Jazz has been around for a pretty long time. There were many great pioneers in the industry that helped pave the way for future generations, and now those future generations are among us and it is time to see what they have got! There are a lot of up and coming artists that are set to make a splash in the industry.
These are the names you want to know and keep your eye on, so you can follow their careers in the next few years. If you are into jazz, you probably already have your few favourite artists. Well, there has never been a better time to branch out a little bit and see what is new and fresh in the industry.
There are a lot of new young jazz artists around these days, but unfortunately, only a select few can be included on this list. So, have a read on below to find out more information about the young jazz artists that you should be following now:
Kamasi Washington
While jazz doesn’t necessarily appeal to the younger generation, Kamasi Washington is working to change all that. Her smooth voice and tunes really engage well with the younger generation and that is one of the reasons why she is one to watch. Her debut album, The Epic, was so inspirational it got the attention of many.
Binker and Moses
If you are looking for something new and fresh on the jazz scene you simply cannot go past Binker and Moses. They debuted just four years ago with an award-winning album called Dem Ones. The pair’s passion is oozing out of their songs and it is truly contagious. It probably was hard to top their first album, but their second one, Journey To The Mountain Of Forever, was taken to a whole other level.
Ashley Henry
While Ashley Henry’s sound is not strictly jazz, he does combine other genres like hip hop and R&B, he is still a worthwhile young artist to follow. Born in London, Ashley Henry is really starting to make a name for himself and is even signed to a major label. If you get the chance, make sure you check out one of his best tracks, Dark Honey.
Shabaka Hutchings
An extremely talented artist, Shabaka Hutchings is bringing the contemporary jazz scene in the United Kingdom back to life. He is currently the lead of not one or two, but three different bands and can play the clarinet and saxophone. The three different bands he is involved in are; The Comet Is Coming, Sons Of Kemet and Shabaka & The Ancestors, all worth looking into.
Esperanza Spalding
If you are searching for an artist that does a little bit more than just jazz itself, then you can’t go wrong with Esperanza Spalding. She is pushing the boundaries and challenging the norms, which is one of the reasons why she is loved by so many in the United States, as well as right across the world. One of Esperanza Spalding’s greatest tunes to date is called 12 Little Spells.
Nubya Garcia
At only 28 years of age, Nubya Garcia is one of the fastest growing young jazz musicians in the United Kingdom. Many believe that it certainly won’t be too long until she becomes one of the biggest players currently in the game. Her first album, Nubya’s 5ive, released in 2017, was widely regarded, and fans and critics alike ate it up. She has even done some collaborations with other artists like Makaya McCraven, Ezra Collective, and Sons Of Kemet.