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Last recordings of jazz greats in the 21st century

By Larry Slater | Jazz Connections
September 26, 2025
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Creative artists rarely retire. Jazz musicians often continue to perform and record as they age. In this hour you'll hear the final musical statements of jazz musicians in the 21st century.

The pianist

Hank Jones

piano
1918 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Jones, whose career spanned over 70 years, recorded his last session at 91.

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden and

Carla Bley

piano
1938 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carla Bley knew they were seriously ill when they recorded their last sessions. Both left us with remarkable legacies

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea's death at 79 shocked the jazz world. His energy and virtuosity never waned as he aged.

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco brought the B3 organ back into prominence.

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker knew his time was short when he recorded his stunning last album.

Join me as we pay homage to these giants of jazz on their final musical statements.

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