Here is S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2018 list for modern and mainstream jazz releases.

The freewheeling ‘Lebroba’ is a solid entry in Andrew Cyrille’s lengthy catalog, and could be considered a solid entry in the catalogs of Wadada Leo Smith and Bill Frisell, too.

‘Change In The Air’ is the same sort of capacious, thoughtful and lyrical sound from Cuong Vu’s 4-Tet as it’s always been but now it feels more of four major voices than ever before.

This is more than solo recording; it’s a collection of musical narratives, told by Bill Frisell as he creates these amazing aural landscapes.

Bill Frisell is never more Bill than when it’s only Bill, and no one else. ‘Music IS’ features only Frisell’s music, as his deftly looped samples become a second instrument.

Ron Miles deconstructs through his accomplished art the complex emotions of protracted strife both within society and within a person, and makes compelling music from it. The added sense of purpose propels ‘I Am A Man’ to the upper echelon of his discography.

At a young seventy-six years old, Jerry Granelli still pushes forward even when his muse beckons him back, as it does for the Bill Frisell/Robben Ford reunion ‘Dance Hall.’

feature photo: Roberto Masotti/ECM Records No, Terje Rypdal is still thankfully among us, but with a rich discography stretching back more than fifty years, the Norwegian guitar legend’s 70th birthday is as good occasion as any to You May Also Like: Terje Rypdal – ‘Conspiracy’ (2020) The Dream, featuring TerjeRead More

Cuong Vu 4Tet’s sensitive shaping of Michael Gibb’s songs earn serious attention on their own.

With ‘Here On Earth,’ Jenny Scheinman does more than merely curate the culture of the American Piedmont region. She brings it to life.