Genius and Soul

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Today’s guest deejay is Kyle Eagle, the host of The Major Scale, a news magazine that meets a mixtape on the subject of jazz, past, present, future, and everything in between.

Kyle Eagle has been a contributing writer and producer for the NPR-WBGO and WUCF, Dublab, WPRK, Wax Poetics, The Orlando Weekly, Artborne Magazine, and The Fiscal Times, as well as several music and film releases- Light in the Attic’s documentary This Is Gary McFarland, and an upcoming film on composer Jack Nietzsche.

Chris Baranyi is a sound engineer and music producer. He splits his time between designing AV systems for theme parks and recording music. Chris has worked with many Orlando area musicians with backgrounds in jazz, fusion, hip-hop, funk, new age, and classical. Some of which have been featured on NPR’s Echoes. His passion includes jazz, vintage microphones, and hot sauces.

Kyle and his producer, Chris Baranyi, have delivered mix for today’s show that is an absolute delight. It reflects Kyle’s taste and playfulness. Think of it as the longform version of The Major Scale.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be producer, composer, musician, DJ, and poet, Carlos Niño.

Pony Poindexter “Freeze” from En Barcelona
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah “Diaspora (Live)” from Axiom (Live)
The Awakening “Mode for DD” from Mirage
Le Pumpe Jazz “All You Need Is Love”
A Tribe Called Quest “Luck of Lucien” from People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Billy Brooks “Fourty Days” from Windows of the Mind
Slum Village “Hold Tight feat. Q-Tip” from Fan-Tas-Tic, Vol. 2
Jazzmeia Horn “People Make the World Go Round” from A Social Call
EABS “The Lady with the Golden Stockings” from Discipline of Sun Ra
Sun Ra “Twin Stars of Thence” from Lanquidity (Definitive Edition)
Haiku D’Etat “Wants Vs Needs” from Haiku D'Etat
Chico Hamilton “Siete-Cuatro” from Classical Katz
Emma-Jean Thackray “Spectre” from Yellow
Anita O’Day w/ Gary McFarland “I Want to Sing A Song” from The Complete Anita O'Day Verve-Clef Sessions
Aver & Move 78 “Sanctuary” from The Algorithm Smiles Upon You

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Today’s guest deejay is Roxy Coss .

Roxy is a musician, composer, bandleader, recording artist, educator and activist.

I have Phil Freeman (listen to Phil’s mix for Genius and Soul here) to thank for turning me on to Roxy when he reviewed her 2017 album, Chasing The Unicorn. I was dumbstruck at her creativity on the first track on the album, where she improvises with several overdubs of herself. I was hooked, and I became a fan of Roxy and her music.

On today’s show, we’ll hear music that is essential to Roxy and a coupe tracks from her new album, Disparate Parts, which was released yesterday on Outside in Music.

The interstitial music on today’s show is “July” by Roxy Coss from her 2010 self-titled album.

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers “Free For All” from Free For All
Roxy Coss “Mabes” from Disparate Parts
Mary Lou Williams “Baby Man” from Free Spirits
John Coltrane “Blue Train” from Blue Train (Expanded Edition
Roxy Coss “Part IV: The Spirit” from Disparate Parts
Joe Henderson “Black Narcissus” from Big Band

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Today’s guest deejay is saxophonist and singer/songwriter Grace Kelly.

I was introduced to Grace through Kyle Eagle, the host of The Major Scale, when Grace was the guest on his show. Her music was great, and her zest for life was infectious. I admired her ability to have many irons in the fire while promoting her brand on social media and having a blast doing it. Grace’s grit and sense of fun were an inspiration when we brainstormed what kind of show Genius and Soul would be.

Grace’s bona fides are as long as my arm, so only I’ll mention a few to capture the scope of Grace’s talent.

Grace performed at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Grace was also part of the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and appeared and performed on Bosch Amazon’s original series.

Grace’s mix feature songs that shaped her as a musician. You’ll hear some classics, but you’ll also hear some unexpected songs that will keep you on your toes.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be saxophonist, composer, and activist Roxy Coss.

