Saxophonist and composer Lubos Soukup is one of the most prominent figures in Czech modern jazz. Based in Copenhagen since 2010, he is now moving back to Czechia after more than fifteen years and, to mark his return, releases an album, entitled Amber Rails, with his new all-Czech band and presenting his compositions inspired by gospel, blues and modern jazz. Soukup has founded and been the leader of several international collectives, mostly with a strong Danish or Scandinavian element, and has released more than ten albums of his original music. His other releases on the Animal Music label in recent years have included the successful album Zeme (Earth, 2017), featuring guest guitarist Lionel Loueke; the free-jazz album Christiania (2020), on which Soukup performs with the Czech-Danish Freetown Quartet; Levitas (2020), featuring German pianist Christian Pabst; and Machina Mundi (2022), recorded with the eponymous Scandinavian formation and featuring analogue synthesizers. Amber Rails is Soukup's first purely Czech project in a long time, featuring pianist Jiri Levicek, double bassist and composer Jaromir Honzák (whom Soukup dubs an 'honorary godfather of Czech jazz') and Jakub svejnar on drums, who is a foremost member of the experimental and free-jazz scenes. Guitarists David Doružka and Casper Hejlesen join the line-up as guests, with Hejlesen representing a connection with the Danish scene, which was Lubos Soukup's second home for more than fifteen years. One of the pieces is dedicated to Marilyn Mazur, a drummer, percussionist and a longtime collaborator of Miles Davis, who was an important influence on Soukup and from whose hands he received the prestigious Discovery of the Year prize at the 2017 Danish Music Association (Dansk Musiker Forbund).

Jim Black is the driving force in bands led by Laurie Anderson, Uri Caine, Steve Coleman and Dave Douglas. His style is characterized by sensitive jazz sounds, driving rock beats and intricate, swinging Balkan rhythms. The music of his formation AlasNoAxis is inspired by Bjork, Bill Frisell, Nirvana and Radiohead. Houseplant sometimes surprises with spherical sounds and quiet passages, without the usual jazz solo excursions. AlasNoAxis is a musical unit that, with it's harmonious but also pulsating sound waves, invites you to forget the turbulent world around us. "Speed, featured here as a tenor, takes on the role of indie rock/post-grunge singer... his breathy tone sometimes seems aimed at exuding a rather irritating or at least detached state of emotion - in keeping with Yoshitomo Nara's cover art -, which can still burst into fireworks without the saxophonist having to prove his ability... As a melodicist, Black is brilliant... The result is an increasing sense of drama, even at the medium tempos that dominate here - AlasNoAxis knows how Power can be ignited in ballads... Meanwhile, one of jazz's greatest drummers also let's off steam here and there, and no one can do it better - even if Houseplant isn't really jazz." - Dave Lynch

GRAMMY-nominated drummer Nate Smith, known for his deep groove and genre-blending style, has worked with legends like Pat Metheny and Jose James, and wowed millions with his viral drum videos. Following acclaimed projects like KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere and Pocket Change, Smith returns with a new album, out August 29, continuing his journey through jazz, R&B, and beyond. Some of the most renowned names in the jazz scene have joined him on the project, including Lalah Hathaway, Michael League, Lionel Loueke, and more.

With Every Petal Tells a Story, guitarist and composer Tiago Lageira presents an intimate musical portrait of love, commitment and the transformation of becoming a parent. Rooted in personal memory, the album unfolds like a sequence of emotional chapters: from the first spark of romance to marriage, from expectation to birth, and from uncertainty to the overwhelming discovery of a love growing beyond oneself. Lageira's music carries the imprint of several worlds. Born in Portugal and shaped by the traditions of Fado and Brazilian rhythm, he later immersed himself in Amsterdam's jazz scene, absorbing the language of improvisation, harmony and storytelling. His playing combines melodic sensitivity with rhythmic fluidity, bringing together Portuguese lyricism, modern jazz colours and a deeply personal sense of narrative. Across seven original compositions, Every Petal Tells a Story invites a rich cast of voices and instrumental guests. The album features Vanessa Torrens Juaneda, Anna Serierse, Hermine Deurloo, Jina Sudemi, Iris Feijen and Marisa Petraglia, each adding a distinct shade to Lageira's musical world. From the atmospheric opening of 'Under the Shadow of the Lotus' to the reflective closing piece 'Futuro Incerto,' the album moves through tenderness, wonder, doubt and devotion. The title reflects the album's essence: every moment, every memory and every fragile detail carries meaning. Like petals gathered from different seasons of life, these compositions form a story of love in bloom: vulnerable, resilient and profoundly human. Every Petal Tells a Story is both a personal dedication and a universal invitation: to listen closely to the quiet turning points that shape our lives, and to hear in them the music of becoming.

