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Jim Worsley's Best Releases of 2017

By Jim Worsley
December 21, 2017
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As 2017 was another exceptional year in new music, choosing the recordings that rise above is a daunting task. It is also a lot of fun. Yes, such "drudgery" to listen to countless strong musical efforts from artists all over the world. The vast spectrum of seasoned pros, to new blood, and everything in between provided a jazz lover's earful. In random order here are my top 17 for '17.

Diana Krall

piano and vocals
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Diana Krall
Turn Up The Quiet
Verve Label Group

Mike Stern

guitar
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Stern
Trip
Heads Up

DeJohnette, Grenadier, Medeski, Scofield
Hudson
Moterna Music

Jing Chi

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Jing Chi
Supremo
Tone Center

Geof Bradfield

saxophone, tenor
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Geof Bradfield
Birdhoused
Cellar Live

Dave Young / Terry Promane

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Young / Terry Promane
Volume 2
Self Produced

Larry Coryell

guitar
1943 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Coryell
Seven Secrets
Savoy Jazz

Hiromi

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Hiromi &

Edmar Castaneda

harp
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Edmar Castaneda
Live in Montreal
Telarc Records

Kim Simmonds

guitar
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Kim Simmonds
Jazzin" On The Blues
Panache Records

Tor E Bekken

piano
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Tor E Bekken
Live at Bar Moskus:Upright Piano
Blue Mood Records/Grappa

Simon Phillips

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Simon Phillips
Protocol IV
Phantom Records

Vijay Iyer

piano
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Vijay Iyer
Far From Over
ECM Records

Gary Peacock

bass, acoustic
1935 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Peacock
Tangents
ECM Records

Christian McBride

bass
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian McBride Big Band
Bringin' It
Mack Avenue Records

Walter Trout

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Walter Trout
We're All In This Together
Provogue

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco
Project Freedom
Mack Avenue Records

Liebman/Murley Quartet
Live at U of T
Self Produced

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