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The best jazz music of all eras

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Coleman Hawkins – Soul

Soulis an album by saxophonist Coleman Hawkins which was recorded in 1958 and released on the Prestige label.

Reception

“This is a decent but not very exciting outing. Then 52, Hawkins uses a typically young rhythm section and plays melodically on a variety of originals and standards.”- AllMusic.

Personnel: Coleman Hawkins – tenor saxophone Ray Bryant – piano Kenny Burrell – guitar Wendell Marshall – bass Osie Johnson – drums

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Nina Simone – Forbidden Fruit (Full Album)

Forbidden Fruit is the third studio album by Nina Simone. It was her second studio album for Colpix.

Reception

The contemporaneous DownBeat reviewer commented that Forbidden Fruit was not a jazz album, but added that “Simone demonstrates here that she has the equipment and some of the potential to be a fairly good jazz vocalist”.

Personnel: Nina Simone – vocals, piano Al Shackman – guitar Chris White – bass Bobby Hamilton – drums

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Art Farmer/Gigi Gryce- When Farmer Met Gryce

When Farmer Met Gryceis an album by trumpeter Art Farmer and saxophonist Gigi Gryce, featuring performances recorded in 1954 and 1955 and released on the Prestige label.

Reception

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars and stated:”When Farmer Met Gryce features trumpeter Art Farmer, altoist Gigi Gryce and two rhythm sections with either Horace Silver or Freddie Redd on piano, Percy Heath or Addison Farmer on bass, and Kenny Clarke or Art Taylor on drums. The early hard bop music is highlighted by “Social Call” (one of Gryce’s best-known compositions), “Capri,” “A Night at Tony’s” and “Blue Concept” but all eight numbers will easily be enjoyed by straight-ahead jazz fans.”

Personnel: Art Farmer – trumpet Gigi Gryce – alto saxophone Horace Silver, Freddie Redd – piano Percy Heath, Addison Farmer – bass Kenny Clarke, Art Taylor – drums

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Born On July 18: Carl Fonatana

* AI-generated background composition created with SUNO.

Creative concept, prompt design, and curation by ProJazz.

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Milt Jackson &John Coltrane – Bags & Trane

Bаgѕ & Trаnе is an аlbum сrеdіtеd to jаzz musicians Mіlt Jасkѕоn аnd Jоhn Cоltrаnе, rеlеаѕеd in 1961 оn Atlаntіс Records.

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars and stated:”Vibraphonist Milt Jackson and tenor saxophonist John Coltrane make for a surprisingly complementary team on this 1959 studio session, their only joint recording. With fine backup by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Connie Kay, Bags and Trane stretch out on two of Jackson’s originals (including “The Late Late Blues”) and three standards: a romping “Three Little Words,” “The Night We Called It a Day,” and the rapid “Be-Bop.” This enjoyable music has been included as part of Rhino’s Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings box.”

Personnel: Mіlt Jасkѕоn — vіbrарhоnе Jоhn Cоltrаnе — tenor ѕаxорhоnе Hаnk Jones — piano Pаul Chаmbеrѕ — bass Cоnnіе Kау — drums

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Born On This Day: July 17 Jazz Legends! 🎷🎹🥁 "From Peanuts to legendary drum beats—you won't believe which jazz icons share a July 17 birthday!" Happy July 17th to all our jazz lovers! Today, we're celebrating three incredible artists who have left an undeniable mark on the genre: ✨ Chico Freeman – The brilliant modern tenor saxophonist carrying on a massive musical legacy. ✨ Vince Guaraldi – The genius pianist who composed the iconic music for the "Peanuts" animated specials (yes, "Linus and Lucy"!). ✨ Ben Riley – The powerhouse drummer who kept time with giants like Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk.

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Mitchel Forman – Perspectives

Reception

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3.5 stars and stated:”A brilliant pianist and keyboardist, Mitchel Forman on this date concentrates on mostly displaying an easy listening sound, even when he is at his most explorative. He pays tribute along the way to Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter and digs into much of the diverse material, which ranges from the Beatles to John McLaughlin and “What a Wonderful World,” while remaining melodic. His use of electronics makes the results seem accessible and a touch commercial in spots as does his caressing of many of the melodies. The results are enjoyable enough and pleasant if not overly compelling.”

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Chris Connor with Hank Jones Trio – Angel Eyes

Angel Eyes is a beautiful 1991 jazz album and the title track by vocalist Chris Connor backed by the Hank Jones Trio. It was released on the Japanese label Alfa Jazz. The track beautifully pairs Connor's signature smoky, cool jazz vocals with the elegant, understated piano stylings of jazz legend Hank Jones.