On Disambiguation, guitarist and composer Christy Doran joins forces with Indian tabla player Imran Khan for a vivid, border-crossing duo album that brings together rock energy, blues feeling, jazz improvisation, Irish melodic traces and the subtle rhythmic flow of Indian classical music. Doran's guitar language is instantly recognizable: shimmering textures, sharp rhythmic accents, eruptive solos, intricate patterns and a fearless sense of movement. After six decades of musical exploration, he returns here with renewed clarity to the roots that have shaped his playing: blues, rock, Hendrix, McLaughlin, improvisation and, more recently, the Irish music of his family heritage. Echoes of Uilleann pipe melodies can be heard in pieces such as 'Ode to Johnny Doran' and 'Dark Slender Boy', where folk material is transformed into Doran's own highly personal sound world. Imran Khan's tabla provides both pulse and atmosphere. A distinguished player of the Delhi Gharana, Khan brings warmth, clarity and expressive depth to the music. His gently shifting rhythmic patterns open a space in which Doran's acoustic and electric guitars can move freely between drive, abstraction, lyricism and intensity. The album title points to a kind of artistic clarification. The ambiguities are not simplified, but illuminated. Across pieces such as 'Disambiguation', 'Haute Savoie', 'Taal Pravaah' and 'Mantra On An Irish Stream', the duo creates music that is fluid, forceful and deeply rooted, yet always open to surprise. Disambiguation is a meeting of two distinctive musical voices: Christy Doran's expansive guitar art and Imran Khan's refined tabla tradition. Together they create a sound that is direct, exploratory and full of depth.

RVB Quartet They bring a mix between rock and jazz which results in a refreshing sound. Interaction, improvisation and groove are the main ingredients that ensure vibrant compositions and crisp live performances. Hamabiwa The quartet feels like kings when they can play like children and let loose on their instruments. Hazel, Bibi, Marius (the little one) and Walt are the inspiration for this album.

KALI Trio's new album, The Playful Abstract, could be a soundtrack to the air we breathe. Repeated listens to this tranquil, ever-shifting and sometimes transcendent record also invoke an association with the Japanese term, Ukiyo, meaning the "floating world". Nowadays ukiyo is seen as a state of mind emphasising living in the moment, detached from the difficulties of life.

KALI Trio's new album, The Playful Abstract, could be a soundtrack to the air we breathe. Repeated listens to this tranquil, ever-shifting and sometimes transcendent record also invoke an association with the Japanese term, Ukiyo, meaning the "floating world". Nowadays ukiyo is seen as a state of mind emphasising living in the moment, detached from the difficulties of life.

Jaggat is a band that builds virtuosic sound bridges between chamber jazz and musical traditions from around the globe. Spanish, Indian, Arabic, African, and Latin American influences merge into a powerful and cohesive sonic tapestry, transcending cultural boundaries. The name Jaggat-derived from Sanskrit for "world"-reflects the ensemble's mission: uniting the rich sounds of diverse cultures into a captivating musical journey rooted in openness and respect for diversity. Their new album demonstrates how tolerance and cultural exchange can give rise to something truly new and beautiful-in music as in society. By weaving together global rhythms, melodies, and traditions, Jaggat creates a sound that is unmistakably their own. At the heart of this musical dialogue are original compositions by guitarist Markus Conrad and double bassist Caspar van Meel, seamlessly intertwined yet unmistakably marked by their individual voices. Percussionist Afra Mussawisade enriches the music with his unique instrumentation, laying down both a vibrant groove and a refined sonic foundation. Whether performing as a trio or expanding into a quartet with guest violinist Christoph Konig, Jaggat unfolds a colorful and wide-ranging spectrum of sound. Their music reveals that diversity not only enriches but also inspires.

PEOPLE. PLACES.' is the result of a personal process of professional rediscovery and artistic redefinition. I arrived in Europe in 2019 thinking of myself as a guitarist who composes, and life circumstances led me to see myself now as a composer who plays the guitar. I have been making music since I was four years old, and the guitar was the instrument that, during my teenage years, led me to decide to become a musician and through which I became a professional, an artist. Composing, on the other hand, better represents the meaning music has for me today: as an expressive and revolutionary tool, for change, transformation, and development. - Martin laies

Now focusing on original compositions (along with some Indian chants and a piece by Claude Debussy), this album also distinguishes itself from the previous two albums by presenting a new sonic landscape.  Blending the rich timbres and textures of both the acoustic and electric sonic worlds of the musicians, we were looking to get a strong, direct, full sound that still retains enough detail and acoustic warmth.

