As the name suggests, ‘modern’ jazz is heavily dependant on what era you’re living in.
Back in the 1940s, for example, bebop was considered modern compared to the big band swing that came before it.
But, in 21st century jazz speak, we’re usually referring to a type of music that has emerged from the 1990s onwards and covers a range of sub-genres in a more current way than styles like swing, bebop and modal jazz.
As ever, though, lines can be blurred and it may incorporate elements of all these styles.
From a musical perspective, modern jazz today can be highly demanding to play, often utilising non-functional harmony, intricate melodies and odd time signatures.
It might take influence from other genres, such as 20th Century classical music or sounds from non-western cultures.
And while it can sometimes have a reputation for being rather challenging for the listener, a number of modern jazz artists have managed to create accessible and highly melodic material from relatively complex source materials.
Key Contemporary Jazz albums
Esperanza Spalding – Chamber Music Society
Brad Mehdlau – Art of the Trio 4: Back at the Vanguard
Vijay Iyer – Break Stuff
Kurt Rosenwinkel – The Next Step
Jason Moran – The Bandwagon
Ambrose Akinmusire – A Rift in Decorum
Marius Neset – Pinball
