If you are reading this, chances are that there's at least one jazz fan on your holiday gift list. Or maybe you need to provide a few hints to your family and friends! The Jazz Police want to help with our first annual Gifts of Jazz list. The possibilities are like jazz itself, filled with endless themes and variations... but here's a starting point if you are stumped or just curious! And I would be happy to hear from our readers who have other suggestions, which I will incorporate into the 2005 list.

Recordings

It's not always easy to pick out CDs, even when you are well acquainted with someone's taste in music. Fortunately, unopened CDs are generally easy to exchange, so don't hesitate to add a disk to a loved one's stocking or send a friend one of your favorites. Personally I enjoy finding out what someone else thinks I would like, and if I already have it, or really don't want it, I have had the fun of picking out something else in exchange. It's a win-win gift! And while you are looking at CDs, browse through the increasing number of jazz performances on DVD, too.

Need some suggestions from recordings released in 2004? There were plenty of strong releases from high profile artists, such as Keith Jarrett (The Out-of-Towners), Dave Brubeck (Private Brubeck Remembers), Jane Monheit (Taking a Chance on Love), Diana Krall (The Girl in the Other Room), Stefon Harris (Evolution), Brad Mehldau (Live in Tokyo), Charlie Haden and Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Land of the Sun), Rubalcaba's quartet (Paseo), The Bad Plus (Give), McCoy Tyner (Illuminations), Monty Alexander (Rocksteady), Charles Lloyd (Which Way Is East?), Chris Potter (Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard), Dave Douglas (Strange Liberation), Madeleine Peyroux (Careless Love)—and many more, including a raft of reissues (such as Miles Davis' complete Seven Steps to Heaven set). But a number of great disks may have slipped under your radar screen. For something a little off the Billboard path, consider the following Baker's Dozen of special releases from the past year, in alphabetical order:

• Eric Alexander, Dead Center (High Note). Another dynamic recording from one of his generation's most swinging tenor players. Alexander and his quartet stay well inside the bounds of mainstream while offering plenty of inventive improvisation.
• Geri Allen, The Life of a Song (Telarc). Her first recording in six years, Geri Allen is as inventive and power-charged as ever, with a rhythm section that is hardly back-up—Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.
• Lynne Arriale, Come Together (Motema). Celebrating the 10^th anniversary of her working trio, one of the most lyrical (if under appreciated) composers in piano jazz focuses on folk melodies and elegant harmonies that always "come together." (See review on Jazz Police, http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4601/2/)
• Patricia Barber, Live: A Fortnight in France (Blue Note). Barber may be the most original voice—as vocalist or pianist—in modern jazz. If you only think of her as a savvy vocalist, listen to her piano chops.
• Don Byron, Ivey Divey (Blue Note). If you thought the clarinet was long-lost to modern jazz, think again. With the monster pianist Jason Moran and veteran drum king Jack DeJohnette, Byron salutes Lester Young and adds some Miles and originals, producing some of the most melodic and daring music of the year.
• E.S.T. (Esbjorn Svensson Trio), Seven Days of Falling (215 Music). Recently discovered by American audiences although already legends in Europe, EST brings the piano trio to the 21^st century with edgy elegance and invention, acoustic and electronic, like a trip to the moon. (See more about EST on Jazz Police, http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4728/2/)
• Mimi Fox, She's the Woman (Favored Nations). One hot guitarist covers some standards and originals, including the aptly titled "East Coast Attitude."
• Hiromi, Brain (Telarc). It's no coincidence that Ahmad Jamal produced this recording. Although her trio clearly reflects the passions of inventive 20-somethings, the pianist's riveting orchestral arrangements of all-original material is more than worthy of her benefactor. (For a Jazz Police review of Brain, see http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4618/2/)
• Rene Marie, Serene Renegade (MaxJazz). Finally Rene Marie is singing Rene Marie, and her compositions are as personal as her voice. Backed by a superb band, she crawls inside each song and nails it through your heart. (For more on Rene Marie, see http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4674/2/)
• Andy Narell, The Passage (Heads Up). With the added star appearances of Michael Brecker, Paquito D'Rivera and Hugh Masekela, these sweeping arrangements for steel pan orchestra enchant and inspire. If you are seeking something swinging but unusual, look no farther.
• Craig Taborn, Junk Magic (Thirsty Ear). The ever-inventive keyboard master reaches the outer limits of accessibility through the unpredictable, high-energy melding of acoustic and electronic, familiar and unfamiliar, creating a sonic palette that is thoroughly original. (See review, http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4467/2/)
• Jon Weber, Simple Complex (Second Century Jazz). All original compositions and arrangements from one of the geniuses of modern piano. Weber uses a wide range of configurations and guest artists, including Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Kurt Elling and Eric Alexander. Inventive, unusual, highly accessible.
• Denny Zeitlin, Slick Rock (MaxJazz). Joined by masters Buster Williams and Matt Wilson, psychiatrist/pianist Zeitlin weaves his improvisations into a fine quilt, on original compositions as well as a few familiar tunes. (For a review of Denny Zeitlin, see http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4523/53/)

Local recordings are another option. Particularly if you're shopping for a jazz fan who lives in another city, a local artist is sure to please. As performers always remind us, CDs make great gifts and usually artists are happy to sign your purchase. Check out your local CD sources for recordings by area artists, or take advantage of sales at local venues--"CD release parties" are great opportunities to pick up brand new releases. Here in the Twin Cities, some new and not so new, still-available gems include:

• JazzMN Big Band (self-titled)
• Mary Louise Knutson, Call Me When You Get There
• Pete Whitman Quintet, The Sound of Water (Artegra)
• Lucia Newell and Departure Point, Steeped in Strayhorn
• Laura Caviani, In Your Own Sweet Way; Angels We Haven't Heard
• Connie Evingson, Let It Be Jazz; The Secret of Christmas
• How Birds Work (self-titled) See http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4654/53/ for a review.
• Larry McDonough, Small Steps
• Billy Holloman, This Is Organ Night -see http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/4586/53/ for a review.
• Nachito Herrera & Puro Cubano, Live at the Dakota
• Chris Lomheim, The Bridge
• Kelly Rossum, Renovation
  

Subscriptions
Give a gift that lasts all year—a subscription to a top jazz magazine. The most popular in the US are Jazz Times, Downbeat and Jazziz; all provide reviews of recordings, interviews with musicians, features on all aspects of jazz; Downbeat provides more coverage of blues and "beyond" while Jazz Times tends to provide more jazz news and directories of festivals and jazz education programs. Jazziz addresses jazz as a cultural entity as much as musical dimension and has the world's largest circulation of any jazz periodical. Since die-hard jazz fans may already subscribe to one or both, you might consider some less-known publications such as Planet Jazz and Jazz Improv.

• Downbeat, www.downbeat.com (monthly, $35/year; CD reviews, artist interviews, blues and "beyond" in addition to jazz)
  
• Jazz Improv, www.jazzimprov.com (quarterly, $40/year; large journal with numerous CD and product reviews, artist interviews, in-depth features for fans and musicians, sampler CD included with each issue)
• Jazziz, www.jazziz.com (monthly, $70/year; mini-subscription available for 3 months; "the voice of new jazz culture," includes reviews, news, featured artists, monthly CD sampler)
• Jazz Times, www.jazztimes.com (10 issues per year/$24; CD and product reviews, special features, artist interviews; annual education supplement and director of jazz festivals)
• Planet Jazz, (514) 931-5821 (Published twice per year; international journal published in Canada and emphasizing Canadian venues, festivals and artists. An interesting alternative to the American jazz press.)
  
  
  
  
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