Episode 346: Best Jazz Albums of 2025 According to Experts, Part 1

This is the start of a multi-part series where I listen to albums from 2025 that jazz reviewers and other aficianados say are some of the best of the year. I'm still compiling the lists and at some point I'll let you know which ones received that most votes. But for now I'm selecting a few at random, listening to them, and---if I like them---I play a track from it.

This week I play something by Mary Halvorson, Mulatu Astatke, Tyreek McDole, a couple tracks from the new Cecile McLorin Salvant album, and introduce you to Ryan Truesdell playing those amazing Gil Evans arrangements. As well you'll hear Holly Cole doing a jazz-swing version of a lesser known Elvis Presley recording. Also some Sullivan Fortner, Nick Hemptom and Cory Weeds, Amina Claudine Myers;, and another new discovery for me---a pianist named Dave Bass.

Looking forward to the next four episodes as well where I make more discoveries.

-Larry