Mondo Jazz: Recent Episodes
Ludovico Granvassu
This is a jazz world! …all the international jazz you always wanted to hear and nobody ever played for you!
Mondo Jazz is dedicated to the proposition that jazz is a language that originated in the US but is now spoken all over the world in various, at times very strong, accents and dialects, which make it a rich resource for rewarding sonic explorations.
Needless to say there will be plenty of US jazz on my program, in an attempt to show the continuity that exists between the US and the international jazz scenes.
The Fender Rhodes is back (actually, it never left)! And so is Peter Epstein almost a decade after his acclaimed album "Polarities", and with a new sextet! The playlist features also Laurent Cugny; Aki Rissanen; Matthew Halsall; Guillermo Klein; Peter Epstein; Lauren Henderson; Jeremy Dutton; Alex LoRe; and Artemis Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17784582/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Timber")
Happy listening!
Unexpected returns, B-sides that sound as good as the A-sides, tributes to rock and folk heroes, Impulse! signing another key band of today's scene, Colorfield Records establishing itself even more as the label to follow... this and more on this week's edition of Mondo Jazz! Greg Joseph; Daniel Villareal; Anthony Wilson; Irreversible Entanglements; Darcy James Argue; Joni Mitchell; Vicente Archer, Gerald Clayton, Bill Stewart; Kris Allen. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17756229/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Blood Count"). Photo Credit: Nina Westervelt. Happy listening!
This week we focus on the reissue of a seminal project bridging acid jazz and trip-hop, the soundtrack to a film without pictures, a trip east bound and down fusion lane, a great crop of guitarists deserving wider recognition, and saxophonists of well-deserved recognition. The playlist features Marden Hill; Funkwrench Blues; Kait Dunton; Herb Alpert; B.D. Lenz; Andrew Gorny; David Preston; Max Light; Emiliano D'Auria; Benjamin Koppel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade; annd Chris Potter [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17756229/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Blood Count"). Photo credit: Dave Stapleton.
Happy listening!
A revelation of an album, "Sky" by Will Bernard, Beth Custer open a playlist which explores three piano jazz formats, solo, duo and trio, through a number of impressive recent releases. The playlist also features Yosef Gutman Levitt, Lionel Loueke; Jeff Babko, David Piltch; Benny Green; Simona Premazzi [pictured]; Satoko Fujii; Tania Giannouli; Leo Genovese, Demian Cabaud and Marcos Cavaleiro. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17698766/Mondo-Jazz (from "Fence" onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Jan Cain
This week take a look back at decades of productive and progressive relationship between jazz and hip-hop, with a focus on international projects and collaborations between jazz and hip-hop artists. Our way to celebrate half a century of hip-hop. The playlist features Dream Warriors; Us3; Meshell Ndegeocello [pictured]; Buckshot LeFonque; Steve Williamson; Q Tip, Kenny Garrett; Madlib; Jon Hassell; Russell Gunn; Courtney Pine; Guru, MC Solaar; Daniele Sepe; Thiefs, Mike Ladd; Jazz Liberatorz Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17727979/Mondo-Jazz (from "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" onwards). Happy listening!
Somehow a birthday has been identified for Hip-Hop, 11 August 1973, so in a couple of days you'll run into tons of initiatives marking the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Hip-Hop. Should you catch yourself wondering, as a jazz fan, about how jazz and hip hop influenced each other… you may find a few clues with us here today... And since you're in a celebratory mood, maybe you may also celebrate the airing 250th episode of Mondo Jazz. The playlist features Gang Starr; Pigmeat Markham; Langston Hughes, Charles Mingus; Gil Scott-Heron; Frankie Crocker; Herbie Hancock, Rob Swift; Aesop Quartet; Steve Coleman [pictured], the Mystic Rhythm Society, AfroCuba De Matanzas; Greg Osby; Cassandra Wilson; Gary Thomas; Steve Lehman; Vijay Iyer and Mike Ladd Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17727979/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Color of My Circumference I") Happy listening! Photo credit: Dimicology.
Lucy Woodward returns with a powerful single paving the way for a full-length album not to be missed, and for a playlist under the sign of electro-acoustic creativity, Brazilian influences and fearless imagination. The playlist also features Collettivo Immaginario, Tommaso Cappellato, Alberto Lincetto, Nicolò Masetto; Jason Moran, Marcus Gilmore BlankFor.ms; Cautious Clay, Ambrose Akinmusire, Immanuel Wilkins; Nils Kugelmann; ThoughtCast; Ryan Keberle; Marcello Gonçalves, Anat Cohen; Doug Richards Orchestra; and David Liebman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17698766/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Beginning") Happy listening! Photo credit: Nina Duncan
The much awaited return of Tood Sickafoose graces our playlist together with other gem ranging from the gorgeous to the adventurous, with a couple of surprising contributions from musicians whose relationship with jazz has been notoriously... ambivalent, Frank Zappa and Stewart Copeland. The playlist also features Samuel Blaser; Todd Sickafoose [pictured]; Amaury Faye; Rudy Royston; Alexander Hawkins; Mick Rossi, Peter Hess, Matt Moran; John Zorn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17670100/Mondo-Jazz (starting from ""Lady Rawlinson"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Shervin Lainez
This week we start with a remembrance of Tony Bennett and Jane Birkin, two artists who had a number of common traits that went well beyond their musicality, from their progressive activism to their multi-disciplinary talents. After that we revert to our weekly exploration of new and upcoming releases, with a special attention to trios and piano-saxophone duos. The playlist features also Alan Ferber; Naya Bazz; Roberto Negro, Emile Parisien; Nora Stanley, Benny Bock; Pierrick Pedron, Gonzalo Rubalcaba; Francesco Chiapperini; Peter Bruun and Chris Speed. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17670100/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Amos"). Happy listening!
This week's playlist features two recent albums by, and featuring, Donny McCaslin , the new album by German baritonist Kara Linn plus a score of forward looking bass players and leaders, from Meshell Ndegeocello to Linda May Han Oh, Ben Wolfe and Philly natives Christian McBride and Alexander Claffy. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17641622/Mondo-Jazz [from "Clear Water" onwards] Happy listening! Photo Credit: Dave Stapleton
After a couple of weeks focusing on some of our favorite tunes from the first half of the year here we are back on our night road to some of the most exciting new and upcoming releases, many of them with a cinematic and nocturnal vibe. The playlist features Erik Truffaz; Hernan Cassibba; The Vampires feat. Chris Abrahams; Rob Mazurek; London Brew; Yussef Dayes, Shabaka Hutchings; Matthieu Donarier, Eve Risser, Karsten Hochapfel, Toma Gouband; Eleonora Strino [pictured], Greg Cohen, Joey Baron; Christina Galisatus; and Jeff Coffin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17641622/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Luminosity"]. Happy listening!
Africana to Americana and beyond in the final installment of our retrospective of some of the most memorable tunes we got to hear during the first half of the year. The playlist features Bill Laurance, Michael League; Artemis; Ben van Gelder; Ballaké Sissoko [pictured], Vincent Segal, Vincent Peirani, Emile Parisien; Gangbé Brass Band, Kala Jula, Fama Diabaté; Magic Malik; Ethnic Heritage Ensemble; and Stephen Ulrich. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17612249/Mondo-Jazz (from "Round House" onward). Happy listening!
Last week we focused our playlist on some of our favorite tracks from the first six months of the year. Evidently two hours were not enough and we could not play them all… so here we are going through the rest of the best. The playlist features Vicente Archer; Enzo Carniel, Hermon Mehari, Damien Varaillon, Stéphane Adsuar; John Hadfield [pictured], Kinan Azmeh; Vinnie Sperrazza, Ethan Iverson, Michael Formanek; Rachel Eckroth; Darren Johnston; Ralph Alessi; Jacob Young, Mats Eilertsen, Audun Kleive; and Asher Gamedze. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17612249/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Out Stepped Zim"). Happy listening!
A retrospective of some of the most compelling tunes we heard in the first half of 2023, distilled for your enjoyment. The playlist features Michael Blake; Thomas Naïm; Greg Ward; Lucia Cadotsch; Alessia Obino; David Preston; Ella Zirina; Kaisa's Machine; The Peggy Lee Band. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17583788/Mondo-Jazz (from "Little Demons" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Dasha Dare
The first half of the year has brought us plenty of great new albums. Let's look back at some of the tunes and compositions which have left a mark during these six months. The playlist features Billy Valentine; Larry Goldings, Kaveh Rastegar, Abe Rounds; Greg Joseph; Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, Lauren Henderson [pictured]; Anat Fort; Gaia Wilmer; Magos Herrera; David Virelles; Sam Bardfeld. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17583788/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Refuge"). Happy listening!
Ambition does not have to be an expression of self-centeredness. It may be, and should be, the pursuit of high achievements, and the realization of broad and innovative visions. This playlist is bursting at the seams with music driven by the good kind of ambition... The playlist features Yilian Cañizares; David Virelles; Ken Stubbs; Darren Johnston; John Hadfield; Camille-Alban Spreng, Benjamin Sauzereau, Marco Giongrandi; The Peggy Lee Band; Wynton Marsalis [pictured]; Johan Lindström & Norrbotten Big Band. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17588145/Mondo-Jazz from ("Oxun" onwards). Happy listening!
This week we focus on a bunch of projects that put in a blender lots of seemingly disparate elements and come up with their own signature sounds, from the edgy to the smooth. The playlist features Kaisa's Machine; Jacob Young; Kosmos; Sketchbook Quartet; Erik Friedlander's Sentinel; Mowgli; Debora Petrina; Echoes of Zoo; Christine Tobin; and Louis Stewart. Detailed playlist at (up to "Invitation"). Happy listening!
This week we looking into both the jazz side of Prince, including the unexpressed potentials of his collaboration with Miles Davis, as well as covers of his music by notable jazz players from Nina Simone to Joshua Redman. The playlist features Nina Simone; Malcolm Braff; Madhouse; Miles Davis; Marcin Wasilewski; Joshua Redman; Julia Hülsmann; Heinz Sauer, Michael Wollny Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17470974/Mondo-Jazz (from "Sign 'O' the Times" onwards). Happy listening!
Prince who would have turned 65 this year. He may have left us over 7 years ago, but the influence of his music continues unequalled, including on the world of jazz, with which he's often flirted. Here a selection of some of the most interesting examples of "purple jazz", including some extended jamming by Prince himself. The playlist features Helen Sung; The Volunteered Slaves; T.J. Kirk; Santi Debriano; Steven Bernstein and the Millennial Territory Orchestra; David Helbock; Joachim Kühn; Jacob Young; Eric Vloeimans, Will Holshouser; Prince. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17470974/Mondo-Jazz (up to "West"). Happy listening!
A remembrance of Karl Berger, the stunning new album by Magos Herrera [pictured], and a whole bunch of projects you can find along the Johannesburg-New York-Chicago expressway. The playlist features also Sam Butler; Kirk Knuffke, Jay Anderson, Matt Wilson; Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke; Magos Herrera; Ken Stubbs; Asher Gamedze; Good Intentions; Scree; Malcolm Jiyane Tree-o & Grandmaster CAP. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17442424/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Surrender Is Easier Said Than Done"). Happy listening!
Tributes to Abdul Wadud, Paul Motian, Albert Mangelsdorff and Johnny Hodges, the power of post-production, the music meditations of Surya Botofasina and more, in this wide-ranging edition of Mondo Jazz.The playlist features Tom Skinner; Chelsea Carmichael, Shabaka Hutchings; Petter Eldh, Savannah Harris; Esbjörn Svensson; Jakob Bro, Joe Lovano; Brûlez Les Meubles; Owen Broder; Agnas, Ståhl, Flaten, Texas; More Better; Surya Botofasina.Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16663757/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Journey" onward).Happy listening!
Tons of new releases ahoy... We feature some that bring unbridled energy, with a focus on South Korean and North European artists, and a tribute to the French master of humor, erotism, subversion and wordplay, Serge Gainsbourg. The playlist features Donny McCaslin; Avram Fefer; Matthew Halsall; Sun-Mi Hong; Marilyn Mazur; Song Yi Jeon, Vinícius Gomes; Mikkel Ploug; Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Camille Bertault. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16663757/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Les Goemons"). Happy listening!
Plato, Mingus and Seinfeld? What could they possibly have in common? Not much; or a lot…; depending on the plasticity of your mind. You'll get the answer if you listen to this edition of Mondo Jazz, digging forward and back with a precious new compilation showcasing the Detroit Artists Workshop. The playlist features Timothy Norton; Dezron Douglas; Abel Mireles; Nadje Noordhuis; Lyman Woodard; Kirk Lightsey; Charles Lloyd; Dierk Peters. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16634147/Mondo-Jazz (from "More Coffee Please" onwards). Happy listening!
This week a catchy and eclectic playlist, which straddles across many stylistic lines and influences, opens in the spirit of Zappa and ends with Zappa himself and yet another gem recently uneearthed from his bottomless vault. The playlist features Fred Pallem; Flat Earth Society Orchestra; Gaia Mattiuzzi; Wojtek Mazolewski; Yosef Gutman; Jussi Reijonen; Arild Andersen; Ari Joshua, Billy Martin, Jason Fraticelli; Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16634147/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Black Napkins"). Happy listening!
In this set we focus on Hammond jazz, brass-heavy projects, North-European bands and a series of albums that have John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Wayne Shorter and Terri Lyne Carrington as common threads. The playlist also features Jupiter; Michael Blake; Trio Grande; Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra; Marco Pacassoni, Antonio Sanchez; Dave Stryker; Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Chris McBride; Leo Genovese, Esperanza Spalding. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16606019/Mondo-Jazz (from "Stratos" onward). Happy listening!
We are back after a brief hiatus, during which new and upcoming albums have been piling up on our desk, so let's get right to it... We start here with a batch of genre-defying projects focusing in particular on adventurous vocalists that blend acoustic and electronic music, or that bring different music cultures together. We end with two invigorating projects that bring together improvisation and hard hitting experimentation. The playlist features Shotnez; Francesco Diodati, Leïla Martial, Stefano Tamborrino; Sirintip; Andrea Motis; Louis Cole; José James; Gyedu-Blay Ambolley; Alhaji Waziri Oshomah; Titan to Tachyons; Mats Gustafsson's Nu Ensemble. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16606019/Mondo-Jazz (up to Mats Gustafsson). Happy listening!
Photo credit: Ashira Boonchoo
Inspired by Leo Sidran's latest single, "There Was a Fire", this week we look into various threads of memory--making (or memory--keeping) that can be found in projects that bring together various cultulal traditions (West-African or Cuban, Mitteleuropean or Japanese), bring new light to old repertoires, pay tribute to earlier composers or music-genres. The playlist features Eve Risser; chuffDRONE; Jamaaladeen Tacuma [pictured]; King Klavé; Shoko Igarashi; Antonio Sanchez, Dave Matthews, Pat Metheny; Leo Sidran; Dave Douglas; David Chevallier, Laurent Blondiau, Sébastien Boisseau, and Christophe Lavergne. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16474585/Mondo-Jazz (from "Gamse" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Žiga Koritnik
Unbridled fun, the long tail of Hal Willner's work, an all-star band that celebrates 40 years of the Jazz sous les pommiers Festival, and jazz inspired by Maurice Ravel, soul, funk, gospel blues and folk are at the heart of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz. The playlist features The New Mastersounds; The Harlem Gospel Travelers; Doug Wamble; Beth Orton [pictured]; Robin Holcomb; Bill Frisell; Franck Tortiller, Yves Rousseau, Bojan Z, Louis Winsberg, Andy Sheppard, Thomas De Pourquery, Airelle Besson, Anne Paceo, Théo Ceccaldi, Fidel Fourneyron; Dieter Ilg; and Russ Lossing. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16474585/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Grey").
Happy listening!
This is the second part of an edition of Mondo Jazz which explores the repertoire built over the years by countless women composers, which are in part included in "New Standards", the collection of 101 compositions by women composers curated by Terri Lyne Carrington for Berklee Press, and in part we hope they will be included in a near future. For our selection we focus on instrumental tunes by musicians that are alive, and possibly still young. The playlist features Susie Ibarra; Nubya Garcia; Co Streiff; Airelle Besson; Anke Helfrich; Patricia Zarate Perez; Courtney Bryan [pictured]; Anna Högberg; Kris Davis; and Tomeka Reid. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16445708/Mondo-Jazz (from "Azul" onwards). Happy listening!
In the wake of the recent publication of "New Standards", the collection of 101 compositions by women composers curated by Terri Lyne Carrington for Berklee Press, this week we feature some of the compositions featured in the new book, and a few more that we hope may appear in a future expanded edition. The playlist features Jaimie Branch [pictured]; Jenny Scheinman; Dinosaur; Bria Skonberg; Rita Marcotulli; Miho Hazama; Simone Baron & Arco Belo; Caroline Davis; Arcoiris Sandoval; Marilyn Crispell; Sylvie Courvoisier, and Mark Feldman. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16445708/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Éclats for Ornette"). Happy listening!
A playlist that focuses on fascinating new releases and a preview of great upcoming concerts in New York. The playlist features Jeff Denson, Brian Blade, Romain Pilon; Patricia Brennan; Hermon Mehari; Eric Vloeimans, Will Holshouser; the Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Sky Creature; Enrico Rava, Fred Hersch; Omar Sosa; Cheick Tidiane Seck [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16420871/Mondo-Jazz (from "Daily Jubilee of Dancing Herbie D." onward). Happy listening!
Music by, or inspired by, Brazil, Charles Mingus, Mal Waldron, Humanity... and the Convulsionaries... To know more... click on the embedded player and happy listening! The playlist features also Anat Cohen [pictured]; Roberto Ottaviano, Alexander Hawkins; Cristina Mazza, Sean Bergin Daniele D'Agaro Bruno Marini Jean-Jacques Avenel Sangoma Everett; Angelica Sanchez; Matt Ulery, Zach Brock; Jasper Høiby; Trevor Dunn; Julian Lage; Jeff Parker, Eric Revis, and Nasheet Waits. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16420871/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Wait").
September offers an opportunity to refocus on our inner energies and start a new cycle with renewed awareness and intentions – basically back to school and beyond… This segment of the show features more songs inspired by this month, with a special focus on five masterpieces that were recorded during a magical couple of weeks in September 1962. The playlist features Johnnie Taylor; Dakota Staton; Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays; Mats Eilertsen; Coleman Hawkins; Quincy Jones; Duke Ellington; Chico Hamilton; John Coltrane; Gerald Wilson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16393563/Mondo-Jazz (from "It's September" onward). Happy listening!
Photo credit: Chuck Stewart
September is a rather auspicious month musically, as you will hear through a playlist of songs inspired by September... or by things associated with the month of September... or featuring musicians born in September. The playlist features James Brown; Freda Payne; Itai Kriss; Earth, Wind & Fire; Chris Pattishall; Don Grolnick; Les McCann, Eddie Harris; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten; Fiona Apple; and Dave Douglas. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16393563/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Sapphire Sky Blue"). Happy listening!
It’s hard to believe but August is already over, and just like the months keep getting by at the speed of light so do new CDs and LPs… And this is why we are here with another edition of Mondo Jazz for which we have cherry-picked some of the best new albums and singles out there. The playlist features Stéphane Kerecki; Tom Harrell; Clemens Kuratle; Ernesto Jodos; John Escreet; Kristin Berardi [pictured]; Run Logan Run, Annie Gardiner; Mysteries of the Revolution; Yussef Dayes Experience. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16366777/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Booster" onward). Happy listening!
Tributes to Miles and Mingus, Camille Bertault, Theo Croker, and the German label ACT Music are some of the threads of this playlist, which also features one of the most surprising albums of the year... but you have to listen to find out what that is... The playlist also features Chris Dave; Mitglieder der Berliner Philharmoniker, Magnus Lindgren; Ethan Philion; David Helbock; Oan Kim; Erik Friedlander; Tigran Hamasyan; Trio Xolo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16366777/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Obsidian Eucalyptus"). Happy listening!
One of the traits that we love most in jazz is its ability to promote encounters and mixtures… and mixtures is what this set is all about. The playlist features Leyla McCalla [pictured]; Lyle Lovett; Antares Flare; Elvin Bironien; Marco Bardoscia, Paolo Fresu, Dino Rubino, Daniele di Bonaventura; Samuel Mösching, Isaiah Collier; Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Darek Oles; Alan Broadbent; Roberta Piket, Harvie S, Billy Mintz. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16340214/Mondo-Jazz (from "Nan Fon Bwa" onward). Happy listening!
Here we go again, finding a path of beauty through countless new and upcoming albums, and sharing the most memorable moments of this journey with you. As usual, we like the path less travelled, and so we hope that you’ll enjoy the surprises that we find along the way... The playlist features Flash Pig; Jeremy Rose [pictured], The Earshift Orchestra; CKRAFT; Caleb Wheeler Curtis; Steven Bernstein; Kalí Rodríguez-Peña; Laufey; Radka Toneff, Steve Dobrogosz; and Flavio Perrella. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16340214/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Soli abbagli"). Happy listening!
Another set dedicated to new and upcoming releases, with a special focus on recent Hammond Organ Trios and Quartets; jazz from, or inspired by, Africa and the Antilles; a tribute to 40 years of the French festival Jazz à Vienne; plus the savory “free-range sonic stew" served by Jessica Pavone [pictured], Lukas Koenig, Matt Mottel. The playlist also features Jack McDuff; Matthieu Marthouret; Wil Blades, Charlie Hunter, George Sluppick; Nduduzo Makhathini; Aldo Romano, Louis Sclavis, Henry Texier; Maher Beauroy, Sélène Saint-Aimé; McCoy Tyner; Abraham Réunion. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16314803/Mondo-Jazz (from "Walkin’ the Dog" onwards). Happy listening!
Photo credit: Yuan Liu.
Going through hundreds of new jazz albums is a trying job. But somebody’s got do it. And we do it so you don’t have to. So please sit back, relax and enjoy some the most delicious bites of the gargantuan meal that artists and labels have been cooking out... The playlist features Laura Jurd; Quentin Ghomari; Jon Irabagon [pictured]; Miguel Zenón; Gustavo Cortiñas; Spanish Harlem Orchestra; Seamus Blake; Emanuele Filippi Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16314803/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Points of a Star"). And a musical bon appétit!
The life affirming power of the human voice, from the modern spirituality of Jimetta Rose & Voices of Creation to the irreverence crazy eclecticism of André Minvielle [pictured], or the haunting elegance of Piers Faccini with Simone Prattico, opens a wide ranging set which is then closed with another tribute to Frank Kimbrough.
The playlist also features Babx, Thomas De Pourqueray; Papanosh; Basher; Or Bareket; The Supreme Court; Curtis Fowlkes; Billy Drummond; Micah Thomas.
The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16303620/Mondo-Jazz (from "Spirits Up Above" onwards).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Caroline Pottier
We are back with another set-list chockful of exciting new and upcoming albums, from the cinematic atmospheres of the James Taylor Quartet and the mysterious Louis Fontane, to the explorations of Sam Gendel or Hailey Naiswanger's and Mia Garcia's OHMA; from the physchedelic journeys of Wax Machine and Kalaha, to the sounds of London's Total Refreshment Center courtesy of the Neue Grafik Ensemble and Chelsea Carmichael. The playlist also features Michael Benedikt; Hilal Kaya, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra; Marquis Hill; Makaya McCraven; Takuya Kuroda; Jeremy Cunningham, Dustin Laurenzi, Paul Bryan. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16303620/Mondo-Jazz (up to "New Dust"). Happy listening!
A few of the many accents through which today’s Lingua Franca, jazz, is spoken around the world. The playlist features Snarky Puppy; SNACKTIME; Black Jesus Experience; James Brandon Lewis feat. The Messthetics; Julia Hülsmann; Frank Kimbrough; Kansas Smitty’s; Jonathan Pinson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16263414/Mondo-Jazz (from "Bet" onwards). Happy listening!
This week we feature some great examples of how tradition continues to fuel modern jazz projects, and the many ways in which jazz incorporates elements from other musical traditions (from Korea to Spain) and genres (from the blues to rave music). The playlist features Bobby Previte, Charlie Hunter; Bobby Previte; J.D. Allen; Angles; Koma Saxo, Sofia Jernberg; Roxana Amed; The Comet Is Coming; Baum Sae; Potsa Lotsa Xl, Youjin Sung; James Taylor; Charles Lloyd. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16263414/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Dorotea's Studio"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Michael DiDonna.
You know how scientists say that, statistically, every person has roughly six look-alikes around the world? Well the same seems to be true in the music world, where one can find quite a few songs that appear to be sound-alikes of other compositions we’re familiar with… This does not have to be necessarily the result of plagiarism but can often be the outcome of the fact that certain melodies can enter a musician’s brain and come back out later in their own compositions, almost involuntarily, completely metabolized.
The playlist features Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Henderson, Robben Ford; Enrico Rava; Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden; Dean Martin; Steely Dan; Keith Jarrett; Bruce Hornsby; Bob James; CeeLo Green; Peggy Lee; Tony Coe.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16238325/Mondo-Jazz (from "Dat Dere" onwards).
Happy listening!
Music geekery is at the heart of this week's edition. Over the years, time and time again I have come across songs that left me thinking… "Wait… there’s a melody in this chorus or this solo that really reminds me of another song… but I can’t quite put my finger on it…" And every time I’d play that song the same question would pop in my head at that same chorus or solo! I’m sure you’re all familiar with that feeling. Here's a playlist featuring pairs of songs, usually a jazz and pop or rock song, which, to my delight, I was able to connect because of what seem to be short and random similarities… at least to my ears!
The playlist features Jovanotti; Sarah Tandy; The Rolling Stones; Kevin Eubanks, Orrin Evans; Duke Ellington; Paolo Conte; Charles Mingus; Sting; Dionne Warwick; Lee Ritenour.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16238325/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Isn't She Lovely").
Happy listening!
A mystery project bearing the DNA of the late Hal Willner and Sun Ra, a project inspired by the poetry of that same Herman Poole Blount, tributes to Carla Bley and Lars Gullin, saxophonists on the rise, and a teenage sensation. The playlist features Meditations on Crime, King Khan, Sun Ra Arkestra; Miles Okazaki; Kurt Elling; Owl Trio; Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash; Jeanne Michard; Chet Doxas; Randal Despommier, Ben Monder; Maggie Jean Martin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16213009/Mondo-Jazz (from "We the People of the Myths" onward). Happy listening!
It’s been another hot sweaty week… and so we decided to open today’s edition with some hot sweaty genre-defying music courtesy of Moon Hooch, Too Many Zooz and Meute, then we keep the simmer pretty steady, deep and beautiful. The playlist features Moon Zooz; Too Many Zooz; MEUTE; Gunther Sommer, Lucaciu 3; Claire Michael; Sam Reider; Vadim Neselovskyi; Gard Nilssen; Elsa Nilsson; Sachal Vasandani, Romain Collin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16213009/Mondo-Jazz (up to "No More Tears"). Happy listening!
From Africa to Brooklyn, and a few stops in between, a playlist replete with a diverse range of new and upcoming albums. The playlist features Kamil Piotrowicz; Sasha Berliner; Omri Ziegele; Camilla George; Tumi Mogorosi feat. Andile Yenana; Stan Killian; Theon Cross, Emre Ramazanoglu; Fussyduck; Subconscious Trio; Carmen Staaf, Allison Miller; Bennie Maupin, Adam Rudolph; Kirk Knuffke; John Yao. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16185792/Mondo-Jazz (from "TFE" onward). Happy listening!
Last week we took a look back at some of our favorite songs that were released in the first six months of the year. This week we’re back to our uncontrollably growing pile of beautiful new and upcoming albums. The playlist features Fred Pallem; OJKOS; Makaya McCraven; JoVia Armstrong; Moor Mother, Orion Sun, Jason Moran; Pablo Ablanedo; Shabaka; Francesco Bigoni, Mark Solborg, Emanuele Maniscalco; Philippe Côté, Marc Copland. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16185792/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Circadia"). Happy listening!
Here are some of the tunes that we have loved the most during these first six months of the year. Surely there are tens more of equal value, but this is not a scientific exercise… Rather–since jazz is all about living in the moment–we made our selections based on the strong, and lasting, impression that those tunes elicited when we first listened to them. The playlist features David Krakauer; Kahil El'Zabar; Steven Bernstein; Benjamin Koppel; David Virelles, Julio Barreto; Laufey, Dodie; Pipe Dream; Byard Lancaster; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; Joona Toivanen. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16162274/Mondo-Jazz (from "North Country Square Dance" onward). Happy listening!
