Best of Jazz Articles

Welcome to the “Best of Jazz Articles” category on Nextbop.com

This is where we celebrate the rich tapestry of jazz in all its forms and expressions. Immerse yourself in articles that delve deep into the heart of jazz music, from profiles of legendary artists to reviews of groundbreaking albums. Our content spans the entire spectrum of jazz, encompassing everything from traditional swing to avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz aficionado or new to the genre, our expertly curated articles will enhance your understanding and appreciation of this dynamic art form. Stay tuned as we regularly update this category with the very best in jazz journalism. Discover the stories, the music, and the artists that make jazz an enduring and ever-evolving genre.

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Best Jazz Vinyl Records You Can Buy New

Best Jazz Vinyl Records You Can Buy New

Dive into our curated selection of the best new jazz vinyl records featuring legends like Miles DavisThelonious Monk, and Bill Evans.

Our guide, Best Jazz Vinyl Records You Can Buy New, showcases timeless classics and must-have albums for every jazz enthusiast.

Click to explore and find the perfect additions to your collection, from iconic figures to groundbreaking sounds in jazz.

30 Best Jazz Albums of All Time

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Well, the Best Jazz Albums of All Time are largely dependent on personal preferences!

This list aims in no way, shape, or form to be definitive and all-encompassing. We simply hope it will provide some avenues of exploration for you to fall in love with the vibrant contemporary art form that is jazz music!

So read on and discover some of the greatest jazz albums ever recorded by icons, the likes of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Robert Glasper, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis and more!!

Best Covers for Songs: Jazz Edition

Best Covers for Songs

Explore ‘Best Covers for Songs: Jazz Edition‘ on the Nextbop Jazz Blog, featuring a curated selection of classic and contemporary jazz covers.

From ‘What’s Going On’ to ‘Sexual Healing’: Marvin Gaye’s 18 Most Popular Songs

Marvin Gaye's Most Popular Songs

Marvin Gaye, often hailed as the “Prince of Soul,” stood as a legendary American singer, songwriter, and record producer, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of millions worldwide.

His velvety and soulful voice crafted a musical legacy that maintains its enthrallment over audiences to this very day.

Within this article, we embark on a journey through Marvin Gaye’s illustrious discography, delving into some of his most popular songs, and exploring the profound emotions and themes that solidified his status as an icon.

Unveiling the Legacy: Exploring the 22 Best Otis Redding Songs

Best Otis Redding Songs

In the sprawling world of soulful melodies and raw, passionate vocals, few names stand tall and resonate as profoundly as Otis Redding.

Celebrate the legacy of soul music with a journey through the best 22 Otis Redding songs from Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay to These Arms Of Mine and more!

Exploring the Timeless Brilliance of Herbie Hancock’s 15 Greatest Hits

Herbie Hancock's Greatest Hits

Herbie Hancock, an iconic figure in the world of jazz music, has left an indelible mark on the genre with his innovative compositions and groundbreaking performances.

His influence on jazz is immeasurable, and his hits continue to captivate audiences worldwide. In this article, we’ll delve into the evolution of Herbie Hancock’s sound and celebrate some of his most enduring hits.

From ‘Take the A Train’ to ‘In a Sentimental Mood’: Unveiling the 20 Most Famous Duke Ellington Songs

Most Famous Duke Ellington Songs

Duke Ellington, a luminary in the world of jazz and a true maestro of musical innovation, has gifted us with a treasury of timeless melodies that transcend generations.

In this article, we embark on a journey through the illustrious career of Duke Ellington, unveiling the 20 most famous Duke Ellington songs that have left an indelible mark on the annals of music history.

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC: The Definitive Guide

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

New York City is a mecca for jazz enthusiasts, boasting an impressive array of world-class jazz clubs.

From historic venues that have hosted legends like John Coltrane and Miles Davis to cutting-edge clubs showcasing today’s most innovative young artists, NYC offers something for every jazz fan.

Check out our list of Best Jazz Clubs in NYC, where we explore the top jazz clubs in NYC, taking you on a tour of the rich history, vibrant present, and promising future of the New York jazz scene.

Best Rap Songs that Sample Jazz

Best Rap Songs that Sample Jazz Banner

Making a list of the best rap songs that sample jazz is a near-impossible task and there’s probably not enough ink on the internet to shout out all the great music deserving of praise.

So what we did here is compile some of our recent favorites with a special emphasis on newer artists (because we all know that if we start getting into the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, and Digable Planets, we’ll be here for decades…)

We’ll keep adding new songs on a regular basis so make sure to come back once in a while, but really we just hope that you get to discover some new gems which you weren’t necessarily familiar with before!

Check out our list of best rap songs that sample jazz including music by Joey Badass, Westside Gunn, Talib Kweli, Mach-Hommy and more!

Best Everybody Wants to Rule the World Covers

Best Everybody Wants to Rule the World Covers Banner Image

Tears for Fears‘ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World is one of the eponymous anthems of the 80s and the song remains just as satisfying today as it ever was,

But since it’s initial 1985 release, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” has been covered and revisited numerous times by a slew of incredibly talented artists and we felt compelled to highlight some of our favorites including music by the likes of Robert GlasperLettuceScary Pockets ft. Cory Henry and more!

