The Best Australian Jazz Albums of the 21st Century (So Far)

When most people think of jazz, they picture smoky New York clubs or the historic studios of Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs. But some of the most innovative and compelling jazz of the past 25 years has been coming from right here in Australia. Our jazz scene has quietly become one of the most vibrant in the world, producing albums that range from hypnotic minimalism to psychedelic funk, from traditional vocal jazz to genre-defying experimentation.

If you're a vinyl collector who's been sleeping on Australian jazz, it's time to wake up. These albums aren't just local curiosities. They're world-class recordings that deserve shelf space alongside your Blue Note classics and contemporary US and UK gems.

The Groundbreakers: Redefining What Jazz Can Be

The Necks - Drive By (2003)

Let's start with the most uniquely Australian jazz you'll ever hear. The Necks are a Sydney trio who've been creating something entirely their own since the late 1980s. Drive By is a single 60-minute track that builds from near-silence into a mesmerising, groove-heavy meditation. Critics have struggled to categorise it, settling on descriptions like "minimal jazz, post-jazz, post-everything."

What makes this album essential is its patience. Where most jazz albums give you variety across multiple tracks, The Necks ask you to surrender to a single, slowly evolving journey. It's hypnotic in the truest sense. The album ramps up with a driving groove that shifts and transforms so subtly you don't notice until you're somewhere completely different from where you started.

Drive By is often cited as a masterpiece of avant-garde jazz, and it's easy to understand why once you give it the attention it demands. Put this on late at night with good speakers or headphones, and prepare to lose yourself.

The Necks followed this with Chemist in 2006, which won the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album. Both albums showcase the trio's "determined coherence" and singular approach to improvisation. They're cult favourites worldwide, and for good reason.

The Necks - Chemist (2006)

Speaking of Chemist, this ARIA-winning album deserves its own mention. Like Drive By, it consists of extended tracks built on deep grooves and gradual evolution. The Necks have essentially created their own subgenre, one that sits somewhere between jazz, ambient, and trance music without really being any of those things.

If you're the kind of person who values boundary-pushing music, these albums are non-negotiable additions to your collection.

The Masters: Established Artists at Their Peak

Paul Grabowsky & Katie Noonan - Before Time Could Change Us (2005)

This collaboration between pianist Paul Grabowsky (one of Australia's most respected jazz composers) and vocalist Katie Noonan is something special. Featuring lyrics by poet Dorothy Porter, this is a lush collection of original jazz songs that won the 2005 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album.

Noonan is celebrated for her chameleon-like voice and genre-blending artistry, and her affinity for jazz truly shines on this record, where she pushes jazz vocals in a new, artful direction. It's the kind of album that works equally well as background ambience or focused listening, with layers that reveal themselves over repeated listens.

Noonan went on to win more awards, for Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney (2009) and First Seed Ripening with her group Elixir (2011), cementing her status as one of Australia's premier jazz vocalists.

Barney McAll - Mooroolbark (2015)

After years in New York's competitive jazz scene, Melbourne-born pianist Barney McAll returned home and released Mooroolbark. McAll's music is revered for its imaginative composition and spiritual depth. Fellow musicians speak of his work in reverential tones and describe him as a significant creative force.

Mooroolbark is an evocative suite incorporating influences from gospel to Afro-Cuban music, reflecting McAll's diverse travels and his hallmark juxtaposition of styles. The album features diverse colours and influences, from earthy grooves to atmospheric ballads, showcasing why McAll is considered one of Australia's finest jazz composers of the 21st century.

He followed this with Hearing the Blood (2017), another critically acclaimed album that demonstrates "the exploration of ideas being more important than barriers." Both albums blend innovation with accessibility in ways that few jazz artists manage.

The New Generation: Australian Jazz Goes Global

Linda May Han Oh - Walk Against Wind (2017)

Born in Malaysia and raised in Perth, bassist Linda May Han Oh is a prime example of an Australian jazz artist making massive waves internationally. She moved to New York and quickly rose to prominence, playing bass in bands led by Pat Metheny and Vijay Iyer.

Oh has released several critically acclaimed albums this decade, including Initial Here (2012), Sun Pictures (2013), Walk Against Wind (2017) and most recently, Strange Heavens (2025). Her fluid bass virtuosity and imaginative composing meld contemporary jazz with influences from funk and world music.

Walk Against Wind earned rave reviews internationally for its melodic hooks and rhythmic sophistication. Calling her a "rising star" feels inadequate when she's already playing with jazz royalty. Her success abroad is a testament to the world-class talent emerging from the Australian jazz scene.

These albums showcase the calibre of musician Australia is producing. When Pat Metheny chooses you for his quartet, you're not just good, you're exceptional. These recordings document the evolution of a major talent.

Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon (2015)

Now, here's where things get interesting. Melbourne quartet Hiatus Kaiyote blur the lines between jazz, soul, and funk so thoroughly that purists might argue whether they belong on this list at all. But their complex harmonies, improvisational spirit, and polyrhythmic grooves have attracted jazz aficionados worldwide, so they absolutely deserve a spot.

Choose Your Weapon was a breakthrough that led to a Grammy nomination and international cult following. In fact, Hiatus Kaiyote became the first Australian act to be nominated for a Grammy in an R&B category when their song "Breathing Underwater" was up for Best R&B Performance in 2014.

With deep jazz-funk basslines, adventurous songwriting, and the otherworldly vocals of Nai Palm, the band's sound is a thrilling blend of genres. Their follow-up album Mood Valiant (2021) earned another Grammy nod, confirming their status as one of Australia's most innovative musical exports.

The Vampires - The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke (2017)

Sydney-based ensemble The Vampires have built a reputation for fusing modern jazz with Afro-Caribbean and world music influences. Their collaboration with Benin-born guitar virtuoso Lionel Loueke garnered significant critical praise for its "seductive, genre-hopping creativity."

The Guardian lauded the quartet as "playfully eclectic" and highlighted how Loueke's guitar "shapes the character of this seductive one-off at every turn." The music incorporates reggae lilt, Cuban son montuno, West African highlife, and post-bop jazz, all held together by cohesive group chemistry.

Nominated for the 2017 ARIA Jazz Album award, this is often cited as one of the must-hear Australian jazz albums of recent years. It's a vibrant example of cross-cultural collaboration elevating the music, and it demonstrates the global perspective that Australian jazz has embraced in the 21st century.

The New Wave: Contemporary Sounds for Modern Ears

Mildlife - Automatic (2020)

Melbourne's Mildlife has been leading a new wave of psychedelic jazz-funk that's captured attention far beyond traditional jazz circles.

This four-piece band's groove-heavy instrumentals earned them plenty of acclaim with 2021's Automatic which showcases danceable yet exploratory jams, drawing on space-rock, funk, and electronic jazz fusion. It's the kind of album that works equally well at a party or during a late-night listening session.

Mildlife's creative output demonstrates how broad the definition of jazz in Australia has become, encompassing cosmic funk and club-ready beats alongside more traditional styles. Their follow-up albums, including Live from South Channel Island (2022) have continued to earn critical acclaim for innovation and the band's sweeping success at the ARIAs indicates broad consensus that Mildlife's fresh take on jazz is among the very best. 

Sam Anning - Across a Field as Vast as One (2018)

Bassist and composer Sam Anning, based in Melbourne, represents the younger generation of Australian jazz talents garnering international respect. His album Across a Field as Vast as One won Best Australian Instrumental Jazz Album at the 2019 Bell Awards, Australia's premier jazz honours.

This beautifully crafted record features lyrical original compositions with rich ensemble interplay, highlighting Anning's melodic bass work and compositional maturity. Critics praised the album's cinematic scope and emotional depth.

Anning spent time in New York's jazz circles before bringing home a world-class small-group recording that many consider among the finest Australian jazz releases of the late 2010s. His success underscores the strength of Melbourne's jazz scene in producing composers of international calibre.

Don Glori - Welcome (2022)

Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Don Glori (the alias of Gordon Li) represents the exciting hybrid of jazz with electronic beats, funk, and world music. His long-awaited debut album Welcome immediately marked him as 'an artist to watch' upon its 2022 release.

The album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize and earned support from tastemakers on BBC Radio and Worldwide FM. With its kaleidoscopic blend of modal jazz, Latin rhythms, and soulful grooves, Welcome showcased Don Glori's creative prowess and uniqueness of musical voice.

He followed up with Don't Forget to Have Fun (2024), which received critical acclaim and led to prestigious gigs around the world. Now based in London, Don Glori exemplifies how Australian jazz musicians are pushing the envelope, infusing club culture energy into jazz and finding audiences worldwide.

The Vocalists: Keeping the Tradition Alive

Sarah McKenzie - Close Your Eyes (2012)

Pianist and vocalist Sarah McKenzie emerged from Perth as a rising star of vocal jazz. Close Your Eyes, her 2012 album of standards and originals, won the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album and led to international opportunities, including a deal with the legendary Impulse! Records.

With a smooth, swinging style influenced by Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall, McKenzie brought mainstream attention to Australian jazz vocals. Her 2015 album We Could Be Lovers garnered praise in both Australia and the US, showcasing sophisticated arranging and songwriting that appealed to jazz purists and casual listeners alike.

McKenzie's success abroad, including performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival and extensive touring, reflects how Australian jazz artists can find global audiences. For collectors of vocal jazz, Close Your Eyes is an essential addition that sits comfortably alongside classic albums in the genre.

The Experimentalists: Pushing Boundaries

Phil Slater - The Dark Pattern (2019)

Trumpeter Phil Slater took Australian contemporary jazz into experimental terrain with The Dark Pattern. This brooding suite won the 2021 Bell Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Album.