Since 2022 has been barreling down at breakneck speed… it’s July already, which is actually the perfect moment to take stock of what the first half of the year had to offer to jazz fans. Please enjoy some of the tunes that have brought us most delight during the first six months of the year! The playlist features Pernille Bévort; Michael Leonhart; Daniel Villarreal; Benny Bock; Louis Matute; Jun Miyake; Anthony Fung; Bill O'Connell; Johannes Wallmann; and I AM (feat. Isaiah Collier & Michael Shekwoaga Ode).Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16162274/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Vessel Speaks"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Carolina Sanchez
It’s just early July and there’s no denying that we’re already feeling the effects of climate change, with unusually high temperatures and extreme events like floods or severe thuderstorms. When it comes to music, however the downpour of new releases is a very welcome development… especially when they sound so delicious! The playlist features Mamud Band; Amanda Whiting; Marco Mezquida; David Virelles, Julio Barreto; Lisbeth Quartett; Trish Clowes; Will Bernard; Ches Smith. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16104145/Mondo-Jazz (from "Equalization" onwards). Happy listening!
Oscillating between the funky good times of yesterday (Oneness of Juju; Milt Ward) and today's grooves (Snacktime, Kneebody, Ray Anderson's Pocket Brass Band) this week's playlist confirms that good music is timeless, and quirky to boot (Amanda Ekery, Esthesis Quartet). Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16104145/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Yo Cats"). Happy listening!
This week we focus on new and upcoming albums featuring emerging guitarists like Reinier Baas and Gilad Hekselman, electro-acoustic projects and more... The playlist also features Johannes Wallmann; Bill O'Connell; Roxy Coss; Deadeye; Eric Harland; Antoine Berjeaut; Freakson; Mark Turner, Jason Palmer, Joe Martin, Jonathan Pinson. The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16060706/Mondo-Jazz (from "Precarious Towers" onward). Happy listening!
An Hammond B-3onanza! Ronnie Foster is back, with a reissue of "Two-Headed Freap" and the first new album in almost four decades, "Reboot", and so is the Gentle Giant of Danish jazz drummer-turned-Hammond player Kresten Osgood. A compare and contrast between Gerald Clayton and Melissa Stylianou, Gene Bartoncini and Ike Sturm, as well the new gems by Ghost Horse and Liquid Saloon complete a playlist that is all killer, no filler!
The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16060706/Mondo-Jazz (up to "London Pride").
Happy listening!
Bookended between the many sides of Larry Goldings [pictured] and Ingrid Laubrock the playlist features two new releases by drummer Zeno De Rossi, the sophomore release of Zoh Amba and the compelling new albums by Espen Berg and Jacob Garchik. The playlist features also John Scofield; Peter Bernstein; Bill Stewart; Pipe Dream; Andy Milne; Brandon López; and Tom Rainey. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16035786/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Shiner" onwards). Happy Listening!
Amazing debut albums by Daniel Villarreal and Anna Butterss [pictured], reissues or unearthed gems from masters of the past like Sun Ra or Byard Lancaster, homages to Pharaoh Sanders, the fascinating sonic explorations of JOYFULTALK and Flock are just some of our favorite things... and that's why we feature them in this week's show. We hope you like them too! The playlist also features Rosa Brunello; Salah Ragab; Mark de Clive Lowe; and Boris Kozlov. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16035786/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Second Line Sally"). Happy listening!
Piano trios that show that, in the right hand, this formula has still a lot to say, musicians that walk down the trail blazed by Carla Bley and Paul Bley, chamber jazz and much more in this set. The playlist features Olga Reznichenko; Joona Toivanen; Louis Sclavis; Billy Drummond; Florian Arbenz, Tineke Postma, Joao Barradas; Lucian Ban; Álvaro Torres; Adam Larson; Chase Elodia. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15983642/Mondo-Jazz (From "Restless Stone Stops Motion" onward). Happy listening!
David Binney's everywhere! Or so it seems judging by the amount of recent and upcoming release he's on. We sample three this week, together with the new concept album by Samora Pinderhughes and a few examples of how music and social commentary can bring about awesome albums, in a playlist that is at the East-Coast West-Coast junction. And, by the way, this week we celebrate episode 200! Thanks for your listening and support. The playlist features also Anthony Fung; Dan Schnelle; Randal Fisher; AHL6; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; The Gathering; Bouvier. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15983642/Mondo-Jazz (Up to "Holla!"). Happy listening!
Here's a set dedicated to the proposition that when you leave it to jazz musicians, cultural differences bring people together, not apart, as you'll be able to appreciate with projects that mix the cultural traditions, or the music-making understandings, to generate a certain "folklore without borders".
The playlist features Louis Matute; Tony Mora; Diego Rivera; Manel Fortia [pictured]; Hans Lüdemann TransEuropeExpress Ensemble, Majid Bekkas; Marco Cappelli; Charming Hostess; Jon Balke Siwan; and José Lencastre.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15949821/Mondo-Jazz (from "Renaissance" onwards).
Happy listening!
This week we'll be test driving some of the most happening jazz rides we’ve found in our favorite dealerships, from the return of Flora Purim [pictured], to Steven Bernstein's heartfelt tribute to the late Henry Butler, and a special focus on pianists, like Yelena Eckemoff, Enrico Pieranunzi, Lynne Arriale and John Taylor. The playlist features also Chance Hayden; Josiel Konrad; Whatitdo Archive Group. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15949821/Mondo-Jazz (up to "500 Miles High"). Happy listening!
The spotlight on emerging trombonist Kalia Vandever [pictured], Binker Golding midwestern fantasies, a version of "Bitches Brew" (the song) from before "Bitches Brew" (the album), and much more in this set. The playlist also features Ghost Funk Orchestra, Ben Pirani; Dr. John; Binker Golding; Alex Sipiagin; Joel Ross; Makiko Hirabayashi; Myra Melford; Miles Davis Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15927214/Mondo-Jazz (from "Can't Get Out Your Own Way" onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Chris Longyne
In this episode Guadelupe meets Nigeria; Japan & Italy meet Brazil; Germany meets South Korea; and many more transnational encounters from the Global Jazz Village. The playlist features Magic Malik; Michael Blake; Kansas Smitty's; David Murray, Brad Jones, Hamid Drake; Jun Miyake; Potsa Lotsa Xl, Youjin Sung; Yu Nishiyama; Tommaso Moretti, Ben Lamar Gay; Chiara Izzi, Andrea Rea. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15927214/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Samba in Preludio") Happy listening!
In this segment we feature several projects of the restless Swedish bassist Petter Eldh, solo projects by guitar masters and a young piano virtuoso, interesting meeting points for forward looking jazz and strings, & more. The playlist features Koma Saxo, Sofja Jernberg; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; Punkt.Vrt.Plastik; John Scofield; Biréli Lagrène; Elias Stemseder; Dave Meder, Miguel Zenon; Caroline Davis; Mary Halvorson, Mivos Quartet; Henry Cole; Red Kite. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15900727/Mondo-Jazz (from "Lo Ve Ko Ma" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Andrea Rotili
Modern piano rooted in the tradition, timeless playful tongue-in cheek elegance, and two tributes to the great Herbie Nichols in this set. The playlist features Mathis Picard, Savannah Harris; Deanna Witkowski; Isaiah J. Thompson; Cécile McLorin Salvant; Aki Takase, Daniel Erdmann; Dandy Dandie; Anna Webber; Ben Allison; Duck Baker, Roswell Rudd. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15900727/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Happenings"). Happy listening!
The Mingus centennial, of course. But first and foremost a celebration of living musicians while they're alive-and-kicking and engaged in their latest projects. The playlist also features Rémi Panossian; Billy Bang; Brian Jackson; Harvest Group; Rosa Brunello; Erik Friedlander; Billy Mohler; and Harry Skoler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15869423/Mondo-Jazz (from "BBQ" onward). Happy listening!
Music from garages, cyberspace and outer space, tributes and collaborations, and all around good energy in this set... The playlist features Wolcott Curran Collective; Kahil El'Zabar; Kyoto Jazz Sextet, Takeo Moriyama; Kevin Eubanks, Orrin Evans; Peter Somuah; C'mon Tigre, Colin Stetson; Francesca Remigi; Agnas Bros; Fabian Willmann. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15869423/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Last Song"). Happy listening! Photo Credit: Sandro Miller
In the second part of this week's exploration of jazz inspired by classical music, we focus on projects in tribute to the works of three composers that have influenced scores of jazz musicians, Maurice Ravel, Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy. The playlist features Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle, Vincent Courtois, Jeff Ballard; René Marie; Nikolaj Hess; Camille Bertault; Jason Moran; Oscar Peterson; Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jean-Paul Brodbeck; Kamasi Washington. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/15810763 (from "Ostinato (Prelude)" onwards). Happy listening!
Spurred by a number of recent albums, this week's edition of Mondo Jazz focuses on projects that blur the arbitrary distinction between jazz music and classical music. This segment's playlist features inspired and open interpretations of works by Igor Stravinsky, Erik Satie, Henry Purcell as well as recent jazz compositions that are rooted in the classical canon. The playlist features Stefan Pasborg; Jim McNeely, Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Chris Potter; Dairo Miyamoto; Anais Drago; Guy Klucevsek, Phillip Johnston; Pierrejean Gaucher; Dave Douglas; Vincent Peirani; Anders Koppel, Benjamin Koppel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade, Odense Symphony Orchestra; Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/15810763 (up to "King Kong / Igor's Boogie"). Photo credit: Stephen Freiheit. Happy listening!
Welcome to the second half of our weekly perusal of new and upcoming albums. In this segment, a special focus on pianists and emerging European artists. The playlist features Emma Rawicz; Mário Laginha; Iiro Rantala; Jean-Marc Foltz, Stephan Oliva; Gerald Clayton, Charles Lloyd; Stefanie Kunckler; Clément Janinet; Vincent Courtois, Bill Carrothers. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15700835/Mondo-Jazz (from "Voodoo" onward). Happy listening!
Welcome back to our weekly tasting menu of the best new jazz delicacies the international scene has to offer. This week a special focus on two releases that draw attention to historic developments with stellar rosters of contributing artists, "Music for Ukraine" and "Black Lives - from Generation to Generation", and on the brand new album by the Michael Leonhart Orchestra. The playlist features Michael Leonhart; Yul, Stephanie McKay; Immanuel Wilkins, Marvin Sewell; Designers; Alexander Hawkins; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; Ryan Keberle, Frank Woeste, Vincent Courtois; Luca Weege; Timo Lassy. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15700835/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Better Together"). Happy listening!
Somi's tribute to Miriam Makeba and a previously unreleased wild live recording by Hermeto Pascoal [pictured] bookend an episode replete with beautiful new albums, with a special focus on Latin America, Caribbean and European artists. The playlist also features Omar Sosa, Seckou Keita; Yilian Cañizares, Michael League; Leo Genovese; Tome Iliev; Julieta Eugenio; Melissa Aldana; Olivia Trummer; Lou Tavano. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15644513/Mondo-Jazz (from "House of the Rising Sun" onward). Happy listening!
The beautiful debut album of an emerging artist like Zoh Amba [pictured], previously unreleased tracks from the legendary Village Vanguard concerts by Geri Allen, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, the edgy new project by Vincent Peirani and the guitar saxophone interactions of Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens, Dave Gisler & David Murray, and Tony Malaby & Ben Monder are just some of our favorite things of this month. We hope you enjoy them too. The playlist features also Kinan Azmeh; David Krakauer; Hugo Carvalhais; Lara Rosseel; Chris Dingman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15644513/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Light Your Way"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Peter Gannushkin
Celebrated for his distinctive voice on trumpet and cornet, elegant and timeless, Ron Miles was equally at ease with classical music, jazz tradition as well as with more out there experimentations. Here we feature a wide range of projects he lead, co-lead or guested on. The playlist features also DJ Logic; Ginger Baker; Max Bessesen; Wayne Horvitz; Ben Goldberg; Matt Wilson; Joe Henry; Kate McGarry; Myriam Alter; Harriet Tubman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (from "Ron's House" onwards). Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
Ron Miles was a jazz hypnotist who would lure his listeners into his music world, taking them to another dimension and gently dropping them back on earth at the end of his concerts, or albums, leaving them wondering… ‘what did just happen…? And how did I get here’? A few days back he passed away at 58, something that for most came as completely unexpected and very hard to make sense of. So this week we do the only thing that may help process this event, take a look back at decades of music that he wrote and played, either as leader or sideman but always as a custodian of beauty. The playlist also features Jason Moran, Bill Frisell, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Jenny Scheinman, Ben Goldberg, and Myra Melford. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (up to "Promised Land"). Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
Welcome on board, fasten your seat belts as you're about to take off for a rewarding journey around the jazz world which will take you to Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, France, Austria, Switzerland, Norway and the UK, from the mesmerizing sounds of Alune Wade to the post-Bitches-Brew-stew of Ayumi Ishito and a lot more in-between. The playlist features Alune Wade; Heiri Känzig; Nicolas Folmer; Shake Stew; Sylvain Rifflet; John Hadfield; Jonathan Blake; Ayumi Ishito; Smith Komma John; Mark Lockheart; Aufmessers Schneide. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15514461/Mondo-Jazz (from "Saba's Journey"). Happy listening!
May the fun be with you, and the Funk of the Ezra Collective, the Speaking Tango of Minino Garay, the Strata records vault-digging of Jazzanova and much more! The playlist features Ezra Collective; Jazzanova; Minino Garay; Janko Nilovic, The Soul Surfers; Fred Pallem; Helge Lien Trio; Hegge; Darren Johnston; Aske Jacoby. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15514461/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Impromptu #1"). Happy listening! Photo Credit: Julie Caine
This time we’ll let music do all the talking because it’s hard to find words that can channel what’s going on. If anything it’s in times like this that we are reminded about the power of music. If anything it’s in times like these that we are reminded about the power of music. And jazz, in particular, has a long history of being inspired by challenging events and human struggles, distilling beauty out of the harshest circumstances. The playlist features Bill Evans; Dave Douglas; Charles Lloyd; Shai Maestro; Marianne Faithfull, Chris Spedding; Ivano Fossati; Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; Tino Tracanna, Giovanni Falzone, Paolino Dalla Porta, Vittorio Marinoni; Don Cherry; Duck Baker; Ernst Reijseger; Misha Alperin, Arkady Shilkloper, Anja Lechner. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15450990/Mondo-Jazz (from "Peace Piece" onwards). Photo credit: Brian McMillen
Today it felt quite inappropriate to be upbeat and excited about all the beautiful new albums that keep coming out. After an aggressive virus has brought the world to a near halt for almost two years, we are now facing another life-threatening turn of events, this time entirely man-made. The playlist features music inspired by the eternal struggle between war and peace, from Charles Mingus’ fear of the atomic Bomb--by way of Alexis Korner--to John Coltrane’s sonic prayer for peace on earth during the tour that took him where that bomb had been dropped, Nagasaki.
The playlist features Sade; Conjure; Alexis Korner; Geri Allen; Emile Parisien; Grant Green; John Coltrane.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15450990/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Peace on Earth").
Great new albums by adventurous saxophonists, and two extended live ECM recordings that take us places. The playlist features Pernille Bévort; Trish Clowes; Charlotte Greve; Kika Sprangers; Mark Turner; Enrico Rava; Craig Taborn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15390270/Mondo-Jazz (from "Minor Clues" onwards). Happy listening!
A playlist featuring Brazilian--and Brazil inspired--Argentinean and Venezuelan artist, as well some compelling long-form explorations led by bassists Ben Allison and Stephan Crump. The playlist features Jaques Morelenbaum [pictured]; Ryan Keberle; Gabi Hartmann; Cosmo; Lucia Boffo; Miriam Elhajli; Ben Allison; Borderlands Trio. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15390270/Mondo-Jazz (up to "An Invitation to Disappear"). Happy listening!
Another treasure-throve of brand new releases with a special focus, in the second half of the set, on bass players as leaders and composers. The playlist features Delvon Lamarr; Brandee Younger; Ilmiliekki Quartet; Christiane Karam; Sigurd Hole; Alex "Apolo" Ayala; Sélène Saint-Aimé; Henri Texier; Ilaria Capalbo; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten; Théo Girard. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15349707/Mondo-Jazz (from "Keep on Keepin' on" onward). Happy listening!
Good vibes, genre-bending projects, charismatic singers and creative use of electronics are the defining features of this set of recent and upcoming albums. The playlist features Steven Bernstein; Catherine Russell; Youn Sun Nah; Airelle Besson; Wobjie; Thomas de Pourquery; Umberto Petrin; Michael Leonhart; Rachel Eckroth; Anais Drago; Mike Pride. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15349707/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Dick for Brains"). Happy listening!
Duos galore in this set and an inter-generational array of artists, ranging from young up and comers in their early 20s to revered octuagenarians delving into their vaults... or making their debut! And much more... Nathalie Cressman, Ian Faquini; Laufey, Dodie; Charlie Gabriel; Sonny Boy Williamson, Brian Auger & The Trinity feat. Jimmy Page & Joe Harriot; Edouard Ferlet; Erkin Cavus, Reentko Dirks; Tom Bourgeois, Fil Caporali; Tim Berne, Greg Belisle-Chi; Fishblot; Luca Perciballi; Gabriel Akhmad Marin; Ches Smith. Happy listening! Photo credit: Caity Krone
It’s Cold. The Winter Olympics are well under way, we’ve not yet reached mid-February and there are already so many new and upcoming releases in 2022 that we can almost fill the whole show with them… Starting and ending with two Orchestras: Michael Leonhart's mighty ensemble and their upcoming stunner, "The Normyn Suites", and Paul Wacrenier's Healing Orchestra, a band with a mission: bringing Free Jazz to the People! The playlist features Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Mostly Other People Do the Killing; Marta Sanchez; Emile Parisien; Sylvain Rifflet; Kokoroko; Alabaster Deplume; Carate Urio Orchestra; Federico Calcagno, Stefano Grosso, Filippo Rinaldo; Onze Heures Onze Orchestra; Ståhls Trio; Healing Orchestra. Happy listening! Photo credit: Shervin Lame
If you need certainties to anchor your life in these confusing times, get yourself the latest album by David Krakauer and you'll find out that there are a few things that never fail to bring joy. The same goes for the heart-warming, and leg warming, old school soul and funk that is featured on this playlist, and the compelling projects by a number of international bands which guarantee a rewarding listening experience. Wrapping things up, the latest by Kamasi Washington. The playlist features David Krakauer; Diane Ward & The Kevin Fingier Collective; The Greyboy Allstars; Aldorande; Juan Bayon; Maximilian Hering; Julie Sassoon; Marquis Hill; Kamasi Washington. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15240609/Mondo-Jazz (from David Krakauer onward). Happy listening!
This week we have built our playlist in celebration of the Year of the Tiger, the Water Tiger to be precise, and the 24th Winter Olympics, selecting compositions that directly or indirectly relate to winter sports, Olympic games and the elements which are essential to all Winter Olympics: Mountains, Snow and Ice… The playlist features Fred Ho; Michael Leonhart; Cory Wong; Chuck Mangione; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Médéric Collignon; Miho Hazama; Ralph Sutton; Martin Sather; Jane Ira Bloom; Dave Douglas; Quintorigo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15240609/Mondo-Jazz (up to Quintorigo). Happy listening and Happy Lunar New Year!
The Beatles meet James Bond? Video game music as a source of new jazz? Baden Powell meets Bill Frisell? The harp as a tool for lockdown survival? Find out for yourself listening to this set of beautiful music! The playlist also features Pago Libre & Sooon; Matt Ridley; Rudresh Mahanthappa; Alison Shearer; Gui Duvignau; Ayesha Brooks, Wayne Horvitz, Ha-Yang Kim; Jacqueline Kerrod; Gabriels; Joachim Caffonnette; Hermon Mehari, Alessandro Lanzoni; Giovanni Falzone, Glauco Venier. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15181398/Mondo-Jazz (from "Hey Bulldog / Where's James?" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Drew Bordeaux
From the irresistible Afro dancefloor life-affirming music of Nubyian Twist to two tributes to Wayne Shorter's contribution to the Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet, and a whole lot of other jazz declinations in this set. The playlist also features Guillaume Vierset; MonoNeon; Luke Stewart [pictured]; John Hebert; Gwen Cahue; Revival Room; Dinamitri Open Combo; Taru Alexander; Pablo Held. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15181398/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Nefertiti"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Andre Chung
Modern takes on old and new standards, fascinating singers, compelling pianists and much more in this set. The playlist features Cecil L. Recchia; Samara Joy; David Binney; Charlie Peacock; Gary Brunton; Marc Buronfosse; Kate McGarry + Keith Ganz Ensemble; Masabumi Kikuchi; Lina Nyberg, Daniel Karlsson; Céline Bonacina; Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15119678/Mondo-Jazz (from "Chitlins Con Carne" onward). Happy listening!
A set bookended by great singers and featuring the new and not so new poetry of Nikki Giovanni, exciting young bands and musicians from Europe, a Big Band featuring only horns, percussions and vocalists, and more! The playlist features Matt Berry, Emma Noble; La La Lars; Fazer; Run Logan Run; Javon Jackson, Nikki Giovanni; Balto Exclamationpoint; Linda Fredriksson; The Bogie Band featuring Joe Russo; İlhan Erşahin, Dave Harrington, Kenny Wollesen; Rembrandt Trio; Renata Zeiguer. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15119678/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Sunset Boulevard"). Happy listening!
In this set we focus on recent and upcoming albums but we’ll also try to catch up on a number of gems from 2021 that we had not yet had a chance to feature, with a special focus on Afro-centric projects. The playlist features Young Pilgrims; Graham Costello; Ananasnna; Arnaud Dolmen; Weedie Braimah; Toumani Diabaté, London Symphony Orchestra; Mdou Moctar; Omar Sosa, Seckou Keita; Andrew Cyrille, William Parker, Enrico Rava; Dave Sewelson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15061989/Mondo-Jazz (from "Rufio" onward). Happy listening!
Highlights from the European jazz scene plust a special focus on Ornette Coleman's direct and indirect inspiration of many contemporary musicians and on highly personal debut albums. The playlist features Theorem of Joy; Mario Rom; Peter Rom; Girls in Airports, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra; Xhosa Cole; Bugpowder; John Zorn; Patricia Brennan; Nala Sinephro; Ensemble Kuhle Wampe. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15061989/Mondo-Jazz (from "Rufio" onward). Happy listening!
We're still riding high on the wave of the amazing releases that came out in 2021, we explore the sonic multiverse of Celia Kameni through four of her many collaborations before diving into the transcendental music of Pastor T.L. Barrett, Yebba, Esperanza Spalding and some interesting jazz & string projects. The playlist features also Thomas Naïm; Alfio Origlio; The Amazing Keystone Big Band; Bigre !; Nigel Price; Helen Sung; Jake Baldwin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14985650/Mondo-Jazz (from "Voodoo Child" onward) Happy listening! Photo credit: Andre Heniot.
2022 has arrived, and from a jazz perspective, it came right after a truly spectacular year in terms of the quality and quantity of jazz albums that were released… so the pressure is on! Mondo Jazz's New Year resolution is not new at all: keep looking for the most exciting, left of center, fresh, possibly under-exposed, certainly deserving wider recognition jazz we can find out there. In this edition, a touch of Zappa, and the excitement coming from the Brazilian, British, French, German and Swiss scenes. Enjoy the journey!
The playlist features Emma-Jean Thackray; Thomas de Pourquery; Isfar Sarabski; Leon Phal; Club d'Elf; Pierrejean Gaucher; Ed Palermo; Florian Arbenz, François Moutin, Maikel Vistel; Thiago França; Amaro Freitas; Louis Moutin, Jowee Omicil.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14985650/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Cosmic Dance")
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Jão Vicente.
The queen of the Hammond organ, Rhoda Scott, opens an episode that hops from organists, to saxophonists, from vibraphonists to trombonists, and pianists, with trumpets and guitars for good measure, all playing in the key of fun and adventurous jazz. The playlist features Delvon Lamarr; Jeff Lederer; Nathan Francis, Eero Koivistoinen; María Grand; Adam O'Farrill; Jorge Rossy; Pasquale Mirra, Gianluca Petrella, Kalifa Kone; N∆BOU; Deadeye; Yelena Eckemoff; Usein Bekirov, Max Malyshev. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14840679/Mondo-Jazz (from "R & R"). Happy listening!
Up-and-comers, younger and older Statesmen in a playlist that offers a cross-section of some the most creative new jazz on record. The playlist features Dave Meder; Alex Hamburger; Emile Parisien; Andrea Keller; Gabriel Zucker; Jeff Parker; Ben LaMar Gay; Fred Pallem; David Sanford; Dino Betti van der Noot; Fabrizio Savino. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14840679/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Wisdom"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Jim Newberry.
Riveting saxophone solos taking us into the stratosphere, eclectic vocalists, legendary drummers and more, including the otherwordly beauty that Ha-Yang Kim and Ayesha Brooks add to the already striking compositions of Wayne Horvitz, and the compelling sophomore release by bassist Ilaria Capalbo. The playlist also features The Baylor Project; Danilo Blaiotta; Nate Smith; Michela Lombardi; Sky Creature; Simone Prattico; Guillaume de Chassy; Louis Hayes; Art Blakey. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14766743/Mondo-Jazz (from "Strvin'" onward). Happy listening!
A lil' dive in the 1970's world of soul- or funk-tinged jazz, then some adventurous large ensembles; a focus on Scandinavian artists and the first single from Immanuel Wilkins' sophomore release, for a set with lots of interesting facets. The playlist features also Sarah Vaughan; Julien Lourau; Artifacts; Jazz Station Big Band; Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Ole Morten Vågan; Remy Le Boeuf; Petter Eldh; and Koma Saxo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14766743/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Emanation"). Happy listening!
This year our seasonal Hanksgiving episode celebrates a musician of sumptuous elegance and sophisticated narrative and harmonic feel like pianist Hank Jones. As usual, we play a mix of albums that feature him as a leader, co-leader or side-man and renditions of his work by other musicians. The playlist also features Ella Fitzgerald; Johnny Hartman; Abbey Lincoln; Donald Byrd; Warren Vaché; Thad Jones; Leo Parker; Rich Perry; Stan Getz; Coleman Hawkins; Guy Laffitte; Shai Maestro; Charlie Haden Detailed playlist https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14681763/Mondo-Jazz (from "Winchester Cathedral" onward).
For our seasonal Hanksgiving show, this year we pay tribute to Hank Jones, both as a saxophonist and a composer, by playing music from his albums as a leader and sideman, and renditions of his music by musicians that came after him. The collaboration with Malian master musician Cheick Tidian Seck kicks off a playlist which includes albums ranging from leader projects and solo work, to collaborations with some of the top Miles Davis alumni or with an avant-gardist with deep standard roots like Anthony Braxton. Happy listening and belated happy Hanksgiving, what may very well become your new favorite holiday, the jazz equivalent of Festivus for the rest of us jazz loving freaks! The playlist also features The Jones Brothers; Dave Holland; Billy Higgins; Joe Lovano, George Mraz, Paul Motian; Warne Marsh; The Great Jazz Trio; John Coltrane; Bill Evans; Howard Roberts. Detailed playlist https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14681763/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Oh Look at Me Now").
From Nikara Warren to Makaya McCraven; from Melanie Charles to Brandee Younger; from BADBADNOTGOOD to Ill Considered... a playlist replete with some of the most happening projects of the moment. The playlist features also corto.alto; Henry Cole & Villa Locura; Chip Wickham; Eivind Aarset. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/14601032 (from "Black Rhythm Happening" onward). Happy listening!
Enjoy a playlist which starts with Larry Goldings getting scary and ends with Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass confirming they're out of the ordinary. The playlist also features Scary Goldings; Isaiah J. Thompson; John Taylor; Guano Padano; Rope feat. Petra Haden; Camille Bertault & John Finbury; The SWR Big Band, Chris Potter; Thomas Curbillon. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/14601032 (up to "Cakewalk"). Happy listening!
Paolo Angeli's Grammy nominated multi-stringed solo adventures, the many sides of French cellist Vincent Courtois and much more in this playlist. The playlist also features Ed Palermo; H ZETTRIO; Red Kite; Michael Feinberg; Steven Bernstein; Samuel Blaser; Mark Lockheart; Reverso; Bill Carrothers Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14528850/Mondo-Jazz (from "Spacewalk" onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Honza Walda Valik
Tune in and discover Cécile McLorin Salvant's new direction, Itai Kriss's demonstration that Middle-Eastern and Carribbean music were always meant to work together, and much more ... The playlist also features Sammy Miller; David Tixier; De Beren Gieren; Romero Lubambo & Rafael Piccolotto Chamber Orchestra; Fredrik Nordström; Mareike Wiening; Marcin Wasilewski; Martin Wind. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14528850/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Solitude"). Happy listening!
