Who Are the Best Young Lions of Jazz Today?


The Wynton Marsalis thread got me to thinking. Some consider him the best jazz artist today. I actually don't know who the best jazz artist is today or who the best jazz artists are since I'm steeped in the past listening to Hard Bop like a mad man. The jazz I love, the musicians I love, the heroes and gods for me are guys like Miles, Monk, Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Horace Silvers, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Fredie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley and others. My wife gets aggravated since I repeatedly play these giants.

I don't pay much attention to contemporary / modern jazz artists with the exception of John Scofield, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Pat Metheny, all who I've seen multiple times and love.

I've listened to Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride and have enjoyed their work. I've heard a little of Marsalis.

Who are the best of the Young Lions of Jazz? I know Marsalis is "in the conversation."
foster_9
A few months ago, I saw a young Cuban pianist named Alfredo Rodriguez open for McCoy Tyner. I really enjoyed his set - very passionate, also very lively, and far from "cookie cutter".
Some of the old fogeys are making great records too. Ahmad Jamal's new album is fantastic!
Jerico, I do listen to Kenny Garrett. Would love to see him in concert. Jerico have you heard Gonzalo Rubalcaba? He's pretty incredible at the piano too.

I will check out the Ahmad Jamal album Grimace.
I haven't heard Gonzalo, but I'll check it out (right now, actually)! Thanks
Justin