There have been a total of 480 albums that 97 reviewers placed on their top 10 lists. That’s a lot! Wish I could listen to them all.

But here’s a few I did listen to—at least in part—and want to play for you. This way you and I are making these ‘discoveries’ together. Although I suspect some of you are more familiar with many of them than I am.

Near the beginning you’ll hear two versions of the same tune–Eddie Harris’s Freedom Jazz Dance. They’re both played by the same drummer/leader (Florian Arbenz) recorded a few months apart, but with different instrument combinations. And very different arrangements. To me that epitomizes ‘jazz’.

Other artists are Ethan Iverson, Matthew Shipp Trio, Tom Skinner, Kate Baker & Vic Juris, Mali Obamsawin, Sun Ra Arkestra featuring 98 year old Marshall Allen, and Al Foster. As for historical releases—you must listen to this ‘discovery’ of a 1972 concert by Pepper Adams with The Tommy Banks Trio.

More great variety! And we call it ‘jazz’.

Just a quick addendum: Just prior to uploading this episode I noticed that the previous episode, Part 2, had over 700 hits. Usually within a week a typical episode gets about 400. So it’s encouraging to know that you are enjoying this series on the best albums of 2022. Thank you for your support! And if you feel motivated, a review and rating on the itunes podcast site would be so appreciated! -Larry

Part two of a five part series focusing on albums from 2022 that jazz reviewers and critics have put on their ‘top 10’ lists. This week you’ll hear two Canadian ensembles–one from Vancouver called the Cookers Quintet led by Bernie Senensky, and another led by Calgary trombonist Carsten Rubeling.

I also play two different artists who put out albums with the same title: British saxophonist Trish Clowes and American guitarist, Julian Lage.

Then there’s Ron Carter with Jon Batiste, Marta Sanchez, Str4ta, and the great reunion of Cuba’s Chuchu Valdez and Paquito D’Rivera.

I also include one classic album—a previously unreleased recordings of Miles Davis from his You’re Under Arrest sessions.

And the highlight? I think it’s Finnish guitarist and composer Jussi Reijonen and his Kolme Toista (Three Seconds) album.

Such an amazing variety of music that goes under the ‘jazz’ rubric.

Beginning a five part series talking about and playing some of last year’s recordings about which jazz aficionados are raving.

I’m jotting down every record placed in any of the ‘top 10’ (or so) jazz albums of 2022 lists. Then putting a check mark everytime somebody chooses it. Mary Halvorson’s Amaryllis albums seems to be everybody’s favourite,,,,at least so far.

In episode 4 I’ll give you a ‘countdown’ of the top choices. In the meantime, I’ll just play a track from each album that seems to resonate with me. Of course, with 433 different albums from 78 different reviewers, it’s often a matter of chance as to which ones I discover. Just like life, I guess.

Besides the a/m Ms. Halverson, you’ll hear in this first episode Brandon Coleman, Patricia Brennan (good vibes), Melissa Styliano w. Gene Bertoncini, Oscar Peterson (historical release), Charles Lloyd w. Bill Frisell, Abel Selaocoe (try pronouncing that name!), Redman-Mehldau-Mcbride-Blade, and Reuben James,

No particular theme for this last podcast of 2022. But here are a few new and a couple older recordings that I’ve discovered recently—and am enjoying.

In terms of newer recordings, You’ll hear Emmet Cohen, Billy Drummond and Freedom of Ideas, JD Allen, The Comet is Coming, Samara Joy w Pasquale Grosso, and the Alvin Queen Trio. From my new home of Edmonton, there’s Mallory Chipman and drummer Sandro Dominelli. (Lots of drummer led combos here).

Somewhat older recordings are by Richie Cole, and Havana’s Roberto Fonseca. The oldest one—but one I just purchased—is an LP from someone I’d never heard of before. Her name is Jean Turner and her singing is backed by the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

A lot of focus on how playing jazz (as well as listening to it) helps us. It starts with a short clip from Victoria musician Brian Tate about improvising as ‘saying yes’….sort of like a going with the flow.

Lots of ‘flow’ in this episode. You’ll hear Wayne Shorter with some of the other greatest jazz musicians of all time. Then there’s Sonny Rollins, Michel Petrucciani, and Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross. I also play three great vocalists: June Christy, Angela Verbrugge (from Victoria), and Stacy Kent..

