Day Breaks

Released in 2016, Day Breaks marked a significant 'return to roots' for Norah Jones, moving away from the guitar-heavy and experimental sounds of 'Little Broken Hearts'. The album is heavily piano-centric and features a stellar cast of jazz luminaries, including saxophonist Wayne Shorter, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, and drummer Brian Blade. This lineup anchors the record in a sophisticated post-bop and vocal jazz tradition while maintaining Jones's signature accessibility. The tracklist includes nine original songs alongside three well-chosen covers, most notably Horace Silver's 'Peace' and Duke Ellington's 'Fleurette Africaine'. Critically, the album was praised for its maturity and the organic, live feel of the recordings. It stands as a bridge between her early commercial success and her later, more improvisational interests, solidifying her place as a premier jazz-pop stylist of the 21st century.