NTS Guide to: Independent North American Jazz Vol 4 11th October 2025 | Listen on NTS

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Post Bop Free Jazz Modal Soul Jazz

This guide takes another deep dive into the world of independently released and private-press jazz from across the US and Canada. The fourth instalment highlights visionary artists who worked beyond the major label system: from the spiritual minimalism of Ahmed Jamal and the cosmic brass meditations of Brother Ah, to the rare community recording of The African Jazz Ensemble, captured live at Brightwood Elementary School in Washington D.C. Expect modal explorations, small-press ingenuity, and the restless experimentation that defined the continent’s underground jazz movement.

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Tracklist

0:00:08
The African Jazz EnsembleThe African Jazz Ensemble
The Drums
0:05:23
Brother AhhBrother Ahh
Nature's Children
0:11:25
Byard LancasterByard Lancaster
All Of My Life

Brute ForceBrute Force
Doubt
Ray Collins and AutumnRay Collins and Autumn
Magnolia
The AwakeningThe Awakening
Awakening - Prologue Spring Thing
Khan JamalKhan Jamal
Nubian Queen
AbdullahAbdullah
Eternal Spiraling Spirit
Pheeroan Ak LaffPheeroan Ak Laff
Ayn In Love
Infinite Spirit MusicInfinite Spirit Music
Bright Tune
Gary BartzGary Bartz
Blue (A Folk Tale)
AzanyahAzanyah
Let God Come First
Dwight JamesDwight James
Quarter To Three
Nate MorganNate Morgan
Mrafu
Greg Adams SextetGreg Adams Sextet
Little Bee's Poem
David Lee Jr.David Lee Jr.
Revelation
Calvin KeysCalvin Keys
B. K.