Very few artists take as drastic of a shift in their musical careers as Joe Jackson has. The English born musician was integral in the new wave scene in the late 1970s and had a good deal of success. However, after a move to New York, Jackson started delving deep into the eclectic worlds of jazz and classical music. His career 180 helped set him apart from the vast amount of aging new wavers and even though his current music is far less lucrative than the stuff he was making in the 1970s and 1980s, it's nonetheless worthy of critical praise.

'In the same league as Aretha Franklin' The Telegraph

Known as the father of "Ethio-jazz," Ethiopian musician and arranger Mulatu Astatke made extensive contributions to jazz and world music through successfully combining jazz, Latin and Ethiopian traditional music. With a career that began in the 1950s, Astatke's creative peak was reached in the 1970's when his experimental combinations of sound and instrumentation amassed international recognition and acclaim. Despite becoming largely forgotten in the 1980s, Astatke's music was rediscovered a decade later in the 90s, effectively ensuring his place as one of world music's most influential musicians.

Paris-based gypsy jazz and so-called electroswing band Caravan Palace is one of the country's most unique sounding and revered bands. Citing influences as disparate as Django Reinhardt and Daft Punk, the group has discovered a sound unlike any other, solidifying them as a band who will likely remain a constantly evolving and increasingly popular force in France and abroad.

Jimmy McGhie is a stand-up comedian from the United Kingdom who got his start in comedy by making it to the finals of Britain's renowned "BBC New Talent" competition in 2005. McGhee's special brand of comedy is complimented by his masterful storytelling skills, combined with a star quality that many comics in this day and age can only hope for. Following his debut, McGhie went on to perform successfully at several festivals and competitions throughout the U.K., with his breakout solo-show "Jimmy McGhie's Northern Meeting" premiering at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009 to great acclaim from both critics and audiences alike.

GoGo Penguin is a progressive jazz band that's stood out from the crowd with its daring mixture of electronics and jazz. Emerging out of the UK in 2012, the trio captured a massive and diverse audiences with its piano melodies, pulsating basslines and surprising breakbeats. GoGo Penguin signed with Gondwana Records and dropped its debut album Fanfares in 2012, followed by 2014's v2.0.

Takuya Kuroda is a Japanese trumpeter and composer known for his unique blend of jazz, soul, and hip-hop influences. He has released several albums, including his critically acclaimed debut album "Edge" in 2011, which showcased his skills as a bandleader and composer. Kuroda's music is characterized by his expressive trumpet playing and innovative approach to fusion jazz, earning him a reputation as a rising star in the jazz world. In addition to his solo work, Kuroda has collaborated with other musicians such as José James, Antibalas, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He has also performed at prestigious venues and festivals around the world, showcasing his dynamic and electrifying live performances. With his distinctive sound and improvisational skills, Takuya Kuroda continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz and inspire audiences with his engaging and innovative music.

After attaining a music degree from Sarah Lawrence College, New Jersey-born Stacey Kent decided to move to England and study at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. While investing all of her time in her sonic studies, Kent started making a style of music based in jazz but also in modern sensibilities. She released her debut album in 1997 and over the years Kent's vintage style of music has been met with mixed results.

Bohren & der Club of Gore is an avant-jazz group from Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany that was founded in 1992. Creating a unique style of music that blends elements of jazz and ambient, the group has built a song reputation for itself as one of Germany's premier experimental jazz acts. Bohren & der Club of Gore released its debut album, Gore Motel, in 1994 and since then the group has maintained a fairly regular LP output.

Ezra Collective is a London-based band that's intent on pushing the limits of what's expected from jazz music in the 21st century. Incorporating elements of Afrobeat and hip-hop into its loose, jazzy sound, the group released its debut album, You Can't Steal My Joy, in 2019 and the LP helped Ezra Collective establish itself as one of the more innovative acts on the modern London jazz scene.

