contemporary jazz

  • 2026 Next Jazz Legacy cohort, clockwise from top left: Devon Gates, Alden Hellmuth, Destiny "Lé Queen" Diggs, Lily Finnegan, Sequoia “REDWOOD” Snyder, Siya Charles, Allison Philips

    Next Jazz Legacy 2026

    .

    The future of jazz is always unfolding, and programs like Next Jazz Legacy are helping make sure the next generation of artists has the support and mentorship they need to thrive. New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice have announced the 2026 Next Jazz Legacy cohort, a group of seven…

  • ContemporaryJazz.com 30th Anniversary
    ,

    30 Years of ContemporaryJazz.com!

    .

    I launched this site, ContemporaryJazz.com, on January 13, 1996. Hard to believe it’s been 30 years! I had, and still have, a love of technology, a love of communicating and sharing, and a love of the music. I was born to do something like this—the medium just didn’t exist until the World Wide Web started…

  • , ,

    New Holiday Jazz Roundup 2025

    .

    Christmas is a favorite time of the year for many, and it’s always exciting to hear new recordings that bring fresh spirit to the season. This roundup of recently released jazz highlights several releases that offer everything from reflective takes on sacred music to lively reinterpretations of holiday favorites. Lakecia Benjamin – “The Christmas Song”…

  • Music notes on paper, autumn leaves and text saying Give Thanks
    , , , ,

    Thanksgiving Week Listening: A Couple of Contemporary Jazz Favorites

    .

    Gratitude is something I stay mindful of all year long (it’s great for mental health), but Thanksgiving week gives it a little extra boost. I’m thankful for my kids, now grown and living their own lives. I’m thankful for the ability to shape my life in small, meaningful ways. There is a lot to appreciate….

  • cover art to the Valley Voice album Stars, Engines. Art by Katia Engell

    Valley Voice Debut Recording

    .

    Toronto saxophonist and composer Harrison Argatoff has launched a new quartet, Valley Voice, whose debut album Stars, Engines was recently released on Elastic Recordings. The group – featuring vibraphonist Michael Davidson, bassist Dan Fortin, and drummer Ian Wright – embodies more than just a meeting of accomplished Canadian jazz musicians. At its heart, Valley Voice…