We open with tributes to three artists that passed in the past few days, Alan Hawkshaw, Leslie Bricusse and Franco Cerri, before delving in new releases ranging from the straight-ahead hard-hitting energy of Pete Rodriguez to the sound (and silence) explorations of Ayumi Tanaka and her Trio. The playlist also features Brian Bennett; Alicia Hall Moran; Helen Merrill, Gordon Beck; Pete Rodríguez; Match; Becca Stevens; Maurice Louca. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14424252/Mondo-Jazz ("Name of the Game" onward). Happy listening!
The bonanza goes on... another week replete with exciting new music ranging from the groovy to the angular, from the visceral to the playful, bookended by two Italian trumpet maestros, Fabrizio Bosso (in his collaboration with Rosario Giuliani and Enrico Rava. The playlist features Rosario Giuliani, Fabrizio Bosso; Théo Girard; Nexus; Pedway; Octurn, Magic Malik; Ghost Horse; Sandra Nkaké, Ji Dru; Ed Neumeister; Thomas Heberer; Enrico Rava. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14424252/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Fearless Five"). Happy listening!
One of the best things about today’s jazz scene is its sheer variety. A glimpse of that is on display in this set, starting with a special treat for Mondo Jazz listeners: Ben Allison's "Breakfast with Eric", a tune that has a very special story... listen to the show to find out why. A special mention for the debut album by {{Malcolm Jiyane}}; once more... listen to the show and find out for yourself... The playlist features Ben Allison; Malcolm Jiyane; Otis McDonald; Star Rover; Ember; Nicole Glover; Alexander Claffy; Glen Zaleski, Noah Preminger, Allan Mednard; Giovanni Guidi; James Brandon Lewis Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14369559/Mondo-Jazz (from "Breakfast with Eric" onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Madelene Cronjé
Another truckload of great new and upcoming albums this week, for a show that highlights the beauty of jazz which is not aligned with the major label esthetics. The playlist features Kurt Elling; Nicola Guida, Greg Osby; Rachel Eckroth; Manu Codjia, Giuseppe Millaci, Lieven Venken; UASSYN; Javier Girotto, Vince Abbracciante; Sylvie Courvoisier, Mary Halvorson; NRG Bridges; Mathias Eick; Chris Morrissey; Georgia Anne Muldrow; Darius Jones. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14369559/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Figure No. 2"). Happy listening! Photo credit: C. Mardok
Spiritual jazz, spirited jazz and creative jazz in this playlist, which offers a pretty good case study on why jazz is often described as the "sound of surprise". The playlist features Common; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten; Matthew Halsall; Kahil El'Zabar; Anais Drago; Craig Taborn; Steph Richards, Joshua White; Ohad Talmor; Sara Schoenbeck, Nels Cline; Brad Linde; Wendy Eisenberg. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14314184/Mondo-Jazz (from "Black and Blue" onward). Happy listening!
For the first part of this week's show we focus on new and upcoming albums by trumpet players, and collaborations between guitarists and drummers. The playlist features Nicholas Payton; Abigoba; Miles Davis; Andorra; Daniel Freedman; Giacomo Zanus; Andrew Cyrille; Dan Phillips, Hamid Drake; Csaba Palotai, Steve Arguelles. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14314184/Mondo-Jazz (up to "A Little Steady"). Happy listening!
Ornette Coleman playing for Lou Reed? Or the Sun Ra Arkestra backing U2? And Kenny Wheeler collaborating with both David Sylvian and Joni Mitchell? This and many more fascinating collaborations between jazz masters and pop and rock musicians in this playlist. John Zorn, Jesse Harris, Petra Haden; Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Henderson, Robben Ford; Vince Mendoza; Tanita Tikaram, Mark Isham, Marc Ribot; Terry Callier, Pharoah Sanders; Pino Daniele, Gato Barbieri; Adriano Celentano, Chick Corea; Gianmaria Testa, Bill Frisell, Gabriele Mirabassi; Tom Waits, Marc Ribot; Lou Reed, Ornette Coleman; Billy Joel, Phil Woods. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14250210/Mondo-Jazz (from "When Love Comes to Town" onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Guido Harari
This week a playlist that focuses on the contribution of jazz musicians to pop, hip-hop, and rock projects, from the Art Ensemble of Chicago playing with French singer Brigitte Fontaine, to John Zorn featured on the debut album by the Brazilian queen Marisa Monte and The Thing's mighty alliance with Neneh Cherry. And a tribute to the late Dr. Lonnie Smith a jazz master known for his boundary-defying attitude. The playlist also features Iggy Pop; D'Angelo, Roy Hargrove; Guru, Branford Marsalis; Justin Warfield, Michael Blake, Steven Bernstein; A Tribe Called Quest, Ron Carter; MC Solaar; Michael Leonhart, JSWISS, Keyon Harrold; Steely Dan; Jim Beard, Jon Herrington; Michael Stipe, Bill Frisell, Doug Wieselman; Marisa Monte, John Zorn, Marty Ehrlich; Neneh Cherry & The Thing; Gigi, Bill Laswell, Henry Threadgill; Brigitte Fontaine, Art Ensemble of Chicago; Danny Wilson, Lester Bowie; Ivano Fossati, Enrico Rava. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14250210/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Jubilaeum Bolero"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Kim Hiorthoy
Two main themes in the second parts of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz. Jazz players of Caribbean heritage (Arturo O'Farrill--Cuba, Cynthia Abraham--Guadeloupe, Kazemde George--Haiti), and remarkable piano jazz (Marc Cary, Kirk Lightsey, Scott Spivak & Frank Kimbrough, Irène Schweizer, Chick Corea] Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14221029/Mondo-Jazz (from "Despedida in Lion Struggles and Strugglets" onwards) Happy listening!
We are back at it… our ongoing exploration of the best new and upcoming releases, from the neo-cool, of Donald Fagen and Patricia Barber, to one of the events of the fall, the latest album by Henry Threadgill's Zooid. The cherries on top: the thorougly satisfying new albums by Burnt Sugar--The Arkestra Chamber and Adam O'Farrill. The playlist features Donald Fagen; Patricia Barber; Burnt Sugar--The Arkestra Chamber; Adam O'Farrill; Julius Rodriguez, Cisco Swank; Michel Meis; Antoine Pierre; Hermon Mehari, Alessandro Lanzoni; Simone Alessandrini; Silke Eberhard; Henry Threadgill. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14221029/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Beneath the Bottom") Happy listening!
Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
The playlist features trios, duos and solos that sound as big as an orchestra, many of them representing yet another challenge won by creative musicians facing the pandemic... and to top it all off the last album of the legendary British band Mujician, finally out after more than a decade from its recording session. The playlist features L'orchestre en carton; Devin Gray, Ralph Alessi, Angelica Sanchez; Clément Janinet; Matthew Stevens; Simone Graziano; Jane Ira Bloom, Allison Miller; Gabriele Mirabassi, Pierluigi Balducci, Nando Di Modugno; Angelika Niescier, Alexander Hawkins; Mujician. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14169852/Mondo-Jazz (from "Paris Pekin" onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Stanley K. Pope
A delightful end-of-summer menu of electro-acoustic new releases, building bridges between yesterday, today and tomorrow, visionary guitar and trumpet players, drummers and vibraphone synergies, and yet more music by Frank Kimbrough. The playlist features Kenny Garrett; Pat Metheny; Eivind Aarset; Giorgio Li Calzi, Arto Lindsay; Terence Blanchard, The E-Collective & Turtle Island Quartet; Florian Arbenz, Jim Hart; Jonathan Blake; Sean Conly; Frank Kimbrough; Elan Mahler, Martin Wind, Francisco Mela.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14169852/Mondo-Jazz (up to "20 Bars").
Happy listening!
Around the jazz world in 70 minutes, as we criss cross from North America to the Caribbean, From West-Africa to Europe, from North-Africa to India and back.
The playlist features Dave Holland; Jean-Jacques Rojer; Lionel Loueke, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland; ESINAM; Maurice Louca; Amir ElSaffar; Keshav Batish; Horizons Quartet; Renee Rosnes; Altoizm.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14116758/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Village" onwards).
Happy listening and enjoy your jazz air-miles!
Photo credit: Maël G. Lagadec
A trans-Atlantic collection of amazing new releases, building bridges between the US and the Belgian, French and British scenes. The playlist features Legraux Tobrogoï; Sébastien Texier; Joachim Caffonnette; Caroline Davis; Sam Gendel, Sam Wilkes; Jamire Williams; Anthony Joseph; De Beren Gieren; Rouge. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14116758/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Svengali"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Josh Hawkins
This week's exploration of new and upcoming releases continues with a special focus on the late Frank Kimbrough through a preview of his upcoming posthumous CD "Ancestors" and some of the best renditions that appear on the monunental tribute conceived by pianist and producer Elan Mehler, "Kimbrough", one of the best releases of the year. Punkt vs. Punkt [Kaja Draksler pictured] and Chet Doxas add to the depth and Julien Lourau and Berta Moreno add to the fun. And if you want to know more about a balloon bass then you must check out the merciless groove of Rexray. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14012619/Mondo-Jazz (from Julien Lourau onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Sara Anke
We are back on the new releases trail with an exceptionally packed playlist featuring a posthumous release by Lyle Mays in celebration of Eberhard Weber, the many sides of Chris Speed, exciting upcoming releases by Makaya McCraven, Irreversible Entanglements, Common, Linda Fredriksson [pictured], Steve Coleman, and exciting recent albums by Marc Johnson, Andrew Cyrille and Douglas J. Cuomo with Nels Cline and the Aizuri Quartet. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14012619/Mondo-Jazz (up to Douglas J. Cuomo). Happy listening!
Certain musicians like to do one thing over and over again. Others, like Elvis Costello, keep reinventing themselves or, at the very least, like to experiment with the many sides of the musical talent they were born with. Looking back at Costello’s career it seems like his sense of adventurous restlenesses has been both the cause and the effect of his many high-profile collaborations, including those in the jazz world - from Michael Leonhart to Roy Nathanson, from the Mingus legacy project to the New Orleans connections, and more - that we explore here. The playlist also features the Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Johan Lindström; Allen Toussaint; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Petra Magoni, Ferruccio Spinetti, Stefano Bollani; The Jazz Passengers; Roy Nathanson; Andy Sheppard; Marian McPartland; Mingus Big Band. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13950767/Mondo-Jazz (from to "Shut Him Down" onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: James Omara
Jazz is one of the most recurrent motifs in the multi-layered quilt that Elvis Costello's discography is; and one of those which make that eclectic patchwork both cohesive and uniquely appealing. The son of a jazz trumpeter and singer with a passion for the American jazz of the 40s and of a record seller with ears wide open, it's perhaps not surprising that he recorded a rendition of "My Funny Valentine" as early as the late '70s, while he was in the middle of his punk rock phase. This week we celebrate the British singer song-writer's birthday with an exploration of his jazz roots, branches and leaves. At the top of the hour a remembrance of another genre-defying artist with a deep appreciation for jazz, the late Charlie Watts. The playlist also features Charlie Watts; Metropole Orkest; Diana Krall; Charles Lloyd; Burt Bacharach, Bill Frisell; Zeno De Rossi; The Charles Mingus Orchestra; Hal Willner; Barb Jungr; Tony Bennett; Chet Baker. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13950767/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Shipbuilding"). Photo credit: Paul Moore
Variety is the spice of jazz, and there's plenty to be found here, from Adi Meyerson's compelling project inspired by Japanese visual artist Yayoi Kusama, to the cinematic music of Slowly Rolling Camera and WiFi CaBel, to the doom jazz of "Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide to the Universe" and the touching tribute to Tomasz Stanko by Giovanni Falzone and Glauco Venier. And much more! The playlist also features Jesse Harris, Vinícius Cantuária; New Age Doom; Bob Mintzer, NDR Big Band; Michele Tino "Chiasma". Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13921866/Mondo-Jazz (from Adi Meyerson onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Ronald Stewart
Impressive new albums by Rachel Eckroth and Melanie Charles, the cross-cultural experiments of Aakash Mittal and Ches Smith, groovy soulful recent releases and re-releases by Leon Spencer, David Axelrod and Will Bernard and much more in this week's playlist. The playlist also features Bruno Angelini; Sam Pilnick; Enrico Degani; and Christopher Hoffman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13921866/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ches Smith). Happy listening! Photo credit: Shervin Lainez
Two beautiful and diverse renditions of Nefertiti-era Wayne Shorter, two exciting new albums featuring John Ellis, yet another susprise from Becca Stevens and much more in the second part of this week's edition focusing on recent and upcoming releases. The playlist features John Ellis, Adam Levy, Glenn Patscha; Pete Rodríguez; Terenche Blanchard; Kari Ikonen; Atticus Reynolds; Ben Goldberg; Becca Stevens & The Secret Trio; Dahveed Behroozi; SaffronKeira with Paolo Fresu. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13865792/Mondo-Jazz (from John Ellis onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Greg Miles
Spiritual jazz, accordions, Ennio Morricone, noir atmospheres, unbridled virtuosos and the mighty guitar of {{Eva Mendoza}}, and much more in this set focusing on recent and upcoming releases. The playlist features Theo Croker; Web Web; Brandee Younger; Benito Gonzalez; Julian Lage; Noé Clerc; Maya Dunietz; Marco Fumo; Lauren Henderson; Duo Fines Lames; Erik Friedlander; William Parker. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13865792/Mondo-Jazz (up to William Parker). Happy listening! Photo credit: Erin Patrice O'Brien
More new and upcoming releases ahoy! And this time with a special focus on previously unissued gems by the likes of Joe Harriott, Roy Brooks, Roy Hargrove and Mulgrew Miller and Bill Evans who came back to the future... The playlist features Huntertones, Cory Wong; Nicole Johänntgen; Roy Hargrove, Mulgrew Miller; Bill Evans; Joe Harriott; Roy Brooks; Big Monitors; Fabien Mary; Madre Vaca. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13806677/Mondo-Jazz Happy listening! Photo credit: Hank O'Neal
We're back to our periodic perusal of the best new releases, from the groove of the Band of Other Brothers and the Bogie Band to the show-stopping electric blues of Elliot Sharp's Terraplane and the sheer beauty of the latest albums by Sarah Wilson and Hank Roberts. The playlist features Band of Other Brothers; The Bogie Band; Malox; Elliot Sharp's Terraplane; Hank Roberts; Enzo Carniel, Filippo Vignato; Jalen Baker; Sarah Wilson; James Brandon Lewis; Giovanni Guidi; Dino Piana. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13806677/Mondo-Jazz Happy listening! Photo credit: Lenny Gonzalez
In the early days of jazz, bands larger than a septet were called an orchestra. Nowadays jazz orchestras and big bands are much larger than that, like those we feature in our final instalment of our mini-series dedicated to (mostly new and upcoming) releases by big bands and orchestras which can be found at the intersection of beauty, fun and mischief. The playlist features: The Louis Cole Big Band [pictured]; Jazzrausch Bigband; Brussels Jazz Orchestra; Chris Potter Underground Orchestra; Django Bates, Norbotten Big Band; Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra; Michael Moore; Tim Hagans; Terraza Big Band; Webber/Morris Big Band; Andrew D'Angelo's DNA Orchestra; Gard Nilssen Supersonic Orchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13766964/Mondo-Jazz (from Louis Cole onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Zoe Holman
Big bands and orchestras have something that smaller ensembles cannot offer, sheer power and energy, which very often equals tons of fun, like that you will find in our ongoing deep-dive in the world of forward looking big bands and orchestras continues. The show features mostly new and upcoming albums from some of the best large ensembles from around the globe. Sometimes bigger is actually better! The playlist features: Fabia Mantwill Orchestra [pictured]; Electric Lady Big Band; Colin Towns, NDR Bigband; David Sanford Big Band; Darcy James Argue's Secret Society; Big Heart Machine; Vanessa Perica Orchestra; Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp; The Awakening Orchestra; Umlaut Big Band; Van Dyke Parks, Verónica Valerio; theBABAorchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13766964/Mondo-Jazz (up to theBABAorchestra). Happy listening! Photo credit: Dovile Sermokas
As we continue our journey in the recent work of some of the most compelling Jazz Orchestras and Big Bands of today, and a few from the past that were so ahead of their time that their albums sound still very modern. The playlist features Orchestre National de Jazz; Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Enrico Terragnoli Orchestra Vertical; Fred Pallem et le Sacre du Tympan; The Don Ellis Orchestra; Miho Hazama [pictured] and the Danish Radio Big Band; Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra; Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive; UMO Jazz Orchestra & Raoul Bjorkenheim; Mike Gibbs; Jihye Lee Orchestra; Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13708272/Mondo-Jazz (from Orchestre National de Jazz onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Agnete Schlichtkrull
More is not always necessarily better, especially in music. However, the proliferation of remarkable Jazz Big Bands and Orchestras of the last decade or so is providing plenty of ground to prove that quality and quantity can go hand-in-hand. This week we focus on recent releases by some of the most compelling large ensembles around, with a few exceptions of older albums that fit with the forward-looking tenor of this music.
The playlist features the Vienna Art Orchestra; Sun Ra; Rob Mazurek Exploding Star Orchestra; The Matthew Herbert Big Band; CvA Concert Big Band, Reinier Baas, Johan Plomp; Yuri Honing, Vince Mendoza, Metropole Orchestra; Luciana Souza; Johannes Wallmann; Alban Darche; Surnatural Orchestra; The Very Big Experimental Toubifri Orchestra.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13708272/Mondo-Jazz (up to Toubifri Orchestra)
Happy listening!
Welcome to the second half of the England-Italy jazz rematch. England and Italy have both championed jazz very early on, and they have been among the first European jazz scenes to develop a recognizable accent in how they speak the jazz language, light-heartedness and sense of humour being integral aspects of that accent. Even though Italian and English sound quite different as languages, their two jazz accents are surprisingly similar in how they both seem to be characterized by a certain attention to melody. Once more a playlist matching one British musician, band or project, with one from Italy The playlist features Stefano Bollani; Django Bates; First House; 3Quietmen (feat. Stefano Battaglia); Julian Arguelles & Frankfurt Radio Big Band; Pino Minafra; Guy Barker; Fabrizio Bosso, Julian Oliver Mazzariello; Gianluigi Trovesi; John Surman; Colin Towns' Mask Symphonic; Loose Tubes; Italian Instabile Orchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13662704/Mondo-Jazz (from Stefano Bollani onward). Happy listening!
Last week, England and Italy faced each other in the finals of the European Soccer Cup. It was a compelling match with a nail-biting end between two teams that exceeded expectations and that promise to have a brilliant future. Italy won in a penalty shootout because in sports--especially in the finals of a tournament--there has to be a winner and a loser. That's why we much prefer arts--and music in particular--where usually everyone wins (or everyone loses… if the music is terrible, but then again… you don't have to listen to that). So here's re-match in which Italy and England go side by side rather than against each other, for a game of Fantasy Jazz Sport matching one British musician, band or project, with one from Italy. The playlist features Steve Argüelles; Tommaso Cappellato; Ezra Collective [pictured]; Gianluca Petrella; Wildflower; Leo Gasperoni Mamud Band feat. Lester Bowie; Ginger Baker; Zeno De Rossi; Stefano Battaglia; John Taylor; Antonio Zambrini; Stan Tracey; Franco D'Andrea; Nunzio Rotondo; Tubby Hayes. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13662704/Mondo-Jazz (up to Tubby Hayes). Happy listening!
In this installment of Mondo Jazz we check out the latest releases by the prolific French pianist Benoit Delbecq, the expanded version of Charles Mingus' 1974 legendary concert at Carnegie Hall, the textural work of Waxwing and the trio of Thomas Stronen, Ayumi Tanaka, Marthe Lea, and a couple of albums that may end up very high on the best of 2021 lists: the latest releases by Danilo Gallo and Tom Rainey. The playlist also features: Simon Moullier; Joel Frahm; Philippe Mouratoglou; Steve Argüelles; Pierre Bastien. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13603965/Mondo-Jazz (from Simon Moullier onward). Happy listening!
This week we return to our periodic perusal of new releases, including re-releases from the vault of Black Fire Records (courtesy of the ever vigilant Strut Records), a newly released 1991 live-recording by Miles Davis and the upcoming project by his saxophonist from that band, Kenny Garrett. Speaking of saxophonists, don't miss the gems by electro-saxophonists Cochemea and Sam Gendel. The playlist also features Southern Energy Ensemble; Oneness of Juju; Kamasi Washington; Daniel Freedman; Sam Wilkes. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13603965/Mondo-Jazz (up to Miles Davis). Happy listening!
The much-awaited return of queen Marisa Monte, and the faux-Nippo-jazz of Julien Daïan open a show which centers around the outstanding new album by Ches Smith and dives deep into the diversity of today's international jazz scene. The playlist features also Evgeny Ponomarev; Le Tigre (des platanes); Colin Stetson; Ches Smith; Attilio Sepe; Florian Pellissier; Tino Tracanna; Mário Laginha, Julian Arguelles, Helge Norbakken; Paul Bedal; and Yaniv Taubenhouse. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13449683/Mondo-Jazz (from Marisa Monte onwards) Happy listening!
In the two weeks since our last new releases special, so much great new music came to our attention, that today we have one of those shows that some like to define all killer, no filler, except that I don't like to think of music as killing, but you get the drift. A special focus on Charlie Hunter numerous recent projects as leader or sideman, and on great bass players like Petter Eldh, Christian McBride, Michael Formanek and Clovis Nicolas.
The playlist also features Nicole Johänntgen; Sébastien Texier, Christope Marguet; Kurt Elling; Sam Fribush; Lucy Woodward; Costanza Alegiani; Francesco Beccaro; Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas; Michel Meis; Dan Rosenboom, Billy Mohler, Anthony Fung
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13449683/Mondo-Jazz (up to Dan Rosenboom)
Happy listening!
Welcome to the second part of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz dedicated to the one and only Geri Allen, the monumental pianist that would have turned 65 this year, but has left a body of work that will continue to play a fundamental influence on generations of musicians. Her unique synthesis of influences comes across a beautiful Songbook which we'll explore through her original interpretations and those of her peers. The playlist features Geri Allen, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette; Vijay Iyer; David Murray, Terri Lyne Carrington; Steve Coleman; Gary Thomas; Dianne Reeves; Ben Waltzer; Michael Gregory Jackson; Gerald Cleaver; Kassa Overall. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13403741/Mondo-Jazz (from Allen/Holland/DeJohnette onward). Happy listening!
This week we celebrate the legacy of a musician whose contribution to the jazz world was cut short too early, pianist Geri Allen. The fruits of her legacy, however, have already been evident for some time. There are so many among today's pianists who are in their late 40s, from Jason Moran to Ethan Iverson, from Vijay Iyer to Aruan Ortiz, in whose piano playing one can feel the influence of the Pontiac native. And when you hear today's trailblazers look up to a musician that was just 15-20 years their senior, you know that Geri Allen's repertoire is bound to become an increasingly influential source of inspiration for years to come. The playlist features Geri Allen; Tim Ray; Donald Walden; Wallace Roney; The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet; Don Byron and Aruan Ortiz; Noël Akchoté; Vijay Iyer and Craig Taborn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13403741/Mondo-Jazz (up to Iyer-Taborn). Happy listening!
If you belong to the CD generation you must be familiar with the feeling of surprise and elation that comes when you let the CD player spinning even when the music is over, just to realize suddenly that there was a hidden track not mentioned on the booklet or the liner notes… Today we're focusing on great tunes that - for a reason or another - were concealed to great effect but may have also not received the attention they deserve. We'll try to remedy just that focusing on ghost-tracks, and other ghostly jazz. The playlist features Cortex; Shake Stew; John Ellis; Johnny Fourie; Heiri Känzig; Howard Fishman; Paul Jarret; Jason Moran; Branford Marsalis; Aljosa Jeric; Houdini's Cage; Rêve d'éléphant orchestra; The Other Quartet; Joe Henry; and Albert Ayler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13409684/Mondo-Jazz (from Cortex onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
You are all very familiar with the sense of surprise and joy that comes when you've finished playing an album, and as you thought it was over and you are about to turn off the player or start playing the next album... the music fills the air again when you no longer expected it. This week we focus on great jazz tunes hidden in plain sight, or plain hearing, the so-called ghost tracks, and other ghost-related jazz. The playlist features Bobby Previte; Erik Truffaz; Paolo Fresu; Thomas de Pourquery; Duke Pearson; Branford Marsalis; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Rudy Royston; Enrico Morello; Oltremare Quartet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13409684/Mondo-Jazz (up to Oltremare Quartet). Happy listening! Photo credit: Sylvain Gripoix
Leo Sidran and Kat Edmonson's latest single introduce the Art of Conversation in jazz. Irène Schweizer and Hamid Drake, and Javier Santiago and Melanie Charles continue it as a dialogue; Keith Brown and Garage a Trois as a trialougue; Dina Ramirez, Roberto Negro, Erik Fratzke as a quadralogue; Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Makram Aboul Hosn, Ofentse Moses Sebula and Little Rosies Kindergarten as much larger conversation. But in all cases, it's the result of deep listening and opennes that gives rise to memorable music. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13276049/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ocelot). Happy listening!
This week we pay tribute to the late Mario Pavone, with an epic live set in which his majestic bass sound propelled the Thomas Chapin Trio into the stratosphere at the 1995 Newport Jazz Festival. The rest of the playlist revolves around modern jazz guitar, with two different way to pay tribute to Bill Frisell by the Unscientific Italians and Skuli Sverrison, the revelatory new albums by Hungarian guitarist Csaba Palotai (with Steve Arguelles) and French guitarist Paul Jarret, the guitar talk of Joel Harrison and Pete McCann in tribute to Vic Juris (for Harrison's new imprint ASG), and the solo soundpainting of Lake Michigan by Scott DuBois. Completing the dense playlist, are the new albums by Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas' Soundprints Quintet, the first of new material after a string of Wayne Shorter tribute albums, Tell No Lies and Ocelot. The playlist features Mario Pavone, Thomas Chapin, Mike Sarin; Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas; Tell No Lies; Paul Jarret; Unscientific Italians; Skúli Sverrisson with Bill Frisell; Csaba Palotai, Steve Arguelles; Joel Harrison; Scott DuBois; and Ocelot. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13276049/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ocelot). Happy listening!
Tributes, pianists, and tributes to pianists at the core of this show, from the hommages to Paul Jackson by John Patitucci, Ennio Morricone by Stefano Di Battista, Alice Coltrane by Il Sogno and Hasan Ibn Ali by Brian Marsella to available-at-last music by Ali himself and British pianist Mike Taylor both as leader and composer for Cream. To top things up the remarkable debut album by New York based Japanese pianist Erika Dohi [pictured] with a track featuring special guests Ambrose Akinmusire and Immanuel Wilkins, Berlin based Japanese veteran pianist Aki Takase, the spiritual jazz of Wildflower, the unstoppable groove of The Bamboos and a quasi-Morriconean reprise of Moby's hit "Natural Blues" feat. Gregory Porter. The playlist features The Bamboos; John Patitucci; Stefano di Battista; Moby, Gregory Porter; Wildflower; Il Sogno; Erika Dohi; Aki Takase, Christian Weber, Michael Griener; Hasan Ibn Ali; Brian Marsella; Mike Taylor; and Cream. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13220267/Mondo-Jazz (from The Bamboos onward). Photo credit: Shervin Lainez.
A playlist replete music that hits you hard and deep regardless the volume at which it was recorded, ranging from the compelling album marking the 85th birthday of Michel Portal to the new concept album by Maria Grand, and a whole bunch of genre-defying projects to keep your spirits high! The playlist features The Gangsters; Michel Portal; Anthony Joseph; Maria Grand; The J. & F. Band; Steven Bernstein; Daniele Sepe; Mark Feldman; Paul Berner, Michael Moore; Hjortron; and Michael Rodriguez. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13220267/Mondo-Jazz (up to Michael Rodriguez). Happy listening! Photo credit: Pedro Gil Rosas
In the second part of this week's show we continue exploring the compositional genius of Keith Jarrett on the occasion of his 76th birthday, focusing on renditions of his tunes by other musicians. It is one of the ways we can celebrate the lasting contribution of Keith Jarrett to the music world at a time where unfortunately his health does not allow him to play live or record new material. The playlist features Bruce Hornsby; Angel Sucheras; Steve Cardenas; Jay Anderson; Branford Marsalis; George Schuller; Kenny Werner; Rudy Linka; Eric Legnini; Emily Remler; Larry Corryel, Philippe Catherine; Tom Lellis; The Matteson - Phillips Tubajazz Consort; Nelson Veras; and Vert. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13172951/Mondo-Jazz (from Brunce Hornsby onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Yasuhisa Yoneda
For over four and a half decades, Keith Jarrett has penned countless memorable compositions many of which have become integral part of the repertoires of many of today's musicians. As his years at ECM have become increasingly focused on improvisational tour de forces or the exploration of the Great American Songbook, the compositions of Keith Jarrett that other musicians have been covering are mostly the tunes from his years with Atlantic Records and Impulse! Records albums, which perhaps better lend themselves to a re-interpretation. This week we explore some of the best, and some of the more unusual, renditions of the Keith Jarrett Songbook to celebrate the pianist's 76th birthday.
