21st Century Jazz: Five Young Jazz Musicians You Should Know About

Jazz is dead is one of the most oft-repeated statements usually directed at younger generations who are perceived as a departure from the traditional forms of jazz. Novelist and literary critic Ralph Ellison openly despised modern jazz, and considered it antithetical to the highly conscious sense of [jazzs] sources and its own traditions. 

The argument was fundamentally rooted from what Ellison considered as the essence of jazz, a specific reality of life and experience. More than two decades after Ellison's death in 1994, another challenge has surfaced: many people have limited reference points, i.e. jazz legends from decades ago. 

We listed down just five of the many refreshing talents, the new blood of jazz.

Multi-Grammy Award winner and Emmy nominee Robert Glasper has worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Norah Jones, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, as well as jazz greats such as Christian McBride and Terence Blanchard. 

His jazz fusion style and musical directionare seamlessly applied to unconventionally non-jazz music styles that make himone of the most sought-after collaborators by hip-hop, soul, gospel, andR&B artists. 

He has two eponymous bands: The Robert Glasper Trio and The Robert Glasper Experiment. The latter explores experimental styles that draw from various backgrounds and influences, defying norms. He is also part of the supergroup August Greene with hip-hop artist Common and fellow producer Kareem Riggins. Their self-titled debut album was released in March 2018.

Considered as one of the most celebrated jazz guitarists, Mary Halvorson was mentored by the greats, including the brilliant composer and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton and free-jazz guitarist/bassist Joe Morris. 

But make no mistake, she is a class of her own, one whose playing was often described sounding as like no other guitarist. Her avant-garde style of improvisation is singular, and she shares the philosophy of finding your own voice as a bandleader. Her most recent album, Code Girl (2018), is described by music site Pitchfork as impressive, luxuriously imaginative, and where she clearly exemplifies someone who can lead an ensemble to their maximum potential.

Gregory Porters baritone sends us to a familiar place. Its not entirely surprising that he was hailed by NPR as the next great male jazz singer. His manner and tone, and more importantly, the stories of his songs are what we can only assume as what Ellison was referring to when he said the essence of jazz is to reveal the reality of life and experience.