Haffner, Donovan: Alleviate
They say : London-based alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner releases his highly anticipated debut album ‘Alleviate’, a 9-track collection of original compositions recorded with Donovan’s quintet and is a vitally exciting contemporary jazz recording that reflects his burgeoning talent. This essential body of work positions himself as a rising jazz star and one of 2025’s breakthrough artists. ‘Alleviate’ references the catharsis in his life when he was dealing with negative thoughts, which were alleviated through his creative process. (Independent release)
Haidu, Noah: Standards III
They say : Pianist Noah Haidu presents the third installment of his acclaimed Standards series. The project continues his collaboration with Buster Williams and Billy Hart and debuts an impressive new band featuring Gervis Myles and Charles Goold. Steve Wilson, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash are featured on one track. Haidu’s clear, light touch renders imaginative variations on themes composed or inspired by Thad Jones, Richard Rodgers, Sammy Cahn, Chappell Roan and Stevie Wonder. (Infinite Distances)
Hallkvist, Samue: Song For Mimi
They say : Song For Mimi is the third set of passionate and inventive fusion from The Haas Company. Guitar Virtuoso Samuel Hällkvist stars on this release which includes notable contributions from keyboardist Pete Drungle, drummer Steve Haas, violinist Jerry Goodman, and guitarist/bassist Sean Lennon. (Psychiatric Records And Tapes Llc Prt-Cd-1003)
Harris, Karla: Merge
They say : On her fifth album, acclaimed jazz vocalist Karla Harris remains firmly grounded in jazz while paying heartfelt tribute to the eclectic sounds of her youth. Blending swing, Latin, blues, reggae, funk, hip-hop, and ballads, she reimagines Great American Songbook classics with a fresh, contemporary touch that honors their roots. The 13-track collection also features three original songs that add a personal voice to the mix. (Independent Release)
Hauge, Liv Andrea: Døgnville
They say : Liv Andrea Hauge Trio consists of pianist Liv Andrea Hauge, bassist Georgia Wartel Collins, and drummer August Glännestrand. Since 2022, the trio has emerged as a vital voice in new European jazz, with critically acclaimed releases and their reception of the European Jazz Network’s Zenith Award in 2024. The Norwegian word “døgnvill” describes a state of disorientation and this feeling is central to the music: a careful balancing act between wakefulness and dream, between structure and freedom. (HUBROCD2670)
Hawley, Adam: Unstoppable
They say : Guitarist and producer Adam Hawley burst onto the contemporary jazz scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer, and band leader. Handpicked by Maurice White, founder of Earth, Wind, & Fire, Hawley made his solo debut on White’s legendary record label, Kalimba Music. Unstoppable is the aptly named new album. (A-Train/MBF Entertainment MBF10008 CD & LP)
Haxholm, Morten: Aether II
They say : Following the Danish Music Award-nominated Aether, Danish bassist and composer Morten Haxholm continues to expand his unique approach to contemporary jazz with Aether II – a deeply personal and atmospheric collection that reimagines the modern ballad through minimalist textures, Nordic lyricism, and delicate electronic elements. (Zack’s Music)
Hersch, Fred with Drew Gress and Joey Baron: The Surrounding Green
They say : Masterful trio interplay reliant on deeply honed three-way communication and a refined sense of understatement make Fred Hersch’s third recording for ECM an essential entry into the piano trio canon. Hersch tackles a handful of 20th century compositions – spanning from standards to less frequented jazz tunes (by Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden and Egberto Gismonti) – as well as three originals, with Drew Gress on bass and Joey Baron on drums. (ECM Records 7534291)
Hertzog, Jake: Ozark Concerto
They say : A grandiose concerto for electric guitar, with active underscoring for the 23-piece Ozark Jazz Philharmonic conducted by Susumu Watanabe (who also contributed several arrangements), Hertzog’s latest ambitious undertaking finds his considerable chops and creativity spilling over to a much larger canvas than he’s ever worked on before. (Zoho Music ZM 202504)
Holiday, Billie: An Evening With Billie Holiday
They say : When Billie Holiday signed her last long-term contract with producer Norman Granz, his aim was to repeat the small group magic of her early days, something he clearly achieved as documented on this superb collection of 1952 sessions. Backed by all-star musicians, including pianist Oscar Peterson, bassist Brown, and trumpeter Joe Newman, Billie Holiday is presented here in the last full flush of her incredible talents before health issues undermined her voice in the late ’50s. (Supper Club 051SP LP)
Hooker, John Lee: House Of The Blues
They say : John Lee Hooker was one of the last links to the blues of the deep South. Presented here is one of Hooker’s finest albums, the 1959 Chess Records release House of the Blues. (Number One Essential 291030 LP)
Imboden, Sean: Communal Heart
They say : The Sean Imboden Large Ensemble redefines the traditional big band experience, pushing the boundaries of modern jazz with a groundbreaking 17-piece ensemble rooted in Indianapolis. More than just a traditional big band, this ensemble strives to create a musical revolution that challenges conventions and invites listeners into a transformative sonic landscape. (Independent Release)