So if you’re like us and want to rule the world one day, why not start by jamming out to some good music?

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC: The Definitive Guide

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

New York City is a mecca for jazz enthusiasts, boasting an impressive array of world-class jazz clubs.

From historic venues that have hosted legends like John Coltrane and Miles Davis to cutting-edge clubs showcasing today’s most innovative young artists, NYC offers something for every jazz fan.

Check out our list of Best Jazz Clubs in NYC, where we explore the top jazz clubs in NYC, taking you on a tour of the rich history, vibrant present, and promising future of the New York jazz scene.

Nextbop’s Best Jazz Albums of 2019

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It was an amazing year for jazz music. The genre is constantly evolving and pushing the limits of creativity. Jazz musicians have a real talent for drawing inspiration from other …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2018

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As one of our most exciting times of year (which we refer to as the Season of Lists), the Nextbop staff relishes the end of the year to declare our …

Nextbop’s Favorite Everything Else Albums of 2018

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

As one of our most exciting times of year (which we refer to as the Season of Lists), the Nextbop staff relishes the end of the year to declare our …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2017

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We have a small, volunteer staff here at Nextbop. Folks who read us here contribute work, adding to the collective of voices that we so cherish here and giving additional …

Nextbop’s Favorite Non-Jazz Albums of 2017

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The Nextbop favorite non-jazz list is always a fascinating beast because it exemplifies the widest interests of the staff. It frequently doesn’t coalesce around many of the same ideas. There …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2016

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

There’s no universal theme or overall consensus in jazz this year. No overblown hype machine, no clamoring for a seemingly agreed upon savior, no important trendsetting bucking of past conventions …

Nextbop’s Favorite Non-Jazz Albums of 2016

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It was difficult to find engagement in this year’s music. This was a year of loss, of disappointment, of scattershot feelings and even moreso scattershot expression. This isn’t to say …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2015

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I’m not quite sure what more I could say here about jazz in 2015. There may not have been some overarching narrative that guided how art was made and released. …

Nextbop’s Favorite Non-Jazz Albums of 2015

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

I like that we make this list every year. No, it’s not as well read as our other posts. It doesn’t exactly fit what we do. But I like the …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Releases of 2014

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We don’t like to say “best” around here. We’re limited people with limited knowledge, fans with a platform. There’s no way we have heard everything released this year or are …

Nextbop’s Favorite Everything Else Releases of 2014

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Like any good lover of music, our tastes at Nextbop are wide. Some overlap, some shape others in regard to genre, but there’s a lot of music released this year …

Our Favorites of 2014 So Far

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

As we have reached a little bit past the halfway point of the year, it’s about that time to look back on some of the releases of 2014 and highlight …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2013, #9-1

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As we reach the end of another season of year-end lists, I still find it just as difficult to find some thread to move through this year as when I …

Nextbop’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2013, #20-12

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One major reason why I so enjoy this time at the end of the year is not only to reassess what this past year has looked like musically, not only …

Nextbop’s Favorite Everything Else Albums of 2013, #10-1

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

I spent quite a while looking through our staff list to find some sort of theme for the music we liked this year, but try as I might, there was …

Nextbop’s Favorite Everything Else Albums of 2013, #18-12

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The Everything Else lists don’t get nearly as much web traffic as our jazz lists do. Of course, this makes sense– this is a jazz and fringe jazz website. People …

The Best Jazz Albums of 2012: #10-1

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By the circumstances of our calendar, we culturally use the transition into the new year as a time to reflect. We reflect on how we have grown as people, about …

The Best Jazz Albums of 2012: #25*-11

Best Jazz Clubs in NYC

This has been a particularly strong year for music. I feel like I’ve been saying it more and more but do you remember how you felt at the beginning of …

The Best Non-Jazz Albums of 2012: #10*-1

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To be honest, these are the top ten non-jazz albums as voted by our staff, but since ties are a habit with this year’s lists, we’re going to start things …

The Best Non-Jazz Albums of 2012: #25*-11

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I’ve always loved the collective of voices we have here at Nextbop. This international group of talents has always been a sort of inspiration to me, shining a light on …

Nextbop’s Best Jazz Albums of 2011

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I was recently asked to define what trend ran through jazz in the past year and I found I couldn’t think of anything definitive about that other than the fact …

Nextbop’s Best Everything Else Albums of 2011

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I knew this list was going to be interesting. We’ve got a pretty diverse staff of writers with different sorts of taste. As diverse as our jazz list is for …

Best Jazz Albums of 2010 by Nextbop.com

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It was rather difficult putting together a list of the best jazz albums of 2010. Unlike our list of non-jazz albums, there didn’t seem to be a massive sense of …

Nextbop’s Best of Everything Else of 2010

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In order for this site to be what it is, we listen to a wide variety of music. That’s just how music is lately, we find strength in our diversity. …