It’s the end of the year, and what a year it has been. To recap, there have been several amazing album releases from outstanding artists throughout the year. Some have even earned Grammy Award nominations, so we’ll see how things turn out come February.
What were the best jazz albums of 2023? Here’s a quick top 10 overview of albums, which appeared in previous James on Jazz columns this year. Check them out.
- Brian Blade, “King’s Highway” (Stoner Hill Records)
- Louis Hayes, “Exactly Right” (Savant Records)
- Eric Alexander, “A New Beginning-Alto Saxophone with Strings” (HighNote)
- John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy, “Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy” (Impulse)
- Nina Simone, “You’ve Got to Learn” (Verve Records)
- Wynton Marsalis, “Wynton Marsalis Plays Louis Armstrong (Blue Engine Records)”
- Ron Blake, “Mistaken Identity” (7Ten33 Productions)
- Fred Hersh and Esperanza Spalding, “Alive at The Village Vanguard” (Palmetto Records)
- Kenny Barron, “The Source” (Artwork)
- Joey Alexander, “Continuance” (Mack Avenue Records)
This time of year also brings what has become a holiday tradition—Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis on tour and in New York City with Big Band Holidays performances. After being on tour in the U.S., they brought their music back to their home—The House of Swing in New York City on December 13-17.
The live stream on JazzLive on December 13 showcased soulful musical arrangements of holiday classics and even a special original holiday composition from guest vocalist Ashley Pezzotti—she sang “Snowbird” and her powerful vocals packed a big punch.
Other highlights included Marcus Printup’s arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy” with drummer Obed Calvaire along with his arrangement of “Go Tell It On The Mountain” with a stunning solo from trombonist Chris Crenshaw, and Ted Nash’s arrangement of “Oh Holy Night” featuring Pezzotti.
Printup served as musical director for the evening and did a fine job. His trumpet playing was remarkable, too.
One gift I will buy myself for Christmas is the new book, “Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song” by Judith Tick, which was originally published on December 5, 2023.
According to the New York Times, Tick “chronicles the slights and insults Fitzgerald faced as a Black woman on tour, especially in the South. During the civil rights era, some wished Fitzgerald had been more outspoken. She felt she spoke more clearly through her work.”
This year was also marked by an Elmo Hope centennial celebration. The radio program “Jazz Night in America” celebrated the influential pianist and featured music from his rare discography. He was born 100 years ago this June. Hope died at the age of 43 in 1967.
Trumpeter Donald Byrd was born in Detroit on December 9, 1932. His output from 1958-1976 revealed his development from stellar hard bop trumpeter to pioneer of R&B/Funk fusion.
Earlier this month, JazzWeek radio chart reported as No.1: Brandon Sanders, “Compton’s Finest” (Savant); as Most Added: Gregory Tardy; as Biggest Mover: Isaiah J. Thompson; as Most Reported: Emmet Cohen; as Highest Debut: Stacey Kent; more at jazzweek.com.
Wrapping up the year at Crooners in Fridley on December 28 from 6:30-8 pm will be Stablemates with Bruce Henry in the Dunsmore Jazz Room. He’s an internationally known vocalist, composer, and storyteller. For more information, visit www.croonersmn.com.
Looking forward to 2024: Blue Note Records has announced the release of “nublues” from vibraphonist Joel Ross featuring his band Good Vibes out February 9. We can also expect “Compassion,” a new album from pianist Vijay Iyer on ECM Records, out February 2.
Actor Mahershala Ali told actress Julia Roberts that you can dance to jazz in the excellent new Netflix movie “Leave the World Behind.” This is my wish for everyone next year—to listen to more live and recorded jazz and dance.
Have a Happy New Year, everybody!