Matt Fleeger

Carlton Jackson, drummer, educator, longtime statesman of the Portland jazz and blues scene and veteran radio broadcaster, passed away recently at his home in North Portland.

In a year characterized by big changes, some of the best “new” music released wasn’t new at all. Read on for a list of 2020 jazz reissues that brought KMHD staff & listeners a sense of familiarity and re-discovery in unstable times.

It’s no secret that 2020 has been challenging, but sometimes falling in love with a piece of music — even just one song — can make all the difference. In no particular order, here are the jazz singles KMHD couldn’t stop spinning this year.

One bright side of this year? All the music that was made, against great odds. Here’s the KMHD staff’s hand-picked list of favorite jazz LPs from 2020.

It's no secret that the streaming generation has changed the way artists and labels release music. That changing dynamic makes reviewing the year's most memorable singles just as important as reviewing albums.

Each year the KMHD staff listens to an incredible volume of amazing music. Here are 10 albums you'll want to start the new year with.

In jazz, single cuts can contain a dimensionality and completeness that takes pop music a whole album to achieve.  And, as we witness a transition from albums to singles as the primary format for new music releases - a top singles list is essential.

Here at KMHD, we listened to an incredible volume of amazing music in 2017. It’s been a year of releases that remind us why this sound is so important — it uplifts, inspires, reflects and makes space for honesty.

A visual representation of jazz throughout history - a KMHD/OPB original.

If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a good chance that it’s raining when you read this — that's why KMHD's Program Director Matt Fleeger curated a soundtrack for those infamous Northwest rainy days.