VA - Best of ABC Jazz '25 (2025) [Hi-Res]

The collection features artists that span the country from Adelaide to Sydney and Cairns to Hobart, and even beyond, including Australian musicians currently working in Germany and the US. It opens with a tribute to the late, great Judy Bailey, who sadly passed away in August, from pianist Lauren Tsamouras and trumpeter Tom Avgenicos.

Many of the recordings shine a spotlight on solo performances: on guitar (Peter O'Mara), drums (Jodie Michael) and sax (Mike Rivett and John Mackey) as well as piano (Matt McMahon and Ciara Louise Ferguson) – all recorded as part of ABC Jazz’s Artist in Residence program. The digital album also celebrates ensembles both established and emerging: spacious, contemplative tracks from Australian jazz legends David Jones, Ben Robertson and Tony Gould; cross-cultural journeys from Somesh Putcha, exploring his Telugu heritage, and Dominic Nguyen's Koa Trio, blending aesthetics of jazz and traditional East Asian musics; and a musical embrace of love and joy in the small day to day moments, from trans artist Elliot Lamb.

Many of the artists involved in these recordings were directly commissioned by ABC Jazz as part of its Composer Commission program. These projects have given opportunities to emerging artists and musicians from diverse backgrounds, providing new music for radio and digital content for Australian and international audiences.