Jazz Spectrum - Best of 2009

BEST OF 2009

Fritz Byers selects 50 new jazz recordings from 2009 that stood out for their innovation, virtuosity, and beauty.

(* Denotes work of exceptional merit)

John Abercrombie Quartert, Wait Till You See Her

Stefano Bollani, Stone in The Water

Bobby Broom, Plays for Monk

Gary Burton-Pat Metheny, Quartet Live

James Carter,  Heaven on Earth

* Dave Douglas, Spirit Moves

Bill Easley, Hearing Voices

Kat Edmonson, Take to the Sky

Kurt Elling, Dedicated to You

Bill Frisell, Disfarmer

Robert Glasper, Double Booked

* Dana Hall, Into the Light

Jim Hall & Bill Frisell, Hemispheres

* Tom Harrell, Prana Dance

Stefon Harris and Blackout, Urbanus

Arve Henriksen, Cartography

Heath Brothers, Endurance

* Vijay Iyer, Historicity

Keith Jarrett Trio, Yesterdays

* Steve Kuhn, Mostly Coltrane

* Steve Lehman Octet, Travail, Transformation, and Flow

Joe Locke-David Hazeltine Quartet, Mutual Admiration Society 2

Joe Lovano Us Five, Folk Art

* Rudresh Mahanthappa, Apti

Branford Marsalis Quartet, Metamorphosen

Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Kind of Brown

Monterey Quartert, Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival

James Moody, 4A

Gretchen Parlata, In a Dream

John Patitucci Trio, Remembrance

Chris Potter Underground, Ultrahang

John Proulx, Baker's Dozen

Enrico Rava, New York Days

* Joshua Redman, Compass

Kurt Rosenwinkel, Reflections

* Jackie Ryan, Doozy

Daryl Sherman, Johnny Mercer: A Centennial Tribute

Bob Sneider & Joe Locke, Nocturne for Ava

Martial Solal, Live at the Village Vanguard

Grant Stewart, Plays the Music of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn

Henry Threadgill Zooid, This Brings Us To, Vol. 1

Charles Tolliver Big Band, Emperor March

Allen Toussaint, The Bright Mississippi

Miroslav Vitous Group, Remembering Weather Report

Cedar Walton, Voices Deep Within

Jeff “Tain” Watts, Watts

Jack Wilkins, Until It's Time

Jessica Williams, The Art of the Piano

* Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Detroit

Miguel Zenon, Esta Plena