoz: Spiritual Drum Kingship* (Gotta Let It Out) Two drummers plus electric guitar. The latter is an American, born in Brooklyn, released an album on India Navigation in 1978, but didn't really produce much until the late 1990s, when he recorded albums with Moses, Pharoah Sanders, Dave Liebman, Marilyn Crispellm, and Rashied Ali. Moses is of similar age, not just a drummer but a student of percussion everywhere. Osgood is younger, from Denmark, started around 2002, starting with Sam Rivers, Oliver Lake, and other notables. Such a tour de force by the guitarist that it takes two very fast drummers to keep up, and these two make the album.
34.		*Aruán Ortiz: Pastor's Paradox* (Clean Feed)** Cuban pianist, based in Brooklyn, has a large and varied body of work. Three more names on the cover: Don Byron (clarinet), Lester St. Louis (cello), and Pheeroan Aklaff (drums), but Yves Dhar takes over cello on two tracks, and Mtume Gant offers spoken word on three, drawing on phrases from Martin Luther King.
35.		*Dave Rempis/Elisabeth Harnik/Fred Lonberg-Holm/Tim Daisy: Earscratcher* (Aerophonic) Alto sax, piano, cello/electronics, and drums/percussion. Group was put together to focus on Harnik, who plays outstanding free jazz here, wrapped in complex layers of sound.
36.		*Tyshawn Sorey Trio: Continuing* (Pi)** Drummer-led piano trio, with Aaron Diehl (piano) and Matt Brewer (bass). Four covers, none I immediately recognized as standards -- ok, I should have noted "Angel Eyes," but the others are composed by Wayne Shorter, Ahmad Jamal, and Harold Mabern -- ranging from 10:25 to 15:43. Sounds more together than your average piano trio, but I can't really tell you why.
37.		*Lisa Marie Simmons/Marco Cremaschini: NoteSpeak 12* (Ropeadope)** Poet, born in Colorado, "survived several troubled adoptions and foster homes," sang in church choir, moved to New York, wound up in Italy, with keyboardist Cremaschini providing music for her words. Has a previous NoteSpeak album from 2020. This one is supposedly captivated by the number 12 (as in the 12-tone scale). The music is full-bodied without drawing attention away from the words, and the speaker can sing as easily as speak, but holds your interest either way. **
38.		*Ivo Perelman/Elliott Sharp: Artificial Intelligence* (Mahakala Music)** Brazilian tenor saxophonist, has tons of albums, many duos, including a particularly good one last year with guitarist Joe Morris (Elliptic Time), follows that up with another guitarist duo, this time with stray electronics, which work just as well. **
39.		*The Mark Lomax Trio: Tapestry* (CFG Multimedia) Drummer, should be esteemed as one of the world's best but remains little known, offers "a four-movement tone poem inspired by four pieces in Johnson's Tapestry series." (Johnson?) The Trio includes the even more unjustly unrecognized Edwin Bayard (tenor sax) and their regular bassist, Dean Hulett.
40.		*Lakecia Benjamin: Phoenix* (Whirlwind)** Alto saxophonist, from New York, fourth album since 2012, this one co-produced by Terri Lyne Carrington, who aims for crossover not by compromise but by turning up the heat. Opens and closes with sirens and Angela Davis. Guest vocals from Dianne Reeves and Georgia Anne Muldrow, and spoken word by Sonia Sanchez and Wayne Shorter, but the sax speaks loudest and clearest.
41.		*Anthony Branker & Imagine: What Place Can Be for Us? A Suite in Ten Movements* (Origin)** Composer and arranger, originally a trumpet player (on a 1980 album), but has only directed nine albums since 2005. Seven piece group here, all familiar names (Walter Smith III, Philip Dizack, Remy Le Boeuf, Pete McCann, Fabian Almazan, Linda May Han Oh, Donald Edwards), with a bit of spoken word (Alison Crickett) to set the direction, from which everything flows organically.
42.		*Henry Threadgill Ensemble: The Other One* (Pi)** Leader just composes and conducts here, directing a 12-piece group through three long movements (60:36) of a piece called "Of Valence." This setting fits into the jazz as advanced classical music model, a scaled up version of chamber jazz. The group includes three saxophones/clarinets, two bassoons, no brass (other than Jose Davila's tuba), piano (David Virelles), and strings (violin, viola, two cellos), but no bass or drums. Not a style I'm easily impressed with, nor one I'm every likely to get excited about, but within those limits, this is interesting all the way through, surprising even.
43.		*Margherita Fava: Tatatu* (self-released)** Italian pianist, studied at Michigan State (Rodney Whitaker) and U. of Tennessee (Eric Reed and Greg Tardy), based in Knoxville, first album, six originals plus "Rhythm-A-Ning" and "All the Things You Are." Quartet with Tardy never better on tenor sax and clarinet.
44.		*Jason Adasiewicz: Roy's World* (Corbett vs. Dempsey) From Chicago, plays vibraphone and balafon, couple dozen albums since 2000, many more side credits. Project here was music for a film. Group a nicely balanced quintet, with Josh Berman (cornet), Jonathan Doyle (saxes), Joshua Abrams (bass), and Hamid Drake (drums).
45.		*Elijah Shiffer: Star Jelly* (self-released) Alto saxophonist, based in New York, describes this as a "sax-heavy version of a Nwe Orleans-style 'brass' band" -- three or four saxes (the extra is bass sax on 5 of 8 tracks), trumpet, trombone, a revolving cast of stringed instruments, and drums. The trad jazz angle is a sweet spot for me, but the arrangements are very slippery, leaving me with wonder whether what seems exceedingly clever at first will hold up for the long haul.
46.		*Kaze & Ikue Mori: Crustal Movement* (Libra)** Japanese-French group, with Satoko Fujii (piano), Natsuki Tamura (trumpet), Christian Pruvost (trumpet/flugelhorn), and Peter Orins (drums), seventh album since 2010, joined here by the famous Japanese noisemaker. Another pandemic paste project, with live overdubs, billed as "a visceral, richly textured hybrid," which it certainly is.
47.		*Daniel Bingert: Ariba* (Moserobie)** Swedish, nominally a bassist, but defers here to Torbjörn Zetterberg and limits his playing to Moog. Second album. Band includes Per Texas Johansson (tenor sax/bass clarinet), Jonas Kulhammar (alto sax), and Charlie Malmberg (piano/baritone sax), as well as trumpet, bass, and drums. Has a loose, playful chemistry, coming into a nice, soft landing.
48.		*Caroline Davis' Alula: Captivity* (Ropeadope)** Alto saxophonist, "mobile since her birth in Singapore," debut 2011 but mostly since 2017, different group from that of her 2019 album Alula, the synths replaced with Val Jeanty's turntables/electronics, the new drummer Tyshawn Sorey, with Chris Tordini on bass, and a couple guest spots, and scattered spoken word samples. The rhythm is the star here, wildly unsettled, keeping everything else in the air.
49.		*James Brandon Lewis Trio: Eye of I* (Anti-)** Tenor saxophonist, consistently impressive since his 2011 debut, won Jazz Critics Poll for Jesup Wagon in 2021. Seems to be making a bid here for a broader rock audience, what with the new label, and liner notes by Thurston Moore. Nominally a trio with Chris Hoffman (cello/loops) and Max Jaffe (drums), but Kirk Knuffke adds his cornet on two tracks, with the latter bleeding into a closer, where the Trio gets mashed up against the another trio called the Messthetics -- guitarist Anthony Pirog plus the rhythm section from Fugazi. The resulting piece, "Fear Not," is a triumph, but I'm less sure of the rest, including covers from Cecil Taylor and Donny Hathaway. **
50.		*Allen Lowe and the Constant Sorrow Orchestra: America: The Rough Cut* (ESP-Disk)** Saxophonist, a trade he's plied erratically (but sometimes voluminously) since 1988, while writing some of the deepest and broadest surveys of American music. His erudition gives him plenty of references for sprinkling about ("gospel formulations," "pre-blues ruminations," "Hank Williams-directed honky tonk," "Heavy Metal," "anti-tribute to Earl Hines," "hail Jelly Roll Morton," "old-time hillbilly rag," "my own statement on the fallibility of free jazz"), while adding "a personal appeal for a MacArthur." No doubt he deserves one, not least because the reward is meant not just to honor past work but to subsidize further. Nonetheless, I enjoy this record much less than I admire it. Blame that, if you will, on too much metal in the too much guitar. Ends with a stray piece from 2014 which kicks up the horns (Roswell Rudd and Ray Anderson on trombone, Randy Sandke on trumpet, Darius Jones on alto sax) without feeling one bit out of place.
51.		*Ember: August in March* (Imani)** Brooklyn trio, fronted by Caleb Wheeler Curtis (strich, trumpet, reed trumpet -- never heard of the latter, but his native instrument is alto sax), with bass (Noah Garabedian) and drums (Vincent Sperrazza), group has a 2021 album with Orrin Evans. One of many terrific free sax trios this year, with a neat twist.
52.		*Andrea Veneziani: The Lighthouse* (self-released)** Italian bassist, based in New York, second album, quartet with Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Charlie Sigler (guitar), and Allan Mednard (drums). A very good setting for Knuffke, the guitar a big help. *
53.		*Benjamin Boone: Caught in the Rhythm* (Origin)** Saxophonist, did two excellent albums with poet Philip Levine (2018-19), continues in that vein here, rotating six less famous poets (Faylita Hicks gets four tracks, T.R. Hummer three), various musicians, including some high profile guests. Most words are sharp and angry, with intense music to match, especially the sax.
54.		*Mike Clark: Kosen Rufu* (Wide Hive)** Drummer, like Eddie Henderson (who plays trumpet here) started with Herbie Hancock in the early 1970s, giving him a reputation for fusion that he's often strayed from. Besides Henderson, band here is an inspired mix: Skerik (tenor sax), Wayne Horvitz (keybs), Henry Franklin (bass), and Bill Summers (percussion). Hard bop, I guess, but not as throwback, some surprises here.
55.		*Mike Reed: The Separatist Party* (We Jazz/Astral Spirits) Drummer, born in Germany but long based on Chicago, with a remarkable series of albums since 2006. Marvin Tate's spoken word is arresting, and the music -- Ben LaMar Gay (cornet), Rob Frye (tenor sax/flute), Coper Crain (guitar), Dan Quinlivan (synth) -- loops sinuously, sometimes gravely.
56.		*Hein Westgaard Trio: First as Farce* (Nice Things)** Guitarist, from Norway, based in Copenhagen, recorded this "debut" in Sweden -- he appears to have a couple duo albums they're not counting. With Petter Asbjørnsen (bass) and Simon Forchhammer (drums). I'm impressed by the complementary thrash that often erupts from the occasional background noodling.
57.		*Ghost Train Orchestra and Kronos Quartet: Songs and Symphoniques: The Music of Moondog* (Cantaloupe) Moondog was an alias for Louis Hardin (1916-99), a composer, performer, poet, and inventor of musical instruments, largely self-taught, although he drew on Native American music from his childhood in Wyoming, augmented by everything else he ran across, including Latin, jazz, classical, and the minimalists he worked with in New York. I should look deeper into his work, especially given how enticing this improbable collaboration is. Brian Carpenter's 13-piece orchestra is bottom-heavy (bass clarinet, baritone and bass saxophone, bassoon, trombone, and tuba), which keeps the string orchestra centered. And the guest vocalists are mostly from the rock world (or wherever you would slot Petra Haden and Karen Mantler), so they never fall into the usual jazz-classical traps. Dedicated to Hal Willner, who would really dig this.
58.		*Rob Brown: Oblongata* (RogueArt)** Alto saxophonist (also plays some flute), joined by Steve Swell (trombone), Chris Lightcap (bass, and Chad Taylor (drums), in a superb free set. *
59.		*Dave Bayles Trio: Live at the Uptowner* (Calligram)** Drummer, based in Milwaukee, first album, joined by bassist Clay Schaub (who wrote 5 of 9 songs), and trumpet player Russ Johnson (who wrote 3, and arranged the Monk cover). Very nice showcase for Johnson, who has long impressed.
60.		*Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet: Precipice* (ARC)** Avant-pianist, from New York, based in Black Mountain, North Carolina; quite some number of records since 1991, but not so many with his name first (e.g., Fonda/Stevens Group has 13). Quartet with Christian Howes (violin) filling the role of a horn lead, backed by bass (Bryan McConnell) and drums (Rick Dilling). Even swings some.
61.		Don Fiorino/Andy Haas: Accidentals (Resonant Music) No hype sheet, can't even find mention of this on the web. Cover just has the title, so it's probably also meant as the group name, but I substituted the artists' names: a duo, the former playing electric fretless bass and guitar, the latter saxophones with effects. Haas has a longer discography, starting in a new wave rock group I liked in 1980, Martha & the Muffins. They do have one previous duo album, and several more as two-thirds of Radio I-Ching (Discogs lists one album, but I've listened to four, with 2009's No Wave Au Go Go the pick). The other third was Jay Dee Daugherty, aka Dee Pop, and I found a memorial for him (1956-2021). This wanders a bit, which can happens when you loose your drummer. But this is odd and interesting enough, and it delights me. Now if only I can find a cover scan.
62.		*Darius Jones: Fluxkit Vancouver (Its Suite but Sacred)* (We Jazz) Alto saxophonist, established his credentials as an Ayler heir in 2009, had a tendency to go overboard, but keeps that in control here, working with four Vancouver-based strings -- Jesse and Josh Zubot on violin, Peggy Lee on cello, James Meger on bass -- with Gerald Cleaver on drums. Preferred typography for the title is "fLuXkit," and they're doing something unreproducible to "its" -- just some of the many things I don't quite get here, but I can dig the long bass solo just fine, and even more so what comes out of it.
63.		*Chad McCullough: The Charm of Impossibilities* (Calligram)** Seattle-based trumpet player, albums since 2009 including several groups. Cut this one in Chicago, with Jon Irabagon (tenor/soprano sax), Larry Kohut (bass), and Jon Deitemyer (drums), with Tim Hagans co-producing. Credits Olivier Messiaen's "Techniques of My Musical Language," while finding his own.
64.		*Benjamin Herman: Nostalgia Blitz* (Dox) Dutch alto saxophonist, debut 1993, cites James Chance and John Lurie as early inspirations, as well as Parker, Hodges, and -- the one he both played with and covered brilliantly -- Misha Mengelberg. This is just freaky enough to cover all those bases.
65.		*Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra: Family* (We Jazz) Norwegian drummer, has played in a number of avant groups since 2002 (Cortex was particularly memorable), runs the trio Acoustic Unity and this unconventional 17-piece big band (7 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 3 basses, 3 drumsets, everyone adds to the percussion), now on their second album.
66.		*Sam Weinberg Trio With Chris Lightcap & Tom Rainey: Implicatures* (Astral Spirits) Tenor saxophonist, has appeared on a number of albums since 2016, not someone I've recognized so far, but his bassist and drummer are prominent enough they got their names on the cover. They help a lot, but Weinberg himself gives a clinic on what free jazz sax needs to sound like to keep your attention throughout.
67.		*Marcelo Dos Reis & Luís Vicente: (Un)prepared Pieces for Guitar and Trumpet* (Cipsela)** Guitar and trumpet, electric guitar but feels densely acoustic. Seems marginal, but I find it captivating.
68.		*Daniel Villarreal: Lados B* (International Anthem) Drummer, from Panama, based in Chicago, second album, a trio with Jeff Parker (guitar) and Anna Butterss (double & electric bass). Seductive groove music.
69.		*Jo Lawry: Acrobats* (Whirlwind)** Standards singer from Australia, based in New York. Several albums since 2008. The secret to this one is minimal (but expert) backing, on bass (Linda May Han Oh) and drums (Allison Miller), which lets her scat and skip over the wit, especially of Cole Porter ("You're the Top") and Frank Loesser. Another standout is "Takes Two to Tango."