Pat Metheny's fruitful career in the world of music began at a young age in his hometown of Kansas City. By age 15, Metheny had begun to play jazz with some of the city's greatest musicians. His adept musical skill from a young age has grown into a full-blown life of writing and playing music, pushing the evolution of jazz to its brink. His first jazz guitar album in 1975, Bright Size Life, rocked the music scene and introduced a fierce young imagination to the world. His constant ambition and musical inventiveness have cemented his place as a pioneer. His dexterous abilities and boundary-pushing style have led to his many contributions to the forms of jazz, rock and even classical. The legend has not slowed down, working as an educator while continuing his parade of unforgettable live performances.

Raised in a musical family - her father was a singer and her mother a trumpeter - Dianne Reeves was encouraged to become involved with music at an early age. After high school, the young singer decided to pursue her art professionally and moved from her native Denver to Los Angeles. Here she sang back up for multiple jazz bands and eventually toured with Sergio Mendes, the highly respected jazz-funk fusionist. With this experience under her belt, Reeves began producing solo work and became the first female soloist to sign with the jazz powerhouse Blue Note Records in 1987. Since then, Reeves has continued to tour worldwide and impress audiences with her vocal prowess.

Armenian, New York-based jazz pianist and singer/songwriter Tigran Hamasyan is a rising star in the international jazz community. Influenced by a broad range of musical styles, both American and Armenian, Hamasyan has created a sound that is entirely his own—deeply personal in addition to being easily embraced by all. Hamasyan can be found performing in and around New York, as well as internationally in Western Europe.

London-based jazz vocalist Zara McFarlane got her start collaborating with prominent jazz artists before releasing her self-produced EP Until Tomorrow in 2010. A testament to her growth as an artist, the record highlighted her contemplative lyrics and fresh vocal stylings. McFaralane evolved the six-track effort into a full length album that served as her debut on Brownswood records. Demonstrating all the finesses necessary for a jazz vocalist and a strong neo soul sensibility, she owns a poppy sound that brings jazz to a new generation of music fans.

Houston, Texas-based artist Robert Glasper is a pianist and producer who bridges jazz with contemporary R&B, soul and hip-hop. Inspired by his blues singer mother, he began playing piano at a young age and eventually started his professional music career in New York City where he worked with various artists including neo-soul singer Bilal Oliver. Glasper released his first solo album Mood, in 2002, before making his major label debut with his 2005 album Canvas, on Blue Note records. As the leader of the funk-influenced outfit the Robert Glasper Trio, as well as the hip-hop and jazz project the Robert Glasper experiment, he anchors classic jazz elements to modern music.

How many musicians are deemed child prodigies with an award-nominated documentary made about their abilities by the age of just eight? Such is the case with Julian Lage, an impressively talented jazz guitarist from Santa Rosa, California. Throughout his youth, Lage was trained in classical and modern styles at some of the most prestigious music institutions in the United States, including the Berklee College of Music, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Ali Akbar College of Music. As a result, Lage is a master of the guitar, infusing his classical leanings with plenty of jazzy exercises and forays into a multitude of genres. Always impressive while managing to avoid inaccessible pretension, Lage is a young master of jazz who has performed with some of the genre's modern legends, including Bela Fleck, Herbie Hancock and Joshua Redman.

Primarily focusing on a unique form of rockabilly jazz, Irish born singer songwriter Imelda May has done several interesting things with her music since she released her debut album in 2005. Combining elements of bebop and blues into her musical mix has given the impassioned songstress added credibility amongst her peers, as well as the listening public.

Peter Cat Recording Co., an Indian alternative rock band from Delhi, was founded in 2009 by Suryakant Sawhney after a transformative experience in San Francisco. The band’s current lineup includes Sawhney on vocals and guitar, Karan Singh on drums, Dhruv Bhola on bass and samples, Rohit Gupta on keys and trumpet, and Kartik Sundareshan Pillai on keyboards, guitar, electronics, and trumpet. Their debut album, Sinema, was released in 2011 and showcased a unique blend of jazz, cabaret, and pop. Over the years, they released several critically acclaimed albums, including Climax (2015), Bismillah (2019), and BETA बेटा (2024). Known for their distinctive sound and cinematic music videos, PCRC has garnered a strong following in India and internationally. Their work often blends artistic and experimental approaches, with themes spanning personal growth and reflections on society.

