As a celebration of the Satoko Fujii Orchestra Toyko’s fallen guitarist Kelly Churko, ‘Peace’ couldn’t be any more true to his memory and the fearlessness he brought to this band.

‘Piano Song’ leaves one last example on Thirsty Ear Records of the high standard set by its A&R guy Matthew Shipp for other artists to strive toward.

Through 12new compositions Michael Dease convincingly conveys the history in the context of social upheaval and displacement with ‘All These Hands’.

The graceful finesse that Haidu has mastered from countless gigs and mentoring from the likes of Kenny Barron and David Hazeltine bear sweet fruit on his composition “They Who??”.

Across four careers that leave nothing left to prove, Holland, Potter, Harland and Loueke look to each other for further inspiration on ‘Aziza.’

Preston Frazier’s Best Jazz of 2016 list crosses a striking number of musical boundaries from straight-ahead jazz to vocalists to fusion.

Not always tuneful but unfailingly engaging and playful, ‘Hearts and Minds’ exemplifies the best qualities of adventurous Chicago jazz.

Ivo Perelman liberally mixes and matches his improv trios for his ‘Art of the Improv Trio’ series and maintains his high standards for free jazz all the same.

Preston Frazier lists his five Best Concerts of 2016, with two special honorable mentions.

Mike Casey is, not to put too fine a point on it, an extraordinary saxophone player.