Also added the following older albums after freezing the 2022 year-end file:

John Zorn: New Masada Quartet (Tzadik '21)
When I heard that Zorn's label Tzadik is returning to streaming streaming, I knew I had my work cut out -- they neve sent out promos, but were on Rhapsody for a while, so I tried to cover them extensively. I figured I'd start with the 2023 releases: Zorn has eight so far, which makes this an average year, but the first entry was this title with a Vol. 2, so I scanned back to catch this one. The original Masada quartet appeared in 1994, with Zorn (alto sax), Dave Douglas (trumpet), Greg Cohen (bass), and Joey Baron (drums). They did a series of albums named after the Hebrew alphabet, then many live albums. Moving on, the new quartet has Zorn, Julian Lage (guitar), Jorge Roeder (bass), and Kenny Wolleson (drums). Maybe it's just that I've been out of touch, but Zorn seems especially fired up here.

Honorable Mention

Additional jazz rated B+(***), listed alphabetically.

Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids: Afro Futuristic Dreams (Strut) **
Affinity Trio [Eric Jacobson/Pamela York/Clay Schaub]: Hindsight (Origin)
Afro Peruvian New Trends Orchestra: Cosmic Synchronicities (Blue Spiral)
Konrad Agnas: Rite of Passage (Moserobie)
Aila Trio: Shaped by Sea Waves (Edgetone) **
Ralph Alessi Quartet: It's Always Now (ECM) **
JD Allen: This (Savant) **
Zoh Amba: O Life, O Light Vol. 2 (577) **
Charlie Apicella & Iron City Meet The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling (OA2)
Florian Arbenz/Jorge Vistel/Wolfgang Puschnig/Oren Marshall/Michael Arbenz: Conversation #8: Ablaze (Hammer '22) **
Florian Arbenz/Greg Osby/Arno Krijger: Conversation #9: Targeted (Hammer) **
Darcy James Argue's Secret Society: Dynamic Maximum Tension (Nonesuch) **
Dmitry Baevsky: Kid's Time (Fresh Sound New Talent '22) **
Balimaya Project: When the Dust Settles (New Soil) **
Maria Baptist Quintet: Essays on Jazz (self-released) **
Kenny Barron: The Source (Artwork) **
Richard X Bennett & Matt Parker: Parker Plays X (BYNK)
Ron Blake: Mistaken Identity (7ten33 Productions)
BlankFor.Ms/Jason Moran/Marcus Gilmore: Refract (Red Hook) **
Samuel Blaser: Routes (Enja) **
Antonio Borghini: Banquet of Consequences (We Insist!) **
Itamar Borochov: Arba (Greenleaf Music)
Geof Bradfield Quintet: Quaver (Calligram)
Geof Bradfield/Richard D Johnson/John Tate/Samuel Jewell: Our Heroes (Afar Music)
Jaimie Branch: Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) (International Anthem) **
Hailey Brinnel: Beautiful Tomorrow (Outside In Music)
Rob Brown: Oceanic (RogueArt) *
Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra: The Gennett Suite (Patois, 2CD)
Chris Byars Quartet: Look Ahead (SteepleChase) **
Gunhild Carling: Good Evening Cats (Jazz Art '22) **
Sara Caswell: The Way to You (Anzic)
Valentin Ceccaldi: Bonbon Flamme (Clean Feed) **
Chief Adjuah: Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning (Ropeadope) **
Jeff Coffin/Jordan Perlson/Viktor Krauss: Coffin/Perlson/Krauss (Ear Up)
Day & Taxi: Live in Baden (Clean Feed) **
Orhan Demir: Solo Guitar: Freedom in Jazz (Hittite '19)
Orhan Demir: Solo Guitar: Freedom in Jazz Vol. 3 (Hittite)
Christian Dillingham: Cascades (Greenleaf Music)
Marcelo Dos Reis: Flora (JACC)
Mark Dresser: Times of Change (Pyroclastic)
Marc Ducret: Palm Sweat: Marc Ducret Plays the Music of Tim Berne (Screwgun/Out of Your Head)
Paul Dunmall/Olie Brice: The Laughing Stone (Confront) **
EABS Meets Jaubi: In Search of a Better Tomorrow (Astigmatic) **
East Axis: No Subject (Mack Avenue) **
Yelena Eckemoff: Lonely Man and His Fish (L&H Production, 2CD)
Nataniel Edelman Trio: Un Ruido De Agua (Clean Feed) **
Kent Engelhardt & Stephen Enos: Madd for Tadd: "Central Avenue Swing" & "Our Delight" (Tighten Up, 2CD)
Shuteen Erdenebaatar Quartet: Rising Sun (Motéma Music) **
Tianna Esperanza: Terror (BMG) **
Peter Evans Being & Becoming: Ars Memoria (More Is More) **
Michael Feinberg: Blues Variant (Criss Cross) **
Nick Finzer: Dreams Visions Illusions (Outside In Music)
Fire! Orchestra: Echoes (Rune Grammofon) **
Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet: As Things Do (Intakt) **
Fred Frith/Susana Santos Silva: Laying Demons to Rest (RogueArt)
Satoko Fujii/Otomo Yoshihide: Perpetual Motion (Ayler)
Tomas Fujiwara's Triple Double: March On (self-released, EP) **
Tomas Fujiwara: Pith (Out of Your Head)
Asher Gamedze: Turbulence and Pulse (International Anthem/Mushroom Hour) **
Kate Gentile: Find Letter X (Pi) **
George: Letters to George (Out of Your Head)
The Ghost: Vanished Pleasures (Relative Pitch) **
Terry Gibbs Legacy Band: The Terry Gibbs Songbook (Whaling City Sound) **
Ricardo Dias Gomes: Muito Sol (Hive Mind) **
Phillip Greenlief/Scott Amendola: Stay With It (Clean Feed) **
Wolfgang Haffner: Silent World (ACT) **
Scott Hamilton: Talk to Me, Baby (Blau -22) **
Scott Hamilton Quartet: At PizzaExpress Live: In London (PX) **
Gerrit Hatcher: Solo Five (Kettle Hole)
Phil Haynes/Drew Gress/David Liebman: Coda(s): No Fast Food III (Corner Store Jazz, 2CD)
Eirik Hegdal/Jeff Parker/Ingebrigt Håker Flaten/Øyvind Skarbø: Superless (Øyvind Jazzforum)
Eddie Henderson: Witness to History (Smoke Sessions) **
Lauren Henderson: Conjuring (Brontosaurus)
Fred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding: Alive at the Village Vanguard (Palmetto)
Henry Hey: Trio: Ri-Metos (self-released) **
Javon Jackson: With Peter Bradley: Soundtrack and Original Score (Solid Jackson)
Per Texas Johansson: Den Sämsta Lönningen Av Alla (Moserobie)
Per Texas Johansson: Orkester Omnitonal (Moserobie)
Jon-Erik Kellso and the EarRegulars: Live at the Ear Inn (Arbors) **
Snorre Kirk: Top Dog (Stunt) **
Frank Kohl: Pacific (OA2)
Jason Kush: Finally Friday (MCG Jazz)
Ingrid Laubrock: The Last Quiet Place (Pyroclastic)
Leap Day Trio: Live at the Cafe Bohemia (Giant Step Arts) **
Brennen Leigh: Ain't Through Honky-Tonkin' Yet (Signature Sounds) **
Yosef Gutman Levitt/Tal Yahalom: Tsuf Harim (Soul Song)
Joëlle Léandre/Craig Taborn/Mat Maneri: hEARoes (RogueArt)
Pascal Le Boeuf: Ritual Being (SoundSpore)
Dave Liebman: Live at Smalls (Cellar Music)
London Brew: London Brew (Concord) **
Russ Lossing: Alternate Side Parking Music (Aqua Piazza)
Lowcountry: Lowcountry (Ropeadope)
Bill Lowe and the Signifyin' Natives Ensemble: Sweet Cane: Suites and Other Pedagogical Prompts (Mandorla Music) **
Chien Chien Lu: Built in System: Live in New York (Giant Step Arts)
Martin Lutz Group: LoLife/HiLife (Gateway, 2CD) **
Denman Maroney/Scott Walton/Denis Fournier: O KOΣMOΣ META (RogueArt '22)
Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra: Uptown on Mardi Gras Day (Troubadour Jass)
Pete McCann: Without Question (McCannic Music)
Ryan Meagher: AftEarth (Atroefy)
Francisco Mela Featuring Cooper-Moore and William Parker: Music Frees Our Souls Vol. 2 (577) **
Mendoza Hoff Revels: Echolocation (AUM Fidelity) **
Steve Millhouse: The Unwinding (SteepleChase) **
Matt Mitchell: Oblong Aplomb (Out of Your Head, 2CD)
Tyler Mitchell Octet: Sun Ra's Journey (Cellar)
Billy Mohler: Ultraviolet (Contagious Music)
Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns: Weejuns (Rune Grammofon) **
Megan Moroney: Lucky (Sony Music Nashville) **
Simon Nabatov: Extensions (Unbroken Sounds) **
Quinsin Nachoff: Stars and Constellations (Adyhâropa)
Near Miss: The Natural Regimen (Kettle Hole)
Elsa Nilsson's Band of Pulses: Pulses (Ears & Eyes)
Jesper Nordberg: Trio (Gotta Let It Out) **
Ryoko Ono/Satoko Fujii: Hakuro (self-released) **
Aruán Ortiz Trio: Serranias: Sketchbook for Piano Trio (Intakt) **
Margaux Oswald/Jesper Zeuthen: Magnetite (Clean Feed) **
Chuck Owen and the WDR Big Band: Renderings (MAMA)
Bruno Parrinha/Vine Leaf: Tales of Senses (Clean Feed) **
Jessica Pavone: Clamor (Out of Your Head)
Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp: Tryptych I (SMP '22) **
Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp: Tryptych III (SMP '22) **
Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp/Jeff Cosgrove: Live in Carrboro (Soul City Sounds) **
Ivo Perelman/Aruan Ortiz/Lester St. Louis: Prophecy (Mahakala Music) **
Ivo Perelman/James Emery: The Whisperers (Mahakala Music) **
Ivo Perelman/Matt Moran: Tuning Forks (Ibeji Music) **
Ethan Philion Quartet: Gnosis (Sunnyside) **
John Pizzarelli: Stage & Screen (Palmetto) **
Chris Potter: Got the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at the Village Vanguard (Edition) **
Precarious Towers: Ten Stories (Shifting Paradigm) **
Quartet San Francisco/Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band/Take Six: Raymond Scott Reimagined (ViolinJazz)
Mette Rasmussen/Paul Flaherty/Zach Rowden/Chris Corsano: Crying in Space (Relative Pitch) **
Red Hot + Ra: Solar [Sun Ra in Brasil] (Red Hot Org) **
Remembrance Quintet: Do You Remember? (Sonboy) **
Ernesto Rodrigues/Florian Stoffner/Bruno Parrinha/João Madeira: Altered Egos (Creative Sources)
Roots Magic Sextet: Long Old Road: Retold Pasts and Present Day Musings (Clean Feed) **
Dan Rosenboom: Polarity (Orenda)
Ned Rothenberg: Crossings Four (Clean Feed) **
Bobby Rozario: Spellbound (Origin)
The Angelica Sanchez Nonet: Nighttime Creatures (Pyroclastic)
Knoel Scott/Marshall Allen: Celestial (Night Dreamer) **
Marina Sena: Vicio Inerente (Sony Music Brasil) **
Dave Sewelson/William Parker/Steve Hirsch: The Gate (Mahakala Music '22) **
Sexmob: The Hard Way (Corbett vs. Dempsey) **
Elijah Shiffer: City of Birds: Volume 1 (self-released) **
Matthew Shipp/Mark Helias: The New Syntax (RogueArt '22)
Isach Skeidsvoll: Dance to Summon (Ultraääni) **
Jim Snidero: Far Far Away (Savant)
Mark Soskin/Jay Anderson: Empathy (SteepleChase) **
Guido Spannocchi: Live at Porgy & Bess Vienna (Audioguido) **
Chris Speed Trio: Despite Obstacles (Intakt) **
Terell Stafford: Between Two Worlds (Le Coq) **
The Dave Stryker Trio: Prime (Strikezone)
Yuhan Su: Liberated Gesture (Sunnyside)
Kevin Sun: The Depths of Memory (Endectomorph Music, 2CD)
Steve Swell/Joe McPhee/Chris Corsano: Sometimes the Air Is (Mahakala Music) **
Isaiah J. Thompson: The Power of the Spirit (Blue Engine) **
Lukas Traxel: One-Eyed Daruma (We Jazz) **
Trio San: Hibiki (Jazzdor)
Dan Trudell: Fishin' Again: A Tribute to Clyde Stubblefield & Dr. Lonnie Smith (OA2)
Billy Valentine: Billy Valentine and the Universal Truth (Acid Jazz/Flying Dutchman) **
Ken Vandermark & Hamid Drake: Eternal River (Corbett vs. Dempsey) **
Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott: East West Trumpet Summit: Coast to Coast (Origin)
Liba Villavecchia Trio: Birchwood (Clean Feed) **
Claudia Villela: Cartas Ao Vento (Taina Music)
Alex Weitz: Rule of Thirds (Outside In Music)
Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm: Grit & Grace (Sunnyside)
Håvard Wiik/Tim Daisy: Slight Return (Relay) **
Mars Williams/Vasco Trilla: Critical Mass (Not Two) **
Ben Wolfe: Unjust (Resident Arts) **
Bobby Zankel/Wonderful Sound 8: A Change of Destiny (Mahakala Music)
Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo: El Arte Del Bolero, Vol. 2 (Miel Music) **
Miguel Zenón/Dan Tepfer: Internal Melodies (Main Door Music) **
John Zorn: New Masada Quartet, Vol. 2 (Tzadik) **
John Zorn: The Fourth Way (Tzadik) **
John Zorn: Homenaje A Remedios Varo (Tzadik) **

Also added the following older albums after freezing the 2022 year-end file:

Francisco Mela and Zoh Amba: Causa Y Efecto Vol. 1 (577 '22) **

Reissues/Historic Music

The standard for historic music is a record where everything was recorded 10+ years ago, regardless of whether it's ever been in print before. Some past lists may have treated previously unreleased music as new (regardless of actual age), but I've never been able to manage that distinction consistently. This category also includes compilations of previously released music, including straight reissues, although my selection is very erratic.