Andrew Heissler is a singer/songwriter from Bloomington, Illinois who creates American roots music under the moniker Pokey LaFarge. After discovering blues music and graduating high school, he hitchhiked around the country, busking on sidewalks, meeting like-minded artists and crafting his blues-infused Americana sound. Pokey self-released his 2006 debut album, Marmalade, followed by 2008's Beat, Move & Shake before he joined forces with his friends of the South City Three to form Pokey La Farge & the South City Three. With his new band, Pokey released Riverboat Soul in 2010, and has since been charming an international audience with his nostalgic brand of American roots music.

Digable Planets is an American trio that was formed in 1992. After a few struggles for recognition, poor sales and creative differences, the band broke up in 1995. But in 2005 the group reunited releasing a new album entitled Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles. Its sound is an interesting mix of jazz, alternative and hip hop, and one of its most recognized songs is "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)."

British singer/songwriter Jamie Cullum plays the piano like a mad man and he's a multi-genre master. Whether it be a slow jazz number or a dance track, Cullum can crank out his own piano, drum or guitar accompaniment with ease. His music is a mix of pop and crossover jazz, and he also plays a number of different instruments. His first album generated lots of success and it followed by a three album contract with a major record label. He has performed at many festivals and his audience continues to grow.

Though it might sound strange to combine the almost contrastive music from both jazz and rap into one intermixed style, the English band The Herbaliser does it with stunning efficiency. The group got its start in 1995 when a few like minded individuals with different musical leanings got together to create some music. The results were extremely interesting and unlike most material that was being created in the mid-'90s. The band is still at it and after years of time spent touring the band is a road tested group that turns dance floors into amalgamations of moving, dancing bodies.

Jacob Collier can be considered as a jack of all trades. He is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and arranger, among other things. Born and raised North London, Collier got his start by uploading covers of popular tracks and by 2012, he was already going viral. He has an understanding of a wide range of genres such as jazz, folk and classical, allowing him to blend them as he thinks the best. He debuted in 2016 with the album, In My Room, which comprises his original tracks and some covers. The album made it to the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts and became the reason for Collier's two Grammy awards. He has collaborated with some of the established names in the music industry such as Coldplay, Pentatonix, Quincy Jones and many more. "All Night Long" and the cover song "Flintstones" are some of his most popular creations.

Omar Lye-Fook, commonly known as Omar, is an acclaimed British singer, songwriter, and musician. With a career that spans over three decades, Omar has become an iconic figure in the realm of neo-soul and contemporary R&B. Drawing inspiration from diverse musical backgrounds, including jazz, funk, reggae, and gospel, Omar has created a unique sound that is both soulful and eclectic. Known for his smooth and velvety vocals, Omar's music effortlessly combines heartfelt lyrics with infectious grooves, making every song a sonic delight. His ability to seamlessly blend various genres is evident in his chart-topping hits like "There's Nothing Like This" and "It's So." With his distinct style, Omar has influenced countless artists and gained a dedicated fan base worldwide. Beyond his solo work, Omar has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, and Angie Stone, among others. This collaboration showcases his versatility and ability to complement and enhance the talents of other artists. With a rich discography and an unwavering passion for music, Omar Lye-Fook continues to captivate audiences with his soulful melodies and undeniable talent. His contributions to the world of music solidify him as one of the most influential and respected artists of his generation.

Primarily focusing on a unique form of rockabilly jazz, Irish born singer songwriter Imelda May has done several interesting things with her music since she released her debut album in 2005. Combining elements of bebop and blues into her musical mix has given the impassioned songstress added credibility amongst her peers, as well as the listening public.

Out of Serbia and into the limelight Ana Popovic has been evoking her jazz guitar riffs since 1998. Her debut album Hometown, created with a band she formed called Hush!, brought her acclaim through it's blues-y amalgamation of rock and rhythm. After going solo in 2000, Popovic's style has continued to evolve, sharpening her talent on guitar and earning her accolades from a few prom indent music publications.

Formed upon a chance pairing in class at Boston’s New England Conservatory, the four members of Lake Street Dive were assigned to form a group that played "free country" by the end of the class period; the teacher even provided them with the name Lake Street Dive. While the band members realized "free country" wasn't their strong suit, they also realized that there was an evident chemistry between them all and so they continued the band outside of class. After playing around with different musical styles, the band settled on a fusion between easy listening jazz and sweet indie pop. Since forming in 2006, Lake Street Dive has toured across the country and impressed audiences at every stop.