Two of the most distinctive voices in Dutch jazz join forces: harmonica virtuoso Hermine Deurloo and guitarist Anton Goudsmit. What begins as a playful exchange between lyricism and groove unfolds into a concert full of unexpected twists, inventive improvisations, and idiosyncratic compositions-plus recognizable covers. Rooted in Amsterdam's jazz scene, they combine melodic power with unpredictable energy. The warm, storytelling sound of Hermine's harmonica is the perfect counterpoint to Anton's unstoppable guitar playing: a creative whirlwind with irresistible groove, humor, and a unique musical signature. Together they take you on a ride filled with stories, rhythm, playfulness, and emotion-sometimes whisper-soft, then exuberant and explosive. Anton Goudsmit (guitar/compositions) enchants with inventiveness, infectious joy, and a groove that immediately draws the audience in. Hermine Deurloo is praised for her warm, lyrical tone and virtuosic, melodic storytelling style. She has performed with a wide range of artists-from Steve Gadd and Mike Bodde to the Metropole Orchestra-and refuses to be boxed into a single genre.

Now focusing on original compositions (along with some Indian chants and a piece by Claude Debussy), this album also distinguishes itself from the previous two albums by presenting a new sonic landscape.  Blending the rich timbres and textures of both the acoustic and electric sonic worlds of the musicians, we were looking to get a strong, direct, full sound that still retains enough detail and acoustic warmth.

With a unique and unmistakable approach to music and his instrument, Julien Tassin is a one-of-a-kind guitar player. Using non-traditional techniques and original tunings, he creates music that combines elements of blues, jazz, classical, Oriental and African music. The result is music born out of openness and freedom. Stubbornly he repeats musical ideas until the tension reaches a boiling point, the lyricism of his melodies becomes inevitable, and the rawness of the sound takes center stage.

Christy Doran's bands are called "New Bag," "Sound Fountain," or "Bunter Hund," and the same thing applies to all of them: nomen est omen. He chooses his co-musicians exclusively according to the pleasure principle, and does not know any prejudices not only in this respect, but has played with Fredy Studer, Urs Leimgruber, Carla Bley, Ray Anderson, Erika Stucky, and many more. He regularly jumps back and forth between Jimi Hendrix, Samuel Becket, and Chinese folk music in the search for inspiration and seems to expand his artistic portfolio every second. Christy Doran, for this release, got the idea to bundle 20 electric guitars, four electric basses and a drumset into an orchestra that has never before existed in this form. He calls it "144 Strings for a Broken Chord" in view of the tempestuous storm that it creates. One has to listen to this sometimes brutal elemental force, which can change into a soft hovering in a matter of seconds, a vacuum of reverberating sound fragments. And note: Each of the 20 guitarists and four bassists brings his own personal touch to the daring project, creating a special, original sound that resembles an artistic DNA with the help of smaller or larger instruments.

This album celebrates how tolerance and cultural exchange can lead to something new and beautiful, both in music and society. In every culture, the soul finds new ways to dance. Step into the circle-where sound is not judged, but joined. "Playing in a trio like this has been a dream of mine for a long time. I've always been fascinated by music from all sorts of cultures. With Jaggat, we're blending genres in a way that feels really natural - it's not just a patchwork. There are rich harmonies, beautiful melodies, cool grooves, and some odd meters thrown in. I love that it all comes together as one cohesive sound." - CASPAR VAN MEEL "Jaggat is a unique blend of various musical styles-including classical music, jazz, world music, flamenco, and Indian music-all fused into a tasteful and vibrant mélange. It was a great joy to play and record this album with these fantastic musicians." - Markus Conrad "Music is a reflection on our society and the times we live in. These compositions express how we live nowadays in Europe. All cultures are represented and are melting in a beautiful way, at least in art and music. That's what I love about this project!" - AFRA MUSSAWISADE

Out of a mutual love of spontaneousness and raw emotions, Belgian guitarist Julien Tassin and Finnish guitarist Heikki Ruokangas decided to start creating music together. As two guitars aiming to sound like one. In their music, the concrete and the abstract can co-exist at each moment. Melodic lines are combined with atonal sounds for an organic and exploratory approach to the acoustic guitar. Just like life itself, the music of this duo is full of both beauty and beast. And, just like the players, it has a playful sense of humor to it.