1.		*Roy Hargrove: The Love Suite: In Mahogany* (1993, Blue Engine)** Trumpet player (1969-2018), 1990 debut album was called Diamond in the Rough, led to him winning DownBeat's "rising star" 1991-93, and eventually (2021) entering their hall of fame. Jazz at Lincoln Center commissioned him to do this major piece in 1993, then sat on the tape 30 years? With Jesse Davis (alto sax), Ron Blake (tenor sax), Andre Hayward (trombone), Marc Cary (piano), Rodney Whitaker (bass), and Gregory Hutchinson (drums). Live, sounds great, even with the unconventional climax of scat vocal, long drum solo, and outro credits. Only explanation I can imagine why this was held back so long is that the boss man was jealous. **
2.		*Steve Swell's Fire Into Music: For Jemeel: Fire From the Road* (2003-04, RogueArt, 3CD)** Trombonist (b. 1954), played a lot of different things early on but moved to the front of the avant-garde in the late 1990s, and is the first person I think of for polls and such these days. He released an album in 2004 called Fire Into Music, co-credited to Hamid Drake (drums), Jemeel Moondoc (reeds), and William Parker (bass), and took that group out on the road for the three superb concerts collected here.
3.		*François Carrier Ensemble: Openness* (2006, Fundacja Sluchaj, 3CD) Montreal-based alto saxophonist, goes back to the 1990s, always with drummer Michel Lambert, here at the La Chapelle festival, hosting Tomasz Stanko (trumpet), Mat Maneri (viola), and Gary Peacock (bass), over two nights. All improv, not so far out you can't just relax to it, but never slouches off or misses a step.
4.		*Sonny Rollins With Heikki Sarmanto Trio: Live at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki 1972* (Svart) Live set with a pickup band, although the keyboardist (playing Fender Rhodes here) is a pretty big deal in Finland, with Pekka Sarmanto (bass) and Esko Rosnell (drums). After a spoken intro, they expand greatly on "Night and Day," "My One and Only Love," and "St. Thomas." It's impossible to hear the latter and not smile wide.
5.		*Graham Collier: Down Another Road @ Stockholm Jazz Days '69* (My Only Desire)** Bassist (1937-2011), one of the major figures in British jazz to emerge in the late 1960s, leading a sextet here: Hary Beckett (trumpet/flugelhorn), Nick Evans (trombone), Stan Sulzmann (tenor/alto sax), Karl Jenkins (oboe/piano), and John Marshall (drums). This live set expands on five (of six) songs from his third album, Down Another Road. Remarkable compositions and performances. Clearly someone I need to research further. **
6.		*Sonny Stitt: Boppin' in Baltimore: Live at the Left Bank* (1973, Jazz Detective) Alto saxophonist, a bebopper from his start in the late 1940s, took a lot of grief as a "Bird imitator," but invented as much as he stole, and really who cares? He was always up to play, especially in his early-1960s duo albums with Gene Ammons, but his best albums came in 1972 for Muse, when he slowed down a bit. This previously unreleased tape comes from that period: a quartet with Kenny Barron (piano), Sam Jones (bass), and Louis Hayes (drums).
7.		*Cal Tjader: Catch the Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967* (Jazz Detective/Elemental, 2CD)** Vibraphonist (1925-82), parents were "Swedish American vaudevillians," moved to Bay Area when he was two, learned to play piano and drums, and tap dance, started out in Dixieland bands, was playing drums in Dave Brubeck's group when he got interested in vibes. There are many testimonials in the booklet here, including one by Terry Gibbs on this story, and how Gibbs "showed him some things," although his knack for "Latin kick" came elsewhere. Tjader's groups from 1953 on were widely recorded. At one point, I tried figuring out who had the most jazz albums among artists I had none from, and Tjader was the easy winner. I picked up a record with Stan Getz after that, but Tjader remains a gaping hole in my expertise. So unlike most recent live archival trawls, I have little to compare this with, giving it an air of fresh discovery. This collects six sets, all quintets with piano, bass, drums, and Latin percussion (especially congas), and it's quite delightful.
8.		*Shirley Scott: Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank* (1972, Reel to Real) Organ player, probably best known for her work/marriage with Stanley Turrentine, leads a very hot trio here with George Coleman (tenor sax) and Bobby Durham (drums), recorded live at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore. Trio covers three LP sides (73:13), then singer Ernie Andrews joins for the final side (24:58), and he's no less inspired.
9.		*D.B. Shrier: D.B. Shrier Emerges* (1967, Omnivore) Tenor saxophonist (1938-2017), from Philadelphia, only released this one five-track album, expanded here with five more live tracks. Opens with a Gigi Gryce bopper, then shows some range by turning in a credible ballad. Then he shows he's paid attention to Coltrane, a bit before everyone else. The extra tracks run hot, as well they should.
10.		*Pharoah Sanders Quartet: Live at Fabrik: Hamburg 1980* (Jazzline) Tenor saxophonist, followed Coltrane into the avant-garde, establishing himself in a series of 1966-73 Impulse records. He struggled businesswise after that, with a half-dozen albums on Theresa disappearing from print, before returning with several masterpieces in the 1990s, remaining a revered figure up to his death in 2022. But he could still tour, and sounds terrific here on four originals (including "The Creator Has a Master Plan") and a standard, backed by John Hicks (piano), Curtis Lundy (bass), and Idris Muhammad (drums).
11.		*Gabe Baltazar Quartet: Birdology* (1992, Fresh Sound)** Alto saxophonist (1929-2022), from Hawaii, father born in Manila, got a scholarship to Los Angeles in 1946, and an introduction to bebop (meeting Charles Parker in 1948 in New York). After Army and some time back in Hawaii, he played in the Lighthouse All-Stars, and for Stan Kenton and Oliver Nelson. He returned to Hawaii in 1969, and only has a couple of recordings after that -- although give him a side-credit for Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii. This was recorded in Los Angeles with Frank Strazzeri (piano), Andy Simpkins (bass), and Nick Martinis (drums). Two originals (title comes from his own "Birdology 101"), one by the pianist, one from Russ Freeman, the rest songbook standards (highlight: "In the Still of the Night"). **
12.		*Les McCann: Never a Dull Moment! Live From Coast to Coast 1966-1967* (Resonance, 3CD)** Pianist, from Kentucky, never seemed to get much respect for his distinctive mix of soul jazz and boogie-woogie, but did get an actual hit record in 1969, with Eddie Harris on Swiss Movement (2.5 stars in Penguin Guide, but in my 1K list). This collects five live dates from Seattle (Penthouse) and one from New York (Village Vanguard), where he does his thing, and keeps doing it until he gets really good at it. (Looks like one cut from 1963 belies the subtitle.)
13.		*Michel Petrucciani: The Montreux Years* (1990-98, BMG/Montreux) The big jazz festival in Switzerland has been an annual affair since 1967. Dozens of artists have released tapes of their performances there, so it's unsurprising that the Foundation itself would want to get into the act. This draws on four performances by the diminuitive French pianist -- who died in 1999, at 37, of a congenital ailment that is impossible to detect in his masterful playing. Selections include duos with bassist Miroslav Vitous, a quartet with synthesizer, a quintet with Steve Grossman on sax, and a sextet with Stefano Di Battista. This winds up being an excellent sampler.
14.		*Barry Altschul/David Izenson/Perry Robinson: Stop Time: Live at Prince Street, 1978* (NoBusiness)** Drums, bass, clarinet, joint improv, listed alphabetically, although the drummer is probably the best known these days. Not the greatest sound, but remarkable music.
15.		*Brew: Heat/Between Reflections* (1998-2019, Clean Feed, 2CD)** Trio of Miya Masaoka (koto), Reggie Workman (bass), and Gerry Hemingway (drums). Masaoka was born in Washington DC, lived in Paris, studied in San Francisco, is based in New York, is a master of many traditional Japanese instruments, has appeared on 50+ albums, mostly with free jazz figures. First disc, with two 1998-99 sessions, is deeply compelling. The latter disc is a recent session, considerably lighter.
16.		*Alon Nechushtan: For Those Who Cross the Seas* (2006, ESP-Disk, 2CD)** Israeli pianist, based in New York, has a half-dozen albums, mostly 2011-14. Two live sets here, the first disc called "Astral Voyages," the second "Cosmic Canticles." Band names also appear on front cover, offset just enough to spare me listing them all on the slugline, but worth mentioning here: Roy Campbell (flute/trumpet), Daniel Carter and Sabir Mateen (saxophones/clarinet), William Parker (bass), and Federico Ughi (drums).
17.		*Roy Campbell/William Parker/Zen Matsuura: Visitation of Spirits: The Pyramid Trio Live, 1985* (NoBusiness)** Trumpet player (1952-2014), played in various William Parker projects, including Other Dimensions in Music, and later had the Nu Band, with Mark Whitecage. This was an early version of his trio, which did three 1994-2001 studio albums. A bit spotty at first, but terrific when they get going.
18.		*JuJu: A Message From Mozambique* (1972, Strut) Afrocentric jazz group founded in San Francisco by saxophonist Plunky Nkabinde (originally James Branch), with other African-sounding names: Ken Shabala (Kent Parker, bass/flute), Lon Moshe (Ron Martin, flute/vibes), Al-Hamel Rasul (Tony Grayson, piano), Babatunde (Michael Lea, congas/drums), and Jalango Ngoma (Dennis Stewart, timbales). A little rough, but could still get filed as spiritual jazz now, but at the time tried to fuse avant with black power community. Group evolved into Oneness of Juju.

Also added the following older albums after freezing the 2022 year-end file:

None.

Honorable Mention

Additional jazz rated B+(***), listed alphabetically.

Fred Anderson: The Milwaukee Tapes, Vol. 2 (1980, Corbett vs. Dempsey) **
The Birth of Bop: The Savoy 10-Inch LP Collection (1944-49, Craft, 2CD) **
Walter Bishop Jr.: Bish at the Bank: Live in Baltimore (1966-67, Reel to Real) **
Anthony Branker & Ascent: Spirit Songs (2004, Origin)
Peter Brötzmann/Sabu Toyozumi: Triangle: Live at Ohm, 1987 (NoBusiness)
John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy: Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) **
Miles Davis: Miles Davis With Tadd Dameron Revisited: Live 1949 at the Royal Roost NYC & in Paris at Festival Internationale De Jazz (Ezz-Thetics) **
Elton Dean/Steve Miller/Pip Pyle: Home Brewed (1976, British Progressive Jazz '22) **
Jean-Marc Foussat: Abattage (1973-81, Fou)
Joel Futterman: Inneraction (1984, Mahakala Music) **
Eric Ghost: Secret Sauce (1975, Jazz Room '22) **
Dizzy Gillespie: Portrait of Jenny (1970, BBE) **
Milford Graves With Arthur Doyle & Hugh Glover: Children of the Forest (1976, Black Editions Archive) **
Johnny Griffin: Live at Ronnie Scott's (1964, Gearbox)
Johnny Hodges Septet: In Concert: Falkoner Central, Copenhagen, March 17, 1961 (SteepleChase) **
Kim Dae Hwan/Choi Sun Bae: Korean Fantasy (1999, NoBusiness)
The Jazz Doctors: Intensive Care: Prescriptions Filled [The Billy Bang Quartet Sessions 1983/1984] (1983-84, Cadillac) **
Clifford Jordan: Drink Plenty Water (1974, Harvest Song)
Jan Lundgren Trio/Herb Geller: Stockholm Get-Together! (1994, Fresh Sound) **
Jouk Minor/Josef Traindl/Jean Querlier/Christian Lété/Dominique Regef: Enfin La Mer (1978, NoBusiness) **
Paul Moer Trio: Plays the Music of Elmo Hope (1991, Fresh Sound) **
Wes Montgomery/Wynton Kelly Trio: Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings (Resonance, 2CD) **
Jack Nimitz Quartet: Confirmation (1995, Fresh Sound) **
Mike Osborne: Starting Fires: Live at the 100 Club 1970 (British Progressive Jazz) **
Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra: 60 Years (The Village) **
Charlie Parker: The Long Lost Bird Live Afro-Cubop Recordings (1945-54, RockBeat) **
Bill Perkins: Perk Plays Prez: Bill Perkins Recreates the Historic Solos of Lester Young (1995, Fresh Sound) **
Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky: Luten at Jazzwerkstatt Peitz (2011, Jazzwerkstatt) **
Mark Reboul/Roberta Piket/Billy Mintz: Seven Pieces/About an Hour/Saxophone, Piano, Drums (2004, ESP-Disk)
Pharoah Sanders: Pharoah [Expanded Edition] (1976-77, Luaka Bop) **

Also added the following older albums after freezing the 2022 year-end file:

None.

Notes

Additional new jazz records rated B+(**) or below (listed alphabetically by artist).

