Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
In Memoriam: Gordon Goodwin, 1954–2025
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Samara Joy’s Linger Awhile topped a daunting list of amazing music.
Samara Joy, Linger Awhile (VERVE) … 1,910
With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.
Terri Lyne Carrington, New Standards Vol. 1 (CANDID) … 1,350
Putting her music where her mouth is, Carrington brings much-needed attention to the composing voices of women in jazz.
Redman/Mehldau/McBride/Blade, Long Gone (NONESUCH) … 1,190
A breathtaking reunion of four of the brightest stars in jazz.
Kenny Barron, The Source (ARTWORK) … 1,110
The master at 80, alone at the piano ... perfection!
Charles Lloyd, Trio Of Trios (BLUE NOTE) … 1,080
Three different trios, three full albums, one work of beauty, poise, joy and ambition.
Brad Mehldau, Your Mother Should Know (NONESUCH) … 810
The music of The Beatles channeled through the mind of one of our greatest living pianists.
Shorter/Carrington/Genovese/Spalding, Live At The Detroit Jazz Festival (CANDID) … 730
A beautiful moment captured not long before Wayne Shorter left the planet. Thank you, Detroit and Candid.
Fred Hersch & esperanza spalding, Alive At The Village Vanguard (PALMETTO) … 620
Two masters, one magical evening — Hersch at piano, spalding with just her lovely voice.
Julian Lage, View With A Room (BLUE NOTE) … 580
The amazing guitarist continues to thrill with another recording full of heart and soul.
Cécile McLorin Salvant, Mélusine (NONESUCH) … 500
The leading lady of jazz vocals creates a masterpiece of thoughtful, adventurous music. DB
Goodwin was one of the most acclaimed, successful and influential jazz musicians of his generation.
Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Belá Fleck during an interview with Fredrika Whitfield on CNN.
Jan 13, 2026 2:09 PM
The fallout from the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include President Donald…
Flea has returned to his first instrument — the trumpet — and assembled a dream band of jazz musicians to record a new album.
Dec 2, 2025 2:01 AM
After a nearly five-decade career as one of his generation’s defining rock bassists, Flea has returned to his first…
Dec 11, 2025 11:00 AM
DownBeat presents a complete list of the 4-, 4½- and 5-star albums from 2025 in one convenient package. It’s a great…
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to interpret the music of Oscar Peterson in his native city,” said Jim Doxas in regard to celebrating the Canadian legend. “He traveled the world, but never forgot Montreal.”
Nov 18, 2025 12:16 PM
In the pantheon of jazz luminaries, few shine as brightly, or swing as hard, as Oscar Peterson. A century ago, a…
