2024 in jazz: The best albums of 2024

The album that was a fan favourite at jazz.fm91

Samara Joy’s star continues to rise on her latest album Portrait. She’s grown a lot since her last release Linger Awhile and the evidence of that is all over this record. She’s taken even more control of her vision not only by showcasing her songwriting and composition talents, but also by taking the reins as co-producer on the album. Recorded live off the floor at Van Gelder Studios, this album highlights some of our favourite things about Samara’s singing; her rich, warm tone; her emotional expression; her vocal control and power in subtlety. – Raina Hersh

A contemporary extension of Ella and Sarah….Samara adds a modern element to the music which is mostly comprised of standards. Classic and contemporary living in perfect harmony. – Brad Barker

The album that showcases the best in Canadian jazz

A vision fully realized, on the second recording from Jeremy Ledbetter we get a trio of musicians in full flight. Technically at the height of all their powers, drummer Larnell Lewis and bassist Rich Brown, bring Ledbetter’s compositions to death defying heights….a combination of influences that in the end become the sound of an electrifying 21st century piano trio. – Brad Barker

Gravity is an energy-packed good time that showcases the virtuosity and creative minds of these players. There’s a theme of exploration on this album with songs like Flight, Song of the River, and Gravity giving you permission to let go and enjoy the ride. Gravity features an eclectic mix of styles with some wonderful Caribbean flavours.  – Raina Hersh

The album that brought reassurance and hope to John Devenish

This was released in March of 2024 and features the most gracious jazz master with a cast of some of the best: Larry Grenadier, Brian Blade, and Jason Moran. The quartet is a single voice of expression. A combination of uniquenesses merged into one. All the players deliver a crucial message in a year of many questions, anticipation, and anxiety. There is reassurance in this message from an elder statesman of the culture and its music. The title track: The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow is the tune that landed near my need to be reassured and when you let it play, and you listen, it says everything you need. – John Devenish

The album that surprised Dani Elwell

Born April 16th, 1924, Mancini was arguably one of America’s greatest composers with songs such as Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, The Pink Panther Theme, a hefty beautifully crafted collection of tunes. It’s the people that were brought forward to realize them again in Lizzo, Snarky Puppy, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock and more that bring an element of fun to these historical moments. This album surprised me. One of the best tribute albums to come out in a long time, powerful. – Dani Elwell

Laura Fernandez recommends this album to add to your Latin Jazz collection

A fresh look at McCoy Tyner’s work, re-interpreted and imbued with a joyful Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean energy. Conrad’s tremendous technique and musicality is forefront on this latest installment in the series of albums which explore the Latin Side of musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus and more. The album was released in May 2024 and features Eddie Palmieri and Bill O’Connell on piano, Robby Ameen on drums, Camilo Molina on Congas and vocals, Ruben Rodriguez on Bass, Alex Norris on Trumpet and Flugelhorn. An excellent addition to your Latin Jazz collection while introducing you to Jazz classics -with a twist. – Laura Fernandez

The album that transports Danny Marks to New Orleans

Marsalis is the first Family of Jazz, each one striving for progress and purity respecting the roots while reinventing the genre for a new generation. Defeayo Marsalis remains connected to the down home sounds of New Orleans with his latest ode, Crescent City Jewels. Each track is burnished and preciously set befitting of the album’s title. Take a trip to the Big Easy with Jazz Royalty, savour the sound of the real thing with this track, it doesn’t get anymore New Orleans than this. – Danny Marks

The albums that represent the future of jazz

Since 2017, Nubya Garcia has been one of the rising stars in the UK Jazz Scene and her ascent continues with Odyssey. The album features guest appearances by Esperanza Spalding, Georgia Anne Muldow and Richie, signaling a strong female presence and Garcia’s pivot to an international audience. There’s no doubt that Odyssey represents the new generation of jazz with Garcia leading the charge. – Jonsaba Jabbi

The future of jazz is alive and well with the UK leading the charge with some exciting releases including jazz band Ezra Collective’s third studio effort Dance, No One’s Watching. A beautiful fusion of Afrobeats, hip hop, reggae, calypso, soul and jazz, they were first jazz act ever to win the 2023 Mercury Prize in the history of the awards for their sophomore album, Where I’m Meant to Be. The lead single, God Gave Me Feet For Dancing, was selected on President Barack Obama’s best of 2024 list. – Jonsaba Jabbi

The album Heather Bambrick loved this year

This has been a busy year for Kellylee Evans with two new recordings being released by the Ottawa-based chanteuse and songwriter. The first of these two is Show Love an EP that showcases Kellylee’s strengths: the ability to blend jazz harmonies and catchy, singable melodies with R&B flavoured grooves. The music was co-written and co-arranged by Kellylee and Michael Shand who also served as producer on the project, which is described by Kellylee as “an album of contemplation and reassessment; I’m looking back at the music of my childhood, old, new, and present relationships, and who I’ve been and where I am now.” However she was inspired, this is a fresh, honest, and very musical recording that features so much of what Kellylee Evans does best. – Heather Bambrick

Honourable Mentions

Jon Lampley, trumpeter, musician and composer of Stephen Colbert fame, released his debut album Night Service: Live at LunÀtico back in June, making it one of my choices for top albums for 2024. – Jelani Watson

Amplify features a collection of musicians ranging from soulful vocalist Elliott Yamin (close your eyes and you’ll think it’s Stevie!) to violinist Karen Briggs and flautist Danny Janklow. The collective result is a groove-heavy selection of tunes that will have you dancing one minute and lost in quiet reflection the next. This album – and the band itself – has been a wonderful discovery for me! – Heather Bambrick

501 East is a group of revered Canadian session musicians who get together to play for the fun of it, mostly in small pubs of Toronto’s East Side, close to the Queen streetcar route. Hence the band name. The album title, Short Turn, refers to the 501 car’s truncated route. Short Turn is a mix of originals and covers, both vocal and instrumental. The song selected and composed by bassist Russ Boswell, conjures up an image from yesteryear, Fuller Brush Man. – Danny Marks

Kristin Korb gives us color impressions on a canvas that link directly but also allow for a bold brashness, freshening, and reimagining. Lennox and Stewart could not have a better palette. The title track [Sweet Dreams] is the jewel. Listen, sing along, drift. It is all the colors you did not know you needed. – John Devenish

With The Loop, his fifth release, Jordan Rakei goes all out. From the quietest of moments to full on flare. He tries all and successfully. He has reached the, “this one is for me” stage of life and I’m all here for it. – Dani Elwell

Slice of Life is a very personal project that reflects on the emotional years that have passed for all of us, his children and community. One moment he may be playing with his kids and the next jetting off to the biggest concert halls of the world.  As a listener, I feel part of his journey. – Dani Elwell