Jason Adasiewicz's Sun Rooms explores the sparse territory of the vibraphone trio with fellow Chicago player Mike Reed on drums and Texan via Norway bassist Ingrebrigt Haker-Flaten replacing Nate McBrite; tasteful and lyrical jazz with a modern edge.

With members from Angles, Universal Indians, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Friends and Neighbors, &c. the quintet of Martin Kuchen (sax), Thomas Johansson (trumpet), Mats Aleklin (trombone), Jon Rune Strom (bass) and Tollef Ostvang (drums) play modern, energetic jazz that kicks Satan's ass; highly recommended!

With members from Angles, Universal Indians, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Friends and Neighbors, &c. the quintet of Martin Kuchen (sax), Thomas Johansson (trumpet), Mats Aleklin (trombone), Jon Rune Strom (bass) and Tollef Ostvang (drums) play modern, energetic jazz that kicks Satan's ass; highly recommended!

Pianist, vibraphonist, and composer Karl Berger presents his 2nd release in a trilogy of Tzadik CDs that started with the solo "Strangely Familiar", here in a trio with Joe Fonda on bass and Harvey Sorgen on drums, lyrical free bop jazz in 7 rich and distinctive movements.

Exhiliarating melodic free jazz from the trio of Biondini (accordion), Godard (tuba & serpent) and Niggli (drums & percussion) in an album referencing the clear blue color of earth as seen from space.

Chronicling 30+ years of New York bassist Michael Bisio's life as a composer in song form and otherwise, in a quartet with Art Bailey on accordion, Kirk Knuffke on cornet, and Michael Wimberly on drums, balancing freedom and swing in a euphorically compelling album.

Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser pays tribute to clarinetist and composer Jimmy Giuffre, in a quartet with Russ Lossing on piano & keys, Drew Gress on double bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, merging Giuffre's lyrical forms to create new and innovative compositions.

This impressive quartet was recorded live at the Molde International Jazz Festival in 2008, performing four extended improvisations of melodic and embraceable free jazz.

The 3rd in a series of 5 suites from pianist Dave Burrell commemorating the people and events of the American Civil War, a mature and passionate work performed in a duo with NY trombonist Steve Swell, performed live at the Rosenbach Museum and Library in Philadelphia.

Four generations of Chicago saxophonists--Dave Rempis, Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, and Nick Mazzarella--come together in an interactive saxophone quartet with each player providing 2 compositions of well-developed, powerful, engaging free and lyrical jazz.

Guitarist Jez Franks and saxophonist Tori Freestone co-lead this quartet in a sophisticated take on melodic yet complex, hard driving jazz, intelligent playing for a modern age.

Four Norwegian jazz musicians--Thomas Johansson (cornet), Kristoffer Alberts (reeds), Ola Hoyer (double bass) and Gard Nilssen (drums)--representatives of a new generation of Scandinavian jazzmen playing creative music with the tools and forms of the older generation.

Four Norwegian jazz musicians--Thomas Johansson (cornet), Kristoffer Alberts (reeds), Ola Hoyer (double bass) and Gard Nilssen (drums)--representatives of a new generation of Scandinavian jazzmen playing creative music with the tools and forms of the older generation.

Sylvie Courvoisier's first recording for piano trio, performed with Drew Gress on bass and Kenny Wollensen, 9 passionate original compositions balancing melodic traditional work with through-composed and purely free playing; exceptional!

A superb octet including pianist and leader Kris Davis providing innovative compositions, with the powerful support of Ben Goldberg, Oscar Noriega, Joachim Badenhorst & Andrew Bishop on reeds, Nate Radley on guitar, Gary Versace on organ, and Jim Black on drums.

Balancing jazz and contemporary music, the Swiss trio of Christoph Gallio (saxes), Silvan Jeger (double bass) and David Meier (drums), continues the history of this touring band that started in 1989, here in their 8th release of excellent modern jazz.

Performing live at the 2014 Ljubljana Jazz Festival, this piano jazz trio led by Fulco Ottervanger with Lieven Van Pee on bass and Simon Segers on drums performed with special guest Susana Silva for a lyrical set of creative free improv borrowing from a variety of styles.

A retrospective album from Canadian fusion guitarist and composer Jerry De Villiers Jr, active in the Montreal jazz scene in the 1990s and known for the theme song to the Emmy Award winning show Arthur sung by Ziggy Marley, here with 7 studio and 7 live tracks.