Irabagon, Jon and PlainsPeak: Someone to Someone
They say : On Someone to Someone, the powerhouse new album from Jon Irabagon, the kaleidoscopic saxophonist revisits his past in a tale of two cities—New York, where he rose to prominence, and Chicago, where he grew up and currently resides. Fresh on the heels of his nonet album Server Farm, Irabagon unveils PlainsPeak, an acoustic quartet with three exceptionally versatile Midwest musicians—trumpeter Russ Johnson, bassist Clarke Sommers, and drummer Dana Hall. (Irabbagst Records)
Jarrett, Keith: New Vienna – At the Musicverein 2016
They say : “New Vienna” is the fourth concert recording to be released from Keith Jarrett’s final European solo tour. The pianist’s 2016 return to the Austrian capital brought the flames of inspiration to another historic location with lively acoustic properties, the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Shaping its new music in the moment, “New Vienna” is near encyclopaedic in scope and is released as Keith Jarrett turns 80. (ECM Records 7589792)
Joaquin Núñez & Habana Safari: Ruta De La Clave
They say : Ruta de la Clave, the debut album by Juno-winning Cuban-Canadian percussionist Joaquín Núñez, is a vibrant journey through the evolution of Afro-Cuban music. Co-produced with pianist Dayramir González, the album traces the clave’s roots from 1800s contradanza to modern jazz. Blending folkloric rhythms with bebop and New York sophistication, it tells powerful musical stories of migration, transformation, and cultural resilience—offering a bold, deeply personal reinvention of Afro-Cuban jazz for today’s global stage. (Lulaworld Records LWR051A)
Johnson, Richard D.: Warm Embrace
They say : Warm Embrace’ is a heartfelt vocal jazz album from pianist Richard D. Johnson, born from three transformative weeks of nightly performances in Shanghai. Featuring DownBeat Rising Star vocalist Alyssa Allgood, saxophonist Gregory Tardy, bassist Jeremy Boettcher, and drummer Gregory Artry, the record captures the warmth, spontaneity, and joy of a band united in spirit and sound—a musical reminder of love’s power to connect and uplift. (Shifting Paradigm Records SP 224)
Johnstone, Peter: Resistance Is Futile
They say : New York-based vibes master Joe Locke, saxophonist Tommy Smith and drummer Alyn Cosker join the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s resident pianist, here playing Hammond organ, Peter Johnstone on the group’s first album. Johnstone composed all the music specially for these musicians. It’s sophisticated, groovy and melodic with virtuosic improvisations from all concerned. (Independent Release)
Jones, Rico: BloodLines
They say : Tenor saxophonist Rico Jones’ debut as a New York leader shows him to be a major emerging force in the music. The live recording captures his remarkable compositions which explore his Latin and Indigenous roots. He’s joined by his generational peer Max Light as well as renowned veterans bassist Joe Martin and drummer Nasheet Waits. The recording opens with Jones’ compositional masterpiece, the five-piece “Bloodlines: Suite of the Omnipotent and Eternal Spirit.” (Giant Step Arts)
Juber, Laurence: A Day In My Life
They say : Further explorations of Beatles’ compositions by former Wings’ guitarist (1978 – 1981) Laurence Juber recorded at Abbey Road’s famed Studio 2. A Grammy winning guitarist, Juber is a solo performer, recording artist, composer, and arranger. His playing fuses folk, jazz, blues, pop, and classical styles, creating a multi-faceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. A music graduate of London’s Goldsmith’s College, he was featured guitar soloist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. (A-Train/Hologram Recordings HLR1615 CD & LP)
Keberle, Ryan: Choro Das Aguas
They say : Trombonist Ryan Keberle’s previous efforts with his Sao Paulo-based quartet (Felipe Silveira, p/arr; Felipe Brisola, b; Paulinho Vicente, d) focused on the music of Milton Nascimento & Toninho Horta (2022) & Edu Lobo (2023). This new album celebrates the genius of Ivan Lins on the occasion of his 80th birthday. In choosing material for the album, Ryan ended up drawing from Lins’s early albums: “They knew they were onto something radically new & beautiful.” (Alternate Side Records)
Khondzi and Sharikadze, Papuna: First Of Many
They say : NYC-based Georgian musicians Khondzi (saxophone) and Papuna Sharikadze (piano) are releasing their debut duo album, First of Many, on July 9, 2025. Their unique sound bridges their Georgian heritage with contemporary jazz. The album is a collection of original works that showcases the duo’s musical journey. It features fan favorites that have been performed live numerous times, as well as new material that has yet to be introduced to audiences. (https://khondzi.com/)
Kostadinovic, Vladimir: Iris
They say : Vladimir Kostadinovic compares his experience during the September 5, 2024 session in New York’s Samurai Studios that gestated this tour de force – titled Iris for his daughter, then 8 years old – to the pressure of competing in the Olympic Games. “You have only one chance,” says the 44-year-old Vienna-based drummer. “Everybody believes in you. Don’t mess up now. We had one rehearsal. I come from a small place in Europe where we don’t have that many opportunities to play NBA games with players-musicians of this capacity. You play a tour for one week, two weeks maximum, and then you have to wait a month. These musicians are challenged every single day. They grab you and you are safe.” (Criss Cross 1425 CD)