João Gilberto and Stan Getz “The Girl From Ipanema feat. Antônio Carlos Jobim & Astrud Gilbert” from Getz/Gilberto
Dave Brubeck “Blue Rondo à la Turk” from At the Hollywood Bowl 1958
Frank Sinatra “Fly Me to the Moon (feat. Count Basie and His Orchestra)” from Ultimate Sinatra
Charlie Parker “Scrapple From The Apple” from Best Of The Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings
Grace Kelly “Every Road I Walked” from Every Road I Walked
James Taylor “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” from One Man Dog
Stevie Wonder “Sir Duke” from Songs in the Key of Life
Lee Konitz “Just Friends” from Live At the Half Note
Grace Kelly & Lee Konitz “Gracefullee” from Gracefullee
Phil Woods “Webb City” from Live At the Village Vanguard
Grace Kelly & Phil Woods “Man With the Hat” from Man With the Hat
John Mayer “Stop This Train” from Continuum
Grace Kelly “Blues For Harry Bosch” from Trying to Figure It Out
Grace Kelly “Feels Like Home (feat. Elliott Skinner)” from Feels Like Home

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Today’s guest deejay is trumpeter, singer, and composer Sarah Wilson .

I listened to Sarah a lot while brainstorming ideas for Genius and Soul. One of her tracks from her Kaleidoscope album popped up on my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify. Very serendipitous. I became an instant fan and caught up with her two previous albums: Trapeze Project and Music for an Imaginary Play.

Naturally, I reached out to her to guest deejay on the show.

Sarah will mention that she was part of The Bread & Puppet Theater in the 90s.

If you’re not familiar with The Bread and Puppet Theater, it is a politically radical puppet theater, active since the 1960s, based in Vermont. Some of the puppets are silly, and some are grotesque. I’ve seen The Bread and Puppet Theater once or twice in Boston in the 90s, and it left an impression.

I can’t help but wonder if Sarah was part of the troupe at the performances I saw.

Sarah’s mix is originally in part an act of meditation during a pandemic. She certainly didn’t expect the conflict in Ukraine to be the backdrop for today’s show. But here we are. I hope today’s show is a distraction from this events and maybe offer some solace for the next hour.

Last night, Sarah performed her SFJAZZ debut with her new brass-heavy chamber groove project, Brass Tonic.

Her performance will be rebroadcast today, March 12th, at 11AM Pacific.

Online access is available by becoming an SFJAZZ Digital Member. Tickets and Info can be found at sfjazz.org.

The interstitial music heard on today’s show is “Fall Has Arrived” from Sarah’s album, Trapeze Project.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be award-winning singer, saxophonist, and songwriter Grace Kelly.

Sarah Wilson "Aspiration” from Kaleidoscope
Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts “There Comes a Time” from Wake Up! (To What’s Happening)
Henry Threadgill “Official Silence” from Makin’ a Move
Myra Melford “Red Land (For Don Reich)” from Life Carries Me This Way
Mal Waldron “Warm Canto (feat. Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin)” from The Quest
Dave Holland “Conference of the Birds” from Conference of the Birds
Dave Douglas “Charms of the Night Sky” from Charms of the Night Sky
Wayne Shorter “Ponte de Areia” from Native Dancer
Gonzalo Rubalcaba “Recordando A Tchaikowsky” from Mi Gran Pasion

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Todays guest deejay is Melissa Haizlip, film producer, director, and writer most notable for her 2018 award-winning film, Mr. SOUL! The Movie.

Mr. SOUL! The Movie is a documentary about her uncle Ellis Haizlip, the producer and host of SOUL!, a music-and-talk program that aired on public television from 1968 to 1973.

You owe it to yourself to watch Mr. SOUL! The Movie You can stream it on HBO Max. Melissa’s documentary covers five seasons of SOUL! and features archival footage of rare performances and interviews with guests Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, The Last Poets, Harry Belafonte, and many, many more.

To quote Ellis Haizlip, “The primary purpose of Soul! is neither to educate nor entertain, but to give people a chance to share in the Black experience. The show must do that first. Then it can educate and entertain. Soul! makes Blacks visible in a society where they have been largely invisible.”

Today’s interstitial music is “One Cylinder” by Lou Donaldson.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be trumpeter, singer and composer Sarah Wilson.

Lalah Hathaway & Robert Glasper “Show Me Your Soul” from Mr. Soul! (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Donny Hathaway “The Ghetto” from Everything Is Everything
Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd. Street Rhythm Band “Express Yourself” from Express Yourself: The Best Of Charles Wright And The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Patti Labelle And The Bluebelles “Over The Rainbow” from Over The Rainbow
Hugh Masekela “Grazing In The Grass” from Grazing In The Grass: The Best Of Hugh Masekela
Gladys Knight & The Pips “If I Were Your Woman (Single Version)” from 100% Motown 70s
The Delfonics “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” from The Delfonics
Billy Taylor Trio “I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)” from Mr. Soul! (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Kool and The Gang “Chocolate Buttermilk” from Mr. Soul! (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Black Ivory “Don’t Turn Around” from Don't Turn Around: A Golden Classics Edition
Nina Simone “Backlash Blues (2005 Remix)” from Forever Young, Gifted And Black: Songs Of Freedom And Spirit
Rahsaan Roland Kirk “The Inflated Tear (Live September 22, 1972, SOUL!)”
Al Green “Tired of Being Alone” from Greatest Hits
Stevie Wonder “Superstition” from Talking Book

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Today’s guest deejay is John Morrison.

