Terri Lyne Carrington Social Science – Waiting Game (Motema, 2019)
Songs about Black Panthers, Black Lives Matter and Homophobia with musicians like bassist Esperanza Spalding and pianist Aaron Parks makes this album by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington a success.
Kris Davis – Diatom Ribbons (Pyroclastic, 2019)
Samplings of the voices of Cecil Taylor and Olivier Messiaen and music played by Terri Lyne Carrington, turntablist Val Jeanty and many more including leader and pianist Kris Davis who has made her best album yet.
Art Ensemble of Chicago – We Are on the Edge (Pi, 2019)
After 50 years as a band Art Ensemble of Chicago is still vital and creative with new collaborations with spoken word artist Moor Mother and mant more.
Anthony Braxton – GTM (Syntax) 2017 (New Braxton House, 2019)
But is it jazz? You tell me! Anthony Braxton’s 12 CD a cappella choir work is rhythmic, humorous and original.
Leo Wadada Smith – Rosa Parks Pure Love (Tum, 2019)
An oratorio for civil rights activist Rosa Parks written for singers, string quartet, trumpet quartet, and drums and electronics.
Ralph Alessi – Imaginary Friends (ECM, 2019)
Poetic and beautiful is this album by trumpeter Ralph Alessi with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. Alessi is a very interesting song writer.
Linda Oh – Aventurine (Biophilia, 2019)
Melodic and rhythmic music for voice, jazz quartet and string quartet. It works just fine.
Jamie Branch – Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise (International Anthem, 2019)
This album is like a party in rhythms with attitudes. Trumpeter Jaimie Branch also comes forward as a great singer and lyricist.
Melissa Aldana – Visions (Motema, 2019)
Saxophonist Melissa Aldana’s tribute to painter Frida Kahlo shows a new maturity in her writing. She already arrived as a mean saxophonist long ago.
Jazzmeia Horn – Love and Liberation (Concord, 2019)
The new singer on the block also proves herself as a great song writer on her second album.
Matt Mitchell – Phalanx Ambassadors (Pi, 2019)
This album is a lot of fun, very beautiful, and a little crazy in the tradition of the instrumental music of Frank Zappa.
Jazz Desk 
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