Home » Jazz Articles » Year in Review » C. Andrew Hovan's Best Recordings of 2021

C. Andrew Hovan's Best Recordings of 2021

By C. Andrew Hovan
January 11, 2022
View read count

Even as it seemed that jazz continued its trajectory into the outer limits, there was no lack of pure swinging excellence to experience this past year. Although many of these releases probably flew under the radar of jazz followers with wider ranging tastes, this reviewer always finds it necessary to remind us all how vital and engaging the mainstream vernacular can be in the right hands. In addition, drummers placed at the top with highly musical efforts, while the ever-popular Pat Metheny took honors both under his own name and in a sublime tribute from fellow plectrist John Pizzarelli.

Joe Farnsworth

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Farnsworth
City of Sounds
Smoke Sessions

Donald Edwards

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Edwards
The Color of Us Suite
Criss Cross Jazz

Orrin Evans

piano
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Orrin Evans
The Magic of Now
Smoke Sessions

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny
Side-Eye NYC
Modern Recordings

Bill Charlap

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Charlap
Street of Dreams
Smoke Sessions

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike LeDonne
It's All Your Fault
Savant

John Pizzarelli

guitar
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">John Pizzarelli
Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes on Pat Metheny
Ghostlight

Brian Lynch

trumpet
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Lynch
Songbook Vol.1: Bus Stop Serenade
Hollistic Music

Renee Rosnes

piano
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Renee Rosnes
Kinds of Love
Smoke Sessions

Brian Charette

organ, Hammond B3
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Charette
Power From the Air
SteepleChase

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong
The Complete Columbia and RCA Victor Sessions 1946-1966
Mosaic Records

Lee Morgan

trumpet
1938 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan
The Complete Live at the Lighthouse
Blue Note

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Be With Me
< Previous

TuTu Duo
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.