Arooj Aftab/Vijay Iyer/Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile (Verve) ** [B+(**)]
Ambrose Akinmusire: Beauty Is Enough (Origami Harvest) ** [B+(*)]
Akmee: Sacrum Profanum (Nakama '22) ** [B+(**)]
Susan Alcorn/Patrick Holmes/Ryan Sawyer: From Union Pool (Relative Pitch) ** [B+(*)]
Susan Alcorn/Septeto Del Sur: Canto (Relative Pitch) [B+(**)]
Susan Alcorn/José Lencastre/Hernâni Faustino: Manifesto (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Constantine Alexander: Firetet (self-released) [B+(**)]
Aline's Etoile Magique: Eclipse (Elastic) [B+(**)]
Don Aliquo: Growth (Ear Up) [B+(**)]
Lina Allemano/Axel Dörner: Aphelia (Relative Pitch) ** [B+(*)]
The Harry Allen Orchestra: With Roses (Triangle7) ** [B]
Zoh Amba/Chris Corsano/Bill Orcutt: The Flower School (Palilalia) ** [B+(*)]
Roxana Amed/Frank Carlberg: Los Trabajos Y Las Noches (Sony Music Latin) [B+(*)]
Florian Arbenz: Conversation #10: Inland (Hammer) ** [B+(**)]
Vicente Archer: Short Stories (Cellar) [B+(**)]
JoVia Armstrong & Eunoia Society: Inception (Black Earth Music) [B]
Artchipel Orchestra With Jonathan Coe: Suspended Moment: The Music of Jonathan Coe (British Progressive Jazz) ** [B+(**)]
Artemis: In Real Time (Blue Note) ** [B+(*)]
Christian Artmann: The Middle of Life (Sunnyside) [B]
Dave Askren/Jeff Benedict: Denver Sessions (Tapestry) [B+(**)]
Atlantic Road Trip: One (Calligram) [B+(**)]
AVA Trio: Ash (Tora, EP) ** [B+(*)]
Jeff Babko/David Piltch: The Libretto Show (Tudor Tones) [B+(*)]
John Bailey: Time Bandits (Freedom Road) [B+(**)]
Jalen Baker: Be Still (Cellar) [B+(*)]
Richard Baratta: Off the Charts (Savant) ** [B+(**)]
Matt Barber: The Song Is You (MB) [B+(*)]
Bruce Barth Trio: Dedication (Origin '22) ** [B+(**)]
Michael Bates: Metamorphoses: Variations on Lutoslawski (Anaklasis) ** [B+(**)]
Tor Einar Bekken/Inga-Mei Steinbru: Jungle One Jungle Two Jungle Blues (self-released) ** [B+(**)]
Jerry Bergonzi: Extra Extra (Savant) ** [B+(*)]
Sarah Bernadette: Sad Poems on My Phone (Blujazz, EP) [B]
Tim Berne/Hank Roberts/Aurora Nealand: Oceans And (Intakt) ** [B]
João Barradas: Solo II: Live at Festival D'Aix-En-Provence (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Gordon Beeferman/Michael Evans/Michael Foster/Shelley Hirsch: Glow (Tripticks Tapes) ** [B+(*)]
Will Bernard & Beth Custer: Sky (Dreck to Disk) [B+(*)]
Carlos Bica: Playing With Beethoven (Clean Feed) ** [B]
Adam Birnbaum: Preludes (Chelsea Music Festival) [B+(**)]
John Bishop: Antwerp (Origin) [B+(**)]
Michael Bisio/Timothy Hill: Inside Voice/Outside Voice (Origin) [B+(*)]
Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band: Kings Highway (Stoner Hill) ** [B+(*)]
Johnathan Blake: Passage (Blue Note) ** [B+(**)]
Michael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) [B+(*)]
Blue Cranes: My Only Secret (Jealous Butcher/Beacon Sound) [B]
Bowmanville: Bowmanville (StonEagleMusic) [B+(**)]
Patrick Brennan Sonic Openings: Tilting Curvaceous (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Peter Brötzmann/Heather Leigh/Fred Lonberg-Holm: Naked Nudes [Brötz 80th at ADA 2021] (Trost) ** [B+(*)]
Kyle Bruckmann/Tim Daisy/Phillip Greenlief/Lisa Mezzacappa: Semaphore (Relay) ** [B+(**)]
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque: Playing With Fire (True North/Linus Entertainment) ** [B+(*)]
Ludovica Burtone: Sparks (Outside In Music) [B+(**)]
John Butcher/Pat Thomas/Dominic Lash/Steve Noble: Fathom (577) ** [B+(*)]
Butcher Brown: Solar Music (Concord Jazz) ** [B]
Dee Byrne: Outlines (Whirlwind) ** [B+(**)]
Calcanhar: Jump (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Ann Hampton Callaway: Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration (Palmetto) ** [B+(**)]
Canadian Jazz Collective: Septology: The Black Forest Session (HGBS Blue) [B+(*)]
Daniel Carter/Leo Genovese/William Parker/Francisco Mela: Shine Hear Vol. 1 (577) ** [B+(**)]
Andre Carvalho: Lost in Translation Vol. II (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Joe Chambers: Dance Kobina (Blue Note) ** [B+(**)]
Joan Chamorro & Friends: Jazz House Sessions With Scott Hamilton (Associació Sant Andreu Jazz Band) ** [B+(**)]
Chicago Edge Ensemble: The Individualists (Lizard Breath) ** [B+(**)]
Billy Childs: The Winds of Change (Mack Avenue) ** [B+(**)]
Scott Clark: Dawn & Dusk (Out of Your Head) [B+(**)]
Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet: Emergence (PlayOn) [B+(*)]
Tom Collier: Boomer Vibes Volume 1 (Summit) [B+(*)]
Mario Costa/Cuong Vu/Benoît Delbecq/Bruno Chevillon: Chromosome (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Sylvie Courvoisier & Cory Smythe: The Rite of Spring/Spectre D'Un Songe (Pyroclastic) [B+(**)]
Theo Croker: Live in Paris (Masterworks, EP '22) ** [B+(*)]
Theo Croker: By the Way (Masterworks, EP) ** [B+(*)]
Andrew Cyrille: Music Delivery/Percussion (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
Maria Da Rocha/Ernesto Rodrigues/Daniel Levin/João Madeira: Hoya (Creative Sources) [B+(**)]
Claire Daly With George Garzone: VuVu for Frances (Daly Bread) ** [B+(**)]
Jesse Davis: Live at Smalls Jazz Club (Cellar) ** [B+(**)]
Angel Bat Dawid: Requiem for Jazz (International Anthem) ** [B]
Michael Dease: The Other Side: The Music of Gregg Hill (Origin) [B+(*)]
Michael Dease: Swing Low (Posi-Tone) ** [B+(**)]
Orhan Demir: Solo Guitar: Freedom in Jazz Vol. 2 (Hittite '20) [B+(**)]
Aaron Diehl & the Knights: Zodiac Suite (Mack Avenue) ** [B-]
Dinner Party: Enigmatic Society (Sounds of Crenshaw, EP) ** [B]
Dry Thrust: The Less You Sleep (Trost) ** [B+(*)]
Antoine Drye With Strings: Retreat to Beauty (Oblation Vol. 3: Providence!) (Cellar Music) ** [B+(*)]
Paul Dunmall Ensemble: It's a Matter of Fact (Discus Music): [bc]: B+(**)
Paul Dunmall New Quartet: World Without (577) ** [B+(**)]
Jeremy Dutton: Anyone Is Better Than Here (self-released) [B+(**)]
Michael Echaniz: Seven Shades of Violet (Rebiralost) (Ridgeway) [B+(*)]
Rachel Eckroth: One (Blackbird Sessions) [B+(*)]
Vince Ector Organotomy Trio +: Live @ the Side Door (Cabo Verde) [B+(**)]
Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Spirit Gatherer: Tribute to Don Cherry (Spiritmuse) ** [B+(*)]
Kurt Elling/Charlie Hunter/Neal Smith: SuperBlue: Guilty Pleasures (Edition, EP) ** [B+(*)]
Kurt Elling/Charlie Hunter: SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree (Edition) ** [B]
Wayne Escoffery: Like Minds (Smoke Sessions) ** [B-]
Gabriel Espinosa: Bossas and Boleros (Zoho) [B-]
Falkner Evans: Through the Lines (CAP) [B+(**)]
Orrin Evans: The Red Door (Smoke Sessions) ** [B]
Joe Farnsworth: In What Direction Are You Headed? (Smoke Sessions) ** [B+(*)]
My World (Arbors) ** [B+(**)]
Sammy Figueroa: Something for a Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo) (Ashé) [B+(**)]
Five-Way Split: All the Way (Ubuntu Music) ** [B+(*)]
Ingebrigt Håker Flaten & Paal Nilssen-Love: Guts & Skins (PNL) ** [B+(**)]
Béla Fleck/Zakir Hussain/Edgar Meyer: As We Speak (Thirty Tigers) ** [B+(*)]
Flying Pooka! [Dani Oore & Florian Hoefner]: The Ecstasy of Becoming (Alma) [B+(*)]
Anat Fort Trio: The Berlin Sessions (Sunnyside) ** [B+(**)]
Sullivan Fortner: Solo Game (Artwork) ** [B+(*)]
Aldo Fosko Collective: This One Time (Hitchtone) [B+(**)]
Michael Foster: The Industrious Tongue of Michael Foster (Relative Pitch -22) ** [B+(*)]
Mimi Fox Organ Trio: One for Wes (Origin) [B+(*)]
Caesar Frazier: Tenacity (As We Speak) (TrackMerchant -22) ** [B+(*)]
Caesar Frazier: Live at Jazzcup (Stunt) ** [B+(**)]
George Freeman: The Good Life (HighNote) ** [B+(**)]
Paulo Fresu/Omar Sosa: Food (Tuk Music) ** [B+(**)]
Eric Friedlander: She Sees (Skipstone) ** [B+(*)]
Frog Squad: Special Noise (Mahakala Music) ** [B+(*)]
Satoko Fujii: Torrent: Piano Solo (Libra) [B+(**)]
Arina Fujiwara: Neon (self-released) [B+(*)]
Champian Fulton: Meet Me at Birdland (Champian) [B+(**)]
George Gee Swing Orchestra: Winter Wonderland (self-released) [B+(**)]
Leo Genovese/Demian Cabaud/Marcos Cavaleiro: Estrellero (Sunnyside) ** [B+(**)]
Max Gerl: Max Gerl (JMI) [B+(*)]
Lafayette Gilchrist: Undaunted (Morphius) ** [B+(**)]
Bára Gisladottir: Silva (Sono Luminus) [B+(**)]
Frode Gjerstad With Matthew Shipp: We Speak (Relative Pitch) ** [B+(**)]
GoGo Penguin: Everything Is Going to Be OK (XXIM) ** [B+(**)]
Brad Goode: The Unknown (Origin) [B+(**)]
The Sofia Goodman Group: Secrets of the Shore (Joyous) [B+(*)]
Darrell Grant's MJ New: Our Mr. Jackson (Lair Hill) [B+(**)]
Skip Grasso: Becoming (Barking Coda Music) [B]
Frank Gratkowski/Simon Nabatov: Tender Mercies (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Devin Gray: Most Definitely (Rataplan) [B+(**)]
Gordon Grdina/Mat Maneri/Christian Lillinger: Live at the Armoury (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Gabriel Guerrero & Quantum: Equilibrio (Origin) [B+(**)]
Noah Haidu: Standards (Sunnyside) [B+(**)]