The playlist features Big Band Katowice; Woody Herman; Steve Arguelles; Pat Metheny; Mike Gibbs; Georgie Fame; Keith Jarrett; Ulf Wakenius; Noël Akchoté; Sylvain Luc; Peter Lehel; SHIN-SKI; Noah Haidu; and Eric Revis.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13172951/Mondo-Jazz (up to Eric Revis).
Happy listening!
Jazz from Sweden, Republic of Korea, Australia, Switzerland and the USA in this set which blends tradition, innovation, and social engagement.
The playlist features Jazzagenturen Qt.; Butcher Brown; Susanna Risberg; Andrea Keller; Johan Lindström; Focusyear Band; Pat Donaher; Soojin Suh; Jordan Vanhemert; Peter DiCarlo; Felipe Salles.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13116160/Mondo-Jazz (from Susanna Risberg onward).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Rene Jakobson
A Hammond Organ spotlight opens the show, courtesy of the WRD Trio, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio and the James Taylor Quartet. Its groove then gives way to the contemporary sounds of Mark Lettieri and Taylor Eigsti's latest collaboration with Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens, the spledid new albums of Israeli pianist Maya Dunietz and bassist Almog Sharvit; the jazz forays of the Stooges' Iggy Pop (with Dr. Lonnie Smith) and Mike Watt (with Three Layer Cake; the return of trumpet maverick Jaimie Branch with a live album, and two adventurous Italian projects, Circles 44 and Koine Sound Collective; and a second taste from the impressive debut album by guitarist Zane Carney.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13116160/Mondo-Jazz (up to Koine Sound Collective).
Happy listening!
We continue our focus on the compositions of Charles Mingus, on the eve of what would have been his 99th birthday. Today's jazz would sound very different if Mingus had not been around and for this show we're focusing on some of the best renditions of some of his most beautiful compositions.
The playlist features Quincy Jones; Gavino Murgia; Andy Summers; RZA; Jyoti; Soil & Pimp Sessions; Ravi Coltrane; Bobby Previte, Hal Willner; Stephanie Nilles; Ron Miles; Mark Murphy; Honi Gordon; and Domino Quartet.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13065964/Mondo-Jazz (from Quincy Jones onwards).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Guy Le Querrec
This week Charles Mingus would have turned 99 years old, so to be a whole year ahead of the celebration of his centennial we've decided to focus this edition of Mondo Jazz on his figure as a composer, featuring some of the best renditions of some of his most memorable compositions. The playlist features Maceo Parker; Osmiza; Vienna Art Orchestra; Jane Bunnett, Dewey Redman, Stanley Cowell, Dean Bowman; Joni Mitchell; Gil Evans; Steve Lacy; Hal Willner; The Uptown Horns; Greg Cohen; Elvis Costello, Bill Frisell; Michael Blake; Medeski, Martin & Wood. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13065964/Mondo-Jazz (up to Medeski, Martine & Wood). Happy listening!
The extrovert pianism of Stefano Bollani and Benito Gonzalez opens this show, which then dives into recent Nordic and Eastern European jazz (Fredrik Nordström, Julia Karosi, JAF Trio), embraces the compelling melodicism of Roberto Spadoni, Chris Pattishall, Stefano Coppari, Wayne Horvitz and Sara Schoenbeck, explores the music of two adventurous Canadians (Lina Allemano and Francois Houle), before landing in Ornette-land courtesy of Miguel Zenon.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13026978/Mondo-Jazz (from Stefano Bollani onwards).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Gert Vandepoele
This week we focus on music about fake news (Veronica Swift - pictured) and black lives (Daniel Casimir, Spaza), historic British jazz reissues (Neil Ardley) and young compelling reeds players Rahsaan Barber, Pauli Lyytinen, Tobias Meinhart, Michael Thomas, Leonhard Skorupa of the Austrian angular trio Znap!, and Nathan Daems of the Belgian power-outfit Echoes of Zoo)
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13026978/Mondo-Jazz (up to Neil Ardley).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Matt Baker
A show focusing directly or indirectly on current and past masters of the creative scene, from Don Cherry to John Coltrane, from William Parker to Tony Allen. Big Monitors; Tony Allen; Emanuele Passerini; Elin Forkelid; John Coltrane; Don Cherry. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12965801/Mondo-Jazz (from Big Monitors onward). Happy listening!
Hypnotic tunes, Orchestras, South African piano masters and James Brandon Lewis' prolific vein are the main theme of this show focusing on new and upcoming releases. The playlist features Omar Sosa; Sam Fribush; De Beren Gieren; Dave Holland; Lee Pardini; Ghost Funk Orchestra; Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra; Jihye Lee Orchestra; Nortonk; Bheki Mseleku; The Ibrahim Khalil Shihab Quintet; James Brandon Lewis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12965801/Mondo-Jazz (up to James Brandon Lewis). Happy listening! Photo credit: Eunha So
Our exploration of new and upcoming releases, and reissues, continues with the compelling homage to Charles Mingus by Stephanie Nilles, followed by the stunning Bremen live recordings recently released by Sunnyside Records. Sandwhiched between two beautiful Blue Note albums (the upcoming project by the Julian Lage Trio and an instant classic by Charles Lloyd) and two projects by the beacons of the London scene, Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia, the usual mix of European projects (Bad Uok, Florian Arbenz and Edward Perraud, and blast from the downtown past: the debut album by Pachora! The playlist features Julian Lage; Charles Lloyd; Florian Arbenz, Nelson Veras, Hermon Mehari; Edward Perraud; Bad Uok; Pachora; Stephanie Nilles; Charles Mingus; Sons of Kemet; Nubya Garcia. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12923792/Mondo-Jazz (from Julian Lage onward). Happy listening!
We take off with another upcoming gem from Georgia Anne Muldrow and land with John Zorn and the first (of what will certainly be many) box set dedicated to his delightful Bagatelles. In the middle a mini-section on the Palladino bass-dinasty which acts as a bridge between two of the hot scenes of today, London's and LA's. From there we dive in the latter with a special focus on the fascinating new releases by Sam Gendel, Carlos Niño, Zane Carney, Henry Solomon and Logan Kane.
The playlist features Georgia Anne Muldrow; H ZETTRIO; Dzhian & Kamien; Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino; Pino Palladino, Blake Mills; Sam Gendel; Carlos Niño; Zane Carney; Henry Solomon, Logan Kane; JOMORO; R+R=NOW; Sana Nagano; John Zorn, Mary Halvorson, Erik Friedlander, Michael Nicolas, Trigger, and Ikue Mori.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12923792/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ikue Mori).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Luke Marantz.
Every age its defining musicians, who stand-out for their innovations and distinctive voices. For us growing up musically in the 1980s and 1990s and interested in forward looking music Bill Frisell is one of these foundational figures. His instrumental style is certainly unique and has shaped the way the following generations have approached the guitar, and--more and more so--his compositions are being embraced by his peers. His tunes integrate sources as diverse as country music, rock, pop, surf music or American contemporary and classical music into jazz. They contain many familiar traits which are hard to pin down because they've been revisited through Frisell's original vision, creating a brand of Americana that has become influential well beyond the confines of the US. Here we'll explore some of the best renditions of his songs. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (up to Jerry Douglas) Happy listening! Photo credit: Monica Jane Frisell
Bill Frisell's instrumental voice is instantly recognizable, no matter whether he displays its skronky side in John Zorn's Naked City or his sublime and delicate voicings infused of high-end Americana. Equally distinctive are his compositions which more and more of his peers have been incorporating in their repertoires, in a process of metabolization that goes back to the 1990s but--as it always happens for musicians whose style is so distinctive--started to really take off later in Frisell's career and is now reaching a healthy cruising speed.
In this part of the show we'll feature renditions of Frisell's tunes by The Spellcasters; Rope; JP Schlegelmilch; Matt Brewer; Leni Stern; Arto Lindsay; David Sylvian; Danny Barnes; David Halliday; Unscientific Italians; Allen Ginsberg; Hal Willner; Gabriela; Angela Davis; Brooklyn Rider.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (from The Spellcasters onward)
Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
Me might be living in difficult times but the music scene, key to our mental well-being in this challenging phaes, is on fire. Literally every day it brings us new voices or new projects. This week we feature a few, with a special focus on vocalists, from the powerful debut of Ve.Nika to Dominique Fils-Aimé's remarkable third, and final, chapter of her African-American Trilogy; from Kirk Knuffke's projects with two Danish singers (Lilly's exquisite modern takes on the Great American Songbook and Josefine Cronholm's project inspired by the poetry of Carl Sandburg) to the prog vibes of Oba Loba featuring Belgian singer Lynn Cassiers and Valentin Ceccaldi, Théo Ceccaldi & le Grand Orchestre du Tricot featuring the signature vocals of Thomas De Pourquery. Philippe Lemm's piano trio featuring the late Angelo di Loreto, the 36-year collaboration of Roberto Cipelli and Paolo Fresu, Stefano Tamborrino's blend of jazz and chamber music and the funky side of Lawrence Sieberth's New Orleans-meets-Paris project complete the packed playlist.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12724697/Mondo-Jazz (from Ve.Nika onward).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Steven Haberland
This week we put together an energy-packed playlist to boost us towards the finishing line of the winter season. At the heart of the show is electric jazz, from a rather guitar-centric set of bands. They oscillate between the shredding power of Hedvig Mollestad or Marbin, and the legacy of the New York Downtown scene that has started emerging from the vaults of Wayne Horvitz and has echoes coming back to us from across the world: exhibit A the Belgian band Echoes of Zoo; exhibit B: French drummer Anne Pacéo's project Circles. A second taste of two current favorites, the Pino Palladino - Blake Mills collaboration and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Chris Potter's compelling one-man-show, the intricate philigrane of Shijin and Tamil Rogeon's electro-spiritual jazz adventures complete this journey in our stashes of new and upcoming releases.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12724697/Mondo-Jazz (up to Tamil Rogeon).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Arve-Kjersheim
Every age has a number of defining musicians, who stand-out for their innovations and distinctive voices. For us growing up musically in the 1980s and 1990s and interested in forward looking music Bill Frisell is one of these foundational figures. His instrumental style is certainly unique and has shaped the way the following generations have approached the guitar, and--more and more so--his compositions are being embraced by his peers. His tunes integrate sources as diverse as country music, rock, pop, surf music or American contemporary and classical music into jazz. They contain many familiar traits which are hard to pin down because they've been revisited through Frisell's original vision, creating a brand of Americana that has become influential well beyond the confines of the US. With tunes like "Throughout" or "Strange Meeting" having been covered by tens of musicians, Bill Frisell' songbook is becoming as influential as his instrumental style
Here we'll explore renditions of his songs by Michael Gibbs; Wayne Horvitz; Unscientific Italians; Elvis Costello and Metropole Orkest; Molly Johnson; Steve Argüelles; Aljosa Jeric; Charlie Haden; Tony Malaby; Noël Akchoté; Dylan-Thomas Vance and Griff Bear; and Jerry Douglas.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (up to Jerry Douglas)
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Monica Jane Frisell
Bill Frisell's instrumental voice is instantly recognizable, no matter whether he displays its skronky side in John Zorn's Naked City or his sublime and delicate voicings infused of high-end Americana. Equally distinctive are his compositions which more and more of his peers have been incorporating in their repertoires, in a process of metabolization that goes back to the 1990s but--as it always happens for musicians whose style is so distinctive--started to really take off later in Frisell's career and is now reaching a healthy cruising speed.
In this part of the show we'll feature renditions of Frisell's tunes by The Spellcasters; Rope; JP Schlegelmilch; Matt Brewer; Leni Stern; Arto Lindsay; David Sylvian; Danny Barnes; David Halliday; Unscientific Italians; Allen Ginsberg; Hal Willner; Gabriela; Angela Davis; Brooklyn Rider.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (from The Spellcasters onward)
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
This week we feature plenty of jazz for social justice, exciting piano players and young ensembles, unearthed live gems that are coming out during these COVID times both to remind us of the power of live music and to remedy the lack of new live recordings, and the album that confirms Gretchen Parlato's role in the pantheon of today's best jazz vocalists. The playlist features Gretchen Parlato; Michael Wolff; Daniele Sepe; Christopher Parker, Kelley Hurt; Damon Locks; Alonzo Demetrius; Matty Stecks & Dead Cat Bounce; Alban Darche; Tania Giannouli; Cat Toren; Soojin Suh; Alexander von Schlippenbach; Daniele Germani. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12681941/Mondo-Jazz (from Gretchen Parlato onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Seung Yeol Nah.
The return of Garage a Trois to its original line-up (Charlie Hunter, Skerik, Stanton Moore) kicks off a show featuring plenty of new and upcoming releases delivering good energy, adventure, sophistication and dreams of wide open spaces. A special mention for the upcoming album by Argentinean singer Roxana Amed which confirms her as unique voice on today's jazz scene. The playlist features Garage a Trois; Pierrick Pédron; Dr. Lonnie Smith; Fabio Accardi; Roxana Amed; Giovanni Di Carlo; Frank Martino; Hitra; Jakob Bro; Warped Dreamer; Hubert Dupont, Antoine Berjeaut, Steve Arguelles; Francesco Chiapperini & Theo Bleckmann. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12681941/Mondo-Jazz (up to the Westerlies).
We continue our journey in the Chick Corea Songbook. For decades he has been one of the contemporary ambassadors of American jazz, inspiring fans and other musicians all over the world. In this part of the programme we'll feature renditions of his work by musicians from abroad and from the USA, and from across musical genres through some hip-hop bands that mined the Chick Corea catalogue. The playlist features Masabumi Kikuchi; Luca Mannutza; Bob Berg; Jonathan Kreisberg, Nelson Veras; Lizz Wright; Rigmor Gustafsson; Tom Scott, Phil Woods; World Renown; Black Sheep; Ramsey Lewis, Billy Taylor; Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Brian Blade. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12628787/Mondo-Jazz (from Masabumi Kikuchi onward). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli
To celebrate the legacy of the late Chick Corea, today we'll focus on what he leaves behind, in addition to countless recordings as a leader or sideman, a body of compositions that have already expanded the jazz canon and will continue to do so in the coming years. In this first part of the programme we'll focus in particular on his "Spanish heart" and his "Children's Songs" cycle. The playlist features Iiro Rantala, Michael Wollny, Leszek Mozdzer; Don Grolnick; Willie Bobo; Michel Camilo; Santana; Biréli Lagrène, Sylvain Luc; Roy Haynes; Diego Figueiredo; Friedrich Gulda; Susanne Abbuehl; Tommy Smith; Kris Bowers; Nicola Andrioli; Mural; Chick Corea. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12628787/Mondo-Jazz (up to Chick Corea). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli.
Two tenor titans, Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano are at the heart of this week's show, with a multitude of projects as leaders or co-leaders. Two emerging pianists, Kari Ikonen and Francesco Orio share interesting perspectives on the use of their instrument. For the rest we'll go from the shreddin' energy of Marbin to Madre Vaca's jazz take on a classical music composition by Franz Schubert. The playlist also features Cortex; Benjamin Koppel; Alder Ego; The Generations Quartet; and The Kaleidoscope Quintet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12593654/Mondo-Jazz (from Marbin onward) Happy listening! Photo credit: Richard Conde
The irresistible grooves of Delvon Lamarr and The Meters open another celebration of great new releases and reissues, through which we look into the relationship between jazz and hip-hop, art songs, and some good old fusion. The playlist also features Binker and Moses; Butcher Brown; Chicago Yestet; Giovanni Cigui; Marcos Resende; Matt Mayhall; Nels Cline; Cristina Zavalloni; and Tori Handsley. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12593654/Mondo-Jazz (Up to Tori Handsley) Happy listening!
This week we focus our attention on two fundamental box-sets and a slew of live recordings the synchronicity of whose releases or reissues draws the spotlight on musicians that were at the center of the legendary Loft Scene (from Julius Hemphill to Sam Rivers, Michael Gregory Jackson and JuJU), as well as on some of those musicians that have been keeping the loft scene's spirit alive (William Parker, Tim Berne and the Italian-Danish band like On Dog). The latest albums by Charles Lloyd and the Marvels and Ayelet Rose Gottlieb provide the perfect way to open the proceedings. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12536816/Mondo-Jazz (from Charles Lloyd onward) Happy listening!
Never one to rest on his laurels, Franco-Moroccan comedian Gad Elmaleh dives into a new adventure with his remarkable and alluring Blue Note debut album which opens an equally adventurous set of new and upcoming albums from all around the world. The playlist features also Johan Lindström; Gabriel Alegria; Manteca; Yoko Miwa; Tino Tracanna; Elephant9; Ill Considered; Ok Nok... Kongo; Cyrus Nabipoor; Martin Wind, Ack van Rooyen, Philip Catherine; Franco Ambrosetti. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12536816/Mondo-Jazz (up to Franco Ambrosetti) Happy listening! Photo credit: Shayan Asgharnia
Navasha Daya's tribute to Gil Scott Heron, several projecfts that explored the trail that Coltrane blazed, artists for whom rhythm is melody and melody is rhythm, musicians that plunge themselves in the inner space and in the outer space, debut CDs, reissues, label showcase albums... There's something for everyone in this hour of new and umpcoming jazz. The playlist features Navasha Dava; The Auanders; Chris Speed; Steve Reid; Elin Forkelid; Anna Högberg; Muriel Grossmann; Benoît Delbecq; Susie Ibarra; Sun Ra Arkestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12487369/Mondo-Jazz (from Navasha Daya onward). Happy listening! Photo courtesy of Elin Forkelid (credit: Peter Gannushkin).
The future of the music we love is in good hands as you'll hear through the projects of the emerging artists featured in this show, ranging in style from the a stunning modern take on Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite" for Chris Pattishall's debut album to the eclectic first release by Slovenian singer Mirna Bogdanović. Bass veteran Pino Palladino has a different 'first': his first album for Impulse! in the company of Blake Mills, Larry Goldings, Sam Gendel, Marcus Strickland, Jacques Schwartz-Bart and Chris Dave. The playlist features also Chris McCarthy; Max Bessesen; Cowboys & Frenchmen; Dave Gisler Trio feat. Jamie Branch; Randal Despommier; R+R=NOW; Miguel Zenón, Luis Perdomo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12487369/Mondo-Jazz (up to Zenón-Perdomo). Happy listening! Photo credit: Dovile Sermokas
This week's perusal through recent and upcoming jazz releases brings us British jazz from today (Alfa Mist) and yesterday (Don Rendell and Ian Carr), a stunning debut from Italy (Francesca Remigi), cutting edge music from the East Coast (Dave Douglas, Ben Wendel and Taka Nawashiro) and the West Coast (Dan Rosenboom), and two live unreleased gems by Hal Galper with the The Brecker Brothers and the Breckers's own. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12450353/Mondo-Jazz (from Don Rendell onward) Happy listening!
Our stash of exciting recent and upcoming releases was replete with great new music from France that we had to devote to it a whole section of this week's show. Here large and small ensembles of unbounded creativity and multiple influences. The playlist features Mina Agossi; The Volunteered Slaves; Valentin Ceccaldi, Théo Ceccaldi & le Grand Orchestre du Tricot; Roberto Negro; Surnatural Orchestra; Orchestre National de Jazz; Orchestra Nazionale della Luna; Collectif la boutique; Vincent Peirani, Emile Parisien; Naïssam Jalal; François Lana; Renaud-Gabriel Pion; Raphaël Pannier; Yannic Seddiki; Alban Darche, Jean-Louis Pommier, Sebastien Boisseau. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12450353/Mondo-Jazz (up to Alban Darche) Happy listening! Photo credit: Thibault Stipal
We continue our exploration of the musical world of Frank Kimbrough, through his works as leader, co-leader, sideman in groups of long-time collaborators and in live never-heard-before recordings. The playlist features Frank Kimbrough, Lucas Pino; Rich Perry; Ben Allison; Ted Nash; The Herbie Nichols Project; Ron Horton; Jazz Composers Collective Trio; Jon Gordon. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12403391/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Spins" onward). Happy listening!
Frank Kimbrough had carved a unique place on the jazz scene, admired and respected by his peers for his capacity of inhabiting the moment and this way really embodying the essence of a music like jazz. This week we will go through some of the highlights of his discography as a leader, sideman, composer, producer and mentor of a new generation of musicians; including through never heard before recordings. The playlist features Frank Kimbrough; Michael Blake; Ron Horton; Ben Allison; Andrew Wangemann; Federica Michisanti; Jeff Cosgrove; Martin Wind; Joe Locke; Evan Harris; Katie Bull; Maryanne de Prophetis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12403391/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Chant"). Enjoy the show!
You feel like you need a shot of energy because you've been at home too long, or you dream about traveling around the world but you're stuck in lock-down mode. Or maybe you feel curious about the ways in which jazz can advocate environmental or social causes. Or you're simply curious about new and exciting jazz releases. Then just click on the player, because you've just hit the mother lode of albums which check all the above boxes, and more. The playist features Ernesto Cervini; Kungen Jazz; Dave Gisler; Sylvain Rifflet; Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra; Antônio Neves; Mauro Ottolini; Becca Stevens; Elan Mehler; Ron Miles. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12351227/Mondo-Jazz (from Ernesto Cervini onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Elliot Ross
This week we go from Wynton Marsalis's ruminations on the status of our society to Teodross Avery's and the Analog Players Society's reflections on Monk. In between. a world tour with stops in South Africa, Guatemala, Norway and Canada, and on two sides of the country, LA and NYC, for another great tasting menu of the best that today's jazz scene has to offer. The playlist features the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis; Bokani Dyer; Eyolf Dale; Dina Ramirez; James Brandon Lewis; Kristiana Roemer; Lee Pardini; William Chernoff; Dayna Stephens. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12351227/Mondo-Jazz (up to Analog Player Society). Happy listening! Photo credit: Ludovico Granvassu
Gregory Porter kicks off the party with his uplifting "Revival Song", electro-acoustic projects keep the momentum going during the first half and jazz-meets-contemporary music albums take over the second half, including the latest by Pat Metheny with a new label, and the celebrated Kronos Quartet in two quite different contexts.
The playlist features Gregory Porter; Francesco Bearzatti; Soul Church Music; Henry Solomon, Logan Kane (feat. Louis Cole & Dennis Hamm); Mortality; Matt Moran; Los Angeles Guitar Quartet; Pat Metheny; Alberto Pinton; J. Peter Schwalm, Arve Henriksen; AINON; Ibrahim Maalouf; Kronos Quartet; Stephan Thelen.
Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12324136/Mondo-Jazz (From Gregory Porter onward).
Happy listening!
Photo credit: Shawn Peters
The year ended as it started, and as if COVID-19 never were, with a heart-warming slew of great new releases. Here's the last installment for 2020 acting as a great omen for an equally rewarding 2021 jazz year. The playlist features Dr. John; Claire Daly; Jason Moran; Dave Douglas; Maria Pia de Vito [pictured]; Daniel Casimir, Tess Hirst; Ramon Moro; Joel Ross; Billy Childs; Becca Stevens, Elan Mehler; Lucia Cadotsch; Giovanni Francesca. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12324136/Mondo-Jazz (up to Giovanni Francesca). Happy listening!
We continue our celebration of the Jazz Standard's legacy, following the announcement of its untimely closure. The capacity to appeal to both the beginner and the long-time jazz fan, and to combine the familiar with the unfamiliar, were some of the many strengths of Seth Abramson's artistic direction. Through a number of concerts recorded live at the NoMad venue, we want to remember a jazz club that distinguished itself, in a city with countless jazz clubs, not only for the excellent programming but also for an atmosphere that was as welcoming to the musicians as it was to the audience. The playlist features Fred Hersch; Ben Allison; Mina Agossi; Steven Bernstein, Henry Butler & Hot 9; Dave Douglas [pictured]; Jakob Bro; David Gilmore; Dafnis Prieto; Edward Simon; Dena DeRose; Gary Bartz. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12172805/Mondo-Jazz (from Fred Hersch onwards). Photo credit: Russell Moore
A jazz club is not just a commercial enterprise, or an entertainment spot, it's a cultural hub. When a venue like the Jazz Standard closes the loss should not be seen only in terms of a measurable disappearance of revenues but especially in terms of an unmeasurable loss of artistic opportunities. This week we focus on the artistic opportunities that the Jazz Standard made possible over the years, through some of the best concerts that were recorded live at its celebrated location on East 27th Street. The playlist features The Michael Leonhart Orchestra [pictured]; Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra; Mingus Big Band; The Michael Blake Euplion Orchestra; Maria Schneider Orchestra; Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra; SFJAZZ Collective; Wolfgang Muthspiel, Mick Goodrick; Ben Sidran feat. David "Fathead" Newman; Antonio Sanchez. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12172805/Mondo-Jazz (up to Antonio Sanchez). Photo credit: Nathan West.
Duos galore, grrrl power, trans-European and trans-Atlantic collaborations and plenty of pianos in this wave of new and upcoming releases. The playlist includes KerenDun; Lara Driscoll; Chris White; Artemis; Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Jarrett Cherner; Archie Shepp, Jason Moran; Martin Wind, Ack Van Rooyen, Philip Catherine; WHO Trio; Sylvie Courvoisier; Angelica Sanchez, Marilyn Crispell. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12131126/Mondo-Jazz (from KerenDun onwards). Happy listening!
Ibrahim Maalouf celebrates his fortieth birthday with 40 melodies, then we dive into a rather guitar-centric collection of new and upcoming releases, which then takes a left turn with the latest from Common feat. Lenny Kravitz & Chuck D, Madlib & Karriem Riggins a.k.a. Jahari Massamba Unit and Vulfpeck. The playlist also features Maurizio Giammarco, Matteo Bortone, Manlio Maresca, Reinier Baas, Lionel Loueke, Andrew Renfroe, Luke Sellick, Nels Cline, Yves Rousseau, and Raoul Björkenheim Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12131126/Mondo-Jazz (up to Raoul Björkenheim). Happy listening!
This year our seasonal Hanksgiving episodes celebrates a musician that is a cult figure in the world of saxophonists and fans of the Blue Note catalogue, saxophonist and composer Hank Mobley. The show features a mix of Hank Mobley's tunes and renditions of his work by peers that were attracted by his brand of jazz firmly grounded in the blues and R&B roots that he had mastered in the years that preceded his first engagement, with Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers. The playlist features Hank Mobley, Eddie Roberts, Gianni Basso, Irio de Paula, Philip Catherine, Wood in di Fire, James Spaulding, Cory Weeds, Ralph Lalama, Peter Bernstein, Eli Degibri, Randy Sabien. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12082760/Mondo-Jazz (from "Soft Impressions" onwards) Happy listening!
For our seasonal Hanksgiving show, this year we pay tribute to Hank Mobley, both as a saxophonist and a composer, by playing music from his albums, which are a cornerstone of the Blue Note sound and catalogue, and renditions of his music by musicians that came after him. There's so much to love in Mobley's repertoire. Happy listening and happy Hanksgiving, so it may very well become your new favorite holiday, the jazz equivalent of Festivus for the rest of us jazz loving freaks! The playlist features Hank Mobley, Big John Patton, Rafael Jerjen, Pat Martino, Warren Vache, Tony Coe, Alan Barnes, Toots Thielemans, Warne Marsh, Kenny Burrell, Stefon Harris, Jason Moran, Greg Osby, Mark Shim, John Zorn, George Lewis, Bill Frisell, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Gary Bartz, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12082760/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Fin de l'affaire")
We continue our exploration of bands and projects lead by female bass players which have become exponentially more prominent in the past two decades. Here is the fascinating music by musicians that debunk commonly held stereotypes related to the physicality of music, and develop a personal way to syntesize their countless sources of inspiration. The playlist features Marlene Rosenberg, Esperanza Spalding, Rosa Brunello, Hélène Labarrière, Hasse Poulsen, Donna Khalifé, Linda May Han Oh, Sélène Saint-Aimé, Ellen Andrea Wang, Joy Grifoni, Lisa Mezzacappa, Elise Dabrowski [pictured], Anna Butterss with Makaya McCraven, Anne Mette Iversen, Joelle Leandre, Eric Watson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12031082/Mondo-Jazz (from Marlene Rosenberg onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit (Elise Dabrowski): Adrien Hyppolite
All around the world, there's a bassisterhood that is rapidly expanding and claiming its rigthful place on the jazz scene. This week we'll focus on the queens of the low-end and the fascinating bands and projects they lead. The playlist features Noriko Ueda, Giulia Valle, Silvia Bolognesi, Stefanie Kunckler, Heartland Trio, Mimi Jones [pictured], Caterina Palazzi, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sarah Murcia, Lisa Hoppe, Adi Meyerson, Federica Michisanti, Carmen Rothwell, Nicki Parrott, Rossano Sportiello. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12031082/Mondo-Jazz (up to Parrott, Sportiello) Happy listening!
