AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE QUINTET

Trumpet player Ambrose Akinmusire has earned his place in the vanguard of the new jazz generation, not because of solo fireworks, but thanks to the emotional impact of his playing. He finds inspiration with timeless kindred spirits, from Chopin to Björk. This year saw the release of his second album on Blue Note. ‘Akinmusire and his very hot quintet take the basic format of post-bop straight-ahead jazz and tease it around with absolute authority. He’s the best new trumpeter to emerge since Dave Douglas’ (The Independent).