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New music from artists this week features debut releases in straight ahead and contemporary jazz.

Representatives from three generations of the musical McLendon family — Elder Goldwire, Antonio and Samara Joy — commune together in conversation at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia.

More than so many other kinds of music, jazz takes its tradition seriously. So it makes sense that so jazz musicians feel such visceral connections to their ancestors — and honor them in song. Hear cuts from four new albums.

The life of Willie "The Lion" Smith was the stuff of legend, but his music backs up his boasts.

These days in jazz, great records are being made by hot new trumpeters, steel-lunged veterans, New Orleans stars and an "orchestra" of young French musicians. Preview new releases by Ambrose Akinmusire, The Cookers, Rebirth Brass Band and France's ONJ.

Dekker plays drums in the innovative black-metal bands Agalloch and Ludicra, but says that before he'd ever heard Kiss, "there was only Coltrane." Find out which Mingus album he calls a "Lovecraftian noir soundtrack" and more with Dekker's favorite five jazz records.

When George Gershwin wrote "I Got Rhythm" for the 1930s musical Girl Crazy, he created one of the most catchy melodies in American history. But little did he know that his lovable song — apart from becoming a hugely popular jazz standard — would evolve into something far greater.

The great jazz drummer is celebrating his eighth decade all year by touring the world and releasing a new album. Here are five songs, from 1966 to the present day, which showcase DeJohnette at the top of his powers.

It's hard to imagine two styles more different than jazz and punk rock. But as these songs demonstrate, the spirit of adventure has been a part of both genres' musical trajectories. Hear the Lounge Lizards, John Zorn and Garage a Trois.

There's a certain intensity of spirit in jazz and improvised music, to the point where it occasionally aligns with religious worship. Of course, sometimes jazz musicians just like playing familiar songs. Here are five records, all from 2012, which run the gamut of Christmas jazz.