Preston Frazier’s 2024 Best of Jazz list includes Madeleine Peyroux, Nick Finzer, Chris Green, Rachel Z and Jun Iida, among others:
JUAN DHAS – ‘AETHER’: Juan Dhas’ third full album Aether reflects the journeyman’s continued exploration of jazz guitar and continued acumen as a writer and producer. Dhas has released several singles since his last album, 2018’s Catharsis. Each of those singles reflected Dhas’ journey, both physically and professionally. The 10 songs on Aether give Dhas’ journey additional perspective. Working with longtime cohort Anthony Muthurajah as coproducer (Muthurajah also handles bass duties), Dhas was able to create an international recording experience, though many of the players were on different continents.
MADELEINE PEYROUX – ‘LET’S WALK’: Ten studio albums and one greatest hits package into her career, Madeleine Peyroux continues to break new ground. Let’s Walk, co-produced by Peyroux, her long-time guitarist Jon Herington, and Elliot Scheiner, who also engineered the album, reflects the continued artist growth seldom seen by veterans in the music industry. Peyroux, who sparingly flexed her compositional muscles before co-writing the 10 songs with Herington. The result is a daringly diverse group of songs.
CATHERINE RUSSELL AND SEAN MASON – ‘MY IDEAL’: Catherine Russell returns with a duo album featuring prodigy Sean Mason, My Ideal. The album marks a shift from Russell’s recent efforts with its stripped-down approach. Relying solely on Mason’s piano, the duo seamlessly navigates pop and jazz standards while adding nuance and style to each. “A Porter’s Love Song” is a perfect start to the album. Upon reaching the song “Waitin’ for the Train to Come In,” you realize that Catherine Russell and Sean Mason have taken you on a stunning 11-song odyssey. My Ideal is a delightful journey and a testament to these two compelling artists.
NICK FINZER – ‘LEGACY: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF J.J. JOHNSON’: Nick Finzer continues to further his craft with his latest Outside In Music release, Legacy A recognition of J.J. Johnson, the album features some of the trombone legend’s original sidemen such as bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Lewis Nash, and pianist Renee Rosnes. Finzer is a diligent student of jazz as well as a professor, and he leads the band through a series of thrilling performances, all captured at the Rudy Van Gelder studio. Legacy includes a plethora of Johnson compositions, Finzer originals, and songs from Johnson’s songbook. One listen to “Shortcake” and you’ll not only want this tribute album but will seek J.J. Johnson’s original recordings.
BOBBY BROOM’S ORGANI-SATION – ‘JAMALOT LIVE’: Bobby Broom steps back into the bandleader role with Jamalot Live on the heels of his production of a 2023 release by saxophonist Ron Blake. Broom’s first LP since 2022’s acclaimed Keyed Up finds guitarist, educator and producer back with Hammond B-3 ace Ben Paterson and long-time drummer Kobe Watkins for a group of live recordings, some of which date back more than 10 years. The album title refers to a Steely Dan tour where Broom was asked to open for the band in 2014 and 2019. Indeed, most of these recordings were pulled from that tour, and select dates at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase. Broom and his band stick to covers and standards, but his interpretations are always unique and nuanced.
JHARIS YOKLEY – ‘SOMETIMES LATE AT NIGHT’: Sometimes, Late at Night is New York-based wunderkind composer/drummer Jharis Yokley’s daring solo debut. Between live gigs, Yokely composed driving songs that cover the arc of one of his past relationships. The sessions featured Yokley on drums, synthesizers/programming, and vocals and contain rhythmic soundscapes that Yokely fleshed out into songs. Jose James guides Yokley as his co-producer; however, Yokley’s sonic stamp is unmistakable. Fellow James band member Masayuki Hirano (aka BIGYUKI) cowrote the music to five songs and contributed additional synthesizers to Sometimes, Late at Night. The results are fiercely satisfying.
FORQ – ‘BIG PARTY’: Forq’s fifth studio release continues the band’s tradition of engaging, amazing and confounding listeners. Brainchild of uber-talented keyboardist Henry Hey, Forq mixes rock, jazz, and funk with a formula that is all their own. Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen, Snarky Puppy drummer Jason “JT” Thomas, and bassist Kevin Scott, known for his work with Gov’t Mule, form the rest of the core of Big Party. Given the acumen of the players, you would expect an adventurous ride. As such, Big Party doesn’t have a single song that represents the true essence of the album. However, taken as a whole, there is no denying how forward-leaning and occasionally brilliant the new Forq LP is.
JONATHAN POWELL – ‘MAMBO JAZZ PARTY’: With Mambo Jazz Party, trumpeter Jonathan Powell is creating more than dynamic music. The album is a joyous combination of Latin grooves and musical acumen. Pulling from years of backing up jazz stalwarts such as Miguel Zenon, Eddie Plainer, and Tito Puente Jr., Powell built upon an idea with a colleague around campana. The concept centers on its importance in mambo and salsa music. Powell strove to achieve music that had a feel beyond the written notes. The 13 songs on Mambo Jazz Party see this concept in full flight.
CHRIS GREEN QUARTET – ‘CONVERSANCE’: Conversance picks up where the Chris Green Quartet left off with Boundary Issues. Produced by Greene and Marc Piane, this album showcases the warm sounds of Greene’s tenor and soprano saxophones and the arranging and playing talents of each band member. The lead-off track, “Gentlemen’s Breakfast,” is an evocative, genre-bending romp. The Marc Paine composition “Inspiration” demonstrates how versatile the bassist/producer is. True music aficionados will appreciate the apparent care and talent demonstrated in Conversance.
RACHEL Z – ‘SENSUAL’: Rachel Z utilizes a core band of Omar Hakim on drums and Jonathan Toscano on bass to pull the listener in with her staccato chords on piano on the opening song “Save My Soul.” “Bodhisattva” is equally enchanting, with Z’s piano setting the scene while hakim provides a nuanced shuffle. The An update of Foo Fighters’ original “These Days” combines Z’s elegantly powerful piano voicings with a nuanced jazz fusion backbeat from Hakim. Rachel Z’s piano and synthesizer skills are phenomenal however, her craftsmanship and compositional skills are what makes Sensual a must-have.
JUN IIDA – ‘EVERGREEN’: The first notes of “Gooey Butter Cake” create a joyous feeling that permeates Jun Iida’s Evergreen. Part of that feel is created by Iida’s expressive and forward-leaning composition style. The trumpeter and producer contributed six of the 10 songs on Evergreen. Iida also raises the bar as bandleader and producer. Working with co-producer Josh Nelson, Iida incorporated excellent covers like Sonny Rollins and Elmo Hope’s “Bellarosa.” He also brings in elements of his upbringing, along with touches of classical and even hip-hop rhythms. As a result, Evergreen is uniquely contemporary yet forward-leaning.
- Madeleine Peyroux, Nick Finzer + Others: Preston Frazier’s 2024 Best of Jazz - December 24, 2024
- Bernie Chiaravalle, Fernando Perdomo + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2024 in Rock - December 13, 2024
- Jazz Guitarist Juan Dhas Discusses ‘Aether’: Something Else! Interview - November 30, 2024