Matthew Halsall: An Ever Changing View (Gondwana) ** [B+(**)]
Allan Harris: Live at Blue Llama Jazz Club (Love Productions/Live at Blue Llama) [B+(**)]
Kevin Harris & the Solution: Jazz Gumbo (Blujazz) [B-]
Lafayette Harris Jr.: Swingin' Up in Harlem (Savant) ** [B+(*)]
Fritz Hauser & Pedro Carneiro: Pas De Deux (Clean Feed) ** [B]
Alexander Hawkins Trio: Carnival Celestial (Intakt) ** [B+(*)]
Louis Hayes: Exactly Right! (Savant) ** [B+(**)]
Thomas Heberer/Ken Filiano/Phil Haynes: Spontaneous Composition (Corner Store Music '22) ** [B+(**)]
Aaron Yale Heisler: The Bechet Century: A Centenary Celebration of the Music of Sidney Bechet (2nd Bechet Century) ** [B+(**)]
Mette Henriette: Drifting (ECM) ** [B]
Carlos Henriquez: A Nuyorican Tale (self-released) [B+(**)]
Nitai Hershkovits: Call on the Old Wise (ECM) ** [B+(*)]
Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra: Open Spaces: Folk Songs Reimagined (Cellar) [B+(*)]
Anthony Hervey: Words From My Horn (Outside In Music) ** [B+(**)]
Scott Hesse Trio: Intention (Calligram) [B+(**)]
HIIT: For Beauty Is Nothing but the Beginning of Terror (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Keigo Hirakawa: Pixel (Origin) [B+(**)]
William Hooker: Flesh and Bones (Org Music) ** [B+(**)]
François Houle Genera Sextet: In Memoriam (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
David Ian: Vintage Christmas Trio Melody (Prescott) [B]
Illegal Crowns: Unclosing (Out of Your Heads) [B+(**)]
Mikko Innanen/Stefan Pasborg/Cedric Piromalli: Can You Hear It? (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
I.P.A.: Grimsta (Cuneiform) ** [B+(**)]
Christoph Irniger Pilgrim: Ghost Cat (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
José James: On & On (2023, Rainbow Blonde) ** [B+(*)]
Val Jeanty/Candice Hoyes/Mimi Jones: Nite Bjuti (Whirlwind) ** [B+(**)]
Russ Johnson Quartet: Reveal (Calligram) [B+(**)]
Mike Jones Trio: Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You're Doing? (Capri) [B+(**)]
Stephen Jones & Ben Haugland: Road to No-Where (OA2) [B+(**)]
Barb Jungr and Her Trio: My Marquee (Marquee) ** [B+(**)]
Kaisa's Machine: Taking Shape (Greenleaf Music) [B+(**)]
Bobby Kapp: Synergy: Bobby Kapp Plays the Music of Richard Sussman (Tweed Boulevard) [B+(**)]
Ryan Keberle's Collectiv Do Brasil: Considerando (Alternate Side) [B+(**)]
Jason Keiser: Shaw's Groove (OA2) ** [B+(*)]
Sunny Kim/Vardan Ovsepian/Ben Monder: Liminal Silence (Earshift Music) [C+]
Izumi Kimura/Cora Venus Lunny: Invisible Resistances (Fairpoint -22) ** [B+(*)]
Guillermo Klein Quinteto: Telmo's Tune (2023, Sunnyside) ** [B+(**)]
Toshinori Kondo/Massimo Pupillo/Tony Buck: Eternal Triangle (I Dischi Di Angelica '22) ** [B+(*)]
Sarathy Korwar: KAL (Real World) (The Leaf Label) ** [B+(**)]
Russell Kranes/Alex Levine/Sam Weber/Jay Sawyer: Anchor Points (OA2) [B+(**)]
Andrew Krasilnikov: Bloody Belly Comb Jelly (Rainy Days) [B]
Marie Kruttli: Transparence (Intakt) ** [B+(*)]
Nils Kugelmann: Stormy Beauty (ACT) ** [B+(**)]
John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard (Origin) [B+(*)]
Julian Lage: The Layers (Blue Note, EP) ** [B+(**)]
Large Unit: New Map (PNL '22) ** [B+(**)]
Large Unit: Clusterfuck (PNL '22) ** [B+(**)]
The Adam Larson Trio: With Love, From Kansas City (Outside In Music '22) ** [B+(**)]
The Adam Larson Trio: With Love, From New York (Outside In Music) ** [B+(**)]
Las Vegas Boneheads: Sixty and Still Cookin' (Curt Miller Music) [B]
Ingrid Laubrock: Monochromes (Intakt) ** [B+(*)]
Bill Laurance & Michael League: Where You Wish You Were (ACT) ** [B+(**)]
Le Boeuf Brothers: Hush (Soundspore) [B+(**)]
Joëlle Léandre: Zurich Concert (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
Jeff Lederer With Mary LaRose: Schoenberg on the Beach (Little (i) Music) [B+(*)]
Jeff Lederer/Morningside Tone Collective: Balls of Simplicity: Jeff Lederer Notated Works 1979-2021 (Little (i) Music) ** [B+(**)]
Mike LeDonne/Eric Alexander/Jeremy Pelt/Vincent Herring/Kenny Washington/Peter Washington: The Heavy Hitters (Cellar) [B+(**)]
Gordon Lee Quartet: How Can It Be? (PJCE) [B+(**)]
Asbjørn Lerheim/Roger Arntzen/Michiyo Yagi/Tamaya Honda: Chrome Hill Duo Meets Dojo: Live at Aketa No Mise (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Mark Lewis: Sunlight Shines In (Audio Daddio) [B+(**)]
Max Light: Henceforth (SteepleChase) [B+(**)]
Johan Lindström/Norrbotten Big Band: Johan Lindström & Norrbotten Big Band (Moserobie) [B+(**)]
Zack Lober: No Fill3r (Zennez) [B+(*)]
Damon Locks/Rob Mazurek: New Future City Radio (International Anthem) ** [B+(*)]
Fred Lonberg-Holm/Tim Daisy: Current 23 (Relay) ** [B+(**)]
Luis Lopes Abyss Mirrors: Echoisms (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Brandon Lopez: Vilevilevilevilevilevilevilevile (Tao Forms) [B+(**)]
Brandon Lopez Trio: Matanzas (Relative Pitch) ** [B+(**)]
Harold López-Nussa: Timba a la Americana (Blue Note) ** [B+(**)]
Alex LoRe & Weirdear: Evening Will Find Itself (Whirlwind) * [B+(**)]
Joe Lovano Trio Tapestry [Marilyn Crispell/Carmen Castaldi]: Our Daily Bread (ECM) ** [B+(*)]
Doug MacDonald: Big Band Extravaganza (DMAC Music) [B+(**)]
Doug MacDonald Trio: Edwin Alley (DMAC Music) [B+(**)]
Madre Vaca: Knights of the Round Table (Madre Vaca) ** [B+(*)]
Manzanita Quintet: Osmosis (Origin) [B+(*)]
Hannah Marks: Outsider, Outlier (Out of Your Head) [B+(*)]
Gabriela Martina: Homage to Grämilis (self-released) [B+(*)]
Astghik Martirosyan: Distance (Astghik Music) [B+(*)]
Sean Mason: The Southern Suite (Blue Engine) ** [B+(*)]
Bill Mays: Autumn Serenade (Sunnyside) ** [B+(**)]
Rob Mazurek Exploding Star Orchestra: Lightning Dreamers (International Anthem) ** [B+(**)]
Brian McCarthy Nonet: After|Life (Truth Revolution) ** [B+(**)]
Donny McCaslin: I Want More (Edition) ** [B]
John Paul McGee: A Gospejazzical Christmas (Jazz Urbano) [B]
Sarah McKenzie: Without You (Normandy Lane Music) [B+(*)]
Brad Mehldau: Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays the Beatles (Nonesuch) ** [B]
Vince Mendoza/Metropole Orkest: Olympians (Modern) ** [B-]
Mercury [Nicolas Caloia & Lori Freedman]: Skin (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Pat Metheny: Dream Box (Modern) ** [B+(*)]
Metropolitan Jazz Octet: The Bowie Project (Origin) [B]
Colette Michaan: Earth Rebirth (Creatrix Music) [B+(*)]
Sei Miguel: The Original Drum (Clean Feed) ** [B+(*)]
Sei Miguel Unit Core: Road Music (Clean Feed) ** [B]
Dominic Miller: Vagabond (ECM) ** [B+(*)]
Steve Million: Perfectly Spaced (Calligram) [B+(**)]
Noshir Mody: A Love Song (self-released) [B+(*)]
Andrew Moorhead: Interleaved (OA2) [B]
Todd Mosby: Land of Enchantment (MMG) [B]
Joshua Moshe: Inner Search (La Sape) ** [B+(**)]
Simon Moullier: Isla (self-released) [B+(**)]
Move: The City (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
MUEJL [Michel Stawicki/Uygur Vural/Elisabetta Lanfredini/João Madeira/Luiz Rocha]: By Breakfast (4DaRecord) [B+(*)]
Mat Muntz: Phantom Islands (Orenda) ** [B-]
Michael Musillami Trio: Block Party (Playscape '22) ** [B+(**)]
Wolfgang Muthspiel: Dance of the Elders (ECM) ** [B+(**)]
Simon Nabatov 3+2: Verbs (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Naya Bazz [Rez Abbasi/Josh Feinberg]: Charm (Whirlwind) [B+(**)]
The Necks: Travel (Northern Spy) ** [B+(**)]
Lucas Niggli Sound of Serendipity Tentet: Play! (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
Thandi Ntuli With Carlos Niño: Rainbow Revisited (International Anthem) ** [B+(**)]
Aymée Nuviola: Havana Nocturne (Worldwide) [B+(**)]
Kevin O'Connell Quartet Featuring Adam Brenner: Hot New York Minutes (Ignoramus Music) [B+(**)]
Arturo O'Farrill: Legacies (Blue Note) ** [B+(*)]
Linda May Han Oh: The Glass Hours (Biophilia) ** [B]
Okonski: Magnolia (Colemine) ** [B+(*)]
Matt Otto: Umbra (Origin) [B+(**)]
Øyvindland Med Eirik Hegdal & Erik Johannessen: Nonett (Øra Fonogram) ** [B+(**)]
Engin Özşahin: Conversations in Chaos (self-released) ** [B+(**)]
Afonso Pais/Tomás Marques: The Inner Colours of Bogin's Outline (Clean Feed) ** [B]
Christopher Parker & the Band of Guardian Angels: Yeah Yeah! (Mahakala Music) ** [B+(**)]
Evan Parker/Matthew Wright Trance Map+ Peter Evans/Mark Nauseef: Etching the Ether (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
Gretchen Parlato/Lionel Loueke: Lean In (Edition) ** [B+(*)]
Bruno Parrinha: Da Erosão (4DaRecord) [B+(*)]
Emanuele Parrini/Samo Salamon/Vasco Trilla: Eating Poetry (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra: Hold Your Fire (Neuklang) ** [B+(*)]
Jeremy Pelt: The Art of Intimacy Vol. 2: His Muse (HighNote) ** [B+(*)]
Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp: Tryptych II (SMP '22) ** [B+(**)]
Ivo Perelman/Nate Wooley: Polarity 2 (Burning Ambulance) ** [B+(**)]
Scott Petito: Many Worlds (Planet Arts) [B]
Jean-Michel Pilc: Symphony (Justin Time) ** [B+(*)]
