Now that September is wrapping up, it’s time once again for me to share exceptional jazz albums that arrived by mail and email. Here are eight that are great [photo above of Turntable, © Brian Eno, above, by Luke Walker/courtesy the artist and Paul Stolper Gallery London]…
Benny Green—Renovation (Sunnyside). Benny Green is one of today’s most exceptional jazz pianists. His new solo album is further evidence of his prowess. Recorded live in December 2025 and April 2026 at the Piedmont Piano Co., in Oakland, Ca., and at New York’s Dizzy’s Club, the album shows off Benny’s rich technique, his boundless improvisational ideas and his own compositions. Eight of the 13 tracks are originals. The rest are jazz standards. To listen and buy, go here.
Here’s Benny Green’s Cedar Would…
Sir Roland Hanna—Songs of Hope, Inspiration and Joy (IPO). Pianist Roland Hanna (1932-2002) picked up the Sir in 1970 after being awarded an honorary knighthood by William Tubman, Liberia’s president at the time. All 14 tracks were compiled from Hanna’s solo albums in the early 2000s (Everything I Love, Colors From a Giant’s Kit and Tributaries, Reflections on Tommy Flanagan). It’s hard to think of a more majestic player than Hanna, and his solo works here have heart and tenderness. To access the Spotify stream, go here.
Here’s A Child Is Born, a Thad Jones composition based on a song improvised by Hanna while he was in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. It’s easily one of the finest versions of the jazz standard…
John Scofield/Dave Holland–Memories of Home (ECM). This album technically came out last November, but John just turned me onto it so I’m including the record here. It’s the first-ever duo album by two free-spirits I admire a great deal. John employs a singular, engaging metallic sound on guitar that always makes me think and feel. The feel aspect is partly due to having spent five years in Boston, arriving just months after John left. Boston is the birthplace of exceptional fusion, thanks to Berklee College of Music, so John’s sound instantly transports me back to the city. Dave’s round, fleshy bass is a perfect foil for John’s fingerboard adventures. This one is perfect for the fall. Listen at Spotify or YouTube here. To buy on CD or vinyl, go here.
Here’s Mine Are Blues…
Stanley Cowell—Illusion Suite (ECM). Pianist Stanley Cowell (1941-2020) has never been given his due. Co-founder of the Strata-East Records label, Cowell had a terrific sound during jazz’s modal and avant-garde movements of the mid-1960s and ‘70s. ECM has just reissued one of my favorites—Illusion Suite, his 1972 masterpiece featuring Stanley Cowell (p,el-p,thumb-p), Stanley Clarke (b) and Jimmy Hopps (d). The sound is earthy, moody and so early ‘70s. A rare gem. To listen, visit Spotify or YouTube, here. To buy, go here.
Here’s Maimoun…
Andy Sheppard—Salt Catchers (ECM). British jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard has worked with Gil Evans, Carla Bley, George Russell and Steve Swallow. On this one, his 19th as a leader, Andy (on tenor and soprano saxophones) is accompanied by Rita Marcotulli (p) and Michel Benita (b). It’s a soft, gentle work with enormous tenderness and superb playing. To listen, visit Spotlfy or YouTube. To buy, go here.
Here’s Lawns…
Zeju Zheng—A Mind in Motion (Shifting Paradigm). Guitarist Zeju Zheng has some wicked chops. This album’s songs were written during his first years living in New York after moving from California in 2021. He’s joined here by Arnie Sainz (p), Drew Gress (b) and Chidiebere Emmanuel (d). All of the fabulous compositions are by Zeju. To listen and buy, go here.
Here’s At the Corner…
Donald Vega—Play It Forward (Imagery). This gorgeous Latin jazz album is a solid find. All of the songs are composed and arranged by Donald, a pianist known best for playing most recently with bassist Ron Carter. There isn’t a bad track on the album. The music is terrific and the sextet’s playing is superb. In a fair world, this one would receive a Latin Grammy. To listen, go to Spotify. To buy, go here.
Here’s a segment of Habla Conmigo…
Francesca Tandoi—Songbook Vol. 1 (Fresh Sound). You have to love an artist with the courage to call her album Songbook (Volume 1, no less) when all of the tracks are originals. But hey, the Italian pianist and vocalist isn’t bragging. Her nine songs are beautiful, accompanied by strings arranged by Cristiano Arcelli. Francesca’s pieces are emotional winners, and the tracks on which she adds her vocals also are heartfelt. Congrats to Jordi Pujol for executive producing. I first posted about Francesca in 2022 here. To listen, go here or here. To buy, go here.
Here’s I’ll See You in My Dreams…