I just realized why Ralph Alessi became Fred Hersch’s trumpet player of choice: Alessi is Fred Hersch, rendered through brass instead of ivory.

Show me someone who says jazz is no fun to listen to and I’ll show them Matt Parker.

If Fred Hersch has attained legendary status, then the legend began nearly thirty years ago. ‘Sarabande’ makes that clear, and the new, remastered edition makes it even more so.

‘Three Times Three’ is the Antonio Sanchez showcase album that leaves no doubts as to his vast abilities as leader, composer and — not least — elite drummer.

Robin Eubanks’s ‘More Than What Meets The Ear’ might be just what big band jazz needs to get revitalized for the 21st century.

With his composing pen, leadership and guitar, Scott DuBois has painted a Monet with ‘Winter Light’.

For the Matthew Shipp Trio’s first album with drummer Newman Taylor Baker, ‘The Conduct of Jazz’ honors the real jazz tradition of breaking outside of previously placed constraints.

The bop delight ‘Past Present’ is a new classic to go alongside those vintage John Scofield Quartet classics.

Full of moments of beauty and offbeat explorations, Kari Ikonen Trio’s ‘Beauteous Tales and Offbeat Stories’ goes beyond their sublime prior release ‘Bright’.

Trying to make sense of the surprises that lurk around every corner on Halvorson’s solo guitar outing ‘Meltframe’ is much of the fun in listening to this.