Recently/lately, John applied for a job.

[Maybo]

Are there any differences when I replace "recently" with "lately" in the following sentence?

1. Recently/lately, John applied for a job.

 

[5jj]

'Lately' is not very common in affirmative statements. It is rarely the first word in a sentence - ngram.

 

[Maybo]

I also want to know if "recently" and "lately" can be used in a simple present sentence?

For example:
I love to listen to Jazz recently/lately.

 

[emsr2d2]

I also want to know if "recently" and "lately" can be used in a simple present sentence?

For example:
I love to listen to Jazz recently/lately.

No, that doesn't work.

Recently/Lately, I've been enjoying listening to jazz.
I've been enjoying listening to jazz recently/lately.