The 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2018

In 2018, the jazz world saw important releases by revered elders like drummer Andrew Cyrille, trumpeter Eddie Henderson and saxophonist-composer Wayne Shorter along with impressive outings by talented newcomers deserving of wider recognition like bassist Carlos Hernandez, saxophonist JD Allen and trumpeter-composer-arranger Michael Leonhart. Perennial favorites Bill Frisell and John Scofield again find a prominent spot on my year-end list. Tenor sax sensation Joshua Redman unveiled a supergroup and the telepathic duo of bassist Francois Moutin, and daring singer Kavita Shah positively swept me away.
Here are the 10 best jazz albums of 2018:
10. Carlos Henriquez: Dizzy Con Clave
The longtime Jazz at Lincoln Center bassist and Wynton Marsalis protege explores the Latin side of Dizzy Gillespie on this live outing, recorded at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in NYC. With a potent frontline of tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, trumpeters Mike Rodriguez and Terell Stafford and trombonist Marshall Gilkes, the grooving Afro-Cuban factor is provided by conguero-singer Anthony Almonte, drummer Obed Calvaire, pianist Manuel Valera and the sturdy bassist laying down an authentic tumbao feel underneath. Together they reimagine Dizzy anthems “Groovin’ High” and “Bebop” with an infectious clave groove and punch up the Latin jazz implications on “A Night In Tunisia,” “Manteca” and “Tin Tin Deo.” A sizzling set from a talent deserving of wider recognition.
9. Joshua Redman: Still Dreaming
Accomplished tenor saxophonist/composer Redman pays tribute here to Old and New Dreams, a late-’70s/early-’80s boundary-pushing freebop band of Ornette Coleman Quartet torchbearers that featured his late father Dewey Redman on tenor sax. With bassist Scott Colley playing the Charlie Haden role, cornetist Ron Miles channeling Don Cherry and Brian Blade reviving the spirit of Ed Blackwell, Redman digs deep on his earthy meditation “Blues for Charlie” and soars majestically on Coleman’s 1969 classic “Comme Il Faut.” The interplay between the four is conversational and crackling throughout, with Redman and Miles throwing sparks back and forth on ‘Unanimity” and engaging in call-and-response on Haden’s “Playing.” Another highlight here is Colley’s Ornette-ish “New Year.” A new supergroup for now.
8. Andrew Cyrille: Lebroba
At age 79, free-jazz drumming icon Andrew Cyrille continues to push the envelope. On his second ECM release, he is again paired with the inventive guitarist Bill Frisell. Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith rounds out the gestalt trio. Smith’s dramatic dedication to Alice Coltrane, “Turiya,” unfolds over four movements with Cyrille shifting nimbly from open-ended rubato playing to West African polyrhythms to earthy blues shuffle. Cyrille’s tender ballad “Pretty Beauty” is underscored by the drummer’s alluring brushwork and Frisell’s patient chording, highlighting Smith’s beautiful lyricism on muted trumpet. The guitarist figures prominently on his lonesome blues “Worried Woman” and on the energized free-for-all “TGD,” brimming with Hendrixian backwards looping effects and distortion-laced skronking. Elder statesman Cyrille plays with grace, zen-like restraint and rare authority throughout this profound work.
7. Eddie Henderson: Be Cool
A member of Herbie Hancock’s experimental early-’70s Mwandishi sextet, trumpeter Henderson revels in his acoustic hard bop roots on this stellar outing featuring pianist Kenny Barron, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Mike Clark. Together they swing effortlessly through Woody Shaw’s surging “The Moontrane” and Miles Davis’ jaunty “Fran Dance,” then show remarkable restraint on John Coltrane’s hauntingly beautiful ballad “Naima.” Barron’s soul-jazz number “Smoke Screen” has the leader tossing off bristling solos on top of the groove. For a change of pace, they take the Tin Pan Alley nugget and timeless jamming vehicle “After You’ve Gone” at a snail’s pace, caressing each note while showcasing the full breadth of Henderson’s warm tone and balladic powers.