The ECHO Jazz 2016 Award nominations have been announced by the German Recording Academy, and among the nominees are several Nonesuch Records artists and their latest albums, including three different nominations for Joshua Redman: International Saxophone Instrumentalist of the Year for his work with James Farm on their latest album, City Folk; International Ensemble of the Year to James Farm itself for City Folk; and International Ensemble of the Year for The Bad Plus Joshua Redman and their self-titled debut album. Tigran Hamasyan has been nominated for International Piano Instrumentalist of the Year for his Nonesuch Records debut, Mockroot.

City Folk, the sophomore album from James Farm—Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland—features 10 original tunes reflecting the members' many influences. "While their acoustic instrumentation, virtuosity, and improvisational brio scream jazz, their music displays influences from all over the map, including classical, rock, ambient, and electronica," says the Boston Globe. "The quartet grooves fiercely." The Financial Times describes City Folk as "ten beautifully crafted miniatures that rock with rhythm."

The Bad Plus Joshua Redman is the debut album from the eponymous quartet. Seven of the album's nine tracks are new compositions by quartet members. "The album is a knockout," exclaims the New York Times. It's "a roaring and beautiful summit meeting," says NPR. "[T]he real triumph of The Bad Plus Joshua Redman: It exhibits genuinely fresh thinking." Redman has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for his performance of his tune "Friend or Foe" on the album, which was named the No. 1 Best Jazz Album of 2015 by PopMatters and has made year's best lists from the Boston Globe, MOJO, NextBop, and NPR Music's Jazz Critics Poll.

Tigran Hamasyan's label debut, Mockroot, comprises new tracks written by Hamasyan, as well as his arrangements of traditional Armenian songs. Although trained as a classical and jazz musician, Hamasyan draws on a wide range of influences, including Armenian folk music, rock, electronica, poetry, and more. "There are many brilliant and perfectly finished young jazz pianists around," says the Telegraph, "but Hamasyan stands out because he has something important and urgent to say." Mockroot is featured in Jazzwise magazine's list of the Best Albums of 2015.

This year's ECHO Jazz Awards ceremony will take place at Kampnagel in Hamburg on May 26, 2016. For additional details and the complete list of nominees, visit echojazz.de.