While many listeners spent this summer diving into new albums from Jeff Parker, SML, and Ahmed, I found myself drawn into a deep rabbit hole of exceptional duo recordings. If it weren’t for a standout record from one of my favorite quartets and a trio that masterfully blurs the acoustic-electronic binary, this late summer edition of the POW jazz roundup could have easily been a “duos only” affair. Here is a look at the records that defined the season.
WRENS: Live @ Nublu
When WRENS emcee and trumpeter Ryan Easter addresses the crowd at their live show at Nublu in New York, he sets a tone of unfiltered, I-don’t-give-a-fuck swagger. WRENS is not your standard, Downbeat-friendly jazz-meets-hip-hop band. The set flows between instrumental avant-fusion and vocal pieces where the boundaries between rapping, stage banter, and spoken word are intentionally blurred.
Easter’s charismatic presence is backed by a nimble rhythm section featuring Elias Stemeseder on synths, cellist Lester St. Louis, and drummer Jason Nazary. LIVE @ NUBLU is a provocative, irreverent, and ultimately essential feel-good hit of the summer.
James Brandon Lewis Quartet: Omni
James Brandon Lewis remains one of the most dynamic saxophonists working today. His quartet, featuring pianist Aruán Ortiz, bassist Brad Jones, and drummer Chad Taylor, represents the cutting edge of contemporary post-bop. Omni is a masterclass in synthesis, with Lewis channeling the entire tenor saxophone tradition while the rhythm section provides a fresh, churning groove. It shouldn’t be long before this group is recognized for its true generational significance.
Jason Moran, BlankFor.ms, and Marcus Gilmore: Shards
This trio has crafted one of the most intriguing sounds in modern jazz. On Shards, pianist Jason Moran, electronic musician BlankFor.ms, and drummer Marcus Gilmore have refined their approach to create a cohesive, uniform identity. BlankFor.ms uses tape loops and live processing to deconstruct the acoustic material provided by Moran and Gilmore, resulting in a sound that is as beautiful as it is experimental.
Ron Carter & Yotam Silberstein: Duets
Inspired by Ron Carter’s legendary collaborations with Jim Hall, the 89-year-old bass icon teams up with guitarist Yotam Silberstein for a set of refined elegance. Duets is suffused with charm, demonstrating exactly why Carter remains the most recorded bassist in history. It is a record of finding the right notes and doing no more than necessary to make them shine.
Linda May Han Oh & Melissa Aldana: Beneath Lifted Skies
On their first album as a duo, bassist Linda May Han Oh and saxophonist Melissa Aldana use jazz standards as a departure point for exquisite improvisation. Their chemistry is undeniable, with Aldana’s light, floating tone perfectly complementing Oh’s precise, melodic bass work. It is an ideal entry point for those looking to explore the depth of their individual and collective artistry.
Camila Nebbia & Chris Corsano: Six or Seven Ways Towards Becoming Undone
This record captures the unbridled fire of the great saxophone-drum duos of history. Camila Nebbia and Chris Corsano jump straight into dynamic, unpredictable improvisation, moving seamlessly from screaming intensity to barely audible textures. This is top-shelf free improvisation that demands your full attention.