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Contemporary Jazz That Pushes the Form
15
items A curated selection of contemporary jazz albums that stretch the genre without abandoning its core. These are records that reward close listening and reflect where jazz is actually moving right now.
This list leans modern, exploratory, and genre-adj...
A culturally rich blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop that expands the jazz idiom while remaining deeply soulful and groove-oriented.
Robert Glasper - Black Radio III (Tri-Color 3x LP)
A genre-defying jazz album that blends free jazz, funk, soul, and experimental textures into something personal and unpredictable, winning critical praise and a Grammy for its daring fusion of traditions.
Meshell Ndegeocello - The Omnichord Real Book (2x LP)
A boundary-stretching sextet record that balances composed structure and bold improvisation, pushing guitar-centric jazz into abstract territory without losing emotional core.
Mary Halvorson — Cloudward (LP)
A vibrant trumpet-led record that reimagines jazz traditions with forward momentum and ensemble drive.
Marquis Hill — New Gospel Revisited (2x LP)
A commanding post-bop suite that moves from quiet contemplation to restless intensity, marking Wilkins as one of the most compelling voices in modern jazz.
Immanuel Wilkins - The 7th Hand (2x LP)
An atmospheric, critically acclaimed record that pushes jazz into ambient and electronic realms, exploring serenity and depth with thoughtful compositional touch.
Nala Sinephro — Endlessness (2x LP)
A quietly intense collaboration with guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Herlin Riley that blends contemplative patterns with expressive improvisations.
Ambrose Akinmusire, Bill Frisell, Herlin Riley — Owl Song
A sprawling jazz-fusion suite recorded live with orchestra, melding jazz virtuosity with compositional depth and cinematic sweep.
Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest — Somni
An adventurous release that weaves industrial textures and rock-inflected energy into contemporary jazz, embodying innovation without abandoning groove.
Donny McCaslin — Lullaby for the Lost — Bandcamp
An introspective duo album that’s both reflective and vigorous, showcasing masterful interplay between two jazz veterans.
John Scofield & Dave Holland — Memories of Home (CD)
A thoughtful project honoring Keith Jarrett’s legacy while articulating Marsalis’s own voice. It’s lyrical, precise, and deeply rooted.
Branford Marsalis — Belonging (2x LP)
A vivid, ensemble-driven work that blends Puerto Rican rhythms, bop energy, and emotional storytelling into a compelling modern jazz statement.
Golden City - Miguel Zenón - Bandcamp
A subtly powerful trio album that combines inventive interplay with thoughtful compositional terrain, reflecting contemporary jazz’s intellectual heart.
Vijay Iyer / Linda May Han Oh / Tyshawn Sorey — Compassion
An avant-chamber jazz record that feels like wind through trees. It’s restrained, meditative, and richly textured without fireworks.
Mette Henriette — Drifting
A bold trio outing weaving deep grooves with lyrical interplay, anchored in tradition but reaching outward.
Avishai Cohen Trio — Shifting Sands (LP)