The second part of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz revolves around the Chicago-Paris-Brussels triangle, with forays into New York, Los Angeles and Austin, to deliver great, much awaited, new releases by the Sun Ra Arkestra, The Grassy Knoll and The Awakening Orchestra. To put the wheels in motion, the high-octane music of Dan Rosenboom. That and much more... The playlist also features Thunderblender, Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood, Geof Bradfield, Ben Goldberg, Dana Hall, Orange Moon, Sélène Saint-Aimé, Serge Lazarevitch, Ben Sluijs, Teun Verbruggen, Alex Goodman, and Dustin Laurenzi. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11952401/Mondo-Jazz (From Dan Rosenbloom onwards) Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
In this week's exploration of new and upcoming releases we explore a whole range of human interactions, from Matt Wilson's hugs to Kahil El'Zabar's jumps and shout, from Prince and Miles Davis going mano a mano to Bootsy Collins and Branford Maraslis proceeding arm in arm like true funkateeers, from Antoine Pierre following Miles' steps to Lionel Loueke doing the same with those of Herbie Hancock. And more... Happy listening! The playlist also features Michel Benita, Roberto Cecchetto, Thoine Thys, Miki Yamanaka and Susan Alcorn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11952401/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Henrik Noergaard Rohweder Paulsen
One thing that Jazz and Circus have in common is that--unlike way too many things that we see in our daily lives--you can't fake them. You cannot pretend you're an expert among circus or jazz artists… If you are not … it'll show! And this authenticity may be one of the reasons why they seem so precious in this age of disposable fakeness. Here we continue our exploration of the connections between jazz and circuls with a dolly shot of circus acts, fire eaters, mimes, jugglers and many more. Enjoy the show, and don't forget that jazz never fails to be our safety net when we fall off the trapeze because the other guy didn't bother reaching out for us... The playlist features Rusty Bryant, Tuatara, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Mathilde Santing, Paolo Fresu, Rez Abbasi, Trio Grande & Matthew Bourne, Django Bates, Phillip Johnston, James Chance, Nucleus, Noël McGhie and Charlie Haden. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11882854/Mondo-Jazz (from Rusty Bryant onwards).
Circus is like Jazz. They both require a great deal of originality and a capacity to improvise and be in the moment. They come out of a sense of artistic urgency and self-expression since they are not arts that people embrace to get rich. And they both demand incredible dedication and discipline. We explore the connections between these two art forms, focusing on jazz inspired by the circus world, composed for circus shows, or evoking-in a way or another-"The Greatest Show on Earth" Sit back, relax, enjoy the show, and, like Charles Mingus put it, "Don't Be Afraid, the Clown's Afraid Too". The playlist features Art Blakey, Raffaello Pareti, Django Bates, Emile Parisien, Vincent Peirani, Otello Savoia, Michael Shrieve, Bobby Previte, Kamikaze Ground Crew, Richard Galliano, Sexmob, Wayne Horvitz, Geri Allen, Mary Lou Williams, Leïla Martial, Charles Mingus, Willem Breuker, and Henry Threadgill. Detailed playlist: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11882854/Mondo-Jazz (up to Threadgill)
In the second part of this week's review of new and upcoming releases we focus on new projects by saxophonists Ben Wendel (as leader and sideman of Tom Guarna) and Nubya Garcia (revisiting Joe Henderson for the "Blue Note Re:imagined" project, and as member of Maisha. Also noteworthy the new project of drummers Cindy Blackman Santana (with a guitar dream-duo of Vernon Reid and Carlos Santana), and Antoine Berjeaut as well the new trio by Norwegian bassist Ellen Andrea Wang. To bring some acoustic balance the brilliant debut of Ben Rosenblum's Nebula Project and the reading of one of Aaron Copland's piano blues by Marco Fumo Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11851066/Mondo-Jazz (from Nubya Garcia onwards).
Another week devoted to new and upcoming releases with a special focus on the latest albums by Italian saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti and the members of his Tinissima 4et, trumpeter Giovanni Falzone, bassist Danilo Gallo and drummer Zeno De Rossi. To complete this all-European showcase, two quite different projects by British saxophonist Iain Ballamy, the resounding elegance of Renaud-Gabriel Pion, a lesson on how to 'play nature' by András Dés Rangers, the great debut of the Charlotte Greve Trio with Chris Tordini and Vinnie Sperrazza and the uplifting music by Spanish bassist Giulia Valle and British saxophonist Ken Stubbs. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11851066/Mondo-Jazz (up to Iain Ballamy, Aidan Pope). Photo credit: Paolo Piga.
Elvis Costello with the Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Robert Wyatt with Mary Halvorson's Code Girl, Jesse Harris lending his pen to Camille Bertault or John Zorn and Petra Haden... that why we like blurred lines between genres! And so do Rosa Brunello, Nels Cline, Erik Friedlander with new releases that draw inspiration from a multitude of sources. And keep an eye on the French vibraphone player Simon Moullier who has just released a remarkable debut album. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11796385/Mondo-Jazz (from the Michael Leonhart Orchestra onwards) Happy listening!
This week our playlist is bursting at the seams with great projects, several of which explore the renewed interest in what many like to call 'spiritual jazz', from Roberto Ottaviano to Dwight Trible's Cosmic Vibrations and Matthew Halsall out of the increasingly interesting Manchester jazz scene. The rest of the playlist alternates forward looking projects like the welcome return of Craig Taborn's Junk Magic, "Supersense" the multisensory project by Steph Richards with Jason Moran, or Torbjörn Zetterberg's Den Stora Frågan, with powerful straight-ahead releases like the debut stunners by Immanuel Wilkins and the Doxas Brothers. In the middle of it all, a feel-good jazz-meets-soul of Curtis Mayfield by William Parker and Leena Conquest with the help of a choir of 90 kids from Paris' suburbs. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11796385/Mondo-Jazz (up to Mary Halvorson). Photo credit: Chris Weiss.
Although Sting is widely known for his solo career and for fronting The Police, his love for jazz has been a common thread throughout his career. His jazz sensibility became more prominent when he started his solo career with a band of young heavy-weights from the New York jazz scene of the time, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Darryl Johns and Omar Hakim. We continue our exploration of Sting's jazz projects and renditions of his jazz compositions by the likes of Lester Bowie, Pat Metheny, Esbjörn Svensson, Michael Brecker, collaborations with producer Hal Willner and more. Happy listening! The playlist also features Bob Belden; Christian McBride; Michela Lombardi; Nils Landgren, Lars Danielsson, Wolfgang Haffner; Eric Reed; Nobuyoshi Ino; Joe Henderson; Bill Frisell, David Sanborn, Fareed Haque, Don Alias, Hank Roberts; and Branford Marsalis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11767727/Mondo-Jazz (from Bob Belden's "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" on).
From his early years as a bass player in the trad Phoenix Jazzmen, the straight-ahead Newcastle Big Band, and the fusion quintet Last Exit, to his collaborations with idols like Gil Evans and Miles Davis, jazz has been a constant in Sting's artistic path. This week, we feature music from his jazzier projects as a leader or side-man, and jazz renditions of his compositions by jazz legends and up and coming masters. Happy listening! The playlist also features Gregory Porter; Espen Berg; Jazz Fantasy feat. Franco Ambrosetti; John McLaughlin; The Bob Belden Ensemble; and Marcin Wasilewski. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11767727/Mondo-Jazz (up to Marcin Wasilewski). Photo credit: Frédéric Stucin
A classical musical upbringing; a deep knowledge of contemporary classical masters; a career that rapidly saw him develop affinities and life-long collaborations with mainstream and forward-looking jazz musicians, both from the US and from abroad; equally at home with fusion, pop and rock. In sum, Kenny Kirkland epitomized that kind of musician that defies categorization which we tend to admire the most. Here is the second part of our celebration of this legacy. Happy listening! The playlist also features Courtney Pine, Kenny Garrett, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Emilia Mårtensson & Barry Green, Conjure, Kip Hanrahan, Hal Willner, Carla Bley, Ernie Watts with Gilberto Gil, Miroslav Vitous, George Ohtsuka, John Scofield, Mabumi Yamaguchi, Stone Alliance and Noah Haidu. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11713129/Mondo-Jazz (from Kenny Kirkland "When will the Blues Leave?" onwards).
On September 28th, 2020, Kenny Kirkland would have turned 65. This week we celebrate his legacy as leader, co-leader, as side-man invited to add power and sophistication to the bands he joined, and as composer, through renditions of his music by peers and contemporary musicians. Among these, pianist Noah Haidu has recently released the first-ever album entirely dedicated to the Kenny Kirkland songbook, which we feature here and in the second part of the show, which will be online in a few days. Happy listening! The playlist also features Jeff "Tain" Watts, Noah Haidu, Wynton Marsalis, Craig Taborn & Steve Lehman Trio, Michael Brecker, Sting, and Branford Marsalis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11713129/Mondo-Jazz (up to Branford Marsalis)
Django Bates celebrated his 60th birthday and 40th anniversary as a musician while marking Bird's centennial with adventurous and witty arrangements for the Norrbotten Big Band. That gives us a cue to look into more Scandinavian and large-ensemble music, following the adventures of Bates' bassist Petter Eldh, as part of the much awaited return of Lucia Cadotsch's Speak Low project in which he works side-by-side with Swedish saxophonist Otis Sandsjö who, in turn, can be found in Martin Perret's L'Anderer. The big band and orchestra section of the playlist is lush and deep thanks to the encounter of Michael Moore [pictured] with the NDR Big Band, Mike Fahie's jazz arrangements of Debussy and the love sounds of Le Mirifique Orchestra. At the top of the set Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel's rendition of Buddy Miles (in the company of Bernard Purdie, Randy Brecker and Scott Colley!) and French drummer Raphaël Pannier's reimagining of Wayne Shorter. At the end of the set bassist Luke Stewart rides the Chicago-Washington D.C. express and Noah Kaplan explores the microtonal space, while John Lurie a.k.a. Marvin Pontiac dotes on his little garden gnome.
This week we hit the mother lode, with plenty of undiscovered, or re-discovered, jazz ore, in the form of unreleased live recordings of Joe Harriott and the re-release of "Windows of the Mind" by the skoonum player, and Ray Charles alum, Billy Brooks, respectively. Among the new gems projects of the acoustic (Roots Magic; Reijseger, Fraanje, Sylla [pictured]; Federica Michisanti), electro-acoustic (Rob Mazurek with the Exploding Star Orchestra; Dinosaur) and electric (Guillaume Perret; Mach 6) amalgam. And, to wrap things up, the exciting finds of two Franco-American duos of sonic surveyors, featuring members of the cult band The Reyclers: Noël Akchoté-Bill Frisell and Fred Hersch-Benoit Delbecq. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11677159/Mondo-Jazz (up to Fred Hersch and Benoit Delbecq). Happy listening. Photo credit: Krijn van Noordwijk (courtesy of Ernst Reijsger).
From audiophile jazz labels, to definitive record stores and jazz kissaten-the outstanding jazz bars that provide a cozy place for jazz fans to congregate and share their love for jazz-Japan has traditionally been one of the most jazz-friendly countries in the world. Here is the second part of a special edition that pays tribute to some of Japan's own eclectic talents. Happy listening! The playlist features Fumio Yasuda, Theo Bleckmann, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Soil & Pimp Sessions, Yuka Honda [pictured], Dairo Miyamoto, Jun Miyake, Aki Takase, Misako Kano, United Future Organization, Towa Tei and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11641315/Mondo-Jazz (from Fumio Yasuda & Theo Bleckmann onwards). Photo: Nathan West.
In addition to offering a safe haven and an enthusiastic audience for international jazz players, Japan has a vibrant local scene which features musicians that approach jazz without necessarily being encumbered by its tradition, and infuse it with their own cultural traditions and generally post-modern attitude. So let's dive into the fun and varied universe of Japanese jazz through the work of some of its most remarkable iconoclasts. The playlist features Suga Dairo, Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra [pictured], Koh, Masahiro Uemura, Yosuke Yamashita, Eri Yamamoto, Emi Makabe, Minoru Muraoka, Rinsyoe Kida, Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffalos, Johnny Hartman, Masabumi Kikuchi, Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Otomo Yoshihide, Sax Ruins, O.N.T.J. (Olivia New Ton John), Kaze & Ikue Mori. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11641315/Mondo-Jazz (up to Kaze & Ikue Mori) Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
For the second part of this week's exploration of new and upcoming releases we "Focus". As in... we compare and contrast the music from that iconic 'saxophone & strings' album by Stan Getz with the two more recent CDs-both entitled "Re Focus"-by Tim Garland and Silvayn Rifflet which Getz's 1961 masterpiece inspired. The latter was orchestrated by the great French bass player and arranger Fred Pallem who is about to release a fascinating project dedicated to fairy tales in the key of jazz, which sounds... fabulous, of course, just like the prohibition era fairy tales narrated by another bass player (this time he's back on sousaphone) that is writing fundamental new pages in the Chicago jazz book, Matt Ulery [pictured] This and much more in this edition of Mondo Jazz. Happy listening! The playlist features also Jesse Fischer; Takuya Kuroda; Darrifourq, Hermia, Ceccaldi; Tigran Hamasyan. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11596865/Mondo-Jazz (From Jesse Fischer onwards)
Genre-bending, re-imaginings of masters past and present, and eclectic alliances of musicians from different scenes and background are at the heart of this week's roll-call of new and upcoming releases, with the latest albums by Jyoti (a.k.a. Georgia Anne Muldrow), and Hal Willner, deserving special attention. We wrap things up with Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah infusing electric-era Miles' "Guinnevere" with the spirit of "Sketches of Spain". The playlist also features Butcher Brown, Ezra Collective, Yaya Bey, Gil Scott-Heron, Makaya McCraven, Helga Davis, Lakecia Benjamin, Roy Ayers, Josh Johnson, Sean Khan and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11596865/Mondo-Jazz (up to Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah). Happy listening!
This is the second part of our exploration of Michael Brecker's and Steven Bernstein's work as first-call musicians in the world of high-end pop productions. Their capacity to adapt to the demands of these productions while remaining true to their jazz roots has offered millions of listeners that might have looked at jazz with a grain of diffidence an opportunity to re-assess their skepticism. Brecker and Bernstein musicians that have played and keep playing a prime role in bringing new fans to the world of jazz through these crossover projects. In this segment we'll hear how they've left the mark in productions featuring U2 and the Sun Ra Arkestra, James Brown, Frank Zappa, Levon Helm and many more legends of the pop world, including Donald Fagen, Rufus Wainwright, Aerosmith, Bettye LaVette, and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11543087/Mondo-Jazz (up to the Barabbas). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli (Bernstein)
This week we focus on Steven Bernstein and Michael Brecker, the quintessential jazz-hackers of the pop world. If you heard a compelling saxophone solo on a high-end pop or rock production, especially between the 1970s and 1990s, you could bet it was by Michael Brecker. Likewise, if you have been struck by an elegant yet quirky arrangement on a high-end pop or rock album from the past two decades, the odds were that it had been written by Steven Bernstein. In today's show we'll be alternating songs featuring Michael Brecker mostly as a soloist, with tunes that have Steven Bernstein as either a soloist or arranger. The playlist features Mocean Worker; Catherine Russell; Esther Phillips; Joni Mitchell; Marianne Faithfull; Eric Mingus; Robert Palmer; Cameo; Digable Planets; Michael Franks; Chris Barron; Chaka Khan; Lee "Scratch" Perry; Barabbas and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11543087/Mondo-Jazz (up to the Barabbas). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli (Bernstein)
As we continue our exploration of the best in new and upcoming jazz, this week we look into a unique project featuring the music of John Zorn and lyrics of Jesse Harris written with the unique voice of Petra Haden in mind, a special album that blends beautifully with the new releases by Bill Frisell, Jorge Roeder and Ron Miles, Jimmy Heath's musical testament, a Spinal-Tappy jazz take on the music of Black Sabbath and much more. The playlist features also Throttle Elevator Music, Logan Kane, Regina Carter, John Hollenbeck, Donatello D'Attoma, James Carney, Brian Landrus, Camila Nebbia, Lesley Mok, David Leon and Russ Nolan. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11493007/Mondo-Jazz (from Throttle Elevator Music onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Steven Perilloux
Recently unearthed gems by Dudu Pukwana and Art Blakey, beautiful new albums by Eric Revis and Charles Tolliver, the Cuban roots of David Virelles and Aruán Ortiz, a peak in the Amsterdam and Berlin scenes through the music of Federico Calcagno and Reza Askari, respectively, and much more in this week's edition of Mondo Jazz dedicated to new and upcoming releases. The playlist features also Daniel Bingert, Chico Pinheiro, Rez Abbasi, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Nduduzo Makhathini and Gabriele Coen. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11493007/Mondo-Jazz (up to Gabriele Coen). Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
This is the second part of our celebration of Pat Metheny's 66th birthday through an exploration of the best renditions of his work by other musicians. Metheny's signature compositional style inspired countless colleagues, even before he had released his own debut album. It's no surprise that more than four decades lager, the renditions of his work can be counted in the hundreds. I hope you'll enjoy those featured here by long time collaborators like Lyle Mays, Gary Burton, Charlie Haden, Brad Mehldau, Gil Goldstein, as well as a diverse range of other artists like Judy Niemack, Wallace Roney, Alex Sipiagin, Gilad Hekselman, Mark Murphy, Peo Alfonsi, Béla Fleck, Julie Caron, Mattia Zappa and Ivo Kova. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11409581/Mondo-Jazz (from Judy Niemack onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Andrea Rotili
This week we launch a series of episodes that, from time to time, we'll look at the work of contemporary jazz players as composers, rather than performers, from Tim Berne to Geri Allen, Bill Frisell, Carla Bley, John Zorn, Brad Mehldau and many more. We are starting this series with Pat Metheny, the author of countless unforgettable themes. The playlist features Bob Curnow, Kurt Elling, Cristiano Stocchetti, Kevin Mahogany, Billy Drummond, George Colligan, Orion Saxophone Quartet, Jason Vieaux, Paul Motian, Mario Stanchev, John Law, Moncef Genoud, and The Ahn Trio. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11409581/Mondo-Jazz (up to The Ahn Trio) Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti
A Belgian vocalist that turns the Great American Songbook inside out, young Austrian creative minds, female guitar experimentalists, an all female ensemble and the band that brings the Allman Brothers spirit to Rahsaan Roland Kirk town... To find out more, I guess you'll have to click on the player and find out for yourself! Happy listening! The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11326394/Mondo-Jazz (from Ahl6 onwards). Ahl6, chuffDRONE, Dave Pietro, ARTEMIS, Lynn Cassiers, Alessandra Novaga, Thumbscrew, and The J. & F. Band. Photo credit: Geert Vandepoele
It's time to get back to the new releases menu and its delicious assortment of modern jazz infused with timeless Miles Davis aromas, forward looking fare marked by traces of Tim Berne, as well as gargantuan ensembles for good measure. Bon appetit! The playlist features Daniel Bingert [pictured], Antoine Pierre, Nubya Garcia, Rudresh Mahanthappa, In Common: Walter Smith III, Matt Stevens, Tommaso Gambini, Andrea Keller Five Degree Below, Makaya McCraven, On Dog, Michael Formanek, Small Choices, The Spike Orchestra, and Schapiro 17. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11326394/Mondo-Jazz (up to Schapiro 17). Photo credit: Truls Nord.
In this final installment of our exploration of today's French jazz scene, a number of projects that illustrate how beautifully French musicians blend their many influences, from troubadour music of the middle-ages to pop songs of the '60s and '70s, and interests, from Greek mythology to the M-Base collective. The playlist features Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christophe Marguet, Camille Bertault, Sarah Murcia, Louis Sclavis, Sélène Saint-Aimé [pictured], Michel Portal, Alban Darche, Matthieu Donarier, Meivelyan Jacquot, Sophia Domancich, Magic Malik, Stéphane Payen, Alexandra Grimal, Joelle Leandre, Noël Akchoté, Marc Ribot and Sylvain Rifflet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11280569/Mondo-Jazz (from Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christophe Marguet onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Nikola Cindric
As we continue our journey in today's French jazz scene we look at how it has been influenced by the many musical traditions that enrich the French society, in particular those from North Africa and the Middle-East courtesy of Yacine Boularès, Ibrahim Maalouf, Naïssam Jalal, Smadj and Sophie Alour with Mohamed Abozekry and Wassim Halal). To add the range of this episode. The urban influence of hip hop on jazz (Kit De Survie and Thiefs); the faux soundtracks of Fred Pallem; the groove of The Volunteered Slaves and Julien Lourau, the pianistic elegance of Baptiste Trotignon and Benjamin Moussay, the angular melodicism of Marc Ducret and the atmospheric lure of Michel Benita make it for a rather eclectic listening experience Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11280569/Mondo-Jazz (up to Benjamin Moussay) Photo credit: Jeff Humbert
Here's more jazz from the scene by the Seine, featuring the lyricism of Emile Parisien, Vincent Courtois, the rhythmic hypnosis of The Recyclers and Benoît Delbecq, the sketches of Miles by Airelle Besson and Médéric Collignon, the urban vibes of Antoine Berjeaut and Guillaume Perret and much more. Happy listening! The playlist features Edward Perraud, Barthelemy - Lazro - Margues - Tchamitchian, Édouard Ferlet, Stéphane Kerecki, and Makaya McCraven. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11243365/Mondo-Jazz (from Edward Perraud onwards).
Historically, the French scene has played a vital role in the world of jazz, so let's celebrate Bastille day and pay tribute to the French way of Jazz, exploring in particular the work of a captivating crop of contemporary French musicians who have developed a very original way to blend their love for jazz with multitude of other interests and influences. The playlist includes: Aldo Romano, Louis Sclavis, Henri Texier, Leïla Olivesi, Vincent Peirani, Thomas de Pourquery, Céline Bonacina, Papanosh, Claude Barthélémy, Théo Ceccaldi, Leïla Martial and Stephane Furic. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11243365/Mondo-Jazz (up to Stephane Furic).
This week we have a wide-ranging palette, as well go from the maelstroms of Andrew D'Angelo's DNA Orchestra and Raoul Björkenheim's Interstellar Coltrane, to the subtleties of Mara Rosenbloom, Nathalie Darche and João Lencastre's Communion 3, through the fertile collaborations between the indie darlings Deerhoof with Wadada Leo Smith, or Nubya Garcia and Joe Armon-Jones while savoring the exciting North European bands chuffDRONE and Superposition, the latest Blue Note releases by Ambrose Akinmusire and GoGo Penguin, and Ricardo Grilli's tribute to Peter Bernstein! Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11212684/Mondo-Jazz (from Nubya Garcia & Joe Armon-Jones onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Dave Kaufman
This week we pay tribute to the late Ennio Morricone the way we often do, through renditions of his memorable soundtracks performed by contemporary creative jazz artists like John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Marco Cappelli, Guano Padano, and Oddjob. We then check out some great new releases that cross borders, stylistic definitions and generations. The playlist also features: Jeff Cosgrove, John Medeski, Jeff Lederer, Billy Martin, Songs of Tales, McCoy Tyner, Gordon Grdina, Lucian Ban, John Surman, Mat Maneri, Bettye LaVette, Felice Clemente, Gabriel Chakarji Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11212684/Mondo-Jazz (up to Gabriel Chakarji)
The fusion of different musical cultures and genres is at the heart of this edition of Mondo Jazz, where the works of Frank Zappa are given the solo piano treatment by Dave Hartl, Mats Öberg and Stefano Bollani, where a Kansas City expat in Paris, trumpeter Hermon Mehari, explores both his Eritrean roots and his urban inclinations, where the global music of Ajoyo finds its matches in the Mathis Sound Orchestra, and where the cutting edge Ezra Collective looks back into the Blue Note vaults while the Brand New Heavies make a comeback and Kesha takes Marc Bolan into the future with a little help from Hal Willner. Happy listening! The playlist also features The Greyboy Allstars, Michelangelo Scandroglio, Dario Congedo, The Brecker Brothers and Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11111687/Mondo-Jazz (From the The Greyboy Allstars onwards) Photo credit: James O'Mara
Spectacular debut releases by Vanessa Perica, Immanuel Wilkins and Micah Thomas; international and inter-generational collaborations between Marcin Wasilewski and Joe Lovano, and among Juhani Aaltonen, Jonas Kullhammar, Christian Meaas Svendsen, Ilmari Heikinheimo; three bands lead by Michael Wolff, Steven Cardenas and Dave Glasser revolving around the thick and catchy pulse of Ben Allison's bass and more in this edition of Mondo Jazz. The playlist features also Alex Goodman, Azat Bayazitov, David Krakauer, Kathleen Tagg, Deep Ford, Camilla Battaglia and Francesco Cataldo. Happy listening. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11111687/Mondo-Jazz (up to Francesco Cataldo) Photo credit: Pia Johnson
The second part of this week's new and upcoming release special brings new gems by Angel Bat Dawid, Caleb Dolister, old gems in new bottles courtesy of Gary Bartz & Maisha and of Jorja Smith diving into the Blue Note catalogue for a neo-classic St. Germain, some family love by the Granellis and the electro-acoustic experimentations of Enrico Rava, Matthew Herbert and Giovanni Guidi. The playlist features Jorja Smith, Gary Bartz & Maisha, Caleb Dolister, Angel Bat Dawid, Spirabassi, Jerry Granelli, Bobby Previte, Jamie Saft, Nels Cline, J. A. Granelli, Luca Alemanno, Enrico Rava, Matthew Herbert and Giovanni Guidi. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11066822/Mondo-Jazz (from Jorja Smith onwards). Photo credit: Anna Trevelyan
It has been more or less a month since our last episode devoted to new and upcoming releases, so it's time to catch up as so much great music has been coming out, some of it to raise funds for worthy causes. So sit back, put your headphones on and enjoy the latest by Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Michael Thomas, Marie Kruttli, Pericopes+1, Ernesto Cervini and more. The playlist features Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Brian Blade, Ernesto Cervini, Michael Thomas, Pericopes+1, Sebastien Ammann, Marie Kruttli, Jonathan Barber, Aubrey Johnson, Esperanza Spalding and Fred Hersch. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11066822/Mondo-Jazz (up to Esperanza Spalding and Fred Hersch). Photo credit: Jimmy Katz
As our series dedicated to the amazing music that has come out of the struggle for the advancement of African-Americans come to an end, we focus on tunes inspired by the march on Selma, or dedicated to the many victims of racially motivated brutality. Listen to this deep set featuring old masters like Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, current giants like Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jason Moran and Wynton Marsalis and stars of the future like Christian Scott, Logan Richardson, Kris Bowers and Keyon Harrold. The playlist also features Louise McCord and Curtis Mayfield. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11033090/Mondo-Jazz (from Grant Green onwards). Photo credit: Eric Ryan Anderson.
As Martin Luther King put it in the opening address to the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival, "When life itself offers no order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow through his instrument." And so, with that in mind, we continue our exploration of socially engaged jazz in search of order and meaning in the complicated phase we're living, looking at how Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, Charles Mingus, Archie Shepp, Lou Donaldson, Oscar Brown Jr., the Pharoahs Cannonball Adderley, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden and Hank Jones found it in the past, how Gary Bartz continues finding it today with Maisha and how Alicia Hall Moran, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Jaimeo Brown and Uri Caine are keeping that flame alive. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11033090/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ornette Coleman).
