One third of 2015 has almost flown by and we are pleased to register the release of a new series of albums bound to enrich the domain of contemporary jazz. Artists like José James, Tigran Hamasyan, Mathias Eick and Omar Sosa show us that there are still sufficient creative resources in a musical genre that has been constantly renewed for over a century.

José James (born in 1978) managed to freshen up the vocal jazz by borrowing features from soul and electronic music. With his fifth album, Yesterday I Had the Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday, James goes back to its origins, celebrating the genius of the great singer, who recently had her 100 year anniversary.

The success of this album signed by José James is also due to the excellent choice of accompaniment, made of Jason Moran (the piano), John Patitucci (the bass) and Eric Harland (the battery).

Only 27 years old, the pianist Tigran Hamasyan is the big discovery of the decade. Born in Armenia, Hamasyan won numerous international awards, the peak being the one from Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, in 2006.

The artist has a solid background in jazz, but shows keenness towards other different contemporary genres, as well as towards the traditional Armenian music. Also being in advantage because of his unique charm, Hamasyan is capable of attracting a very young audience for jazz, which can only be a good think.

His latest album, Mockroot, was released for the very first time by the prestigious Nonesuch Records. For this material, Tigran Hamasyan chose his family, nature and poetry as his muse.

Mathias Eick (born in 1979) proves once again that the Norwegian stage represents an everlasting spring of talents. His main instrument is the trumpet, but he can easily manoeuvre the contrabass, the vibraphone, the piano or the guitar.

Eick was a member in the bands Trondheim Jazz Orchestra or Jaga Jazzist and collaborated with musicians as Chick Corea, Pat Metheny or Manu Katché. In 2008, he made his first appearance as a leading artist and composer at ECM Records. Midwest (2015) is the third album Eick recorded there, describing the trumpeter`s impressions after a tour in North America.

The pianist Omar Sosa turned 50 and can be proud with a very beautiful musical career. Of course, Sosa is by far the first artist that combined jazz music with Afro-Cuban music, but his vision is absolutely original, combining many other influences, traditional or modern.

In 2015 the artist suggests a new album, Ile, created with the help of the Quarteto Afro Cubano group.

Saturday's Jazz Planet show on 25^th April, at 18:00 awaits you with a selection from these fresh albums. Let`s hope that the sound of jazz in 2015 will win you over completely.