Miles Perkin takes the late bassist Jean-Jacques Avenel's place in pianist Benoit Delbecq's trio with Emile Biavenda on drums and percussion, in an inventive and lyrical album balancing structure versus improvisational freedom in engaging ways.

The Toronto jazz quintet Drumheller with Nick Fraser on drums, Eric Chenaux on guitar, Brodie West on sax, Rob Cloutton on bass and Doug Tielli on trombone mix avant and traditional jazz with a variety of musical forms to create persuasive and thoroughly enjoyable music.

An incredible display of virtuosity and free jazz melodicism led by saxophonist Paul Dunmall, with dual guitars from Barry Edwards and Philip Gibbs, and Mark Sanders' propulsive drumming.

French artists Michel Edelin (flute), Jacques Di Donato (reeds), Jean-Jacques Avenel (bass) and Simon Goubert (drums) in a melodic and creative jazz album that surprises in beautiful and unusual compositional structures.

Guitarist Liberty Ellman leads a sextet with Steve Lehman (alto sax), Jose Davila (tuba), Stephan Crump (bass), Jonathan Finlayson (trumpet) and Damon Reid (drums) in a diverse collection of eight original compositions of energetic, lyrical and informed NY jazz.

Trumpeter Amir ElSaffar and his quintet expand the sonic possibilities of jazz by building on the modal music of the Iraqi maqam, adding a microtonal harmonic and melodic language influenced by the pitch-flexibility of Middle Eastern music.

NY trumpeter Amir ElSaffar's Two Rivers Ensemble, exploring the juncture between jazz and music of the Middle East through sophisticated and lyrically stunning music, here focusing on revolution, civil war, and sectarian violence; a culture's struggle for survival.

Reedists Chris Speed and Oscar Noriega, bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Jim Black return for their 2nd album of contemporary jazz blending melodic and free playing with intricate interplay in a great set of tunes referencing Lester Young, Leah Paul, Teddy Wilson, Paul Motian, &c.

Recorded live, this collaboration of saxophonist Daniel Erdmann and drummer Samuel Rohrer with Vincent Courtois on cello, and Frank Mobus on guitar, blends jazz, rock, and chamber approaches in beautifully panoramic improvisation of subtle yet capricious intent.

Percussionist Kahil El' Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble with Ernest Khabeer Dawkins on saxophone and Corey Wilkes on trumpet, referencing the history of jazz in contemporary settings, with superb rhythmic textures and excellent soloing.

NY baritone saxophonist Charles Evans wrote this through-composed 9 part work for soprano saxophone great David Liebman, who joins Evans in a quartet with pianist Ron Stabinsky and bassist Tony Marino, performing a chamber jazz work of strong melody and subtle allure.

After 14 years this Montreal trio dedicated to the works of Thelonius Monk, comprised of Jean Derome on alto and baritone sax, Pierre Cartier on electric bass, and Pierre Tanguay on drums, returns with 11 exuberant recordings including "Brilliant Corners", "Pannonica", &c.

Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and Satoko Fujii on accordion with guitarist Kazuhiko Tsumura and bassist Nirkatsu Koreyasu in their 2nd Gato Libre release, sophisticated, upbeat, melodic jazz.

The NY trio of saxophonist Stephen Gauci, cornetist Kirk Knuffke and bassist Ken Filiano in a set of group improvisations plus compositions from each player, great melodic and interactive playing from three exceptional players.

Pianist Paul Giallorenzo's exploration of improvisation within composition, anchored in jazz traditions of time, form, and melody in his 1st Delmark release with trombonist Jeb Bishop, saxophonist Mars Williams, bassist Anton Hatwich and drummer Quin Kirchner.

Paul Giallorenzo's touring band with Jeb Bishop (trombone), Mars Williams (sax), Anton Hatwich (bass) and Marc Riordan (drums), exceptional bop-based modern music from an excellent Chicago composer and pianist.

New York bassist and composer Devin Gray leads the quartet of Ellery Eskelin on tenor sax, Dave Ballou on trumpet, and Michael Formanek also on bass, playing 8 original compositions of melodic creative jazz.

Saxophonist Rob Hall And pianist Chick Lyall in a charming album of modern jazz that reflects their Scottish roots in lilting original compositions of melodic distinction.

A rich, diverse and irrepressibly melodic album from trumpeter Arnold Hammershlag blending jazz with Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Latin influences, in a quintet with Sam Barfeld (violin), Wil Holshouser (accordion), Brian Glassman (bass) and Aaron Alexander (drums).

