John Fordham
John Fordham is the Guardian's main jazz critic. He has written several books on the subject, reported on it for publications including Time Out, Sounds, Wire and Word, and contributed to documentaries for radio and TV. He is a former editor of Time Out, City Limits and Jazz UK, and regularly contributes to BBC Radio 3's Jazz on 3
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthMichael Blake/Chroma Nova: Dance of the Mystic Bliss review – joyously audacious jazzThe Canadian saxophonist showcases his flair for the intricate and spontaneous on an album that spans funky guitar hooks to Ellingtonesque reveries
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5 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthNaïssam Jalal: Healing Rituals review – cinematic album salutes the natural worldA remarkable artist, the visionary flautist and her skilful partners have created a startling album that draws on techniques from classical, jazz, hip-hop and more
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Jazz musician who worked in star-packed lineups and whose tenor sax suggested tiptoeing stealth in the Pink Panther theme tune
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthSissoko/Segal/Parisien/Peirani: Les Égarés review – genre-hoppers stray towards surpriseÉmile Parisien’s soprano sax is the standout on this diverse and inventive set, which blends kora with Anatolian shindigs, klezmer with agile accordion
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthYour Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays the Beatles review – classy jazz homageIn a powerful live recording, the piano virtuoso brings out the boogie, blues and gospel in the Fab Four’s songs
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthArt Ensemble of Chicago: The Sixth Decade: From Paris to Paris review – devoted heirs carry the torchA live set celebrating the group’s 50th anniversary loops in a 20-piece orchestra, rousing poetry and new improvisers among the hardcore veterans
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You can spend the next few weeks under the duvet and in front of the telly, or enjoy world-class art, theatre, music, film and standup – here’s an event for each of the next 31 days
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthEsbjörn Svensson: HOME.S. review – buoyant, capricious, sweepingly melodicThis recently discovered piano meditation from the modest maestro behind the Esbjörn Svensson Trio will entrance fans and fascinate newcomers
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthSun Ra Arkestra: Living Sky review – Marshall Allen keeps the cosmic flame aliveThe 98-year-old Arkestra vet Allen keeps the Ra flame burning with tranquil, semi-free jazz passages featuring kora, piano and his own abrasive sax. Even Chopin gets a look-in
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthKeith Jarrett: Bordeaux Concert review – a fearless final performance(ECM)
The master of solo-piano improvisation proved his spontaneous alchemy was as mesmerising as ever in this 2016 performance -
4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthJoshua Redman Quartet: LongGone review – musical soulmates reunite to stunning effectIndividual success has only served to sharpen their intuition, as the jazz foursome return with a set that ranges across slinky blues and jamming gospel
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthCharles Lloyd Trios: Ocean review – a rich mix from a master enchanterDevotion to jazz’s roots fill the latest album from the veteran saxophonist and flautist, which at times seems an almost private interchange
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Formidably talented saxophonist at the heart of many jazz line-ups who blazed a trail for female instrumentalists
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthCelebrating Mingus 100 review – awestruck tribute to a jazz geniusPlayed by a classy nonet at Berlin’s Philharmonie hall, at its best this set of Charles Mingus material is full of the exultant, forward-charging energy of its composer
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4 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthAvishai Cohen Trio: Shifting Sands review – exhilarating, incandescent jazzWith Elchin Shirinov on keys and 21-year-old sensation Roni Kaspi on drums, Cohen delivers a stark, superb set
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5 out of 5 stars.Jazz album of the monthMary Halvorson: Amaryllis / Belladonna review – new landmarks in an inimitable jazz discographyThe release of two contrasting albums demonstrate how far this inventive, singleminded guitarist has come, and offers a glimpse of a dazzling future