In the second part of this special dedicated to jazz and civil rights we look into music inspired by the bloody events that marked the advancement of the civil rights movement and by the victims of ongoing brutality. The playlist included tunes which incorporate the words or the cadence of Martin Luther King, are introduced by Jesse Jackson or celebrate Malcolm X, as well as songs that were played to draw attention to and support the cause. Enjoy the show! The playlist features Cannonball Adderley, Archie Shepp & Attica Blues Orchestra, Darrel Grant, John Coltrane, John Coltrane, Martin Luther King, Nina Simone, Terence Blanchard, Miles Davis and Ambrose Akinmusire. Detailed playlist at Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11000805/Mondo-Jazz (from Cannonball Adderley onward). Photo credit: New York Public Library
Music often distills the truth in ways that make it hard to ignore. The history of jazz is intertwined with the struggle for the advancement of the African-American society that birthed it. Many of its masterpieces were inspired by events that marked the civil rights movement, which, in turn, drew inspiration from them. Let's look back at the amazing body of music that has come out of the African-American struggle for social justice and equal rights, through the works of Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins, Mahalia Jackson (pictured), Herbie Hancock and many more. The playlist also features The Mothers of Invention, John Lee Hooker, Gil Scott-Heron, Terence Blanchard, Working Week, and Marlena Shaw. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11000805/Mondo-Jazz
In the first part of the show we focused on jazz inspired by the of music composed by James Barry for 007 flicks. Here we switch our attention to other great soundtrack composers like Lalo Schifrin or Quincy Jones, and other movie characters like Sherlock Holmes, Ms. Marple, Nero Wolfe or Dirty Harry. And we look into why Charlie Parker became Charlie Chan. We wrap things up with the daughter of the writer of the "Detective Writer Daughter". Not sure what does that mean? Well, then play this episode to find out! The playlist features Jimmy Smith, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Oddjob, Médéric Collignon, Quincy Jones, The Spirits of Rhythm, Alan Barnes, Bill Frisell, Oranj Symphonette, Ron Goodwin, Marco Cappelli, Joe Lovano, The Quintet, Naked City, Nunzio Rotondo, and Karen Mantler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10949861/Mondo-Jazz (from Jimmy Smith onwards)
For a reason or another, movies about detectives, secret agents or spies have gone mano a mano with jazz, and so this week we'll feature jazz inspired by adventurous characters. In this first segment, the focus is on James Bond and how anyone from Louis Armstrong and Count Basie to Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas and Steven Bernstein, among others, have played with John Barry's compositions just like James Bond has played with Dr. No, Auric Goldfinger and whole bunch of other villains! The playlist features John Barry, Louis Armstrong, Pizzicato Five, CCM Jazz Orchestra, Steven Bernstein, Count Basie, Dave Douglas, Soul Brothers, Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan, Sexmob and Leroy Holmes. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10949861/Mondo-Jazz (up to Leroy Holmes). Happy listening!
All good things come to an end, so here we are with the last part of our celebration of Stevie Wonder's 70th birthday in the key of jazz. In this final installment tributes by Geri Allen, Stephane Belmondo and Sylvain Luc, Urbie Green, Max Ionata and Dado Moroni, Abbey Lincoln, Steve Khan, the New West Guitar Group with Gretchen Parlato, Joshua Redman the SFJAZZ Collective, and Grover Washington, Jr.. Plus Stevie Wonder's first hit, his early collaboration with Billy Preston and a later one with Herbie Hancock. Happy listening and long live Stevie! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10919157/Mondo-Jazz (from Urbie Green onwards).
After a dive in renditions from the '70s during parts 1, here we mix things up with a combination of contemporary stunners, like the unique take of Alicia Hall Moran on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" or the incandescent rendition of "Too High" by Chris Hunter, with classics like Roland Kirk's version of "Ma Cherie Amour" or Toots Thielemans'"You've Got It Bad Girl". The cherry on the cake: Stevie's own playing under the pseudonym of Eivets Rednow (Stevie Wonder backwards), aged 18, and as guest of Herbie Hancock on "St. Louis Blues". The playlist also includes: Enzo Pietropaoli, Max Ionata, Regina Carter, Doug Wamble, Tiziano Tononi, Stanley Turrentine, Carmen McRae, Jared Gold, and Elephant9. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10919157/Mondo-Jazz (up to Elephant9).
Stevie Wonder has often infused his performances with compelling renditions of jazz standards like Miles' "All Blues" or Coltrane's "Giant Steps". In return, countless jazz musicians have looked at his Songbook and found in his compositions fertile grounds for their own explorations. In the second part of our "Stevie @70 special" we cherry-picked tributes to his genius by the likes of Ran Blake, Cassandra Wilson, Gene Harris, Jamie Saft and many more, and a great guest appearance by Stevie Wonder on Herbie Hancock's 70s funk jazz voyage "Man-Child". Happy listening! The playlist features Gene Harris, Hank Crawford, Herbie Hancock, Dave Pietro, Cassandra Wilson, Ran Blake, Rune Gustaffson, Lou Rawls, Jamie Saft, Gato Barbieri, Laika and Joe Farrell. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10877639/Mondo-Jazz (from Gene Harris onwards).
Stevie Wonder has more entries in the "Real Book" than any other pop musician, The Beatles included. It is not surprising therefore that his Songbook has been mined by hundreds of jazz musicians, including Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dexter Gordon and Herbie Hancock. To mark his 70th birthday we feature some of the best jazz renditions of his compositions. In this segment we focus, in particular, on renditions from the '70s which payed tribute to hits from his "classic period". Happy listening! The playlist features Ahmad Jamal, Ray Barretto, Gary Bartz, Phil Upchurch, Tennyson Stephens, Charles Earland, Les McCann, Richard Tee, Ramsey Lewis, David Newman, Lionel Hampton, Max Ionata, Ralph Alessi, Vijay Iyer, Collin Walcott, Don Cherry, Naná Vasconcelos, Avishai Cohen, Yonathan Avishai. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10877639/Mondo-Jazz (up to Avishai Cohen & Yonathan Avishai).
Second part of this week's review of new and upcoming releases with the great return of master arranger Pablo Ablanedo, the new single by Swedish saxophonist and flutist Otis Sandsjö, two new projects by the prolific oud and guitar player Gordon Grdina, and saxophones in solo, duo, trio and quartet settings. Happy listening! The playlist features Otis Sandsjö, Enzo Favata, Orchestra Nazionale della Luna, Pablo Ablanedo, Vincent Peirani & Emile Parisien, Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums, Crisco 3, Tim Berne, Giorgio Pacorig & Zeno De Rossi, Webber/Morris Big Band, Gordon Grdina. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10891529/Mondo-Jazz. (from Otis Sandsjö onwards) Photo credit: Urs Leuenberger
This week we go through another delicious stash of new and upcoming releases, many of them launched on Bandcamp on 1 May for the 'waived fee' events the website is promoting every first Friday of the month to support musicians in the time of Covid19. The cherry on the stash? The much anticipated first single, sung by Nick Cave, from Hal Willner's last production, "Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex. The playlist features also: Omer Avital, Ohad Talmor, Danilo Gallo, Antti Lotjonen, Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, Majel Connery, Hobby Horse, Moon Hooch, The Michael Leonhart Orchestra feat. Jswiss, Kurt Elling and Danilo Perez Detailed playlists at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10891529/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Karjaka Studios
Here's is the second part of this week's exploration of new and upcoming releases, focusing on the new works of drummers Chad Taylor, with his trio and in the duo with James Brandon Lewis and Matt Wilson, the global jazz of the cult band Aka Moon and South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini... and some obliquely intriguing offerings by pianist Roberto Negro, the Onyx Collective and saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. Happy listening! The playlist features Matt Wilson, Chad Taylor, James Brandon Lewis, Ferdinando Romano, Nduduzo Makhathini, Aka Moon, Roberto Negro, Onyx Collective, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Mike McGinnis, Elias Bailey, and Vinnie Sperrazza. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10796388/Mondo-Jazz (from Matt Wilson onwards). Photo credit: Boris Lemonsky.
Plenty of European jazz on this week's show, with a special focus on the French scene and the mighty Convervatorium von Amsterdam Concert Big Band's new album. Also featured the great new releases by Aaron Parks and by Jason Palmer as well as the debut EP of the promising young quartet featuring Maya Keren, Camila Nebbia, Diana Arias, Lesley Mok. Happy listening! The playlist features also Reinier Baas, Johan Plomp, UR-Kestra feat. Steven Bernstein, Sarah Murcia, Magic Malik, Sophie Alour, Dal Sasso Big Band, and Mihaly Borbely. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10796388/Mondo-Jazz (up to Maya Keren).
Second part of our weekly exploration of brand new releases, with a special focus on guitar-centric albums. The playlist features Rob Luft, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade, John Scofield, Steve Swallow, Bill Stewart, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Gyan Riley, Thana Alexa, The Beat Freaks, George Burton, The Heliocentrics. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/export?k=9b4777c1046037f6dc71afd2d89b0fa4 (from Rob Luft onwards).
We may be in lock-down but outstanding jazz releases keep coming out as if nothing were of the COVID19 and the social distancing, bringing us much needed relief. One more reason to pay tribute to today's artists and to encourage everyone to support the music scene by purchasing music directly from the musicians and labels that make them. An hour of incredible collaborations, music for the dreamworld and from some of today's best trumpet players. The playlist features Makaya McCraven, Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Will Bernard, Luciana Souza, Alexia Bontempo, Nils Berg Cinemascope, Verneri Pohjola, Avishai Cohen, Dave Douglas and Elan Mehler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/export?k=9b4777c1046037f6dc71afd2d89b0fa4 (up to Dave Douglas & Elan Mehler) Happy listening! Photo credit: Brett Rubin & Bernard Benant
The final (for now) installment of this series dedicated to drummers features Rudy Royston, John Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet +1, Ted Poor, Brian Blade Fellowship, TOTM - Tivoli of the Mind, Louis Moholo, Ginger Baker, Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/10712210 (from Rudy Royston onwards). Photo credit: C. Andrew Howan
More music featuring projects lead by drummers. Drums for civil rights, solos and duos, and poetry drumming. The playlist features Terri Lyne Carrington; Max Roach; Bill Bruford; Andrew Cyrille; Günter Sommer; Emanuele Maniscalco; Marilyn Mazur, Jan Garbarek; Matt Wilson; OK:KO; Christian Lillinger; Edward Ware. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/10712210 (up to Edward Ware) Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti
Second part of this drummer-special, focusing on power drummers and showing the continuity that connects Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa to Joey Baron and Jim Black, and a special focus on the live performative energy of Kresten Osgood and Makaya McCraven as well as the spiritual jazz of Tommaso Cappellato's latest album. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10606137/Mondo-Jazz (from Buddy Rich onwards). Photo credit: Michael Parque
As we hunker down amidst a terrifying pandemic what we need is to drum up our positive energy and attitude. So here's a special home edition of Mondo Jazz spotlighting projects led by creative drummers. Just another way to give drummers more than some! Stay home, socially distance, but musically connected. And don't forget to support musicians and the institutions that contribute to their outreach during these challenging times! Happy listening! The playlist features Art Blakey, Derick Dickens, Allison Miller, Bobby Previte, Tiziano Tononi, Chico Hamilton, Scott Amendola, Sasha Mashin, Susie Ibarra, 3TM, Zeno De Rossi, Paul Motian, Lesley Mok. Detailed playlist available https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10606134/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Claudio Casanova
When he passed away Charlie Parker was not even 35 years old. The impact of his genius however has been ever-lasting. This week we continue our exploration of his influence on the generations of musicians that followed him, featuring their original take on his music as well as music composed to celebrate him. [For the first part of this Charlie Parker special go to: https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/charlie-parker-100-reincarnations-of-bird-mondo-jazz-106-1/] The playlist features Greg Osby, Charles Mingus, Tony Scott, Massimo Urbani, Hal Willner, Kronos Quartet, Dr. John, Linda May Han Oh, Ken Peplowski, Johnathan Blake, Joey Baron, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Caroline Davis, Anthony Ortega, Gil Evans. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10501026/Mondo-Jazz (from Greg Osby onwards). Photo credit: William P. Gottlieb
100 years on, the music of Charlie Parker remains relevant and vital. This week we celebrate his foundational contribution to modern jazz by featuring renditions of his work by contemporary musicians who have drawn inspiration not only from his compositions but especially from his spirit as a forward-looking creative artist. Enjoy these reincarnations of Bird! Happy listening! The playlist featurs: Paul Motian, Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christopher Marguet, Steve Cardenas, Walking Distance, Dave Holland, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jaco Pastorius, Django Bates, Geri Allen, Mark Murphy, Stefano Di Battista, Joe Lovano, Charlie Haden. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10501026/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: William P. Gottlieb
Second part of our weekly exploration of new releases showcasing new and upcoming gems with a special focus on musical forces of nature like Cuban violinist and singer Yilian Cañizares, and prolific British reedist Shabaka Hutchings (check out his South African forays with his Shabaka and the Ancestors and with Idiosyncratic guitarist Sibusile Xaba!). A special mention for Chris McCarty's Still Time to Quit Project and the new album by Wildflower. Happy listening! The playlist also features Bowman Trio, Vincent Courtois, Reverso, Shake Stew, Eric Hofbauer and Dylan Jack. Detailed playlist available at Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10411488/Mondo-Jazz (from Wildflower onwards) Photo credit: Andrea Rotili
In our weekly exploration of new releases, here are beautiful albums featuring piano trios, adventurous guitarists, Miles Davis alumni, a tribute to John Coltrane and vocalists that explore electro-acoustic soundscapes. Happy listening! The playlist features Franck Amsallem, Marco Bardoscia, Lynne Arriale, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, Ross Hammond, Isabelle Olivier, Rez Abbasi, Camille Bertault, Kassa Overall, Heroes Are Gang Leaders, Lakecia Benjamin Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10411488/Mondo-Jazz (up to Lakecja Benjamin).
Anthony Braxton playing standards? Don Byron and Phillip Johnston playing the music of Raymond Scott? Nothing to be surprised about... as musicians have a more open mind than critics like to recognize. So here's the second part of this week's show focusing on retro-sounding jazz performed by forward-leaning musicians - a bit like the jazz equivalent of Blade Runner. For the first part go to https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/avant-retro-or-retro-avant-mondo-jazz-103-1/ Happy listening! The playlist features also Matt Darriau's Ballin' the Jack, Enrico Terragnoli's Orchestra Vertical, Mauro Ottolini's Sousaphonix, Francesco Bearzatti Tinissima Quartet, Phillip Johnston's Big Trouble, Don Byron, Farmers Market, Anthony Braxton, The Four Bags, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, and Moppa Elliott. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10322837/Mondo-Jazz (from Vangelis onward)
Rigid categories are not what music should be about. This week we focus on music that some may file under "retro" but is performed by musicians that are often labelled "avant", it may not sound exactly how Count Basie and the Kansas City 7 would have played, but hey... it's 2020 and it debunks the notion that musicians that may like it skronky don't know how to swing. Case in point: Steven Bernstein whose playing and arranging is the common thread through this week's show. Happy listening! Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli The playlist features Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Ghost Train Orchestra, The Lounge Lizards, Roy Nathanson, Alban Darche's l'OrphiCube, Octurn, Django Bates, Baikida Carroll, Trio Grande, Houdini's Cage, Max Nagl, and the Kansas City Band. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10322837/Mondo-Jazz (up to Kansas City Band)
Second part of this week's ride through the new releases prairie with music by artists that cover a lot of ground, from Chicago Underground Quartet to Jesse Harris, from Valentina Ciardelli's take on Frank Zappa to Roger Kellaway' interpretation of Paul Desmond, and much more. For the first part go to: https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/irreversible-entanglements-goran-kajfes-soul-gnawa-other-new-releases-mondo-jazz-102-1/ Happy listening! The playlist features also Matt Mayhall, Pulcinella, Christophe Panzani, Brent Birckhead, Wayne Krantz, Gebhard Ullmann, Ben Wolfe, and Jesse Harris. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10278243/Mondo-Jazz (from Matt Mayhall onwards).
This week's exploration of new and upcoming releases and releases features projects inspired by music from Benin and the Gnawa tradition of Morocco, hip-hop and electronica, as well as a tribute to Eddie Harris and the socially engaged music of Irreversible Entanglements. Happy listening! The playlist features Goran Kajfes, Majid Bekkas, Soul Gnawa, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Irreversible Entanglements, Michael Leonhart Orchestra feat. JSwiss, Slow Poke, Jimi Tenor. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10278243/Mondo-Jazz (up to Jimi Tenor) Photo credit: Bob Sweeney.
This week we focus on the art of the duo. A challenging format as one does neither have the complete freedom of a solo nor the support of a larger band. Yet, in the hands of the right artists, it can produce magical music. During the first hour we feature Geri Allen & Marcus Belgrave, Joe Henderson & Christian McBride, Fabrizio Bosso & Julian Oliver Mazzariello, Michael Blake & Kresten Osgood, Günter Sommer & Till Brönner, Charlie Hunter & Leon Parker, Marc Ducret & Herb Robertson, Jim Hall & Joey Baron, Roberto Ottaviano & Mal Waldron, Gil Evans & Steve Lacy, Don Byron & Jason Moran, Steve Kuhn & Joe Lovano. In the the second part there's a special emphasis on duos featuring saxophonists as well as drummers with the music of Vincent Peirani & Emile Parisien; Lionel Martin & Sangoma Everett; TOTM - Tivoli of the Mind; Guy Klucevsek & Phillip Johnston; Paul Weiling & Dave Tronzo; Aldo Romano & Joe Lovano; Ted Poor & Andrew D'Angelo; William Parker & Hamid Drake; Uli Kempendorff’s Field; Max Roach & Dizzy Gillespie; Massimo Colombo & Felice Clemente; Mats Eilertsen; NickHead; Nicole Johänntgen & Thomas Lahns; Joe Lovano & Hank Jones. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10222238/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
This week Mondo Jazz turns "100 episodes old". So we open with the uplifting "celebration" by South African pianist Bheki Mseleku before delving into what we like best, unearthing precious gems from around the world. During the first hour segment we feature another great stack of new releases, including the upcoming "The Fantastic Mrs. 10" by Tim Berne's Snakeoil and a special focus on the French and Italian scenes, including one of the albums destined to make many 'best of 2020' listicles, Zeno De Rossi Trio's "Elpis". In the second hour we focus on new releases by Kirk Knuffke and Paul Bryan as well as upcoming Blue Note albums by Charles Lloyd and South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini. To top off Mondo Jazz's 100th episode, a celebration of Federico Fellini's centennial through his soundtrack maestro, Nino Rota, as interpreted by Carla Bley and producer Hal Willner. The playlist features also Théo Ceccaldi, Roxy Coss, Sébastien Brun, Vincent Courtois, Robin Fincker, Daniel Erdmann, Federica Colangelo, YES! Trio, Fredrik Nordström and Junius Paul. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu Photo credit: Annamaria Lucchetti
We start 2020 where we left off in 2019, exploring great new releases. During the first hour we feature music ranging from the upcoming release of the Afrobeat ambassadors Antibalas, who are turning 20 this year, to a previously unreleased superb 1975 live performance by Pharoah Sanders. In the process we take a look at the vibrant Swedish scene with the music of Oddjob and its pianist Daniel Karlsson, two recent albums featuring saxophonist Greg Ward, a very original take on Cole Porter and the contagious music of Mwenso & the Shakes and the Horne Electric Band together with one of our favorite albums of 2019, "Everybody Wins" by Amendola vs. Blades. In the second part we focus, in particular, on the work of drummer Jim Black with his new trio and as a member of the outstanding Dark Dry Tears led by Italian bassist Danilo Gallo, and on another batch of genre-defying releases by International Anthem, featuring Jeff Parker, Resavoir 's drummer Jeremy Cunningham and the first European player signed by the Chicago label, British saxophonist Alabaster DePlume. The playlist also features Baptiste Trotignon, The Westerlies, Alice Ricciardi & Pietro Lussu, Michele Rosewoman, Lica Cecato and Paolo Baltaro Orchestra as well as Philipp Gropper. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10151141/Mondo-Jazz (up to Horne Electric Band). Photo credit: Céline Pinget.
The 2020 edition of the Winter JazzFest has just begun. This week we feature music by some of the most interesting bands from out of town who will be at the JazzFest, and new or unreleased material that will performed on the stages of the JazzFest. Of special interest yet-to-be-released material by Ted Poor, Kevin Eubanks & Orrin Evans and a unique reimagining of the work of Gil Scott Heron by Makaya McCraven, and musicians from the British, French and Italian scenes. The playlist also features Nduduzo Makhathini, Kokoroko, MAE.SUN, Dominique Fils-Aimé (pictured), Anne Paceo, Tin Men and the Telephone, Sarathy Korwar, Uri Caine, Ron Artis II, Thomas de Pourquery, Jaimie Branch, Naassam Jalal, Sara Schoenbeck, Tommaso Cappellato, PLUME, Tineke Postma (pictured), Jonathan Jurion, and the EYM Trio. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10103941/Mondo-Jazz
Mondo Jazz's final stash of new releases of 2019 is the perfect way to end a year that has been generous and full of surprises. During this first hour we'll sample the music of many 'bands without borders' as well as tributes to Mose Allison, Dewey Redman and Bernhard Herrmann. The second part of this week's show focuses on newly released album features, in particular, large ensembles, electronically infused improvised music and the collaborations of the Brazilian transplant in Paris, guitarist Nelson Veras. The playlist features Daniel Erdmann, Antoine Berjeaut, Makaya McCraven, Aly Keïta, Jan Galega Brönniman, Lucas Niggli, Jaimie Branch, Ben Harper, Charles Musselwhite, Jeff Parker, Frederik Villmow, Carla Marciano, Licaones, Rita Marcotulli, Black Friday TRiO; Dan Rosenboom, Michael Leonhart, Remy Le Boeuf, Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra, Lisa Hoppe, Evgeny Sivtsov, Miles Okazaki, Yves Robert, Junius Paul, The Comet Is Coming, Pablo Held, Mátyás Szandai, Alexandra Grimal. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9990617/Mondo-Jazz Happy listening!
Herbie Nichols was a master of the piano which has inspired generations of musicians after his passing, despite the little commercial success that his albums obtained when first released. 2019 marks the centennial of his birth and to remedy the lack of retrospectives that his work should have, but hasn't, received this year, this week's edition of Mondo Jazz will be looking into the impact that his memorable compositions have had on a number of contemporary artists. This episode includes both compositions that Nichols was able to record himself, as well as others that he never managed to bring to a recording studio, but other musicians after him did. As a special bonus, also never released material by the Herbie Nichols Project, one of the bands that championed Nichols' music. The playlist also includes Paul Motian, Ted Nash, Dave Douglas, Heikki Sarmanto, Simon Nabatov, Duck Baker, Roswell Rudd, Misha Mengelberg, Steve Lacy, Pietro Tonolo, Flavio Boltro, Emmanuel Bex, Joe Chambers, Lucas Gillan, Ben Allison, Mal Waldron, Buell Neidlinger, Geri Allen, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, The Mary Lou Williams Collective, Matt Wilson, Simon Nabatov. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9934856/Mondo-Jazz (up to Duck Baker)
This week let's pay homage to the musical legacy of Michael Jackson. It's been 10 years since Michael Jackson passed away and lots of things have emerged since then, but the popularity of his music remains strong, including among jazz musicians (the majority of the tracks featured this week was released after his passing). If you are concerned that jazz interpretations of pop music come very close to smooth jazz, don't worry… that's not Mondo Jazz's fare and the fact that musicians like Lester Bowie, Mal Waldron, Geri Allen, Enrico Rava, Vijay Iyer, Ran and Michael Blake have embraced the repertoire of the King of Pop should provide sufficient reassurances. So stay tuned for 2 hours of covers played by these musicians (& more) plus a collaboration between Michael Jackson and the master of jazz organ, Jimmy Smith, under the watchful eye of Quincy Jones. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9893602/Mondo-Jazz Cover based on a file photo (AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa)
Traditions are traditions... For this year's Hanksgiving episode we celebrate the work of a truly original artist, Hank Roberts. The Indiana-born, upstate New York-based, cellist, jazzaphone fiddler and vocalist, is one of those rare musicians whose name on the front or the back of an album should make any one purchase that record without questions asked, run home and play it immediately. This week we try to squeeze into a couple of hours a discography that spans over three decades and illustrates the artistic trajectory of a key figure in the famed New York downtown scene that continues to be at the forefront of creative music. In this first part, we focus in particular on some of his projects as a leader and on his ongoing collaboration with Bill Frisell. In the second part we focus on a number of other projects he is the leader of, including yet unreleased material of his current sextet. This segment also spotlights his work as a member of 858 Strings, the string section he shares with Jenny Scheinmann and Eyvind Kang featured on a number of projects by Bill Frisell, as well as his Italian adventures with Pipe Dream and trombonist Filippo Vignato. To complete this overview of Robert's discography during this segment we also feature a number of projects he has recorded with Tim Berne as well as with other luminaries of the New York scene like Marty Ehrlich or Ralph Alessi as well as collaborations with singers. Hank in there! It must be a very nice Hanksgiving then! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9867097/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Christopher DelCollo.
Another week replete with deliciuos new releases, from those of European jazz queens Céline Bonacina, Yazz Ahmed and Carla Marciano, to the Pan-African manifesto of Russell Gunn's Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, to the collaborative trios of Ben Perowski--John Medeski--Chris Speed, Zach Brock--Matt Ulery--Jon Deitemeyer, and Alban Darche--Matthieu Donarier--Meivelyan Jacquot, not to forget the latest by Keith Jarrett and the first by Harish Raghavan. During the second hour we go from the high-powered new album by Kneebody and the 10th anniversary single by Mopo, to Mauro Ottolini's stunningly original sea-shell extravaganza, the over the top outings of the Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive and Rhythmos (Amir Ziv, Billy Martin, Cyro Baptista), the Eastern-European rising stars Makar Kashitsyn and Fima Chupakhin and the wide-ranging music of Enrico Fazio, Julia Hülsmann and Mareike Wiening. What a bonanza to be grateful for! Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9819514/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Ralf Dombrowski.
After focusing on Enrico Rava's discography as leader, this week we explore his more than five decades of work as co-leader & sideman. The statuture of an artist can be measured not only through the albums s/he has recorded but also by the caliber of the musicians he has played with. There are not many who can claim to have collaborated with such a remarkable and diverse range of musicians like Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Lee Konitz, Gianluigi Trovesi, Franco D'Andrea, Henri Texier, Aldo Romano, Marc Ducret, and Gato Barbieri, to name just a few. During the first part of the show we focus on his work in Europe. During the second part we explore his electric projects, duos, in particular with pianists, and work with heavy-weights of the NYC avant-garde scene like Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp and Jimmy Lyons. The playlist also features Piero Umiliani, Louis Sclavis, Claudio Fasoli, Gebhard Ullmann, Riccardo Gatto, Rita Marcotulli, Salvatore Bonafede, Nexus, Richard Galliano, Karl Berger, Dino Saluzzi, Aga Taura Confab, Gas Mask, Robin Kenyatta, Giochi Proibiti, Stefano Bollani, Enrico Pieranunzi, Renato Sellani, Francesco Bearzatti, Barry Altschul. Detailed playlist: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9740347/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Luca D'Agostino (Phocus Agency)
Enrico Rava turned 80 this year and has had a five-decade long artistic path that paralleled and often intersected that of the label founded by Manfred Eicher. To mark this double anniversary this week we focus on his work as leader looking at his collaborations with many masters of this art form, from John Abercrombie to Paul Motian and Joe Lovano, the sources of his inspiration ranging from Miles Davis to Chet Baker and Don Cherry, as well the countless young talents he has nurtured in his bands, from Stefano Bollani to Gianluca Petrella and Giovanni Guidi. This playlist features his work with the likes of Roswell Rudd, Franco D'Andrea, John Abercrombie, Gianluigi Trovesi, Aldo Romano, Javier Girotto, Richard Galliano, Tony Oxley, Marcello Melis, Nana Vasconcelos, Stefano Battaglia and many more. Detailed playlists at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9699344/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Andrea Rotili.