Ted Piltzecker: Vibes on a Breath (OA2) [B+(*)]
Pink Monads: Multiple Visions of the Now (4DaRecord) [B+(**)]
Marek Pospieszalski: No Other End of the World Will There Be: Based on the Works of Polish Female Composers of the 20th Century (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Tineke Postma: Aria (Edition) ** [B+(**)]
Simona Premazzi: Wave in Gravity: Solo Piano (PRE) [B+(**)]
Darden Purcell: Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood (Origin) [B+(**)]
Bruno Råberg: Solo Bass: Look Inside (Orbis Music) [B+(*)]
Rachael & Vilray: I Love a Love Song (Nonesuch) ** [B+(*)]
Nate Radley & Gary Versace: Snapshots (SteepleChase) ** [B+(**)]
Joakim Rainer Trio: Light.Sentence (Sonic Transmissions) ** [B+(**)]
Mason Razavi: Six-String Standards (OA2) [B+(**)]
Red Hot + Ra: Nuclear War: A Tribute to Sun Ra Volume 1 (Red Hot Org) ** [B+(**)]
Joshua Redman: Where Are We (Blue Note) ** [B+(**)]
Eric Reed: Black, Brown, and Blue (Smoke Sessions) ** [B+(**)]
Marc Ribot/Ceramic Dog: Connection (Knockwurst) ** [B+(**)]
Doug Richards Orchestra: Through a Sonic Prism: The Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim (self-released) [B+(**)]
Mike Richmond: Turn Out the Stars (SteepleChase) ** [B+(**)]
Diego Rivera: Love & Peace (Posi-Tone) ** [B+(**)]
Matana Roberts: Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation) ** [B+(**)]
Sebastian Rochford/Kit Downes: A Short Diary (ECM) ** [B]
Ernesto Rodrigues/Fred Lonberg-Holm/Flak/João Madeira/José Oliveira: The Giving Tree Moving On (Creative Sources) [B+(**)]
Ernesto Rodrigues/João Madeira/Hernâni Faustino: No Strings Attached (Creative Sources) ** [B+(**)]
Ernesto Rodrigues/Dirk Serries/Joao Madeira/Jose Oliveira: Dripping (Creative Sources) ** [B+(*)]
The Rodriguez Brothers: Reunited: Live at Dizzy's Club (RodBros Music) [B+(*)]
Jason Roebke: Four Spheres (Corbett vs. Dempsey) ** [B+(**)]
Aksel Røed's Other Aspects: Do You Dream in Colours? (Is It Jazz?) ** [B+(**)]
Rent Romus/Heikki Koskinen: Itkuja Suite, Invocations on Lament (Edgetone) [B+(*)]
Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project: A Thousand Pebbles (One Trick Dog) [B+(*)]
Brandon Ross: Of Sight and Sound (Sunnyside) ** [B+(*)]
Sam Ross: Live at the Mira Room, Vol. II (self-released) [B+(**)]
Jim Rotondi Quintet: Over Here (Criss Cross) ** [B+(**)]
Rudy Royston Flatbed Buggy: Day (Greenleaf Music) [B+(*)]
Andreas Røysum Ensemble: Mysterier (Motvind) ** [B+(**)]
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Borrowed Flowers (Top Stop Music) [B+(**)]
Markus Rutz: Storybook (Jmarq) [B+(**)]
Jerome Sabbagh: Vintage (Sunnyside) ** [B+(**)]
Taiko Saito: Tears of a Cloud (Trouble in the East) [B+(*)]
Felipe Salles Interconnections Ensemble: Home Is Here (Tapestry) [B+(**)]
Cécile McLorin Salvant: Mélusine (Nonesuch) ** [B+(*)]
Brandon Sanders: Compton's Finest (Savant) [B+(**)]
Jeff Sanford's Cartoon Jazz Orchestra: Playland at the Beach (Little Village) ** [B+(**)]
Arman Sangalang: Quartet (Calligram) [B+(**)]
Mehmet Ali Sanlikol & Whatsnext?: Turkish Hipster (Dunya) [B]
Joe Santa Maria: Echo Deep (Orenda) [B-]
Jacques Schwarz-Bart: The Harlem Suite (Ropeadope) ** [B+(*)]
John Scofield: Uncle John's Band (ECM) ** [B+(**)]
Dave Scott: Song for Alice (SteepleChase) ** [B+(**)]
Kendrick Scott: Corridors (Blue Note) ** [B+(**)]
Brandon Seabrook: Brutalovechamp (Pyroclastic) [B+(**)]
The Selva: Camarão-Girafa (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Sara Serpa & André Matos: Night Birds (Robalo Music) [B]
Dave Sewelson/Stephen Moses/Jochem van Dijk/Steve Holtje: Orca Uprising (MechaBenzaiten) ** [B]
Matthew Shipp: The Intrinsic Nature of Shipp (Mahakala Music) ** [B+(**)]
Todd Sickafoose: Bear Proof (Secret Hatch) [B+(**)]
Apostolos Sideris: Past-Presented (Parallel) ** [B+(*)]
Edward Simon: Femininas: Songs of Latin American Women (ArtistShare) * [B+(*)]
Alex Sipiagin: Mel's Vision (Criss Cross) ** [B+(**)]
Lauritz Skeidsvoll & Isach Skeidsvoll Duo: Chanting Moon, Dancing Sun: Live at Molde International Jazz Festival (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
SLUGish Ensemble: In Solitude (Slow & Steady) [B+(**)]
Peter Smith Trio: Dollar Dreams (Real Magic) [B+(**)]
Steve Smith and Vital Information: Time Flies (Wounded Bird, 2CD) [B+(**)]
Walter Smith III: Return to Casual (Blue Note) ** [B]
Emilio Solla/Antonio Lizana: El Siempre Mar (Tiger Turn) [B+(*)]
Something Blue: Personal Preference (Posi-Tone) ** [B+(*)]
Sonar With David Torn and J. Peter Schwalm: Three Movements (7d) ** [B+(**)]
Alan Sondheim: Galut: Ballads of Wadi-Sabi (ESP-Disk) [B+(**)]
Speakers Corner Quartet: Further Out Than the Edge (OTIH) ** [B+(**)]
Russ Spiegel: Caribbean Blue (Ruzztone Music) [B+(**)]
Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis: Calibrating Friction (New Amsterdam) ** [B+(*)]
Jason Stein/Damon Smith/Adam Shead: Hum (2022 [2023], Irritable Mystic): [bc]: B+(**)
Elias Stemeseder/Christian Lillinger: Penumbra (Plaist '22) **< [B+(**)]/li>
Bobo Stenson Trio: Sphere (ECM) ** [B+(*)]
Marcus Strickland Twi-Life: The Universe's Wildest Dream (Strick Music) ** [B+(*)]
Superposition: Glaciers (Kettle Hole) [B+(**)]
Veronica Swift: Veronica Swift (Mack Avenue) ** [B-]
Aki Takase: Carmen Rhapsody (BMC) ** [B+(**)]
Aki Takase/Alexander von Schlippenbach: Four Hands Piano Pieces (Trost) ** [B]
Natsuki Tamura/Ittetsu Takemura: Lightning (Libra '22) ** [B+(**)]
Eldad Tarmu: Tarmu Jazz Quartet (Queen of Bohemia) [B+(**)]
Techno Cats: The Music of Gregg Hill (Cold Plunge) ** [B+(*)]
Rachel Therrien Latin Jazz Project: Mi Hogar (Outside In Music) [B+(**)]
Rich Thompson: Who Do You Have to Know? (Origin) [B+(*)]
Kris Tiner/Tatsuya Nakatini: The Magic Room (Epigraph) [B+(**)]
Trespass Trio Feat. Susana Santos Silva: Live in Oslo (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Trio Grande: Urban Myth (Whirlwind) [B+(**)]
Triogram: Triogram (Circle Theory Media) [B+(**)]
Gianluigi Trovesi: Stravaganze Consonanti (ECM) ** [B+(*)]
True Stomach of a Bird [Ulf Mengersen/Lina Allemano/Kamil Korolczuk]: Computation Intensive Spontaneousness (self-released) ** [B+(*)]
Erik Truffaz: Rollin' (Blue Note) ** [B+(**)]
Juanma Trujillo: Contour (Clean Feed) ** [B+(**)]
Dara Starr Tucker: Dara Starr Tucker (Green Hill Productions) [B+(**)]
Brad Turner Quintet: The Magnificent (Cellar) [B+(*)]
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington: Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Six (OA2) [B]
Jeremy Udden: Wishing Flower (Sunnyside) ** [B+(*)]
Ulaan Passerine: Sun Spar (Worstward '22) ** [B]
Sachal Vasandani & Romain Collin: Still Life (Edition '22) ** [B-]
Vin Venezia: The Venetian (Innervision) [B+(**)]
Alex Ventling/Hein Westgaard: In Orbit (Nice Things) ** [B+(**)]
Fay Victor: Blackcity Black Black Is Beautiful (Northern Spy) ** [B+(**)]
David Virelles: Carta (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
Maddie Vogler: While We Have Time (Origin) [B+(**)]
Greg Ward's Rogue Parade: Dion's Quest (Sugah Hoof) [B-]
Nadia Washington: Hope Resurgence (New) * [B-]
Anna Webber/Matt Mitchell: Capacious Aeration (Tzadik) ** [B+(**)]
Anna Webber: Shimmer Wince (Intakt) ** [B+(**)]
Alex Weiss: Most Don't Have Enough (Ears & Eyes) [B+(*)]
Ben Wendel: All One (Edition) [B]
Buster Williams: Unalome (Smoke Sessions) ** [B]
Simón Willson: Good Company (Fresh Sound New Talent) [B+(**)]
Gaia Wilmer Large Ensemble: Folia: The Music of Egberto Gismonti (Sunnyside) ** [B+(**)]
Ben Winkelman: Heartbeat (OA2) [B]
Joe Wittman: Trio Works (self-released) [B+(**)]
Joe Wittman/Vito Dieterle/Jesse Breheney/Josh Davis: Night Out (self-released) ** [B+(*)]
John Wojciechowski: Swing of the Pendulum (Afar Music) [B+(**)]
Lizz Wright: Holding Space: Live in Berlin (Blues & Greens '22) ** [B+(**)]
Peter Xifaras: Fusion (Music With No Expiration) [B+(*)]
Miki Yamanaka: Shades of Rainbow (Cellar Music) ** [B+(**)]
Jacob Young/Mats Eilertsen/Audun Kleive: Eventually (ECM) ** [B+(**)]
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad: Jazz Is Dead 17: Lonnie Liston Smith (Jazz Is Dead) ** [B+(*)]
Adrian Younge: Jazz Is Dead 18: Tony Allen (Jazz Is Dead) ** [B+(*)]
Brandee Younger: Brand New Life (Impulse) ** [B+(*)]
Dhafer Youssef: Street of Minarets (Back Beat Edition) ** [B+(**)]
Jeppe Zeeberg: Occasionally, Good Things Do Happen (self-released) ** [B-]
Denny Zeitlin: Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin (Sunnyside) ** [B]
John Zorn: 444 (Tzadik) ** [B]
John Zorn: Multiplicites II: A Repository of Non-Existent Objects (Tzadik) ** [B+(**)]
John Zorn/Bill Laswell: Memoria (Tzadik) ** [B+(*)]
John Zorn: Quatrain (Tzadik) ** [B+(*)]
John Zorn: Full Fathom Five (Tzadik) ** [B+(**)]
John Zorn: Nothing Is as Real as Nothing (Tzadik) ** [B+(**)]
Nicole Zuraitis: How Love Begins (Outside In Music) [B+(*)]

