Best Irish jazz in 2025: most comprehensive, broad ranging list

It’s striking the restless, ever searching, spread of the stylistic range in this survey of all that’s good in Irish jazz this year.

Best Irish jazz this year – begin here

1/ Matt Benson Sit Back Down Again (No Label)

Matt Benson, Sit Back Down Again *****

2/ Dave Redmond All in Motion (Step By Records)

Dave Redmond single ‘Windchill’ streams drawn from All In Motion

3/ Pharos, Silfra, Whirlwind

Pharos, Silfra, Whirlwind

4/ Michael Buckley Ebb and Flow (Livia)

Michael Buckley, Ebb and Flow, Livia **** Recommended

5/ Ronan Guilfoyle’s Bemusement Arcade At Swing, Two Birds (Livia)

Ronan Guilfoyle’s Bemusement Arcade, At Swing, Two Birds, Livia ***1/2

6/ Tom Caraher Ninety Degrees (No Label)

Irish jazz scene invigorated by Tom Caraher

7/ Nils Kavanagh Trio No Expectations Flaming Sword Records

Nils Kavanagh, No Expectations, Flaming Sword Records

8/ Carole Nelson Trio Through the Storm (Livia)

Carole Nelson Trio, Through the Storm, Livia

9/ Neil Burns Golden Sunsets (Second Degree Burns)

Neil Burns, Golden Sunsets, Second Degree Burns Records ***1/2

10/ Organ Freeman Busywork (Charlie Moon Music)

Organ Freeman, Busywork, Charlie Moon Music ****

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