Another remembrance, this week of a musician with a magic touch which has left us too early, Larry Willis, followed by the perusal of a pile of exciting new releases and re-relases building jazz bridges between North America and Europe, featuring Midnight Lilacs (i.e. Chris Speed, Marc Ribot, Danilo Gallo and Zeno De Rossi), Ethan Iverson Qt. with Tom Harrell, Simone Graziano, Tomeka Reid, Ghost Horse, Matana Roberts, Alban Darche and more. The playlist also features YES! Trio, Sketchbook Orchestra, Kris Davis, Rez Abbasi, Gerald Cleaver, David Sánchez, Raffaele Casarano and Mirko Signorile as well as the return of veteran guitarist Steve Khan, Kevin Hays, Lionel Loueke, Chase Baird, Warren Galea, David Sánchez and Petros Klampanis. and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9657724/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)
A remembrance of Ginger Baker, the jazziest drummer rock music ever had, and a stack of new releases for this week's edition of Mondo Jazz, featuring ensembles that bridge musical cultures - from the Michael Leonhart Orchestra to Brajia, Ajoyo, the Jazzaar Global Ensemble, the Go: Organic Orchestra and Brooklyn Raga Massive - compelling global singers like Youn Sun Nah, Natacha Atlas, Sarah Elizabeth Charles and Petra Haden, as well as Wynton Marsalis' new music for film. In the second part of this week's episode we continue our exploration of new and upcoming releases with two smash albums, a stunner from Piero Bittolo Bon's Bread and Fox and the debut album by Chicago bassist Junius Paul. During the rest of the show we feature Nat Birchall's tribute to Yusef Lateef and music ranging from the electronic soundscapes of Two Thou and Hobby Horse, LIUN + The Science Fiction Band feat. Lucia Cadotsch and Wanja Slavin, Lorenzo Feliciati and Michele Rabbia, to trumpet reference players like Avishai Cohen, Mirko Cisilino and Franco Ambrosetti. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9610481/Mondo-Jazz
This week we have have decided to do the jazz shuffle, and by shuffle we don't mean the jazz rhythm, but the randomized play. A perfect approach to revel through unexpected pairings, daring juxtapositions and accidental non sequiturs. After all if one is careful to only add great music in an ipod or music collection, then no matter how random the selection is, it'll sound good. Enjoy jumping from John Zorn to Vinicius Cantuaria, from Don Byron to United Future Organization, from Ornette Coleman to Timi Yuro, from Towa Tei to Bill Evans or from Captain Beefheart to Lester Bowie and realizing that it all makes perfect sense. The playlist features also: Osmiza, Calvin Keys, Oliver Nelson, Keely Smith, John Fourie, Stanley Turrentine, Ben Allison, George Lewis, Bill Frisell, Lucio Dalla, Phillip Johnston, Steve Argüelles, Rodney Kendrick, Jason Moran, Skopje Connection, Leo Gasperoni 3Quietmen, Bunky Green Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9529864/Mondo-Jazz
September, what a month! The summer is over... so are the summer festivals. But that's also when record labels start churning out some of their best releases to bring the temperature up in advance of the end of year polls and listicles. And here comes an onslaught of heavy-hitters with their new or upcoming releases, from Jaimie Branch to Kris Davis, from Kneebody to The Bad Plus, from Terri Lyne Carrington to Abraham Inc. and Miguel Zenon and a whole bunch more. Sit down, put your stereo system's volume up and absorb all this new great music! Happy listening! The playlist also features Wallace Roney; Julian Argüelles; Fred Hersch with the WDR Big Band and Vince Mendoza; Ben Flocks; Orice Jenkins; Adam Larson; Charles Owens; Jenny Hill; Joshua Espinoza; Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas; Aki Rissanen; and Zwitschermaschine. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9376217/Mondo-Jazz
September 2019 will mark the 40th anniversary of "Message in a Bottle", an auspicious opportunity to look back at the seminal work of The Police. With Sting and Andy Summers coming to The Police with a jazz background and Stewart Copeland being a master of polyrhythms it’s not a surprise that their compositions would sound very good in the hands of jazz players. These two hours will feature some of their most beloved tunes, from "Roxanne" to "Walking on the Moon", from "Wrapped Around Your Finger" to "Every Breath You Take", performed by jazz luminaries like Gil Evans, Don Cherry, Charlie Haden among many musicians that took took more than a few liberties with these Police classics... We then close with music by The Police and the jazz dabblings of Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers and Sting. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9320150/Mondo-Jazz
Two hours of genre-defying, global, music, with a special focus on socially engaged projects, Finnish bands, and charismatic artists whose music has a higher than average density of ideas, like Michael Mwenso and Frank Zappa (by way of the tribute paid to him by the Orchestre Franck Tortiller). It all starts with the much anticipated new release by Tenor Triage. The playlist features Tenor Triage, Nérija, Taylor Ho Bynum 9-tette, Bowman Trio, Uri Caine, Avery R. Young, Mwenso & the Shakes, Orchestre Franck Tortiller, Electric Lady Big Band, The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Ola Onabule, Jenna Camille, Nu Guinea, Joe Armon-Jones, Olli Hirvonen, Oddarang, Aki Rissanen and Chris Lightcap. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9295174/Mondo-Jazz.
After three weeks of thematic episodes, we have to get back to checking what's new and what's coming up... The piles of new and upcoming releases have been building up and we could not wait any longer. So here's to a great episode with new, upcoming and reissued gems, featuring the music of Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter, Ben Van Gelder, Reinier Baas, Emma Frank, Craig Taborn, Louis Moholo and other creative minds. The playlist features Kevin Hays, Lionel Loueke, Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter, Jenny Scheinman, Allison Miller, Théo Ceccaldi, Roberto Negro, Ryan Blotnick, Maurice Louca, Louis Moholo, Petter Eldh, Emma Frank, Ben Van Gelder, Reinier Baas, Remy Le Boeuf, Dan Tepfer, Reid Anderson, Dave King, Craig Taborn, Steve Lehman, Alex Koo, Caroline Davis, Rob Clearfield, Anne Paceo, Moutin Factory, Tim Ries, Guillermo Klein, Jean-Christophe Cholet, Matthieu Michel. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9265241/Mondo-Jazz
As much as we favor a complete integration of the jazz sexes, this week we feature twenty-four bands or projects with not a single man in sight, actually in hearing. After all, how much jazz radio have you listened to (not on Mondo Jazz) with playlists made exclusively of all male bands? Here's a small contribution to rebalancing that statistical abherration. The playlist features Rhoda Scott's Lady Quartet, Nérija, Irène Schweizer, Co Streiff, Marilyn Mazur's Shamania, Terri Lyne Carrington, Aki Takase, Silke Eberhard, Anna Högberg Attack, Maggie Nicols, Joelle Leandre, Sylvie Courvoisier, Susie Ibarra, Sisters in Jazz, Cæcilie Norby, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Monika Herzig, Tia Fuller, Giovani Leonesse, Lioness, Ahn Trio, Minamo, Mary Halvorson, Jessica Pavone, Eve Risser, Kaja Draksler, Susana Santos Silva, Lauren Newton, Hae Voces. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9230056/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Agata Urbaniak
On 30 July 1969 Miles Davis released "In a Silent Way". After influencing generations of musicians, its tracks continue to sound as modern 50 years later as when they were first recorded. This week we celebrate the musical trail blazed by that seminal album by focusing on musicians that have embraced Miles' electric legacy. The playlist features Hot Club of Detroit; Médéric Collignon; Don Byron; Animation; Betty Davis; Henry Kaiser, Wadada Leo Smith; Bill Evans; Miles Davis; Jeff Ballard; Yazz Ahmed; Dave Douglas; Mat Maneri; Enrico Merlin; Mark Isham; Jon Hassell; Nicholas Payton; Erik Truffaz; Ben Neill; Nils Petter Molvær; Martux_m. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9195145/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Lee Friedlander.
On 20 July 1969, while Herbie Mann was over the figurative moon, because his "Memphis Underground" was the best selling jazz album in the country, the man was landing on the actual moon (apologies for the gender insensitivity here but otherwise the pun won't work...). What a day! 50 years later we celebrate the latter milestone with two hours of jazz inspired by the moon and the desire to cross big divides. The playlist includes Herbie Mann, Maria Ahn, Ahn Trio, Nguyên Lê with NDR Bigband & Michael Gibbs, John Zorn, Stephane Furic, Michel Benita, Daniel Yvinec, Gato Barbieri, Massimiliano Milesi, Giacomo Papetti, Cassandra Wilson, William Parker, Lester Bowie, Theo Bleckmann, Fumio Yasuda, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Geoff Keezer, Ron Horton, Michael Bates-Samuel Blaser Quintet, Cristina Zavalloni, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, Zoot Sims, Rob Wasserman, The Mancini Project. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9145979/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Barbara Rigon
From previously unreleased recordings of Frank Zappa to the much-anticipated new album by the Michael Leonhart Orchestra and the exciting collaboration between Enrico Rava and Joe Lovano, this week we delve into another stash of really exciting new releases. The playlist features Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Susanna Risberg, Ted Nash, Enrico Rava, Joe Lovano, Zhenya Strigalev, Federico Dannemann, Leïla Martial, Ben Goldberg, Shahbaz Hussain, Helen Anahita Wilson, Gianni Gagliardi, Liam Noble, Eyolf Dale, André Roligheten, Satoyama, Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9126302/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Stefano Casali
There is a treasure-trove of jazz gems away from the usual labels, venues, websites... one has just to look around and search for it. This week we feature bands whose quality may have not been matched by their international commercial success… but that’s often the curse of excellent music that goes off the beaten path. Since we only care about the beauty of the music, here are twenty bands which you didn't know you cannot live without: Rootless, Slow Poke, Spanish Fly, Trio Grande, Trio Bravo, Aka Moon, Rêve d'éléphant orchestra, Tuatara, The Grassy Knoll, Morphine, Throttle Elevator Music, The Fresh Cut Orchestra, Orchestra del Titanic, Farmers Market, The Volunteered Slaves, Metalwood, Lost Tribe, Octurn, Clusone Trio, and the Dingobats. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9085139/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Scott Friedlander.
Another week replete with beautiful new releases, and re-releases, from the etheral to the political, both catchy and heart-brakingly gorgeous, from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The playlist includes Vincent Peirani, Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller, Tom Pierson, Lisa Maxwell, Laura Jurd, Daniele di Bonaventura, Gianluigi Trovesi & Gianni Coscia, The Last Poets, Idam Morim, Jonny Mansfield, Jon Irabagon, Cecilie Grundt, Stéphan Oliva, Sébastien Boisseau, Tom Rainey, Kuhn Fu, Mickey Finn, Giancarlo Tossani, Red Kite. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9059129/Mondo-Jazz
Accordion players, saxophists, clarinet and trombone players as well as compelling singers are at the heart of this week's focus on new releases. Give a listen and then promise to support the musicians and the labels that put out this amazing music so that the prolific jazz phase we live in can go on, and possibly keep getting better... The playlist features Massimiliano Milesi, Vince Abbracciante, Jean-Christophe Cholet, Matthieu Michel, Yazz Ahmed, Gianni Coscia, Gianluigi Trovesi, Filippo Vignato, Hank Roberts, Ryan Keberle, Dalia, Francesca Gaza, CUP (Nels Cline & Yuka Honda), New Vocabulary, Paul Bley, Gary Peacock, Paul Motian, Jamie Saft, Patricia Barber, David Sánchez, Maarten Hogenhuis, James Brandon Lewis, Michael Eaton. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8960788/Mondo-Jazz
From tributes to past masters to new perspectives, from acoustic to electronic, the new and upcoming releases we play this week show the wide-range of today's creative scene. The playlist includes Brandee Younger, Alexi Tuomarila, Fabian Almazan, Magic Malik, Ben Goldberg, Nature Work, Sam Ospovat, Joel Ross, Marvin Gaye, Plume, John Patitucci, Jo-Yu Chen, Anne Mette Iversen, Kaveh Rastegar, Resavoir, Michele Rabbia, Jeremy Udden Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8642564/Mondo-Jazz
As jazz was born where cultures converged, it's not a surprise that it is the most adaptable form of music. An art form permeable since its very inception to musical traditions from other continents. This week we focus on the contribution of musicians that approached jazz and improvised music benefiting from the wider perspective afforded to them by the exposure to not only American culture but also the traditions of the places of origin of their families, which hailed from Asian countries like China, India, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam. The playlist features Susie Ibarra, Cuong Vu, Ben Kono, Amir ElSaffar, Fred Ho, Amirtha Kidambi, Edge, Peggy Chew, Rajna Swaminathan, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Vijay Iyer, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Rez Abbasi, Jon Jang, Jen Shyu, Tomas Fujiwara, Taylor Ho Bynum, Jon Irabagon, Miles Okazaki, Ha-Yang Kim. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8609813/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Peter Gannushkin http://downtownmusic.net
If jazz is, as someone put it, the sound of surprise, then it makes complete sense that countless musicians have become enamored with the music of Björk. Like the most innovative jazz musicians, Bjork is a restless artist that tries to continuously reinvent herself, often blending familiar sources in completely unprecedented ways, and deliberately challenging the status quo. In these two hours we'll check out some of the most intriguing jazz renditions of her work. The playlist features Björk, Yaron Herman, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Björk, Travis Sullivan, the Bjorkestra, Yuri Honing, Marcus Strickland, Larry Goldings, Paolo Angeli, Dave Douglas, Joël Allouche, The Bad Plus, The 3 Moons, Ann Dyer, Ada Montellanico, Iris Ornig, Harmen Fraanje, Fredrik Nordström. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8304448/Mondo-Jazz.
From bass players leading cutting edge bands, to ensembles with strings; from electronica-infused projects to tributes to Sun Ra, Count Basie and Oliver Nelson; from multi-kulti to straight-ahead. This and more on this episode of Mondo Jazz. The playlist features Dezron Douglas, Matt Mitchell, Caroline Davis, Gregory Saunier, Linda May Han Oh, Calvin Weston, The Barrence Whitfield Soul Savage Arkestra, Rajna Swaminathan, Timo Lassy, Teppo Mäkynen, Giancarlo Vulcano, Lionel Martin, Sangoma Everett, Jacopo Ferrazza, Dave Douglas, Terkel Nørgaard, Michael Eaton, Ilmiliekki Quartet, Brian Krock, SPAZA, Hae Voces, Typical Sisters, Rosa Brunello, Tyler Blanton. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8235592/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Shervin Lainez.
This week we focus on the music of two of the most influential composers of film and TV scores of all times, Henry Mancini and Ennio Morricone. Their compositional styles lend themselves to jazz interpretations, with Mancini being a soundtracks composer that often relied on jazz motifs and smaller ensembles and Morricone coming to the world of soundtracks after playing the trumpet in jazz bands in the 1940s. So we have two hours of jazz interpretations of their unforgettable themes, performed by Ted Nash, Oranj Symphonette, Shirley Scott, Stanley Turrentine, Lucia Cadotsch, Freddie Roach, Joe Jackson, John Stowell, Quincy Jones, Noël Akchoté, Johnny Hartman, Eddie Harris, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Henry Mancini, John Zorn, Marco Cappelli, Jens Thomas, Enrico Pieranunzi, Marc Johnson, Joey Baron, Marcin Wasilewski, Ennio Morricone. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7998154/Mondo-Jazz
Possibly, more than any other instrument, the saxophone defines the sound of jazz. Most jazz combos have at least one sax player on the front—and when you see that saxophone, you know it’s going to be doing a LOT of soloing, even if the bandleader or composer plays another instrument. But what happens to the shape and texture of jazz when you subtract the sax from the equation? We’ll find out in this episode of Mondo Jazz, featuring Jaimie Branch, Allison Miller, Erik Friedlander, John Zorn, Marvin Pontiac, Tenderlonious, Jeremy Steig, Clark Gayton, John Scofield, Tronzo Trio, Michael Rossetto, Bill Frisell, Jenny Scheinman, Makaya McCraven. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7762748/Mondo-Jazz
In less than two decades Kneebody has established itself as reference band of forward-looking musicians. With a brand new EP out, "By Fire", their first release entirely dedicated to covers, a new outlet (the British musician-run reference label Edition Records), and new line-up following the departure of bassist Kaveh Rastegar, there's a been a lot going on for this influential group. So this week we look back at their genre-bending work, and at the busy careers and eclectic collaborations of its members, Adam Benjamin, Shane Endsley, Kaveh Rastegar, Ben Wendel and Nate Wood. The playlist features music by Kneebody Adam Benjamin, Shane Endsley, Kaveh Rastegar, Ben Wendel Nate Wood, Theo Bleckmann, Daedelus, Dan Tepfer, Billy Mohler, Tony Scott, Zing! Ro Sham Beaux, Hat. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7520254/Mondo-Jazz
A catching-up session with gorgeous new and upcoming releases, featuring tons of fascinating debut albums that reassure us about the future of jazz (special mention for Billy Mohler's "Focus", Sarah Tandy's "Infection in the Sentence", Terraza Big Band's "One Day Wonder" and the Heartland Trio's eponymous album) side by side with new works by established masters like Wayne Horvitz, Brad Mehldau and Huw Warren. The playlist includes Sarah Tandy, Brad Mehldau, Jeff Williams, Huw Warren, Billy Mohler, Joel Ross, Melissa Aldana, Elliot Galvin, The Wayne Horvitz European Orchestra, Swiss Jazz Orchestra & Guillermo Klein, Terraza Big Band, Randy Brecker, Heartland Trio, Steph Richards, Giovanni Guidi, Le Rex, Alessandro Lanzoni, Jay Anderson. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7417964/Mondo-Jazz
When creating a radio playlist one has to ensure how to sequence songs in a meaningful way. The dynamics of their interaction therefore becomes critical. There should be not too many fast pieces played back to back, nor not too many ballads one after the other. Fast and slow, soft and loud should take turn. Ideally the playlist should lead to a climax through one or more crescendos of songs. This week we each song in the playlist contains a remarkable crescendo... Two hours of jazz featuring only compositions that start softly and then build up and build up sometimes slowly some times fast, but always inexorably. The playlist features crescendo-meisters like Ibrahim Electric, Kresten Osgood, The Lounge Lizards, Michael Blake, Ben Allison, Michel Portal, Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Jaga Jazzist, Marc Johnson's Right Brain Patrol, David Binney, Richie Barshay, Jon Irabagon, Tim Berne, Nik Bärtsch. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/6078190/Mondo-Jazz
Jazz, the quintessential open door genre,has a capacity to beautifully integrate all kinds of sources. From music from faraway places to compositions written and instruments used for completely different genres. When it comes to the human voice, jazz has shown an uncanny openness finding a musical role for all sorts of non verbal sounds. Here we explore the jazz side of moaning, sighing, whistling, groaning, humming, grunting, etc. Don't worry it's all going to be supremely musical, even virtuosic thanks to the creative minds of the likes of Roland Kirk, Toots Thielemans, Art Farmer, Yohimbe Brothers, Keith Jarrett, Don Byron, Eddie Fisher, Guano Padano, Alessandro Alessandroni, Ennio Morricone, Dead Combo, Rollerball, Claude Barthelemy, Horace Silver, Supergenerous, Brahja Waldman, Napoli Centrale, Bill Withers, John Zorn, Wynton Marsalis, Todd Sickafoose, Talking Pictures, Louis Prima, Wayne Shorter, Allison Miller Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/5741842/Mondo-Jazz
New releases keep coming at an exciting place and Mondo Jazz obliges, sharing tons of exicting new releases, in particular celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and its spiritual offspring as well as some great European projects. The playlist features Marilyn Mazur, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Echoes of Zoo, James Brandon Lewis, Michael Gregory, Sam Opsovat, Itamar Borochov, Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren, Bridges with Seamus Blake, Andrea Manzoni, Larry Grenadier, Ran Blake, Claire Ritter, Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, Kendrick Scott, Jonathan Blake, Chiara Izzi, Mats Eilertsen, Beppe Scardino, Joe Martin, Jason Palmer, Iro Haarla. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/5629978/Mondo-Jazz
It’s a great time to be a jazz lover, with so many fantastic new releases that it’s almost overwhelming. To quote Shakespeare, it’s an embarrassment of riches! This week we have handpicked some of the most exciting new music, from giants like Bill Frisell and Chris Potter to indie upstarts and international artists like Theon Cross and Hard Mango Swing. The playlist features Theon Cross, Jasper Blom, Hearing Things, Kassa Overall, Lucian Ban & Alex Simu, Alex Sipiagin, Nubyian Twist, Julian Lage, Hard Mango Swing, Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan, Joris Teepe, Joshua Redman. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/5549158/Mondo-Jazz
This week we focus our attention British drummer, composer, arranger, producer, label manager and all around creative soul, Steve Argüelles, an artist that has kept himself busy listening to a wide sources of inspiration for almost four decades. So in these two hours we'll look into the eclectic output, which ranges from folk infused jazz to electronica, of one of the most compelling European improvisers. The playlist features Steve Argüelles, Benoît Delbecq, The Recyclers, Ashley Slater, Christine Tobin, John Taylor, Human Chain, Julian Argüelles, Omar Sosa, Csaba Palotai, Rémi Sciuto, Jorrit Dykstra, Ambitrionix, Poolplayers, Manasonics, Deqjam, Billy Jenkins, Stuart Hall, Steve Watts. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/4781540 Photo credit: Vincent Bourre
Jazz musicians have made great contributions to soundtracks (from Ellington's music for Otto Preminger's "Anatomy of a Murder" to Miles Davis soundtrack for Louis Malle's "Elevator to the Gallows") and themes from soundtracks have lent themselves to great renditions by jazz musicians. This week we explore the intersection between jazz and soundtracks of movies of all sorts, from police flicks to erotic movies to documentaries, and we'll throw in some TV soundtracks for good measure. The playlist features: N.Johänntgen, J.Lurie, M.Blake, J.McGriff, H.Hancock, F.Bosso, J.O.Mazzariello, M.Gaye, J.J. Johnson, Jazz Interactions Orchestra, J.Jackson, S.Wilson, J.Taylor Qt, W.Bobo, EZ Pour Sprout, B,Hutcherson, Q.Jones, K.Asbjornsen, B.Frisell, J.L.Hooker, M.Davis, G.Barbieri, J.Zorn, M.Cappelli, Luigee Trademarq, A.Goraguer, T.Bennett, B.Allison, C.Baker, B.Evans, J.Steig, O.Coleman, The Bad Plus. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/4172740
Thelonious Monk once said "play what you want and let the public pick up on what you are doing even if it does take them 15, 20 years". Luckily, he lived long enough to become fully embraced and celebrated before his passing. However, it's after his death that his music has really become central to the jazz canon. To mark the thirty-seventh anniversary of his demise, on 17 February 1982, this week we feature a very diverse range of renditions of his masterpieces. The playlist includes Cootie Williams, Paul Motian, Carmen McRae, Georg Gräwe, Duck Baker, Allen Toussaint, Charlie Haden, Jim Hall, Gianluca Petrella, Lindsey Horner, Brad Mehldau, Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, Gary Thomas, Quincy Jones, Miles Okazaki, Frank Kimbrough, Thomas Chapin, Ran Blake, Jeanne Lee, Tronzo Trio, Steve Lacy, Charlie Rouse, Barry Harris, Ernst Reijseger, Thelonious Monk. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/4095369. Photo credit: Jim Marshall
Last week we dived deep in some of best new releases of 2019. Two hours were not enough so this week we continue our quest for fascinating new jazz out there… and we'll branch out a bit going into releases that came out at the end of 2018 as well. Many of the albums we're going to listen to are debut albums and quite a few of them are from abroad, especially from the prolific Italian scene. Check for yourself why this is going to be remembered as a very prolific period for creative jazz! The playlist includes Angel Bat Dawid, Znap, Wing Walker Orchestra, Francesco Diodati, The Swinging Santas, John Medeski, Giacomo Tantillo, Atomic, Lars Danielsson, Paolo Fresu, Shirley Smart, Resavoir, Jeff Ballard, Armo, Tiziano Tononi, Jon Lundbom, Guillaume Perret, Anton Eger, Kassa Overall, Wendy Eisenberg, Marco Cappelli Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9546#here Photo credit: Leslie Frempong
As they say, "a good beginning makes a good ending" and, based on the extraordinary amount of sensational new releases that have come out in less than a month, it looks like we're in it for a great musical ride in 2019. Here are two hours of gems from albums that have just been, or about to be, released. A nice mix of well established and lesser known artists from all over the place. The playlist includes music by Bruut!, Hearing Things, Invisible Bird, Jim Piela, Julian Lage, Lucian Ban, Alex Simu, Emile Parisien, Yonathan Avishai, Chris Potter, Joe Lovano, Marilyn Crispell, Carmen Castaldi, Eric Dolphy, Ralph Alessi, Miho Hazama, The Comet Is Coming, Steph Richards, Moppa Elliott, Yaron Herman, Johnathan Blake, Quinsin Nachoff. For a detailed playlist https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9487#here
Where do rhythm and harmony intersect? Where do you feel the beat, not just with your ears but your whole body? Bass is the place where it all comes together. This week we celebrate some beloved jazz bass players, from riveting soloists to groundbreaking composers and consummate sidemen. The playlist features Ben Allison, Larry Grenadier, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Ron Carter, Melvin Gibbs, Trevor Dunn, Dave Holland. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9438#here
New York may have the highest density of daily jazz performances in the world, but they mostly feature the countless, and very busy, musicians that belong to the local scene. The Winter JazzFest has traditionally offered a very welcome opportunity to check out acts that rarely perform in the big apple. These are bands that come either from abroad or from Chicago. This week we focus on some of the most interesting "Out of Towners" from the 2019 Winter JazzFest Weekend Marathon. The playlist features the Ezra Collective, Florian Pellissier, Camille Bertault, Nubya Garcia, Yosvany Terry - Baptiste Trotignon, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Mathias Eick, Makaya McCraven, Ben Lamar Gay, Joshua Abrams. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=9246#here
The end of the year is the time when we usually look back and take stock. To celebrate the continuous growth and expansion of the music we love, rather than compiling yet another "best of 2018 playlist" we have decided to look back at the music that, for a reason or another, has surprised us the most this year. It features mostly young musicians, artists we were not familiar with, unexpected reissues or new projects by players we have loved for a long time. The playlist features Michael Leonhart, Rachelle Garniez, Reinier Baas Ben van Gelder & Metropole Orkest, Mopo, Dairo Miyamoto, Ben Lamar Gay, Walking Distance, Dexter Gordon, Anais Drago, Camilla Battaglia, Little Rosies Kindergarten, Sketchbook Quartet, Otis Sandsjo, Maistah Aphrica, SLUGish Ensemble, Yellow Bird, Pipe Dream, Rosa Brunello. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9138#here
We continue our look into Zappa's complex relationship with jazz, through a mix of the jazzier compositions performed by Zappa and countless tributes to his music paid by jazz musicians. As Zappa loved to say, quoting E.Varèse, "the present day composer refuses to die" and the music featured in this show provides plenty of evidence that he was right. The first part of this Frank Zappa retrospective is avaialble at https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/frank-zappas-jazz-allures-mondo-jazz-ep-53/ Playlist: Zappa, B.Sanabria, P.Sambeat, C.Towns, NDR Bigband, Bohuslän Big Band, M. Pacassoni, The Wrong Object, M.Hedges, G.Venier, V.Vasi, G.Pacorig, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Gotan Project, S.Bollani, D.Preston, G.Winston, Quintorigo, R.Gatto, V.Ciardelli, F.DiCastri, If Six Was Nine, Meridian Arts Ensemble, P.Gaucher, Le Bocal, R.Fassi, D.Fabris, A.Takase, A.vonSchlippenbach, M.Schultz, E.Soderlind Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9096#here
Drummer Makaya McCraven’s new double album “Universal Beings” mixes the artistry and experimentation of jazz with the irresistible dance beats of hip-hop. It also brings together a dream team of collaborators from London, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, including Shabaka Hutchings, Jeff Parker, Nubya Garcia, and Brandee Younger. This episode of Mondo Jazz celebrates Makaya McCraven’s musical universe and its brilliant stars from around the world. The playlist includes Makaya McCraven, Nubya Garcia, Brandee Younger, Jeff Parker, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Shabaka Hutchings, Sons of Kemet, Shabaka and the Ancestors, Isotope 217. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9040#here Photo credit: Yvonne Schmedemann
Frank Zappa may have said "jazz is not dead, it just smells funny" but looking at his life and music one does not get the impression that he really believed that jazz was decomposing or dying a slow death. This week we revel in the beauty of the jazzier side of Zappa's vast repertoire checking out not only some of his recordings but also how the jazz world has embraced his genius. The playlist includes music by Frank Zappa, Colin Towns, The NDR Bigband, Ed Palermo, Mike Mainieri, Joe Lovano, Stefano Bollani, Daniele Sepe, Woody Herman, Le Bocal, Riccardo Fassi, David Kikoski, Zach Brock, Javon Jackson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Zappatistas, Flat Earth Society, Anais Drago, Asphalt Orchestra, Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8916#here
This week we focus our on the music of Wayne Horvitz with special attention for his latest two releases, "The Snowghost Sessions" and "Those Who Remain". It's hard to condense in two hours the long career and many facets of a composer and pianist of great versality, but we will do our best to present highlights from his various projects as a leader and side-man. The playlist contains: Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, Mylab, Michael Shrieve, Jerry Granelli, John Zorn, Sonny Clark Memorial Quartet, Bobby Previte, Marty Ehrlich, Robin Holcomb. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8847#here