Additional reissued/archival jazz records rated B+(**) or below (listed alphabetically by artist).

Chantal Acda & Bill Frisell: Live at Jazz Middelheim (2017, self-released) ** [B+(*)]
Geri Allen/Kurt Rosenwinkel: A Lovesome Thing (2012, Motéma Music) ** [B+(**)]
Axolotl: Abrasive (1981, Souffle Continu) ** [B+(*)]
Chet Baker: Blue Room: The 1979 Vara Studio Sessions in Holland (Jazz Detective, 2CD) [B+(**)]
Basie All Stars: Live at Fabrik Vol. 1: Hamburg 1981 (Jazzline) ** [B+(**)]
Eddie Bert Sextet: The Human Factor (1987, Fresh Sound) ** [B+(**)]
John Blum: Nine Rivers (2013, ESP-Disk) [B+(**)]
George Cartwright: The Ghostly Bee (2005, Mahakala Music) ** [B+(*)]
George Cartwright: A Tenacious Slew (2007, Mahakala Music) ** [B+(*)]
Graham Collier Music: Smoke-Blackened Walls & Curlews (1970, British Progressive Jazz) ** [B+(*)]
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis With Shirley Scott: Cookin' With Jaws and the Queen: The Legendary Prestige Albums (1958, Craft) ** [B+(**)]
Miles Davis Quintet: In Concert at the Olympia Paris 1957 (Fresh Sound) ** [B+(**)]
Les DeMerle Sound 67: Once in a Lifetime (1967, Origin) [B+(**)]
Dave Douglas and Elan Mehler: If There Are Mountains (2019, Greenleaf Music) ** [B+(*)]
Don Ellis: How Time Passes (1960, Candid) ** [B+(**)]
Bill Evans: Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestral Recordings From Denmark (1965-1969) (Elemental, 2CD) ** [B+(**)]
Dredd Foole and the Din: Songs in Heat 1982 (Corbett vs. Dempsey) ** [B+(*)]
Alan Goldsher: The Complete Pocket Sessions (2019, Gold Note) ** [B-]
Jeff Johnson: My Heart (1991, Origin) [B+(**)]
Paul Lytton/Erhard Hirt: Borne on a Whim: Duets, 1981 (Corbett vs. Dempsey) ** [B+(**)]
Roberto Magris & the JM Horns: High Quote (2012 [2023], JM) [B+(*)]
Wynton Marsalis: Plays Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Hot Sevens (2006, Blue Engine) ** [B]
Evan Parker/X-Jazz Ensemble: A Schist Story (2012, JACC '22) ** [B+(*)]
The Dave Pell Octet: Plays Again (1984, Fresh Sound) ** [B+(**)]
Abbey Rader/Davey Williams: In One Is All (1999, Abray) ** [B+(**)]
Nina Simone: You've Got to Learn (1966, Verve) ** [B+(*)]
Dick Sisto: Falling in Love (1994, SteepleChase) ** [B+(**)]
Frank Strazzeri and His Woodwinds West: Somebody Loves Me (1994, Fresh Sound) ** [B+(**)]
Luther Thomas: 11th Street Fire Suite (1978, Corbett vs. Dempsey) ** [C+]
Abdul Wadud: By Myself: Solo Cello (1977, Gotta Groove) ** [B+(**)]

