The announcement of the 2023 Grammy Awards last Sunday was a big deal for contemporary jazz. For starters. Samara Joy, who I’ve been raving about for months, was named “Best New Artist.” She’s a 23-year-old state school kid who grew up in the Bronx, studied jazz at SUNY Purchase–and she is great! Her “Linger Awhile” also won the Best Jazz Vocal Album” award.

Among the many other revelations we’ll check out:

–Jazz Pianist Robert Glasper’s “Black Radio III” was named won best R&B album.

–The NYC jazz collective Snarky Puppy’s “Empire Central” was named Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

–The Generation Gap Orchestra, which I’ve never listened to before, got the nod as the best large ensemble (ie big band). It’s excellent.

–Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington’s campaign to promote new jazz standards written by women got a big boost when her “New Standards Vol. 1” was named Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

In addition to these and other Grammy winners, we’ll check out some brand new jazz releases by the 29-year-old pianist/accordion player Ben Rosenblum and the English groups Go Go Penguin and The Ezra Collective.

“Living Jazz” airs Fridays from noon to 2 pm on WJFF, 90.5 F.M., and streams online at wjffradio.org.