Personnel:

Chris Connor – vocals Hank Jones – piano George Mraz – bass Keith Copeland – drums

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Don Grolnick – Weaver Of Dreams

Personnel

Bass – Dave Holland Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer Drums – Peter Erskine Piano – Don Grolnick Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker Trombone – Barry Rogers Trumpet – Randy Brecker

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"In jazz, you're always trying to find a new way to say the same thing."

~ Dizzy Gillespie

Photo by Brian McMillen, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Born On This Day: July 15 Jazz Legends! 🎶

Two legendary jazz icons, one incredible birthday. Do you know who we’re celebrating today? 🥁🎹 Happy Birthday to two phenomenal forces in jazz history! Today, July 15, we celebrate:

Philly Joe Jones (1923–1985) – The explosive, adaptive drummer who drove the legendary Miles Davis Quintet and became Miles' absolute favorite man behind the kit. 🥁

Sadik Hakim (1919–1983) – The brilliant bebop pianist and composer who shared the studio with Charlie Parker and Lester Young, bringing his unique touch to early jazz history. 🎹 Which of their recordings is your absolute favorite? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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Gary Burton – Country Roads & Other Places

Country Roads & Other Places is an album by vibraphonist Gary Burton, recorded in 1968 and released in 1969 on the RCA Victor label. Burton doubles on piano with a quartet of guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Roy Haynes.

Reception The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded thenalbum 4 stars and stated, “In addition to both melodic and advanced jazz, Burton incorporates elements of country, rock, pop and even classical music on this fairly rare LP… the music is full of logical surprises that foreshadow the eclectic nature of much of ’80s and ’90s jazz”.

Personnel: Gary Burton – vibraphone, piano Jerry Hahn – guitar Steve Swallow – bass Roy Haynes – drums

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Spyro Gyra – Heart of the Night (Album)

Heart of the Night is the nineteenth album by the American jazz group Spyro Gyra, released in 1996 by GRP Records.

Spyro Gyra:

Jay Beckenstein – saxophones Tom Schuman – keyboards Julio Fernandez – guitars, vocals Scott Ambush – bass Joel Rosenblatt – drums

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George Benson / Jack McDuff ‎(Full Album)

Personnel: Ronnie Boykins – bass Joe Dukes – drums Montego Joe – drums, percussion George Benson – guitar Jack McDuff – organ, piano Red Holloway – tenor saxophone

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Born On This Day: Celebrating Alan Dawson & Billy Kyle! 🎂✨ Today on ProJazz, we are honoring two legendary figures born on July 14th:

🥁 Alan Dawson – The masterful drummer, Dave Brubeck Quartet alumnus, and elite educator who trained powerhouse drummers like Tony Williams and Terri Lyne Carrington.

🎹 Billy Kyle – The brilliant pianist known for his light, fluent touch and his iconic 13-year run as a key member of Louis Armstrong's All Stars.

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Dexter Gordon – A Swingin’ Affair

A Swingin’ Affair is an album recorded in 1962 by saxophonist Dexter Gordon, recorded two days after Go! with the same line-up, but not released for two years.

Personnel Dexter Gordon – tenor saxophone Sonny Clark – piano Butch Warren – bass Billy Higgins – drums

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On This Day in Jazz History — July 13, 1954 🔥DINAH WASHINGTON RECORDED "TEACH ME TONIGHT," ONE OF THE DEFINING PERFORMANCES OF HER CAREER. Originally written by Gene DePaul and Sammy Cahn, Teach Me Tonight had already been recorded by several artists, but Dinah Washington transformed it into something unforgettable. Her combination of jazz phrasing, blues feeling, and conversational storytelling turned the song into a major hit, reaching the pop charts and introducing her to an even wider audience. This recording perfectly illustrates why she earned the title "Queen of the Blues." Every phrase is delivered with elegance, warmth, and impeccable swing—qualities that continue to inspire jazz singers today. Why it matters:

🎙️ One of Dinah Washington's signature recordings.

🎼 A brilliant example of jazz crossing into mainstream popular music.

🎷 A timeless lesson in vocal interpretation and emotional storytelling. 💬 Today's Question If you could take one vocal jazz lesson from Dinah Washington, what would it be—her phrasing, her timing, or the emotion she brings to every lyric? Every day has a story. Every story has a soundtrack. 🎷 Follow ProJazz for your daily journey through jazz history. 📷by James Kriegsmann, public domain via Wikimedia Commons