There was a time—not too long ago, in fact—when I thought that jazz was a dead art form. (I also thought camera phones were a dumb idea, but that’s another story.) A short stint as a music critic, which meant I was always well-supplied with the latest releases, helped me see that jazz was as vibrant as it’s ever been. I just hadn’t been paying attention.
But it’s a lot of work staying on top of things, even when record labels are sending you free albums. Thankfully, guys like Nate Chinen make it easier. He’s got a new book coming out in mid-August, at the end of which will be a list he’s calling “The 129 Essential Albums of the Twenty-First Century (So Far).” He’s posting that list, a few selections at a time and accompanied by samples, here.
I imagine traditionalists will be a little unhappy with some of Chinen’s choices. Like, say, this one. But as Sonny Rollins says, “Jazz lives on and on and on, folks.” And for that we should be thankful.