The Dark Pattern is notable for its use of electronics and detailed compositional structure. It's a challenging yet rewarding listen that blends jazz improvisation with avant-garde chamber music. Slater, a mainstay of Sydney's creative jazz community, spent over a decade developing this project.

The result was rightly hailed as a groundbreaking work in Australian jazz. The Dark Pattern represents the cutting edge of jazz as an art form. The album's recognition underscores the high regard for Slater's vision among critics and peers.

This isn't background music. It demands attention and rewards careful listening. But if you value challenging, boundary-pushing work, The Dark Pattern is essential.

Vanessa Perica - Love Is a Temporary Madness (2020)

Vanessa Perica made a splash as a contemporary big band composer with her debut album Love Is a Temporary Madness (2020). The album earned widespread acclaim for its vibrant, modern large-ensemble writing and was nominated for multiple awards.

Perica's music, performed by a hand-picked jazz orchestra of Australian greats, is cinematic in scope. The album draws comparisons to Maria Schneider's orchestral jazz work, and standout tracks like "Spaccanapoli" and "Dance of the Zinfandel" showcase sophisticated harmonies and passionate solos.

Love Is a Temporary Madness was heralded by critics as one of the top jazz releases of 2020, proving that big band jazz is alive and well in Australia's 21st-century scene. It signalled the arrival of a major new composing talent.

The Veterans: Still Creating at the Highest Level

Mike Nock Quartet - This World (2019)

Legendary New Zealand-Australian pianist Mike Nock was a member of Yusef Lateef's group from 1963 to 1965 and joined Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers in 1965, replacing Keith Jarrett. He has been a mentor to generations of jazz musicians, and he remains remarkably active.

In 2020 he joined forces with younger talents (saxophonist Julien Wilson, bassist Jonathan Zwartz, and drummer Hamish Stuart) for This World, an album of reflective modern jazz.

This World pairs Nock's lyrical piano style with spacious, melodic compositions. It's a cross-generational collaboration that earned accolades for its beauty and cohesion. The quartet's interplay on tracks like "Old's Cool" and "This World" highlights the depth of the Australian jazz tradition: seasoned artists innovating alongside new voices.

Other Essential Albums Worth Your Attention

The Australian jazz scene runs deep. Here are other noteworthy releases that deserve recognition:

Anton Delecca Quartet - The Healer (2013): A muscular, deeply felt tenor quartet album with Middle Eastern influences and Coltrane-inspired explorations, featuring pianist Luke Howard.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Sketches of Brunswick East (2017): A jazz-infused psychedelic collaboration with Mild High Club inspired by Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain, blending Tropicalia, soft rock, and improvisation.

Andrea Keller Quintet - Thirteen Sketches (2001): ARIA Award-winning debut showcasing Keller's inventive compositions and arrangements, establishing her as one of Australia's most original jazz voices.

Jonathan Zwartz - Animarum (2018): A sublime bass-led album that won the 2018 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album, full of warm, melodic original pieces.

Luke Howard Trio - A Dove, A Lion, A Coast, A Pirate (2013): Minimalist, reflective piano trio album recorded at Oslo's Rainbow Studio with ECM-like clarity and warmth, featuring compositions by Howard and bassist Jonathan Zion.

Aura - Aura (2021): A vibrant chordless quartet of four emerging female Australian jazz musicians paying homage to Ornette Coleman and Sonny Rollins while drawing on contemporary Australian improvisation.

Various Artists - Downundaground (2019): A La Sape Records compilation of young Australian instrumentalists and improvisers blending 70s spiritual jazz with modern street sounds, broken beat, and electronic influences.

 

Why Australian Jazz Matters

The best Australian jazz of the 21st century covers a remarkable spectrum, from the meditative improvisations of The Necks to the soulful futurism of Hiatus Kaiyote. What ties all these albums together is a commitment to artistry and a willingness to blend influences, reflecting Australia's multicultural and innovative spirit.

Many of these records have won awards and garnered international praise. They represent a consensus of excellence, not just local pride. When Pat Metheny hires an Australian bassist, when Grammy nominations go to Melbourne funk bands, when European labels release albums by Sydney experimentalists, it's clear that Australian jazz has earned its place on the global stage.

For jazz fans, these albums offer something beyond the canonical American recordings. They're fresh perspectives on the tradition, new voices exploring what jazz can be in the 21st century. Whether you prefer swinging standards or boundary-pushing fusion, small group intimacy or big band grandeur, Australia's jazz scene has produced something exceptional.

The recordings documented here stand as proof of jazz's thriving, continuing journey in Australia. They deserve shelf space in any serious jazz collection, right alongside your Blue Notes and Prestiges and Riversides. 

So if you've been sleeping on Australian jazz, now's the time to wake up. Your collection will be richer for it.