Also from Victoria is altop saxophonist Roy Styffe and a wonderful healing poem that he has very cleverly set to music—with the help of Kelby McNayr and Scott White.

Kenny Werner has written two great books about the interplay between our own empowerment and how we play (and listen to ) jazz. In this episode you actually hear him play thanks to a track from one of his earlier albums.

And last but not least, “Healing Power” by a trio of Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, and Ted Nash.

The therapy might be in the lyrics, the music, or the inspiration from the player’s journey.

I play recordings by Ben Webster, Nina Simone, Tony Kofi, Ruth Brown, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker.

From France, you’ll hear trumpeter and singer Jerome Etcheberry and his delightful rendition of Sometimes I’m Happy (Sometimes I’m Blue). And from England, a new discovery–Fiona Ross–as she tackles that therapeutic dilemma of wondering if I’m “good enough”.

There are also a couple tunes from some great jazz singers from Victoria, B.C. Lorraine Nygaard has put her sentiments into concrete action through delivering tokens of love during the height of COVID. And Edie Daponte does a beautiful rendition of Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw It Away”.

And that’s just part 1. Next week I’ll post Part 2.

Here I play recordings I like that have been made very recently Lots of great Christmas and Winter tunes (both known and unknown). Played and sung by some of the best modern recording artists.

My favourite? Ever hear Julie Christie’s “Hang Them On The Tree”. It’s something you can do with all the negativity and overwhelm in your life….to turn it into something positive, I play a version of the tune by June Bisantz and the John Burr Sextet.

Lots of music, not much talk.

This episode features jazz tunes where there is some contention about who actually wrote it.

For example, I put the writer of Nature Boy, Eden Ahbez on trial. Did he plagiarize the melody of Nature Boy from Herman Yablonskoff? He did end up paying Yablonskoff 25,000 dollars. Did he have to? Or did he just do it because he wasn’t in the mood for a legal battle?

Much more clear was Jimmy Page stealing Jake Holmes “Dazed and Confused”. I play a terrific jazz interpretation of that tune that combines the Led Zeppelin and the Jake Holmes version.

I also spend a lot of time talking about some of the tunes that Miles Davis copyrighted under his own name, even though somebody else was the primary creator. But Miles Davis may have also had a tune he wrote credited to somebody else—and that tune is one of the most played tunes by jazz saxophonists at jazz jams.

And there’s more examples of tunes that originated from somewhere other than the person who is credited as the composer.

Since I just moved from Victoria B.C. to Edmonton Alberta—-in the midst of the wind and snow—I thought it would be a good idea to explore the Alberta jazz scene.

I guarantee you’ll hear some great music in this episode! Some of them are jazz legends who came from Alberta, and others are local heroes. Some are up and coming.

Some famous jazz artists will also leave their mark in this episode. You’ll hear Jaco Pastorious, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jim Hall, Red Mirxhell, and Plas Johnson.

Alberta artists I play include Big Miller, P.J. Perry, Bob Tildsley, Joni Mitchell, Edmonton Jazz Ensemble w. Sean McAnaly, Joel Gray, Tommy Banks, Bobby Cairns, Jan Randall, Al Muirhead, Mike Rud, and Mallory Chipman.

My own jazz roots are very different from that of most jazz fans. I explored them in Episode 100, This episode is a further exploration.

Warning! The music isn’t all jazz. But they all have some connection with jazz…at least for me.

Many of these recordings and artists came to my attention thanks to two Edmonton, Alberta radio stations—CJCA (Top 93 station) and CKUA (alternative/educational) as well as the University of Alberta Student Radio Station (now called CJSR). They include Bill Evans, Don Shirley, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Andrew Hill, Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, and The Viscounts).

You’ll also hear singer-pianist Buddy Greco, Amy Winehouse (singing with Tony Bennett), Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, The Memphis JugBand, finishing off with a great Bach..ian practicing lesson from Mike Rud.

As fo that featured photo. It’s from 1981, courtesy of jazz photographer, Patrick Hinely. That’s me and another volunteer at jazz city leading the Four Great Guitarists (from left to right—Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd) down Jasper Avenue in Edmonton to the jazz festival office. I’m the one carrying Charlie Byrd’s ovation guitar.