Drummer Joe Herteinstein's followup to his 1st Clean Feed HNH album from his New York trio with Pascal Niggenkemper on bass and Thomas Heberer on cornet, adding a New York attitude to European modern jazz, with oustanding playing using a mix of traditional and inventive approaches.

A sophisticaed album of modern jazz inspired by the 1968 British TV show of the same name; atmospheric to melodic free music composed by New York bassist Max Johnson and performed with Ingrid Laubrock (tenor saxophone), Mat Maneri (viola) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums).

Clarinetist Theo Jorgensmann's quartet with double bassist Christian Ramond, drummer Klaus Kugel, and vibraphonist Christopher Dell recording in the studio in German, 1999.

A live recording made in April 2014 at Mike Reed's Constellation in Chicago of pianist Karayorgis Quintet with Dave Rempis (sax), Keefe Jackson (reeds), Nate McBride (bass) and Frank Rosaly (drums), bridging post-bop and avant jazz in sophisticated and lyrical ways.

The first studio release of Israeli saxophonist Yoni Kretzmer's Tel Aviv band with Nitai Levi (bass clarinet), Shai Ran (bass) and Haim Peskoff (drums), a mix of ebullient, melodic and free jazz.

Saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar leads various groupings of Carl Bagge on piano, Torbjorn Zetterberg on bass, Johan Holmegard on drums, Bernt Rosengren on sax, Goran Kajfes on cornet & Mattias Stahl on vibes in this soundtrack album for the motion picture "Gentlemen".

Presenting a 1963 gig by the quartet of Steve Lacy (saxophone), Roswell Rudd (trombone), Dennis Charles (drums) and Henry Grimes (bass), playing piano-less interpretations of the music of Thelonious Monk; plus Lacy with the Monk Quintet live in Philadelphia, 1960.

One night at the Paris Sunset Club by saxophonist Steve Lacy's Quartet with Steve Potts on sax, Jean-Jacques Avenel on bass and Oliver Johnson on drums, performing an exuberant mix of Lacy originals and Thelonious Monk tunes, remastered & expanded for Hat's 40th Anniversary.

Pianist Mathias Landaeus leads his trio with Johnny Aman on bass and Jonas Holgersson on drums through five original pieces, a mazurka by Chopin, and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", an eclectic take on the piano trio blending modern techniques with both traditional and creative compositions.

A joyful and sophisticated performance from bassist and leader Adam Lane's Full Throttle Orchestra, an 8-piece band including Nate Wooley, Susana Silva, Reut Regev, David Bindman, Avram Fefer, Adam Lane & Igal Foni performing live at the 53rd Ljubljana Jazz Festival.

Bassist Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth features 2 saxophonists--Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby, Craig Tabor on keys and Gerald Cleavers on drums, in 8 melodic tracks inspired by landmarks of NYC and influenced by jazz tradition, West African music, pop hooks, and more.

The fourth release from NY guitarist Lundbom's Big Five Chord, wide ranging jazz tunes with two saxes (Irabagon and Murray) in a band with great technical and melodic power!

The duo of pianist Tonino Miano and trumpeter Brian Groder, both NY based, in a sophisticated jazz duo that borrows from melodic, avant and compositional jazz forms in a strong and compelling dialog.

Chicago flutist Nicole Mitchell's NY band with Craig Taborn (piano & wurlitzer), David Boykin (sax), Chad Taylor (drums & guitar) in a tribute to her mentor, the late saxophonist Fred Anderson and his Velvet Lounge club, in an excellent mix of free and melodic playing.

Two New York jazz originals, pianist Connie Crothers and alto saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, performing 6 improvisations and one original compositions from each artist; melodic and deeply sensitive playing.

New York's brilliant band takes on Miles Davis' classic "Kind of Blue" in a note-for-note recreation, a head-scratching anomaly that is as close to performing a perfect replica as is imaginable.

Norwegian drummer Gard Nilssen (Zanussi 5, Bushman's Revenge, Puma, &c.) leads his new Acoustic Unity trio of Petter Eldh on double bass and Andre Roligheten (Albatrosh) on sax through 8 tightly conceived original jazz compositions with contributions from all 3 players.

Norwegian drummer Gard Nilssen (Zanussi 5, Bushman's Revenge, Puma, &c.) leads his new Acoustic Unity trio of Petter Eldh on double bass and Andre Roligheten (Albatrosh) on sax through 8 tightly conceived original jazz compositions with contributions from all 3 players.

A mix of free jazz, rock, and avant-garde experimental music from clarinetist Francesco Chiapperini in a quartet with Gianluca Elia on tenor sax, Dario Trapani on electric guitar, and Anotonio Fusco on drums; lyrical modern jazz with a good dose of free chaos.

