You'll Hear It Best New Jazz Of March 2026
Mar 27, 2026
A lively roundup of March 2026 jazz releases, spotlighting Flea's trumpet-rooted project and its eclectic covers. Deep dives into new recordings from Walter Smith III, Mark Turner and Ben Wendel. Live sets and debut albums from rising artists including Ella Grace and Emmanuel Wilkins are highlighted. The show closes with a nod to Bill Frisell's latest atmospheric work.
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Walter Smith III Keeps Lyrical Tenor With Humor
- Walter Smith III continues a lyrical tenor tradition while injecting humor into improvisation.
- Peter Martin notes Smith's ability to make him laugh out loud, tying lyrical playing to playful comedic moments.
Generation Y Rhythm Section Nails The Swing
- Ulysses Owens Jr.'s Generation Y delivers a strong swinging rhythm section on Around the World With You.
- Peter Martin singles out Tyler Bullock, Yasushi Nakamura, and Ulysses Owens Jr. as a tight swinging unit on Prodigal Son.
Yeba's Gene Shows Distinct Melodic Maturity
- Yeba's second album Gene reveals a distinct melodic voice and sophisticated harmony at a young age.
- Peter Martin praises Yeba's clear melodic identity and production choices alongside collaborators like James Francies and Nate Smith.