Recommended but Unheard Jazz Records

New jazz records I haven't heard estimated to have a 2% (or better) chance of making the A-list if/when I finally hear them. Also unheard records that got votes in Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll, regardless of their prospects.

Limited sampling grades may be noted for any record in this section. Bracketed grades refer to older editions of reissues.

Ambrose Akinmusire: Owl Song (Nonesuch)
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: Les Jardins Mystiques Vol. 1 (Brainfeeder, 3CD)
Harold Danko: Trillium (SteepleChase)
Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet: As Things Do (Intakt)
Jean-Marc Foussat/Urs Leimgruber/Carlos "Zingaro": L'Aile D'Icare (Fou '22)
Kate Gentile/International Contemporary Ensemble: Biomei.i (Obliquity) [+]
Karina Kozhevnikova & Krugly Band: Polyphonic Circle (Leo)
Daunik Lazro/Benjamic Duboc/Mathieu Bec: Standards Combustion (Dark Tree)
Shawn Maxwell: Story at Eleven (self-released)
Marco Antonio Santos: About: Silence (Ears & Eyes)
Ian Shaw: Greek Street Friday (Silent Wish)
Simon Spillett Big Band: Dear Tubby H (Mister PC)
Elias Stemeseder/Christian Lillinger: Umbra (Intakt)
Mark Turner Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard (Giant Step Arts)
Otomo Yoshihide Special Big Band: Stone Stone Stone (Little Stone)
John Zorn: John Zorn's Bagatelles, Vols. 13-16 (Tzadik)

New jazz records that received votes in Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll, but still don't meet my 2% expectation:

Wilma Baan: Look at Me Now! (ECN Music)
Benny Benack III: Third Time's the Charm (La Reserve/Bandstand Presents)
Kris Berg: Perspective (Summit)
The Brass Monkeys: Lullabite (33 Jazz)
Vilhelm Bromander: In This Forever Unfolding Moment (Thanatos)
Ed Cherry: Are We There Yet? (Cellar)
The Chick Corea Elektrik Band: The Future Is Now (Candid)
Hilario Duran: Cry Me a River (Alma)
Lara Eidi: Sun (self-released)
Ray Gallon Trio: Grand Company (Cellar)
Riccardo Gola: Cosmonautica (Jando)
Jocelyn Gould: Sonic Bouquet (Jocelyn Gould Music)
Matt Greenwood: Atlas (self-released)
Miho Hazama: M_unit: Beyond Orbits (Edition)
Tony Hymas & Catherine Delaunay: No Borders (Nato)
Clara Lai: Corpos (Phonogram Unit)
Katherine Kyu Hyeon Lim: Starling (self-released)
Mama Terra: The Summoned (Caffala)
Simon Mary & Krystal Mundi: Modal Morning (Label Ouest)
Madison McFerrin: I Hope You Can Forgive Me (MadMcFerrin Music)
Benet McLean: Green Park (Sea Mammal)
Lyia Meta: Always You (self-released)
Lesley Mok: The Living Collection (American Dreams)
PJEV/Kit Downes/Hayden Chisholm: Medna Roso (Red Hook)
Gregory Porter: Christmas Wish (Blue Note)
Zoe Rahman: Colour of Sound (Manushi)
Jason Rebello/Tim Garland: Life to Life (Whirlwind)
Charley Rose Trio: Dada Pulp (Menace)
Heikki Ruokangas: Karu (Orbit577)
Sultan Stevenson: Faithful One (Whirlwind)
Jonathan Suazo: Ricano (Ropeadope)
SurdelSur Ensemble: Hernandez-Sanjuro-Nebbia (Ears & Eyes)
Charu Suri: Rags & Ragas (self-released)
Susanna: Baudelaire & Orchestra (SusannaSonata)
Sam Taylor: Let Go (Cellar '22)
JD Walter: What the World Needs Now (Arkadia)

Reissued/historical jazz records I haven't heard estimated to have a 2% (or better) chance of making the A-list if/when I finally hear them:

Dorothy Ashby: With Strings Attached (1957-65, New Land)
Toshiko Akiyoshi: Toshiko's Blues: Quartet & Trios 1953-1958 (Fresh Sound)
Jean-Jacques Avenel/Siegfried Kessler/Daunik Lazro: Ecstatic Jazz: Crypte Des Franciscains Béziers 12 Février 1982 (Fou)
Derek Bailey & Paul Motian: Duo in Concert (1990, Frozen Reeds)
Dave Brubeck: Live From the Northwest, 1959 (Brubeck Editions)
Sonny Clark: The Complete Sonny Clark Blue Note Sessions (1957-61, Mosaic)
Ornette Coleman Trio: At the Golden Circle Stockholm Revisited (1965, Ezz-Thetics)
Kenny Cox & the Contemporary Jazz Quintet: Multidirection (1969, Third Man/Blue Note)
Joe Henderson: The Complete "An Evening With Joe Henderson" (1987, Red)
Jazz at the Philharmonic: The Complete Jam Sessions 1950-1957 (Mosaic)
Charles Mingus: At Antibes 1960 Revisited (Ezz-Thetics)
Charles Mingus: Changes: The Complete 1970s Atlantic Studio Recordings (1973-79, Rhino)
Sun Ra and His Arkestra: Jazz in Silhouette (Expanded Edition) (1958, Cosmic Myth)
Sonny Rollins: Go West! The Contemporary Records Albums (1957-58, Craft)
McCoy Tyner: The Montreux Years (1981-2009, BMG)

Reissued/historical jazz records that received votes in Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll, but still don't meet my 2% expectation:

Matthew Shipp Trio: Circular Temple (1990, ESP-Disk) [B+]