Jazz Guides
-
A Curated Guide to Japanese Jazz
24th Jun 2026
A century in the making, Japanese jazz has evolved into one of the world’s most inventive scenes, where post-bop tradition collides with electronic experimentation and fearless innovation.
-
Solo Piano Jazz
8th Dec 2025
Solo jazz pianists, free from the constraints of a band, use their virtuosity and imagination to explore the boundless possibilities of improvised rhythm, harmony, and melody.
-
Acid Jazz
1st Oct 2025
This guide explores acid jazz’s origins in London’s club scene with its fusion of funk, soul, jazz, and hip-hop, highlighting how rare groove culture and key artists shaped the genre.
Featured product
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai, Gary Barnacle (flute), Stuart Zender (bass), John Thirkell (trumpet), Gary Barnacle (saxophone), John Thirkell (fluegelhorn), Nick van Gelder (drums), Toby Smith (keyboards), Kofi (percussion), Simon Bartholomew (guitar), Glenn Nightingale (guitar), Maurizio Ravalio (percussion)
More products from this article -
Bebop Jazz: The Birth of Modern Jazz
2nd Sep 2025
Rising onto the scene during the final years of World War II, a new era of jazz put the emphasis on small groups, fast tempos, and technical mastery. From its roots in late-night jam sessions and beyond, this guide brings you everything you need to know about the genre of bebop.
-
New Orleans Jazz - Part Two
30th Jul 2025
Continuing on from Part One, we take a closer look at the New Orleans Jazz style in a later context, where traditional roots meet the modern influences of more recent years.
Featured product
Voodoo
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dr. John (piano), Roger Lewis (baritone saxophone), Kevin Harris (tenor saxophone), Kevin Harris (percussion), Roger Lewis (percussion), Gregory Davis (vocal), Roger Lewis (soprano saxophone), Charles Joseph (trombone), Efrem Towns (trumpet), Lionel Batiste (snare drum), Lionel Batiste (bass drum), Gregory Davis (trumpet), Jenell Marshall (percussion), Jenell Marshall (bass drum), Dr. John (vocal), Jenell Marshall (snare drum), Jenell Marshall (vocal), Gregory Davis (percussion), Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Batiste (percussion), Branford Marsalis
More products from this article -
New Orleans Jazz - Part One
3rd Jul 2024
Our latest guide explores the long history of traditional music originating from the city hailed as 'the birthplace of jazz', featuring legends such as Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, in addition to present-day custodians including Trombone Shorty and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
-
Indo Jazz
20th Jun 2024
We explore the history of this prolific genre from its epoch-making beginnings to the emergence of vital figures such as John McLaughlin, as well as its continuous influence as a diasporic music in the hands of contemporary jazz artists, including Vijay Iyer and Sarathy Korwar.
-
West Coast Jazz
12th Jun 2024
Inspired by the sunny climate of the Pacific and professing a more laid-back feel, take a dive into the finest recordings to have emerged from the 'cool' antidote to New York's hard bop scene. Get ready to soak up some of that California soul!
-
Arabic Jazz
9th Jan 2024
Our latest genre guide covers the many artists to have been influenced by Middle Eastern sounds as well as the international musicians who proudly wear their heritage on their sleeves.
-
Christmas Jazz
14th Dec 2023
Make yourselves cosy while we offer some of the finest selections of Christmas recordings from days of yore, as well as some new additions to the holiday canon.
-
Jazz Noir
16th Aug 2023
Highlighting the most prolific uses of that gritty and moody style which emerged during the mid-1950s, often accompanying Hollywood movies of the period, think fast-paced crime capers and car chases – our genre guide is action-packed!
Featured product
Sweet Smell Of Success
Elmer Bernstein, Jack Marsh (bassoon), John Williams (piano), Shelly Manne (drum), Lloyd Ulyate (trombone), Conte Candoli (trumpet), Pete Candoli (trumpet), Ray Linn (trumpet), Chico Hamilton (drums), Paul Horn (clarinet), Carson Smith (guitar), Fred Katz (cello), Chico Hamilton Quintet, Sinclair Lott (tenor saxophone) Leo Shuken, Jack Hayes, Elmer Berstein
More products from this article -
Sacred Jazz
9th Aug 2023
We untangle the gospel roots of the many devout offerings musicians have made over the past decades for our latest genre guide, as jazz goes to church!
-
Nordic Jazz
12th Jul 2023
Our latest genre guide explores the best jazz Norway has to offer, from the early days of ECM-pioneer Jan Garbarek plus legendary vocalists Karin Krog and Radka Toneff, all the way to contemporary masters of the field such as Mette Henriette and Daniel Herskedal.
-
Latin Jazz - Part Two
7th Jun 2023
In the second part of our Jazz Genre Guide, we explore the ecstatic rhythms of salsa before reflecting on the fusion stylings of Return To Forever and noting several contemporary performers who are crushing it on the current scene.
-
Latin Jazz - Part One
23rd May 2023
Our latest Jazz Genre Guide explores some of the essential recordings made amongst the early years of Latin Jazz as musicians took influence from the rich cultures of Cuba and Brazil during the post-war period.
Featured product
South Of The Border: The Verve Latin-Jazz Sides
Charlie Parker, Machito Orchestra, Machito And His Afro-Cuban Orchestra, Roy Haynes (drums), Luis Miranda (conga), Teddy Kotick (upright bass), Walter Bishop, Jr. (piano), Jose Mangual (bongos), Charlie Parker Sextet, Charlie Parker Septet, Flip Phillips
More products from this article -
Jazz Guitar
2nd Nov 2020
From big band to bebop, free jazz to fusion, the guitar has always had a strong presence in jazz music. For this latest Jazz Genre Guide, we go through some of the key players of each era.
-
Jazz Fusion
19th Aug 2020
In the latest Jazz Genre Guide we look at the nebulous world of fusion, focussing on the explosion of new sounds coming out of Miles Davis and associates from the late 60's through to the mid 70s.
Featured product
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis (trumpet), Don Alias (congas), Jumma Santos (shaker), Chick Corea (piano), Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet), Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone), Dave Holland (bass), Larry Young (piano), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Joe Zawinul (piano), John McLaughlin (guitar), Lenny White (drums), Harvey Brooks (bass guitar), Jumma Santos (congas), Don Alias (drums), Dave Holland (bass guitar), Lenny White (percussion), Billy Cobham (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion)
More products from this article -
Free Jazz
4th Jun 2020
The first instalment in a new series exploring the many genres within jazz finds Matt jumping straight in at the deep end and recommending some of the most enduring recordings loosely grouped under the heading of 'free jazz'. May the skronk be with you!