Richard Bona is a renowned jazz bassist from Central Africa who started playing music at the age of four. Born into a musical family, he would create his own flutes and guitars out of old motor parts and household items when he was only a child, making it apparent that his affinity for music was more than a mere hobby. After putting together his own band at age 13, he discovered jazz music, fell in love with the electric bass and eventually traveled to Europe to study jazz composition. Bona released his debut solo album, Scenes from My Life, in 1999 while he was living and playing in New York City. He has since continued to spread his African music-flavored jazz fusion around the world with records including 2005's Tiki, and 2009's The Ten Shades of Blues.

Opting to avoid any major publicity campaigns and keep a low profile, jazz songstress Madeleine Peyroux maintains a close connection with her modest roots and even busks on the street occasionally. Moving from prominent cities around the globe at a young age, Peyroux kind of settled down in Paris when she was 13. Immersing herself in the city's sprawling music scene, Peyroux found herself drawn to various jazz and blues scenes and soon she herself was writing impassioned pieces that have gone on to receive some critical attention.

Saxophonist, bandleader, composer, the London-based artist Nubya Garcia dons many hats. But she is most popularly known for being a jazz musician. Garcia developed a passion for music at a very early age. She was just five years old when she started learning to play the violin. In 2017, she debuted with her album, Nubya's 5ive. Her brand of afro-tinged jazz music has helped distinguish her as one of the UK's more interesting saxophonists. In addition to her solo material, she has collaborated with a number of artists and is also one of the founding members of a jazz collective called Nérija. She has performed at various international popular festivals such as NYC Winter Jazz Festival, Singapore Jazz Festival, Kazakhstan Jazz Festival, Jazzfest Berlin and many more.

Dirty Loops is a Swedish cover band that takes modern pop hits and transforms them into jazz fusion masterpieces. Blending funk, rock and experimental textures into its songs, the band uses is own distinct style to turn well-known songs into brand new listening experiences.

Wynton Marsalis is a well-known jazz trumpet player from New Orleans. He started playing the trumpet when he was 12 years old and went on to study at Juilliard School of Music in New York. Since 1982, he has been working as a solo artist and his debut album, Wynton Marsalis, was released in 1983. His style is considered to be conservative since he dismisses all changes in jazz music after the 1960s, such as free jazz or fusion.

Georgia-based singer-songwriter Lizz Wright grew up on gospel music in her pentecostal church, sharpening her vocal skills at an early enough age that Wright grew quickly into charting new musical territory outside of her gospel roots. Fusing jazz, r&b and soul music, Wright makes music that manages to sound timeless as much as it sounds of-the-moment. Wright's songwriting skills are at the forefront of her music, capturing nuances of love, romance and loss with a pitch perfect resonance that sets her a part from the rest.

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter and actor Gregory Porter is a jazz vocalist who got his start performing in local jazz clubs in San Diego. While attending San Diego State University on a football scholarship, Porter was sidelined by an injury. During this time he began to focus on his singing and met his future mentor and friend Kamau Kenyatta, a composer, pianist and saxophonist. Kenyatta would play a significant role in Porter pursuing a career in music. In 1994 Porter was cast in a leading role in the musical It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, which eventually made its way to Broadway, despite having little acting or theater experience. As a resident performer at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in New York City, Porter frequents other jazz nights around the city and continues to record music, such as his 2010 debut Water and his 2012 follow-up Be Good.

Some extremely adept musicians wander through the sonic cosmos, never helming a band of their own - instead acting as a gun for hire, or, possibly more accurately, a studio musician. These folk are supreme instrumentalists - most even virtuosos - and they're called upon to make recordings glisten with professional zest and sharp production. One studio guitar slinger who broke the mold and struck out on his own is Robben Ford. The California born and bred musician has worked with a number of well known recording artists, but after tiring of his work in the studio, Ford decided to launch his own solo career. His material pulls heavily from blues, but also from rock and jazz to create an amalgamation of sound that's well suited for his astonishing instrumental skill.