Straight-ahead Jazz

Straight-ahead jazz is a subgenre characterized by its adherence to traditional jazz principles, emphasizing strong melodies, complex harmonies, and improvisation within a structured framework. Emerging in the 1980s, it drew from the bebop and hard bop traditions of the 1940s-60s, with a focus on acoustic instrumentation and a revival of classic jazz values. During its 1980s-90s heyday, straight-ahead jazz flourished as a reaction to the commercialism of smooth jazz and the avant-garde experimentation of free jazz. This genre celebrates the artistry of individual musicians, often featuring virtuosic instrumentalists and nuanced vocalists. With its roots in African-American musical heritage, straight-ahead jazz pays homage to the past while pushing the boundaries of jazz expression. It differs from other styles in its commitment to musical storytelling, lyrical depth, and a dynamic balance between composition and improvisation, setting it apart from more experimental or commercially driven forms of jazz.

Latest Straight-ahead Jazz Release
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For Tracy
Single - Released October 18, 2024

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Alexa Tarantino
Alexander Claffy
Ari Hoenig
Belmont Central
Ben Wolfe
Bill Parker
Bill Walton
Billy Drummond
Black Art Jazz Collective
Blue Note All-Stars
Bobby Watson
CLC TRIO
Carl Winther
Carl Winther Trio
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
Christian Jacob
Christian McBride
Clovis Nicolas
Cole Peers trio
David Finck
Dayna Stephens
Dick Oatts
Dmitry Baevsky
Doug Weiss
Emmet Cohen
Endea Owens
Eric Alexander
Farmer Street Quartet
Gabe Katona
George Kuntz Four
Gerald Clayton
Glenn Zaleski
Grace Kelly
Gregory Hutchinson
Gábor Bolla
Isaiah J. Thompson
Jacky Terrasson
Jaleel Shaw
Jasper Somsen
Javon Jackson
Jeremy Pelt
Jerry Weldon
Joe Farnsworth
Joe Martin
Joel Frahm
Joshua Redman
Kenny Barron
Kenny Burrell
Mabon Clarke Quartet
Marcus Printup
Maurice Font
Metropolitan Jazz Affair
Mike Richmond
Neil Swainson
Orrin Evans
Pasquale Grasso
Peter Washington
Ray Drummond
Roy Hargrove Quintet
Seamus Blake
Sharel Cassity
Shelly Berg Trio
Spike Wilner Trio
Stephen Riley
The Jazz Messengers
The Jazz Trio
Tim Armacost
Woody Shaw
Wynton Marsalis
Yotam Silberstein
Wynton Marsalis
Kenny Burrell
Cole Peers trio
Carl Winther
Bill Parker
Belmont Central
George Kuntz Four
Bill Walton
Mabon Clarke Quartet
Joshua Redman
Stephen Riley
Christian McBride
Jacky Terrasson
Kenny Barron
Carl Winther Trio
Joe Farnsworth
Gerald Clayton
David Finck
Jeremy Pelt
Farmer Street Quartet
Grace Kelly
Jasper Somsen
Emmet Cohen
Maurice Font
Pasquale Grasso
Joe Martin
Gregory Hutchinson
Bobby Watson
Seamus Blake
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
Peter Washington
Ari Hoenig
Jaleel Shaw
Orrin Evans
Glenn Zaleski
Dmitry Baevsky
Clovis Nicolas
Woody Shaw
Ray Drummond
Yotam Silberstein
Doug Weiss
Gábor Bolla
Billy Drummond
Joel Frahm
Ben Wolfe
Christian Jacob
Alexander Claffy
Javon Jackson
Isaiah J. Thompson
CLC TRIO
Sharel Cassity
Neil Swainson
The Jazz Messengers
Spike Wilner Trio
Roy Hargrove Quintet
Eric Alexander
Mike Richmond
Jerry Weldon
Shelly Berg Trio
Dick Oatts
Endea Owens
The Jazz Trio
Marcus Printup
Dayna Stephens
Alexa Tarantino
Blue Note All-Stars
Tim Armacost
Metropolitan Jazz Affair
Black Art Jazz Collective
Gabe Katona