The trio of saxophonist Ivo Perelman with pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist Michael Bisio (both part of Shipp's trio) in an explorative album of creative, energetic, and melodic jazz.

A single extended work in 6 parts from the trio of Ivo Perelman (sax), Matthew Shipp (piano) and William Parker (bass), emotional and masterful music from a trio that has developed their sound over years working together; superb!

The music of bassist Jason Roebke and his trio of guitarist Matthew Schneider and drummer Marcus Evan is rooted in the leader's solid bass work and the tasteful and informed lyrical freedom of his sidemen, as heard in this live performace Chicago's Hungry Brain.

An Italian quartet playing rootsy jazz and blues compositions from John Carter, Charley Patton, Julius Hemphill, Phil Cohran, Sun Ra, Blind Willie Johnson, Olu Dara, alongside and a few originals; gutsy, informed, spell-binding Hoodoo from the delta blues to outer space.

A live recording of lyrical post-bop jazz from Swedish legend, tenor saxophnoist Nisse Standstrom, in a live recording from 2014 fronting a quintet of creative players Jonas Kullhammar on tenor sax, Leio Lindberg on piano, Kenji Rabson on bass, and Moussa Fadera on drums.

San Francisco Bay Area guitarist John Schott (Junk Genius, T.J. Kirk, Tom Waits) in his 3rd release on Tzadik with his trio of Dan Seamans on bass and John Hanes on drums, 8 upbeat compositions including one for James Blood Ulmer; lyrical pieces with tight interplay.

The sepiasonic ensemble, originally created by Claudio Puntin, Insa Rudolph and Samuel Rohrer, documented here on Arjunamusic, in improvisations, songs and soundscapes blend voice, 3 flutes, reeds, electronics and song in sublime ways.

NY saxophonist/guitarist, composer and conceptualist Elliot Sharps Trio with bassist Brad Jones and drummer Ches Smith using written scores to guide rhythmic and melodic jazz into unlikely and fascinating structures.

Pianist Matthew Shipp's trio with Whit Dickey on drums and Michael Bisio on bass, take on Duke's Ellington's classic compositions, adding free elements and unexpected angles without losing the melodic charm of these classic jazz standards; recommended.

NY saxophonist Sean Sonderegger's Magically Inclined, made up of musicians that he performed alongside in Butch Morris' ensembles, in an album of melodic works including highly composed music and collective free improvisation, graced with the voice of Areni Agbabian.

New York reedist Chris Speed with his sax, bass and drums trio of Chris Tordini and Dave King, in a traditional mode performing original jazz numbers plus pieces by John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, superb modern melodic jazz from 3 excellent players.

Tarbaby (Orrin Evans on piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Nasheet Waits on drums) is joined by saxophonist Oliver Lake and guitarist Marc Ducret for an album inspired by philosopher, psychologist and revolutionary Franz Fanon, a superb album balancing melodic and intense playing.

The Oakland-based Ton Trio II featuring Aram Shelton on alto saxophone, Scott Brown on bass, and Alex Vittum on drums, perform avant sophisticated jazz weaving through melody, rhythm, and texture while allowing for spacious improvisations.

Following Ornette Coleman's 2 horn, bass & drum lineup, Italian/NY drummer Federico Ughi leads his quartet with David Schung (sax), Kirk Knuffke (cornet) & Max Johnson (bass) through 10 Coleman-inspired works of melodic free playing, excellent works of modern jazz.

Innovative arrangements in trumpeter Marco von Oreilli's quintet release, performed with trombonist Lukas Briggen, pianist Michael Wintsch, bassist Kasper von Gruningen, and drummer Samuel Duhsler, through 7 original and lyrical compositions that never fail to surprise.

Reedist Cory Wright's 5-piece Outfit from Oakland, CA, in an album featuring eight tracks of advanced compositions featuring remarkable improvising with Evan Francis (sax), Rob Ewing (trombone), Lisa Mezzacappa (bass), and Jordan Glenn (drums).

Pianist Eri Yamamoto with her regular trio of bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Ikuo Takeuchi, beautiful and melodic jazz with subtlety and finesse.

The 2nd volume of saxophonist Omri Ziegele and pianist Irene Schweizer's "Where's Africa" with drummer Makaya Ntshoko, beautiful, virtuosic and melodic jazz.

Inspired by the spiritual mythology of William Blake, this is part of Zorn's series of 21st century mystical works, alternately romantic, ominous, ecstatic, driving and meditative.