Bach improvisers Alan Ferber (left), Jody Redhage Ferber and Mark Ferber.

Becca Stevens applied her pellucid soprano to the piercingly intelligent, nakedly personal lyrics of “Now Feels Bigger Than The Past,” “Wild Eyes Open” and “Rainbow Connection” from her 2024 solo album Maple To Paper (GroundUp).

​D’Angelo achieved commercial and critical success experimenting with a fusion of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and hip-hop.

​Jim McNeely’s singular body of work had a profound and lasting influence on many of today’s top jazz composers in the U.S. and in Europe.

Nnenna Freelon was heard at the peak of her powers during this year’s Monterey Jazz Festival.

​Hamid Drake takes to the frame drum at Chicago’s Logan Center during this year’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival.

Schubert NOW performs a showcase concert at jazzahead! 2025.

“With a really great artist, it’s not actually coming from them, it’s coming from their environment,” said Chris Wood, shown at right with his brother Oliver Wood (center) and Jano Rix (left). “They’re just open to reflecting what’s happening around them, and they just have the ability to intuitively recognize what’s good. It’s the beautiful mystery of the creative process, and we’re just constantly trying to surrender to it.”

“I do feel the need to say, ‘I am a jazz musician,’ but I’ve been in these other fields of music, and I do find them all related,” said pianist Paul Cornish.

Kandace Springs channeled Shirley Horn’s deliberate phrasing and sublime self-accompaniment during her set at this year’s Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival.