Jazz’s impact on modern culture and music is all around us. The African-American art form originally blended blues, ragtime and brass band sounds with African rhythms and traditional European composition. New Orleans is often referenced as the home of jazz, with larger-than-life legends including Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton putting it on the map, but the genre spread quickly; first to Northern cities, and then across the globe.
After swing music ran its course as the popular music of the 1920s and ‘30s, giants such as Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk brought a more intricate, cerebral approach to jazz with the bebop of the ’40s. That in turn paved the way for the rise of Afro-Cuban jazz, when Cuban musicians introduced their bop counterparts to the clave rhythm of their homeland.
Miles Davis led another revolution in music in the ’50s when he made a dramatic turn from the hard bop that nurtured him to the ‘Birth of the Cool,’ the title of his landmark album. John Coltrane, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, was a pioneer of the free jazz movement, breathing new life into the genre and inspiring the invention of psychedelic rock.
Jazz’s influence has echoed through pop culture since its inception. In 1983, jazz great Herbie Hancock dropped “Rockit,” a landmark track that brought the record-scratching sound of hip-hop to MTV. More recently, Robert Glasper has pushed the boundaries of the art form while maintaining its tradition, collaborating with Kendrick Lamar and Anderson .Paak.
To celebrate the great American art form that is jazz, we’ve put together a wide-ranging collection of tracks from modern artists who are similarly carrying the genre forward and building upon the great legacy of “A Jazz Thing.” Get a groove on to Kamasi Washington’s collaboration with P-Funk’s George Clinton and LA rapper D-Smoke, a seamless blend of Black musical heritages. Elsewhere, hear the beauty of Nala Sinephro, the Belgian harpist and electronic producer on Warp Records; Ezra Collective, the award-winning British ensemble; a cross-generational collaboration with London saxophonist Shabaka and ATL’s very own André 3000; and many more.
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Nala Sinephro, “Continuum 1”
The London-based Belgian harpist and electronic producer crafts a blissful experience on her second album for Warp Records, ‘Endlessness.’
Nubiyan Twist and Nile Rodgers, “Lights Out”
The unmistakable guitar of Nile Rodgers leads this collaborative track with British 10-piece band Nubiyan Twist, taken from the latter’s ‘Find Your Flame’ album for Strut Records.
Nubya Garcia, “Odyssey”
London saxophonist Nubya Garcia explores soulful territory on the lead single of her second album, ‘Odyssey,’ for Concord Jazz.
Marquis Hill, “Life Days” (feat. Jeff Parker)
Chicago trumpeter Marquis Hill gets deep in the pocket on this track with LA-based experimental guitarist Jeff Parker.
Immanuel Wilkins, “MOTION” (feat. June McDoom)
Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins treads gently with vocalist June McDoom on this track from ‘Blues Blood,’ his 2024 album for Blue Note Records.
Shabaka, “To The Moon” (feat. André 3000)
British saxophonist Shabaka and rapper-turned-flautist André 3000 get trippy; the track is taken from the former’s 2024 album ‘Possession’ on Impulse Records.
Alfa Mist and Kaya Thomas-Dyke, “Aged Eyes”
The delicate R&B vocals of Thomas-Dyke blend seamlessly with the sound of London’s Alfa Mist, on this track from the latter’s 2023 album ‘Variables.’
Kamasi Washington, George Clinton and D Smoke, “Get Lit”
A triple threat of experimental jazz, funk and rap, taken from Kamasi Washington’s 2024 album ‘Fearless Movement.’
Nduduzo Makhathini, “Libations: Uxolo”
Seasoned South African pianist and composer riffs on this track from 2024’s ‘uNomkhubulwane,’ his third album for Blue Note Records.
Ezra Collective, “Why I Smile”
The award-winning London group perform a victory lap on their 2024 album ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’ for Partisan Records.
Shabaka and the Ancestors, “The Coming Of The Strange Ones”
In a surging London jazz scene, the multi-talented saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings stands tall.
Samara Joy, “Tight”
After breaking out at the 2023 Grammys, the singer rewarded fans with this stand-alone single of a concert favorite written by Betty Carter.
Christian McBride, “Prime”
Artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival, an NPR radio host and an eight-time Grammy winner – McBride is everywhere there’s modern jazz
Robert Glasper, “Jerry Buss Has a Plan”
The J Dilla-inspired bandleader’s “Black Radio” albums have almost single-handedly provided the blueprint for jazz’s latest revival
Kamasi Washington, “The Garden Path”
After debuting with the aptly named triple LP “The Epic,” the tenor giant says his forthcoming album will be his “most grounded” yet
Esperanza Spalding, “I Know You Know”
A jazz darling from her years at Berklee College of Music, the bassist has explored funk-rock, chamber music and more
Terrace Martin, “The Island”
He’s produced for Kendrick, Snoop, Stevie Wonder and more, but Martin is also a jazzbo of the first rate
Nubya Garcia, “Lean In”
Another shining light on the London jazz scene, the saxophonist got an early boost from Gilles Peterson
KOKOROKO, “Soul Searching”
After a YouTube performance went viral, these London-based Afrobeat newcomers released their debut album in 2022
Alfa Mist, “The Gist”
His apprenticeship as a teenage hip-hop producer led him to jazz, with his latest music released by the independent-minded label Anti-
Ezra Collective, “May The Funk Be With You”
The 2023 Mercury Prize winners bring plenty of soul, hip-hop, and island rhythms to their version of jazz
Theon Cross, “Epistrophy”
A core member of Shabaka Hutchings’ now-defunct Sons of Kemet, the London tuba player is forging a new path for the instrument in jazz
Yussef Dayes, “The Colour Purple (Live From Malibu)”
His sprawling debut solo album, “Black Classical Music,” was one of the year’s best album releases
Nala Sinephro, “Space 3”
Of Caribbean and Belgian heritage, the futuristic young innovator plays keys, synth, and the concert harp
Theo Croker, “THEO SAYS”
Grandson of the trumpeter Doc Cheatham, this accomplished musician and composer has played on tracks by Common and J. Cole
Alfa Mist, “Cycles”
Mist’s latest album “hits the sweet spot between accessible and experimental,” says the Guardian
Harpista, “You're A Girl For One Man Only”
A tribute to harp pioneer Dorothy Ashby, this track from Brandee Younger’s latest showcases her own deft feel for the instrument
Adrian Younge, Tony Allen, “No Beginning”
Another jazz head who blurs genre lines, he co-founded the Jazz Is Dead label with Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Marquis Hill, “Stretch (The Body)” feat. Joel Ross
A product of Chicago’s South Side, the trumpeter blends jazz, hip-hop, R&B, house music and more
Ashley Henry, “Cranes (In the Sky)”
This young London scenester says his music is influenced as much by James Baldwin and Angela Davis as Aretha and George Benson
Kiefer, “Plum Blossoms”
The mononymous pianist, who records for Stones Throw, has collaborated with Anderson .Paak, Moses Sumney, and more
Lakecia Benjamin, “Phoenix” (feat. Georgia Ann Muldrow)
Having toured with Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys, the saxophonist draws myriad influences into her funky jazz
Duval Timothy, “Wood” ft. Yu Su
A purveyor of postminimalism and “nu jazz,” the London-based composer has worked with Kendrick and Solange
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