Annual Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll at Mid-Year 2026

August 10, 2026

Arts Fuse
Jazzword.com ballot

Ballot: Ken Waxman (Jazz Word)

What in your opinion are the best new jazz albums initially released in 2026? You may list up to 10.

Unranked- Alphabetical:

  1. Abdelnour-Loriot-Meier-Niggenkemper Et il y aura …Veto-exchange 024
  2. Eden/Loriot/Tantanozi and raw, lift my eyes  Inexhaustible Editions ie-069
  3. Erb/Mayas/Hemingway Phyla Music Veto records-exchange 023
  4. Arkady Gotesman Music for an Imaginary Ballet NoBusiness NBCD 179
  5. Alexander Hawkins No Nation But Imagination Intakt CD 453
  6. Kassap/Swell/Duboc/Taylor Edges RogueArt ROG-143
  7. Alexis Marcello Solo Piano Intakt CD 448
  8. Vera Morais’ Eupnea Porta Jazz PJ 121
  9. Nebbia/Banner/Andrzejewski Presencia ears&eyes records EE 25-245
  10. Udo Schindler & Paul Rogers Ephemeral Essence of Low Tone Studies (for Duo)FMR CD 725-925

What in your opinion are the best rara avis (reissue/archival albums)

Unranked- Alphabetical:

  1. Art Ensemble of Chicago People in Sorrow Play Loud! Productions pl-185
  2. Derek Bailey/Han Bennink/Evan Parker Topographie Parisienne FOU CD 34-35-36-37
  3. Marion Brown In Europe 1968 & 1972 NoBusiness NBCD 187
  4. Rahsaan Roland Kirk Vibrations in the Village Live at the Village Gate Resonance Records HCD 2081
  5. Cecil Taylor Unit Fragments: The Complete 1969 Salle Pleyel Concerts Elemental Music INA 5990455