Top 7 Jazz CDs of 2012

I cut my CDs in half this year to concentrate on writing "Whole Music" (the book).  World Music recordings made up the bulk of reviews in 2012, while jazz and classical lingered more in the background.  Still, the 7 recordings below are phenomenal.

1. Fred Hersch Trio, Alive at the Vanguard, Palmetto

2. Jeff Hamilton Trio, Red Sparkle, Capri Records

3. Marshall Gilkes, Sound Stories, Alternate Side Records

4. Roberta Donnay, A Little Sugar, Motema

5. Gregory Porter, Be Good, Motema

6. Ahmad Jamal, Blue Moon, Jazz Village (Harmonia Mundi)

7. The Jens Wendelboe Big Band, Fresh Heat, Rosa Records


Honorable Mention: Lisa Dillan, Love Me Tender, Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Best book on music: Music Medicine by Christine Stevens (Sounds True)