John Morrison is a writer, DJ, and sample-flipper from Philadelphia.

John has written for NPR Music, Bandcamp Daily, Jazz Tokyo, Grammy.com, and more. John is also the host of Culture Cypher Radio, a hip-hop radio show on NPR member station WXPN.

On today’s show, John shares treasured tracks from his library that fascinates him that he wants to share with you. His mix features older songs from musicians like Art Tatum and Amina Claudine Myers (you can listen to her mix for Genus and Soul here). John's mix also includes newer tracks from the likes of The Roots (be sure to read John’s book, John Morrison Considers The Roots' "Do You Want More?!!!??!”) and Irreversible Entanglements.

Today’s interstitial music is “Chabuca Limeña” by Jorge Roeder.

Quick note: Genius and Soul guest deejay Brian Jackson (listen to his mix here) has released a new single, All Talk, and a series of remixes by OPOLOPO in anticipation of his forthcoming studio album, This Is Brian Jackson, to be released on BBE Music in May 2022.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Melissa Haizlip, film producer, director, and writer most notable for her 2018 award-winning film, Mr. SOUL!.

Doug & Jean Carne “Acknowledgement” from Infant Eyes
Art Tatum “Willow Weep For Me” from The Best Of Art Tatum
Jimmy Stewart & Kuntu “Elijah” from An Engineer Of Sounds
Catalyst “Jabali” from The Funkiest Band You Never Heard
Amina Claudine Myers “Jumping in the Sugar Bowl” from Women In (E)Motion
The Roots “My Mellow My Man” from Do You Want More?!!!??!
Irreversible Entanglements “Enough” from Irreversible Entanglements
Art Blakey “E T A” from Jazz Moments
Horace Tapscott & The Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra “Quagmire Manor At Five A.M.” from The Call

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Today’s guest deejay is Jon Butcher.

Jon is a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, guitarist, and multimedia producer.

Jon recently released his album, Special Day, which features 10 songs that include blues, jazz, funk, soul, reggae, and rock n roll. Each song is indelibly marked by Jon’s signature sound.

Each episode of Genius and Soul is special, but today’s show is significant to me because Jon’s music was part of the soundtrack of my years Boston. He was part of the our local scene even as he was touring the country.

On today’s show, Jon shares the living history of jazz and blues through the songs he has selected for his mix. These songs are not just essential listening, they are Jon’s own soundtrack to who he is as a man, and as an artist.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be writer, DJ and sample-flipper John Morrison .

Jimi Hendrix “Rainy Day, Dream Away” from Electric Ladyland
Taj Mahall, Keb’ Mo’ “Waiting on the World to Change” from TajMo
Jon Butcher “Without You” from 2 Roads East
Ray Charles “Georgia on My Mind” from True Genius
Jon Butcher “Someone to Watch Over Me” from 2 Roads East
Jimi Hendrix “Castles Made of Sand” from Axis: Bold As Love
Jon Butcher “How Does It Feel” from 2 Roads East
Jon Butcher “Goodbye Porkpie Hat”
Chris Pierce “Walking on the Earth” from Walking On The Earth
Richie Havens “The Times They Are a Changin’” from Old & New, Together & Apart
Bonnie Raitt “I Can’t Make You Love Me” from The Best of Bonnie Raitt On Capitol 1989-2003
Aretha Franklin “Spanish Harlem” from 30 Greatest Hits
Jon Butcher “Hallelujah”

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Today’s guest deejay is Amina Claudine Myers.

Amina is a pianist, organist, vocalist, composer, and arranger.

Amina will tell us about her childhood and how she became a professional musician on today's show. She has great stories about some of the amazing people she’s performed with. Amina will also talk about receiving the Arts for Art’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Living Legacy Jazz Award from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in 2021.

Amina’s mix features music she loves and select tracks from her albums and live performances. One of Amina’s songs made my co-producer Jason Smith weep, and another one of her songs raised the hair on the back of my neck. I think you’ll be similarly affected.

The interstitial music on today’s show is “Blessings” from the Women in (E)Motion album by the Amina Claudine Myers Trio.

