Jazz has always been a genre built on freedom and experimentation, as well as the willingness to explore something new. More than a century after its beginnings, it continues to evolve as artists bring electronic beats, synthesizers, samples, ambient textures, hip-hop, spoken word, and personal influences into the music. Today’s contemporary jazz scene is full of artists challenging expectations while creating sounds that remain rooted in the spirit of jazz. With that in mind, let’s spotlight 10 artists shaping the sound of nu-jazz, jazztronica, and electro jazz today.
Here are the artists worth discovering and keeping in your playlist.
1. Venna
Venna has quickly become one of the most compelling names in contemporary jazz, with his 2025 debut album ‘MALIK’ bringing the London-based producer and saxophonist wider attention. A Grammy-winning artist and frequent Yussef Dayes collaborator, he also reveals an impressive vocal presence throughout the record. Featuring Jorja Smith, Cari, Leon Thomas, Smino, MIKE, and a talented group of musicians, the album moves through reflective and atmospheric moments while remaining musically rich. What makes Venna stand out is his ability to draw listeners from beyond jazz. He introduces them to its depth and freedom through a sound that remains open and modern, yet distinctly personal.
2. Corto.alto
Glasgow multi-instrumentalist, composer, and future jazz producer Liam Shortall, known as corto.alto, has built a reputation for energetic musicianship and adventurous production. His music stands out through expressive trombone solos, funky danceable grooves, strong collaborations, and an equally impressive band. His debut album ‘Bad With Names’ earned a Mercury Prize shortlist in 2024. The album was followed by wins for Best Album at the Scottish Jazz Awards and Act of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards in 2025. Recent years have seen corto.alto tour extensively with sell-out shows and perform at festivals across the UK and beyond, bringing a lively and engaging energy to every performance.
3. Momoko Gill
Momoko Gill is a self-taught drummer, composer, singer, and songwriter whose musical journey has taken shape across Japan, the US, and the UK. Now based in London, she has developed a sound rooted in honesty, curiosity, and a willingness to follow unexpected creative directions. Inspired by the natural world and the intimate moments when people open their hearts, Gill brings a deeply personal perspective to her work. Her debut album, ‘Momoko’, was released last month. The album captures that openness through raw emotion and an experimental approach. This makes it an exciting introduction to an artist with plenty more to discover.
4. Salin
Thai-born and Canada-based drummer, producer, and composer Salin is developing a distinctive musical language shaped by culture, identity, spirituality, and humanity. Her current work draws inspiration from the rich sounds of Northeast Thailand alongside the psychedelic energy of 1970s West Africa. It was brought together through a modern and soulful production style. Working with musicians from both Thailand and Canada, she creates a thoughtful meeting point between different musical traditions and perspectives. Her latest full-length album, ‘Rammana’, captures this approach with a sound that is expressive and rooted, yet forward-looking. The album’s impact was further recognised with a nomination for Global Music Album of the Year at the 2026 Juno Awards, marking Salin as an artist worth watching.
5. Moses Yoofee Trio
Raised in Potsdam and Berlin, Moses Yoofee has been part of Germany’s jazz scene from an early age, earning recognition as a “young jazz genius” from ‘Tagesspiegel’ at just 14. The trio took shape in 2020 when Yoofee met bassist Roman Klobe at Berlin’s Jazz Institute, later bringing drummer Noah Fürbringer into the mix. Their chemistry quickly became clear, leading to the 2024 German Jazz Prize for Live Act of the Year. Guided by their motto of “emotions, moments, and bangers,” the trio released their debut album ‘MYT’ in 2025. Since then, they have taken their energetic sound to stages worldwide, with more festival appearances ahead.
6. VLADKO
Bulgarian multi-instrumentalist Vladislav Michev, known as VLADKO, has built an impressive career across jazz, funk, and fusion, showcasing his skills on trombone, bass trumpet, flugelhorn, and several other instruments. Since 2013, he has been a key member of the BNR Big Band and Brass Association Big Band while also contributing to projects including Funky Miracle, A3ck, and Bobo & The Gang. Released in January through Stereofox Records, ‘Synergy’ was his latest EP. It further highlights his versatility and creative approach, offering another strong chapter in an already diverse musical journey.
7. Omasta
In a short time, five young musicians from Krakow, Poland, known collectively as Omasta, have made a strong impression on the Polish and European jazz scenes. Their music draws from jazz, hip-hop, and street culture, driven by deep bass, powerful drums, and the colours of trumpet, saxophone, and flute. Even their name reflects this character, taken from a Krakow dialect word for fat added to food for flavour. Omasta has already performed across Poland and internationally at venues and festivals including Jazz Cade, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, AB in Brussels, and Gent Jazz Festival, while also supporting hip-hop legends Slum Village. Their debut album ‘Jazz Report from the Hood’ was released last October. The album perfectly captures urban life and the youthful spirit of a band ready to explore new sounds.
8. Yoni Mayraz
UK-based keyboardist and producer Yoni Mayraz is another compelling artist shaping the direction of contemporary jazz. His latest album was ‘Dogs Bark Babies Cry’, and it was released last September. The album takes its title from a moment of natural commotion that Mayraz connects to the album’s central themes of internal tension, fear, desire, beauty, and decay. Recorded live at London’s legendary Konk Studios, the project makes strong use of the studio’s dark wooden acoustics and vintage equipment, with guest musicians joining throughout the sessions. The result is a bold and richly textured record built around structured compositions and grooves. The work brings together 90s hip-hop influences, Middle Eastern textures, electronic soundscapes, and the spirit of 70s jazz-funk trios while the artist maintains his own distinctive musical identity.
9. Nubya Garcia
Nubya Garcia is a multi-award-winning tenor saxophonist, bandleader, and composer who has become a distinctive voice within the UK jazz scene. Her sophomore album was titled ‘Odyssey’, which was released in September 2024. The album marks an ambitious and deeply personal chapter in her musical journey. The record brings orchestral arrangements into conversation with R&B, jazz, and dub, creating a rich and expansive sound. Garcia is joined by Joe Armon-Jones on keys, Daniel Casimir on bass, and Sam Jones on drums, alongside guest appearances from Esperanza Spalding, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and others. At its heart, ‘Odyssey’ reflects Garcia’s renewed love for composition since her debut ‘Source’ in 2020.
10. Jazzbois
Budapest-based jazz fusion trio Jazzbois brings together Bencze Molnár on keys, Viktor Sági on bass, and Tamás Czirják on drums. After notable appearances at Montreux Jazz Festival, ESNS, and Cross The Tracks, the trio recently released ‘Montreal’. It was recorded live before a small audience at Studio Fast Forward. The session followed their performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival in June 2025, where they were approached by Rémi Hermoso. Intimate and piano-driven, the album captures Jazzbois at their most honest. The work celebrates spontaneous musicianship and the shared experience of live music.
