L.Sid

Hard bop, hip hop, free jazz, groove, electro, calypso, experimental or Caribbean: the key players of the new British jazz scene are open to everything. They know their classics like the back of their hands though they certainly don’t hold back from exploring all kinds of genres, making for a wonderfully eclectic sound. Here we look back over ten essential albums.

After his major success with a triple album, he went on to repeat this with a double one! Kamasi Washington charms and intrigues well beyond the jazz sphere. Working with Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg, and most importantly as the head of the West Coast Get Down collective, the charismatic saxophonist from Los Angeles brings an incredible wave of excitement to the contemporary jazz scene.

Excluding singers, women in jazz haven’t had an easy time making their way to the front of the stage. There are of course the likes of Mary Lou Williams, Jaimie Branch, Geri Allen and Alice Coltrane. But up until recently, female jazz artists have been few and far between in the male-dominated and at times rather sexist genre.