The Amina Claudine Myers Trio will be performing a homage to David Hammons at The Bourse de Commerce Pinault Collection Auditorium in Paris Wednesday, February 9.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be rock and blues songwriter, guitarist, and freelance multimedia producer Jon Butcher.

Amina Claudine Myers Quartet feat. Jim Pepper “Jweeijweeijweeio”
Amina Claudine Myers "Steal Away” from Sama Rou: Songs From My Soul
Amina Claudine Myers "Earth” from Improvisational Suite For Chorus, Pipe Organ and Percussion
Muhal Richard Abrams Feat. Amina Claudine Myers “Dance from the East” from Duet
Douglas Ewart “Washing the Mind” from Bamboo Meditations At Banff
Joseph Jarman and Don Moye “Nke Ala (The Earth)/Egwu-Erosora Ekou Katah” from Egwu-Anwu (Sun Song)
Muhal Richard Abrams Feat. Amina Claudine Myers “Down The Street From The Gene Ammons Public School” from Duet
Gene Ammons “Angel Eyes” from Angel Eyes
John Lee Hooker “Boogie Children” from King of the Boogie
Amina Claudine Myers “Thank You” from Sama Rou: Songs From My Soul

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Today’s guest deejay is music journalist Phil Freeman .

Phil is a journalist, author, digital marketer, and social media professional.

Phil has written for The Wire, DownBeat, Village Voice, and other fine publications. Phil has written three books. His fourth book is Ugly Beauty: Jazz in the 21st Century, which will be released Tuesday, February 1st.

In Ugly Beauty, Phil asks pressing questions. What does jazz mean two decades into the 21st century? Has streaming culture made music meaningless? Has the destruction of the apprenticeship model changed the music irrevocably? Phil has answers, of course, and he shares own experiences and conversations with present-day players.

The interstitial music on today’s show is “Perseverance” by Graham Haynes and Submerged from their Echolocation album, from Phil’s Burning Ambulance label.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be singer/songwriter, jazz pianist, organist, vocalist, composer, and arranger Amina Claudine Myers.

Playlist

Jaimie Branch “Simple Silver Surfer” from FLY or DIE II: bird dogs of paradise
Seed Ensemble “The Darkies” from Driftglass
Brandee Younger “Olivia Benson” from Somewhere Different
Nérija “Partner Girlfriend Lover” from Blume
Yazz Ahmed “The Space Between the Fish and the Moon” from La Saboteuse
Mary Halvorson Octet “The Absolute Almost, No. 52” from Away With You
Irreversible Entanglements “Bread Out of Stone” from Who Sent You?
Matana Roberts “Wild Fire Bare” from Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis
Tomeka Reid Quartet “Niki’s Bop” from Old New
Nubya Garcia “ Stand With Each Other (featuring Ms MAURICE, Cassie Kinoshi, Richie Seivwright)” from Source

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Today’s guest deejay is Muriel Grossman .

Muriel is an Austrian alto, soprano, tenor saxophonist, and composer. Muriel has released 13 albums, all on her Dreamlandrecords music label.

On today’s show, Muriel plays select tracks from her albums and music that have influenced her.

I was introduced to Muriel through Phil Freeman on Ugly Beauty, his long-form blog on Stereogum, where he shares his thoughts on jazz and new albums he has listened to. Phil’s turned me on to a lot of great stuff, and Muriel is no exception.

Muriel and her band have a distinct sound. You’ll know it when you hear it. They will lock into a groove, and that groove can be trance-inducing.

Sunday, January 23rd, Muriel will be performing at the Porgy & Bess Club in Viena and Jazzit in Salzburg Monday, January 24th. Muriel will also be performing at Le Duc de Lombard in Paris this Wednesday, January 26th.

Today’s interstitial music is “Traneing In” by Muriel Grossmann.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Phil Freeman.

Playlist 1. Muriel Grossmann “Happiness” from Union 2. Muriel Grossmann “Sundown” from Union 3. Muriel Grossmann “African Call” from Quiet Earth 4. Muriel Grossmann “Afrika Mahala” from Reverence 5. Muriel Grossmann “Union” from Reverence 6. John Coltrane “Tunji” from Coltrane 7. Alice Coltrane “Journey In Satchidananda” from Journey In Satchidananda 8. Pharoah Sanders “Thembi” from Thembi 9. McCoy Tyner “Rebirth” from Sahara 10. Joe Henderson & Alice Coltrane “Water” from The Elements 11. Ornette Coleman “Lonely Woman" from The Shape of Jazz to Come 12. Muriel Grossmann “Golden Rule” from Golden Rule

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Today’s guest deejay is Meg Okura.

