While the current situation in the world limits us from seeing some of the best current jazz musicians play live, it hopefully won’t be too long until we can again. Live music is an experience like none other, so while everyone is waiting it is a good idea to have a list of all the jazz artists you want to see when it’s possible.
Jazz is the type of music that is really good to see live, and while some of the greatest artists in this industry may have passed away, there are still a few greats around as well as incredible up and comers that are making waves and revolutionizing the jazz genre once again. If you are into jazz there are a lot of places where you’d be able to hear it, no matter where you live.
Although, if you want to see one of the most established artists that you are a fan of, you might have to travel a little bit further, or wait to see if they are going on tour. So, have a look below at some of the jazz artists that you can and should go see live today:
Regina Carter
She helps take modern jazz to a whole new level. Regina Carter is known for her extraordinary violin playing has meant that she was the first African American to play Italy’s Niccolo Paganini very own violin. If you are looking for jazz that’s a little bit more modern, but still pays respect to the older forms, you can’t go past Regina Carter’s tracks from, Ella: Accentuate the Positive.
Hudson
This is a powerful and influential group of four that just seem to all connect together to create something truly magical. In the band you’ve got, John Medeski (keyboard), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Larry Grenadier (bass) and John Scofield (guitar). If you were lucky enough to see Hudson perform at the Woodstock Jazz Festival in 2014, you would know just how amazing they really are.
Eliane Elias
One of her more recent albums, Made in Brazil, helped her win a Grammy. While she moved to the United States in the early 1980s, she recently returned home to record her latest couple of albums, hence one being titled Made in Brazil! She is a very talented performer, so if you haven’t checked her out, now is the time.
Dianne Reeves
She has won an impressive five Grammy’s for her album Beautiful Life, released in 2014. Dianne Reeves is a wonderful live performer and should not be missed. If you can’t get to see her live, then you can always settle for something second best, her live album, to get you through the days!
Herbie Hancock
Probably one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time and he is still playing live shows, so make sure you catch him while you can. If you are a true jazz fan, you would do anything you could to ensure you are able to see Herbie Hancock live. He is one of the pioneers of jazz and has been able to stay relevant over such a long time by adapting and always giving people what they wanted to hear.
Kevin Eubanks
You might recognise Kevin Eubanks from leading the band on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for 15 years, up until 2010. He has released a few albums after his long stint on late night television, and fans are eating it up. His music is pure jazz and it is what fans of this genre love to hear day in and day out.