About ContemporaryJazz.com
Founded in January 1996 by jazz enthusiast and broadcaster John Hilderbrand, ContemporaryJazz.com has spent three decades celebrating the artists, albums, and stories that shape modern jazz.
Originally launched as cJazz: The Contemporary Jazz Site, the website was created during the early days of the World Wide Web, when online resources for jazz fans were rare. ContemporaryJazz.com was among the first jazz websites indexed by Yahoo! and quickly became a destination for listeners seeking news, reviews, interviews, artist profiles, and a deeper connection to the music they loved.
Today, ContemporaryJazz.com continues its mission of shining a spotlight on artists who are expanding the boundaries of jazz while honoring the musicians who helped define the genre’s modern era. While the site regularly covers new releases and emerging talent, it also celebrates the rich legacy of contemporary jazz from the 1980s through the early 2000s—a period many fans consider a golden age for the music.
ContemporaryJazz.com embraces a broad definition of contemporary jazz. Rather than viewing the genre through a narrow lens, the site recognizes contemporary jazz as an umbrella that encompasses a wide range of styles and influences, including:
- Jazz Fusion
- Smooth Jazz
- Acid Jazz
- Soul Jazz
- Jazz-Funk
- Nu Jazz
- Jazz Remixes
- Genre-blending artists who draw inspiration from jazz traditions
Whether it’s a veteran artist releasing a new project, an independent musician forging a unique path, or a classic album worth rediscovering, ContemporaryJazz.com seeks to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and passion that keep jazz evolving.
Most importantly, this site exists because of the music and the people who love it. ContemporaryJazz.com is, and always has been, a place for listeners who believe jazz is not merely a style from the past, but a living art form that continues to grow, inspire, and surprise.
Thank you for visiting and for being part of the journey.