Meg is an American jazz violinist, composer, erhu player, and leader of the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, based in New York City. The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble combines jazz, Jewish and Japanese cultures into a unique musical identity.

On today’s show, Meg plays select tracks from the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, various projects she’s been involved with, music that showcases her influences and expresses her identities.

Join us next week with our guest deejay will be Muriel Grossman .

Meg Okura & The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “Ima Ima” from Ima ImaAmazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp Meg Okura & The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “Naima” from NaimaAmazon | Apple Music Meg Okura & The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “Tango” from Meg Okura: Tribute to Ryuichi SakamotoAmazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp Emilio Solla y La Inestable de Brooklyn “Para la Paz” from Second HalfAmazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp Brian Marsella’s Imaginarium “Secret Ways of the Songbirds” from chapter one: THE CLOCKS HAVE GONE MADAmazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp NPO Trio, Meg Okura | Sam Newsome | Jean-Michel Pilc “A Four Forty” from Live At The StoneAmazon | Apple Music Meg Okura & The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “Birth of Shakyamuni”, Ima Ima

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Today’s guest deejay is Charu Suri.

Charu is an American pianist. She is the first Indian-born jazz composer to premiere work at Carnegie Hall. Charu recently released Book of Ragas, Volume 2. As she did in her first volume, Charu uses her native Carnatic and Hindustani ragas as the basis for jazz piano improvisations and layered with Sufi singing. Charu has recently completed tours in Miami and is planning a multi-city tour in India.

On today’s show, Charu shares songs that she considers masterpieces. Some are classics to be reacquainted with, and others might become your new favorite. These songs fascinate Charu on a compositional level and how the music pioneered new sounds.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be jazz violinist, composer, erhu player, and leader of the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Meg Okura.

Bill Evans Trio “My Foolish Heart” from Waltz for Debby (Original Jazz Classics Remasters) with Paul Motian & Scott LaFaro
Henry Mancini “Two for the Road” from Greatest Hits: The Best of Henry Mancini (Remastered)
Oscar Peterson “Manha De Carnaval” from Soul Español
Charu Suri ”Lollipops for Breakfast” from Lollipops for Breakfast
Charu Suri "Bluesy” from The New American Songbook
Miles Davis "Blue In Green” from Kind of Blue
Thandiswa “Jikijela” from Belede
Keith Jarrett “Köln, January 24, 1975, Pt. II C (Live)" from The Köln Concert (Live)
Oscar Peterson “The Bach Suite: Allegro (Live)” from The Composer

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Today’s guest deejay is Brian Jackson.

Brian is an American keyboardist, flautist, singer, composer, and producer. Brian has recorded and performed with everyone from Gil Scott-Heron to Stevie Wonder, and recently released an album with Jazz Is Dead’s Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

On today’s show, Brian shares his experiences recording with Jazz Is Dead’s Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Shigeto’s remix of their song “Nancy Wilson,” what get’s Brian in a recording studio, and his New Years resolution.

Brian’s mix include songs that were essential to him when he was a young man trying to figure out his place in music. Brian’s mix also features his partner, the late Gil Scott-Heron.

Photo by Christopher Smith.

John Coltrane "Out of this World” from Coltrane
Brian Jackson "Parallel Lean/Home Is Where the Hatred Is (feat. Gil Scott-Heron” from Gotta Play
Aretha Franklin "96 Tears” from Aretha Arrives
Ahmad Jamal “Emily” from Tranquility
Pat Martino “Masquerada” from Starbright
Miles Davis “Little Church” from Live-Evil
Eugene McDaniels “Headless Heroes” from Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse
Les McCann “Someday We’ll Meet Again” from Another Beginning
Alice Coltrane "Ptah, The El Daoud” from Ptah, The El Daoud
Jimi Hendrix "Belly Button Window” from The Cry of Love

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be award-winning journalist/composer Charu Suri.

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Hello, we’re the team behind Genius and Soul, a weekly show featuring jazz, Black classical music, and more, with mixes lovingly selected by our guest deejays.

Genius and Soul launches on January 1, 2022.

We are Joseph Aleo, Fitz Gitler, Jason Smith, Mark Larranaga and Al Abut.

Show Notes * What is Black classical music * Fundraising for the Jazz Foundation of America * Relief: A Benefit Album for Jazz Foundation of America * Some of the guest deejays were excited to have on the show * Support our efforts on Patreon * Find us on Instagram and Twitter

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