GingerBlackGinger, the daring and authentic project centered around Belgian double bass player Yannick Peeters, has entered a new chapter. They are now joined by American avant-garde alto saxophonist Tim Berne. Their new album, titled Smalltalk Code, will be released in February 2026 by Challenge Records (NL). "Tim is a hero of mine, a great example when it comes to music composition. I didn't even dare ask him to join at first. This project is going to be unique; I don't know of many bands with two alto saxophones. I'm excited to see the dynamic form between Tim and Frans Van Isacker. Tim has such a strong personality, he has a great impact on our sound. The fact that Tim and Tom Rainey have played together before means there was an element of trust there from the beginning." - Yannick Peeters GingerBlackGinger is made up of Yannick Peeters (BE) on double bass (Jakob Bro, Frank Vaganée, Chris Joris, Mark Feldman, Jim Black, Joshua Redman, Hank Roberts); Frederik Leroux (BE) on guitar (Flat Earth Society, Ruben Machtelinckx, Joachim Badenhorst, Lander Gyselinck, Steven Delannoye); Frans Van Isacker (BE) on saxophone and clarinet (Tom Malmendier, Quentin Stokart, Ottla, Chantal Acda & The Atlantic Drifters); Tom Rainey (US) on drums (Fred Hersch, Ingrid Laubrock, Mary Halvorson, Mark Helias, Joey Baron, Jim Black); and now Tim Berne (US) on saxophone (Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Hank Roberts, John Zorn, Marc Ducret, Michael Formanek, Craig Taborn). These are personalities with a vision: creative, stubborn people who won't settle for mediocrity; restless spirits who keep looking for new sounds, contexts, and like-minded people, and are therefore the ideal partners in crime for Peeters. In January 2024, the band released their debut album GingerBlackGinger. This album combines elaborate soundscapes, brief bursts of energy, and mesmerizing grooves. In May of 2025, Yannick Peeters was given carte blanche by Bozar. She took the opportunity to invite her personal musical hero Tim Berne to join the band for the recording of a new album and a live show. The result of this journey into new musical adventures is the album Smalltalk Code, to be released in February 2026 by Challenge Records (NL).

AMARe is a musical tribute to the sea, to love, and to the ever-shifting tides of inspiration between Brazil and Europe. The title blends a mare (the tide) and amar e (to love is), capturing the album's essence: movement, emotion, and surrender. Vocalist Celine Rudolph, pianist Henrique Gomide, and guitarist João Luis Nogueira come together in an intuitive dialogue where Brazilian rhythms and jazz improvisation meet in perfect flow. The trio moves seamlessly between original compositions and fresh interpretations of classics by João Donato, Gilberto Gil, Toninho Horta, and Candeia. Each track resonates with freedom and connection whether in the poetic depth of Itacimirim, the rhythmic interplay of Toca da Arara, or the quiet beauty of Preciso Me Encontrar. AMARe is not a reconstruction but an organically grown musical language where tradition and modernity converge. With guest appearances by Toninho Horta and Teco Cardoso, this is a contemporary ode to Brazilian music authentic, exploratory, and timeless.

In a time when musical genres are constantly in dialogue with one another, Standard - No Standard proves that the jazz tradition is not only alive but also constantly evolving. This album, the result of a powerful collaboration between guitarist Joost Zoeteman, bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and drummer Wim de Vries, showcases how three musicians masterfully strike a balance between reverence for jazz history and a fresh, contemporary approach.

It's a gift that has been handed to Jasper: the ability to choose a musical partner for a unique project where the sum of the parts far exceeds the normal mathematical result. The result is the epitome of synergy. These great live recordings are addictive. Not merely because of their lovely tones, thrilling turns, subtle waywardness and the restrained calm that pervades them. No, it is first and foremost the overall vibe that makes this release so special. You're literally transported to a sound world that breathes, where a liberating space prevails. Your sense of time wavers and you feel connected to the language of the players. Listening to them places you fully in the Now.

“...Witchdoctor’s Son contains the most infectious, buoyant, gleeful music...the interaction between Pukwana and Tchicai’s vastly differing phrase sensibilities is one of the joys of this recording...” (Lange, Down Beat) “...from Dyani’s most consistently inventive period...” (The Penguin Guide To JAZZ) The timeless brilliance of jazz with the remastered edition of Johnny Dyani's Witchdoctor's Son, originally recorded in 1978 brings together musicians from South Africa, Denmark, and Brazil, blending their unique styles with the rich heritage of American jazz. The presence of John Tchicai, a stalwart of the New York jazz scene, adds depth to this remarkable record. The music is deeply rooted in South African traditions, with themes composed by Johnny Dyani and Dudu Pukwana, and traditional tunes arranged by them. The spirit of Africa, especially the Xhosa world, is a constant presence throughout the album.

Frank Vignola is one of the most sought after, innovative, and entertaining guitarists of our day. This recording captures the magic of his performances, with fellow virtuoso guitarist Vinny Caniolo, through incredible arrangements of familiar melodies. There’s something here for everyone! Touring nationwide and in syndication on PBS.