Who Are the Best Young Lions of Jazz Today?


The Wynton Marsalis thread got me to thinking. Some consider him the best jazz artist today. I actually don't know who the best jazz artist is today or who the best jazz artists are since I'm steeped in the past listening to Hard Bop like a mad man. The jazz I love, the musicians I love, the heroes and gods for me are guys like Miles, Monk, Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Horace Silvers, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Fredie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley and others. My wife gets aggravated since I repeatedly play these giants.

I don't pay much attention to contemporary / modern jazz artists with the exception of John Scofield, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Pat Metheny, all who I've seen multiple times and love.

I've listened to Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride and have enjoyed their work. I've heard a little of Marsalis.

Who are the best of the Young Lions of Jazz? I know Marsalis is "in the conversation."
foster_9

Showing 1 response by oldgrey

My vote for "Best Young Lions" of jazz would be Joshua Redman, Eric Harland, and Brad Mehldau. Simply brilliant musicians all under 40.

My vote for jazz "Lions" would be Charles LLoyd, Dave Holland, Kieth Jarrett, Branford Marsalis. Simply brilliant musicians, all over 40.

My vote for "Best Young" jazz artists (under 40 but not quite as brilliant as those above) would be:
Aaron Goldberg
Rueben Rodgers
Esperanza Spalding
Avashi Cohen
Nicolas Payton
Eric Reed
Jason Moran
Chris Potter
Aaron Parks
Robert Glasper
Gretchen Parlato