Do you sympathize with the plight of the turkeys? Do family reunions bring you anxiety? Then forget about Thanksgiving! Mondo Jazz is here to help you switch to Hanksgiving, with two hours of Jazz tributes to the great Hank Williams, the only singer who is more American than pumpkin pie! Enjoy a delicious playlist which is all stuffing and no tryptophan. Revel in discovering how jazz musicians can make even Country & Western tunes swing and groove like there is no tomorrow! The playlist includes James Brown, Regina Carter, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Douglas, Madeleine Peyroux, Andrew Bishop, Lenny Breau, Laurence Hobgood, Bill Frisell,Jason Moran,Kenny Wollesen,John Scofield,Louis Armstrong,Tom Varner,Stephen Ryley,Roy Clark,Joe Pass,Leon Redbone,Charlie Hunter,Scott Amendola,Aretha Franklin,Spike Jones,Taj Mahal,Ran Blake,Owen Broder,Joe Pass,Guano Padano,Esther Phillips,Jack Walrath,Orquestra Was Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8789#here
The new albums bonanza goes on! And we happily oblige, reveling in some gorgeous new releases, some of which will definitely end up on the "Best of 2018" lists of many critics. Surprises, confirmations, re-releases, unexpected collaborations and more make this week's playlist full of aural pleasures... The playlist includes: Ben Allison, Phillip Johnston, Reinier Baas, Ben van Gelder, Metropole Orkest, Gil Evans Orchestra, Francois Houle, Harris Eisenstadt, Alexander Hawkins, Poline Renou, Matthieu Donarier, Sylvain Lemêtre, Roberto Ottaviano, David Virelles, Gianluigi Trovesi, Sylvain Darrifourcq, Anais Drago, Bluering-Improvisers, Taiga, Mirko Signorile, Dave Sewelson, Harriet Tubman. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8664#here Photo: G.Driessen
This week we'll go through a heap of spectacular new releases, with a special emphasis on albums featuring piano and saxophone, and an ecstatic sampling of The Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Associated Ensembles, the definitive 21 CD set which is about to be released by ECM to mark the 50th anniversary of both the German label and of the legendary Art Ensemble of Chicago. The playlist includes: Jane Ira Bloom, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Don Byron & Aruan Ortiz, Aaron Goldberg, John Medeski's Mad Skillet, Ben Wendel, Kenny Werner, Devin Gray, Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet, Emanuele Maniscalco - Francesco Bigoni - Mark Solborg, Florian Weber, Steve Kuhn, Federica Michisanti, Jacques Schwarz-Bart - Laurent David - Malcolm Braff - Stephane Galland, Jerome Sabbagh & Greg Tuohey, Abstract Orchestra, Marcus Strickland, Jonathan Finlayson. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8283#here
This week we continue our exploration of jazz interpretations of today's popular music, with renditions of the songs of artists ranging from Kraftwerk to Sly Stone, from Bjork to Frank Zappa, from J.J. Cale to Bob Marley and more. The playlist includes Jimmy Smith, Miho Hazama, Michel Benita, Eva Kruse, Eric Schaefer & Michael Wollny's [em], Dave Douglas, Tuck & Patti, Ran Blake & David Fabris, Sting & Gil Evans Orchestra, Yuri Honing, Nicole Johänntgen, Stefano Bollani, Vibes, Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Spaceways Inc. & Zu, Chet Baker, Magic Malik Orchestra, Charles Lloyd & The Marvels, Charlie Hunter, Herbie Hancock. Full playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=8138#here
The compositions that we refer to as "jazz standards" were the pop songs of their time, before gradually developing into mainstays of the jazz repertoire. This week we focus on jazz interpretations of today's popular music, with renditions of the songs of artists ranging from Marvin Gaye to Sonic Youth, from Prince to Led Zeppelin, from Ray Charles to Paul Simon, from Donald Fagen to Bob Dylan and more. The playlist includes: John Scofield, Paul Desmond, Cannonball Adderley, Erik Friedlander, Sidsel Endresen & Bugge Wesseltoft, The New York Composers Orchestra, Joe Pass, Donald Byrd, Bill Frisell, Malcom Braff, Jewels and Binoculars, Vincent Peirani, Chris Lightcap, Bill Evans, Stefano Bollani, Júlio Resende, Nels Cline, Ernst Reijseger & Franco D'Andrea, Etienne Charles. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8093#here
For decades jazz standards have provided improvisers with both a vehicle and a testing ground for their creativity. In some cases they have taken more liberties than others. This week we focus on not-so-standard renditions of jazz standards, from "Take Five" to "My Favorite Things", from "Mood Indigo" to "'Round Midnight"! Two hours of jazz played with boundless creativity and a good dose of humor. The playlist features Farmers Market; Uri Caine; Steve Houben - Jacques Pirotton - Stephan Pougin; Adam Benjamin; Django Bates; Rahsaan Roland Kirk; Hank Roberts; John Zorn - George Lewis - Bill Frisell; Roy Paci; Paul Motian; Manu Codjia - Geraldine Larent - Christopher Marguet; Steve Argüelles; Ran Blake; Björk; Orquestra Mahatma; Roy Nathanson & Anthony Coleman; Daniel Humair; Mostly Other People Do the Killing; Elliott Sharp; Cassandra Wilson; Joey Baron; Kashmere Stage Band. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7986#here
This week we'll go through a heap of outstanding new releases, ranging from tributes to seminal albums like Soul Station by Eli Degibri and the Far East Suite by Pierre Bertrand, to new releases by master pianists like Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau (in an unreleased duo with Charlie Haden!), Aaron Parks and Simone Graziano. Seasoned avant-veterans on ECM (Andrew Cyrille with Leo Smith and Bill Frisell) and vociferous rising stars on Blue Note (Ambrose Akinmusire and James Francies). Special treats come from the surprising tribute to Jun Miyake by saxophonist Dairo Miyamoto and the adventurously captivating projects by bassist-against-borders Kave Rastegar, the BABAorchestra, the SLUGgish Ensemble, David Dominique, the Sketchbook Quartet and David Ullman. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7925#here
This week we will explore the cross pollination between jazz and popular music genres, like pop, rock, soul, funk and ska. Archie Shepp playing with Whitney Houston? The jazz beginnings of Björk, Serge Gainsbourg, Sacha Distel? Ornette Coleman's and Sonny Rollins' adventures in rock-land? Lester Bowie playing ska? How Miles Davis' "So What" inspired Pee Wee Ellis' horn lines for James Brown's "Cold Sweat"? Paul Simon's latest album with Bill Frisell and Wynton Marsalis? Stevie Wonder jamming with Dizzy Gillespie? The Jazz moods of Sting, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Vinicio Capossela, Lyle Lovett, Paolo Conte. We'll look into this and more... Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7890#here
This week we feature an exclusive interview with, and two hours of music by the bay area saxophonist Idris Ackamoor. An iconoclast like Thelonious Monk once famously said "You play what you want and let the public pick up on what you're doing. Even if it does take them 15 or 20 years". In the case of Idris Ackamoor, that took more like 35 years. But the amount of attention that his music has garnered in the past decade is a well deserved pay-back to a musician that has cultivated his own vision pursuing -- for five decades -- a personal path, fueled by a fascination for his African roots, a profound respect for Duke Ellington, Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra, as well as an admiration for the capacity of musicians like Fela Kuti and Bob Marley to balance the spiritual and the artistic with the social and political dimensions of music. All of that infused with a contagious theatrical ability that makes his performances memorable. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=7830#here
The bonanza of new releases goes on. So let's dive right in and find out more about the much-awaited return of Kip Hanrahan; music inspired by whales, fictional or real (courtesy of David Crowell & Simon Jermyn and Garth Stevenson); a Kenny Wheeler Tribute by Ingrid Jensen and Steve Steve Treseler, the second installment of Nicole Johänntgen's New Orleans travelogue, a new trio by Wayne Horvitz and the intriguing blend of piano and Maori traditional instruments by Tania Giannouli and Rob Thorne. And, of course, much more! The playlist includes also music by Ben Sluijs, Pierre Bertrand, Stu Minderman, Myra Melford, Chris Lightcap, Fred Frith, Trygve Seim. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=7802#here Photo: Richard Conde
The summer is winding down and the pace at which new albums are being released is picking up. Given the quality of what is coming our way, we duly oblige. Enjoy two hours of gorgeous new music, including some unexpected gems from the European jazz like the Austrian ensemble Little Rosie's Kindgergarten and the Italian supergroup Peace Pice (featuring Hank Roberts), and more great projects featuring Bill Frisell (with Cuong Vu) or inspired by his artistry, and Frisell's cohort Hank Roberts (with Pipe Dream and Sean Moran, as well Nels Cline (with Chris Lightcap) and a dinasty of Israeli guitarists (Dida Pelled, Gilad Hekselman and Rotem Sivan). The playlist also includes music by Mikkel Ploug, Ethan Iverson, Erik Friedlander, Günter Baby Sommer & Till Brönner, Makaya McCraven & Pericopes+1 Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7713#here
Another master has left us. Randy Weston passed away on Sept. 1st at the venerable age of 92. This week we celebrate the music of an artist that consciously built a bridge between jazz and African musical traditions and, in doing so, strongly contributed to the awareness of the African roots of jazz music. The playlist will include music by Randy Weston and by musicians he inspired like Al Grey, Rodney Kendrick, Heiner Franz and Freddie Hubbard as well as new releases and re-releases by Fred Hersch, Dinosaur, Phronesis, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Stefon Harris and Stephane Spira. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7670#here
The summer is almost over and the pace at which new albums are being released is picking up... This week we focus on a few new gems, including two remarkable tributes to Thelonious Monk, the mighty "Work: The Complete Compositions of Thelonious Monk" (in six volumes!) by Miles Okazaki and the idiosyncratic "The MONK: Live at Bimhuis" by Miho Hazama with the Metropole Orkest Big Band. Ah... and new works featuring John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Steve Cardenas, Manu Codja and Charlie Hunter (and of course Miles Okazaki) for all the guitar hero worshippers out there! The playlist includes also: Emile Parisien, Steve Coleman, Mopo, Walking Distance feat. Jason Moran, Judy Niemack, Skúli Sverrisson, Don Cherry, Rob Dixon, Lucas Pino and Marcin Wasilewski. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7480#here
This week we pay homage to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, looking into her early jazz forays and her influence on many jazz musicians. We'll then dive into a bin full of extraordinary new albums. The playlist includes: Aretha Franklin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Frisell, Phil Haynes & Free Country, Grover Washington Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Lonnie Smith, Rob Dixon, Medeski Martin & Wood with Alarm Will Sound, Friends of Scotty Hard, Don Cherry, Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids, Nicole Mitchell, Andy Milne & Dapp Theory, Allison Miller, Carmen Staaf, Shai Maestro, Wolfgang Muthspiel, JD Allen, Norvald Dahl. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7540#here
Spoken word is performance art that goes hand in hand with jazz because words often sound great and notes can speak loud and clear. In this episode we will explore the best of it, together with outstanding new releases that are making our summer even hotter than it already is! The playlist will include music and words by Gil Scott-Heron, Terry Callier, Elio Villafranca, Don Byron, Emile Parisien & Wynton Marsalis, William Tatge, Steve Coleman & Five Elements, Maria Grand, Branford Marsalis, Jason Moran, Matt Wilson, Hermeto Pascoal, Brad Mehldau, Jason Lindner, Ursula Rucker, Gerald Clayton feat. Aja Monet & Carl Hancock Rux, David Murray & Saul Williams, Ginger Baker, Michael Lowenstern, Caroline Davis. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&month=Aug&year=2018&playlist=7408#here
The best of jazz is aural poetry. The best of poetry swings and grooves. So it's not surprising that jazz and poetry have had a long and fruitful synergy. We decided to explore intriguing collaborations between jazz musicians and poets, from the icons of the Beat Generation to Amiri Baraka, from Federico Garcia Lorca to Emily Dickinson. And we'll celebrate a poet of the jazz trumpet, Tomasz Stanko, which has left us too soon. The playlist includes music and verses by Tomasz Stanko, Matt Wilson, Roy Nathanson, Andrew Cyrille, Allen Ginsberg, Bill Frisell, Lenny Pickett, William Burroughs, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Hal Willner, Jack Kerouac, Mark Murphy, Kip Hanrahan, Ishmael Reed, Ralph Alessi, Piri Thomas, William Parker, Amiri Baraka, Alexis Cuadrado, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Steve Lacy, Frank Carlberg, Jane Ira Bloom, Emily Dickinson, Susanne Abbuehl Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Aug&year=2018&playlist=7363#here
Today we go back to 1981, when "Amarcord Nino Rota" by producer Hal Willner was released. 37 years later it remains a reference record and one of the greatest tribute albums ever produced. We take a look back at the making of this great album, which has just been re-released by Corbett vs. Dempsey, with an interview with Hal Willner, and we play music from some of his other tribute projects (to Monk, Mingus, Ginsberg and vintage Disney movies). Two hours of aural fantasy. The playlist includes music by Nino Rota, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Kurt Weill performed by Jacki Byard, George Adams, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Dave Samuels, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell, Steve Lacy, Allen Ginsberg, Was (Not Was), Sun Ra, Greg Cohen, Vernon Reid, Geri Allen, Don Byron, Art Baron, Chuck D, Henry Rollins, Charlie Watts, The Uptown Horns. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jul&year=2018&playlist=7311#here
Inspired by "Head Full of Hair, Heart of Full of Song", Pyeng Threadgill's investigation in music about the role of hair in her life, family, community and throughout the African diaspora, this episode of Mondo Jazz builds a narrative about hair, because -- whether it’s a braided bun or flowing tendrils -- hair has always mirrored the cultural (and musical) zeitgeist. An interview with Pyeng Threadgill and a preview of her recent album together with music ranging from the Lounge Lizards to Laurindo Almeida. The playlist includes The Lounge Lizards, Slow Poke, Garage a Trois, Chico Hamilton, Nels Cline, Bobby Previte, Pyeng Threadgill, Nina Simone, Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana, Laurindo Almeida & Bud Shank, Gil Evans & Laurent Cugny, Alain Goraguer, Carlo Nardozza, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Either/Orchestra, Eric Dolphy. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jul&year=2018&playlist=7218#here
This episode features new releases and fresh sounds, from postmodern big bands to protest songs to lyrical meditations that will melt your heart. The playlist includes music by Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Pyeng Threadgill, Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas' Sound prints, Snarky Puppy, Robert Glasper, Dos Santos, Peter Madsen's Seven Sins Orchestra, Rob Schwimmer, Marike Van Dijk, Mathias Eick and John Christensen. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jul&year=2018&playlist=7201#here Cover photo: Barbara Rigon
Gorgeous music never stops. Case in point: the spectacularly beautiful new album by the Michael Leonhart, “The Painted Lady Suite”, destined to become a reference record for large ensembles, and the latest release by Charles Lloyd and the Marvels, “Vanished Gardens”. This episode of Mondo Jazz spotlights those albums and other intriguing new (and not so new) releases, and features an exclusive interview with Michael Leonhart on the making of “The Painted Lady Suite”. The playlist also includes music by Dave Holland – Evan Parker – Craig Taborn – Ches Smith, Makaya McCraven, Nels Cline, Thomas Strønen & Time Is A Blind Guide, Wanja Slavin, 3TM, Cortex, Humcrush, Henry Mancini, A detailed playlist is available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7088#here
Already soccered-out? Then dive in the world of Jazz Relay: the exciting sport in which one jazz player passes the baton to the next one and at the end all listeners are exhilarated by the mind-boggling diversity of music that comes out of different bands even when they have many musicians in common. The playlist will include (mostly) new releases by artists who (mostly) are, or about to be, in NY or touring North America: Lucia Cadotsch (interview), Django Bates, Peter Bruun, Petter Eldh, Enemy, Otis Sandsjö, Marius Neset, Amok Amor, Samuel Blaser, Marc Ducret, Tim Berne, Thumbscrew (Michael Formanek, Tomas Fujiwara, Mary Halvorson), Ted Nash, Julian Arguelles, Jim Black, Elias Stemeseder, Mopo. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jun&year=2018&playlist=7052#here
If you are intrigued by jazz because of its capacity to surprise, amaze, astound, even flabbergast and leave you without words… British pianist Django Bates is the musician for you! This week Mondo Jazz has reached out to Django Bates for an interview, in advance of his North American tour. The episode also previews the upcoming concert by Camille Bertault and Chico Pinheiro, which will launch the Rizzoli Music Aperitivo (https://www.rizzolibookstore.com/news/rizzoli-music-aperitivo), a music series curated by Mondo Jazz at the historic Rizzoli Bookstore in New York, which will try to spotlight, and possibly spark, cross-pollination between music and literature or poetry. The playlist will include music by Django Bates' various projects over the years, as well as by Camille Bertault and Marius Neset. Detailed playlists at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jun&year=2018&playlist=6967#here
One episode was not enough, so we needed more time to cover the South African scene. This week we look back at an earlier phase of the history of jazz in South Africa, focusing on some foundational bands and musicians, and the musicians they inspired both in South African and elsewhere. The playlist includes music by Winston Mankunku Ngozi, The Manhattan Brothers, Hugh Masekela & The Zulus, Johnny Fourie, The Musical "King Kong", The Jazz Epistles, Dollar Brand, Ernst Reijseger, McCoy Mrubata & Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades, Hotep Idris Galeta, Mario Pavone, Bheki Mseleku, Jean Toussaint, Alan Skidmore featuring Amampondo, Julian Arguelles feat. the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Django Bates & Steve Argüelles, Loose Tubes. The detailed playlist is available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jun&year=2018&playlist=6899#here Photo credit: Jürgen Schadeberg
This episode features tracks from two influential band leaders -- John Lurie of the Lounge Lizards and Miles Davis -- who had a talent for surrounding themselves with talented artists that became prominent musicians who founded their own influential bands. The playlist includes The Loung Lizards, Miles Davis, Medeski Martin & Wood, Roy Nathanson's Jazz Passengers, Herbie Hancock, Marc Ribot, Michael Blake, Dave Holland, John McLaughlin and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=May&year=2018&playlist=6875#here Cover photo by Roberto Cifarelli
This week we dive into the music that got me hooked on jazz, from crossover hits like Miles Davis’ "Bitches Brew" and Dave Brubeck’s "Take Five" to maybe lesser-known, but equally fabulous, pieces by Marc Ribot, Dave Holland, and more. If you don't usually listen to jazz, this episode could be a good place to start. Some of these songs are accessible enough to have a made a dumb teenager in New Jersey (me) pay attention –- and they still sound great today. They might get you hooked too. The playlist includes Ahmad Jamal, Dave Brubeck, King Crimson, Bill Bruford, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett - Gary Peacock - Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Lounge Lizards, Cal Tjader, Buena Vista Social Club, Marc Ribot. https://www.spinitron.com/member/showplaylist.php?plid=6817
This week we check out new releases by some of the most exciting and innovative jazz musicians working today, from established names like Henry Threadgill and Nik Bärtsch to up-and-comers like Ben LaMar Gay. The playlist includes also music by Leni Stern, Mary Halvorson, Rogerio Boccato, John Hollenbeck, Jamie Baum, Matt Penman, and Dan Weiss. A detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=May&year=2018&playlist=6764#here
This week we focus on unforgettable gems from the most prolific Jazz scene in Africa, South Africa, which has remained vibrant for decades, even during the aparthied years, which forced many of its main figures to live in exile. The playlist will include: Bheky Mseleku, Andile Yenana, Zim Ngqawana, Robert Wyatt, Mongezi Feza, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Dyani A detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=6704
In our exploration of Jazz & Africa, this week we focus on music by international musicians inspired by Africa. Plus an interview with, and live performance by, the talented Israeli singer and guitarist Dida Pelled. The playlist includes music by: Steven Bernstein, Orchestre National de Jazz, Third World Love, Michael Blake, Ornette Coleman, Dave Holland, David Murray, Graham Haynes, Duke Ellington, Dida Pelled, Ragtime Vampires. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=May&year=2018&playlist=6647#here
As we continue our exploration of jazz by African musicians and by international musicians fascinated with the African continent and its music, this week we focus on Benin, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal & Zimbabwe. The Playlist includes: Getatchew Mekurya & The Ex, Mulatu Astatke, Either/Orchestra, Gigi, Hailu Mergia, Fela Kuti, Ernst Reijseger - Mola Sylla - Serigne C. M. Gueye, Benoit Delbecq 3, Ray Lema, Aka Moon, Doudou N'Diaye Rose, Thomas Mapfumo & Wadada Leo Smith, Lionel Loueke, Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Apr&year=2018&playlist=6584#here
In this episode we'll explore jazz by African musicians and by foreign musicians fascinated with the African continent and its music, with a special focus on Mali, Morocco and Tunisia. The Playlist includes: Yacine Boulares, Anouar Brahem & Dave Holland, Bill Frisell & Sidiki Camara, Ben Allison & Mamadou Diabate, Roswell Rudd & Toumani Diabate, Michael Blake, Joachim Kuhn & Majid Bekkas, Smadj, Daniel Freedman, Club d'Elf, Toubab Krewe, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, BOZILO. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=6554#here
Jazz and minimalism? An interesting combination that produces fascinating and hypnotic results which we'll delve in in this episode of Mondo Jazz. Plus: an interview with Caroline Davis on the occasion of the release of her latest album, "Heart Tonic", as well as a loungy tribute to Cecil Taylor, and a preview of live performances by Patrick Zimmerli and Derek Gripper. The playlist includes also new releases by: Dead Combo, Nick Baertsch, Shake Stew, Brad Jones, Phil Ranelin, Jenny Scheinman, The Necks, Neil Cowley, Horace Silver, & more... Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&month=Apr&year=2018&playlist=6499#here
This week Mondo Jazz features an interview with cellist Erik Friedlander about his latest project inspired by the viewing of Pablo Picasso's "Glass of Absinthe", "Artemisia" a visually stunning vinyl box set containing the musically stunning work of his latest project, Throw a Glass, featuring Uri Caine on piano, Mark Helias on bass and Ches Smith on drums. The playlist also includes music by Reinier Baas, Sly & Robbie - Nils Petter Molvær - Eivind Aarset - Vladislav Delay, David Ake, Maciej Obara, Django Bates, Alban Darche & L'OrphiCube, Jean Christope Cholet - Alban Darche - Mathias Ruegg & Grand Ensemble, Jozef Dumoulin & Orca Noise Unit, Evan Parker & Ned Rothenberg, Sara Serpa, Christian Lillinger's Grund. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&month=Apr&year=2018&playlist=6439#here .
On this episode we play music by the members of the Coltrane family, John, Alice and Ravi, and by those inspired by it. We'll then explore jazz inspired by funeral marching bands from the South of Italy, and other jazz experiments with funeral music, which are much more fun than you'd expect! And more new releases. Playlist includes music by John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, Jason Stein's Locksmith Isidore, Marco Colonna, Nelson Veras, Houdini's Cage, Kamikaze Ground Crew, Mauro Ottolini, Francesco Chiapperini Extemporary Vision Ensemble, Maria Grand, Thomas Strønen & Time Is A Blind Guide, Arild Andersen - Paolo Vinaccia - Tommy Smith, Nicolas Masson, and Reinier Baas. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6397#here
As we focus on recent and upcoming releases, in this episode we feature an exclusive interview with the rising French superstar Camille Bertault in advance of her New York concerts to promote her new album "Pas de géant" and the preview of Bill Frisell's upcoming "Music Is", an instant classic which marks his return to the solo format and some of his earlier solo work. Also in the playlist, the recent releases by Jon Irabagon, Rosa Brunello, Jakob Bro and the legendary Belgian band Aka Moon. https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6326#here
Great new albums keep coming and we are previewing them for you. In this episode interview with the new titan of the saxophone, James Brandon Lewis, and sample music from his upcoming duo album "Radiant Imprints" with Chad Taylor. The playlist includes also new or upcoming releases by Nels Cline, Bill Frisell, John Surman, Caroline Davis, Dafnis Prieto Big Band, Roman Filiu, Aruán Ortiz, Yellow Bird, Sebastien Texier & Cristoph Marguet, Louis Sclavis & Bernard Lubat
Just two months have passed and 2018 is already replete with amazing new music. In this episode we interview Bobby Previte about his new album "Rhapsody", the second part of his "Travel Trilogy", and sample the exciting new or upcoming releases by Camille Bertault, The Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Ben LaMar, Alicia Hall Moran, Owen Broder, Nicola Conte & Gianluca Petrella, Nubya Garcia, The Recyclers, Jason Moran, Shabaka Hutching's Sons of Kemet, Hobby Horse, David Murray, Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Jeff Cosgrove - Scott Robinson - Ken Filiano, Martin Wind. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6229#here
When interpreting music from the past should contemporary musicians focus on its form or its spirit? We look into this question through two new projects that focus on the legacy of Dizzy Gillespie and Lead Belly, with interviews to Dave Douglas about his latest project, "Dizzy's Atmosphere", and to Adam Nussbaum about his brand new album "The Lead Belly Project". Playlist includes: Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christopher Marguet, Dave Douglas, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Lovano, Adam Nussbaum, Lead Belly, Paolo Botti, Gil Evans, Bill Frisell, Dino Rubino Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6134#here
More dopamine enhancing jazz after last week's episode. Music that should turn a grey day into a shiny one. Playlist includes: Joe Jackson, Miles Davis & Gil Evans, Joe Lovano, Sun Ra, Dave Douglas, Gerald Clayton, Leo Parker, Rodney Kendrick, Kevin Eubanks, Stephan Crump, Duck Baker, Vana Gierig, Antonio Zambrini, Avion Travel, Nico Morelli & Mauro Negri, Tuck & Patti, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Jordan, Wayne Shorter Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6089#here
Joy, something that all need more of, especially on days like these with such lousy weather. We are all familiar with the fact that music can greatly contribute to such state, and neuroscience has proved that when pleasurable music is heard, dopamine is released. Let's then focus on music that has a very positive vibe and hopefully will help you release tons of dopamine! Plus an interview to Amir ElSaffar concerning his joy-and-awe-inspiring Rivers of Sound Orchestra. Playlist includes: Paul Motian, Joey Baron, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Django Bates, Steve Argüelles, Musette Explosion, Curtis Hasselbring, Michael Blake, Dollar Brand, Ryan Cohan, Stefano Bollani, David Murray, Amir ElSaffar, Dewey Redman. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6040#here
More music that could work well as soundtrack of an imaginary film noir, with some spaghetti-western variations. The first part of this noir investigation is at https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioFreeBrooklyn/mondo-jazz-ep-11-film-noir-a-jazz-investigation-interview-previews-frank-woeste-paolo-angeli/ Playlist includes Guano Padano, Bobby Previte, Giancarlo Vulcano, John Zorn, George Lewis, Bill Frisell, Ran Blake, John Hassell, Gianluca Petrella, David Sanborn, Barry Adamson, Max Nagl, Art Farmer, Gary Peacock, Emile Parisien, Papanosh, Joe Harriott, John Meyer, Randy Weston. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5983#here
Film Noir: a Jazz Investigation. In search of clues about the key components that make it possible to build the mood, the suspense, the intrigue, the build-up of tension, the adrenaline rush, the release in a good film noir with a jazz soundtrack, or in the soundtrack of an imaginary film noir. Plus an interview to German-born, Paris-based, pianist Frank Woeste and a preview of the Carnegie Hall debut of Sardinian guitarist Paolo Angeli. PLAYLIST INCLUDES: The Lounge Lizards, Stanley Wilson, Chet Baker & Piero Umiliani, Bobby Previte, Ben Allison, Metropole Orchestra, Andre Popp, Carlo Actis Dato, Barney Wilen, Daniel Humair, Guy Lafitte, Art Ensemble, Two Sisters, Inc., Colin Towns, Dylan Ryan, Dave Douglas, Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle, Paolo Angeli. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5916#here
2018 album previews; Swiss, Finnish, and French approaches to quintessentially United Statesian music genres like Hip-Hop, Jazz and Americana, which traveled to Europe and got local; tributes to Martin Luther King and a preview of the Ned Rothenberg, Erik Friedlander, Ami Yamasaki trio. PLAYLISTS INCLUDES Raoul Bjorkenheim, Adam Nussbaum, Danny Fox, Yellow Bird, Sylvie Courvoisier, Weird Beard, Nicole Jo, Porta Palace Collective & Rob Mazurek, Joshua Gerowitz, Ned Rothenberg with Ernst Reijseger & Ami Yamasaki, Claudio Fasoli, Dave Douglas & Frank Woeste, MC Solaar, Thiefs, Darrell Grant, Herbie Hancock
This is the second part of Mondo Jazz dedicated to previewing some of the international artists that will be performing at the 2018 Winter Jazz Festival and play some of the gems of 2017. It features interviews with Lucia Cadotsch, Yazz Ahmed, Yacine Boularès and Guilhelm Flouzat who will perform at the festival. PLAYLIST INCLUDES James Brandon Lewis, Lucia Cadotsch, Yazz Ahmed, Yacine Boularès, Ajoyo, Guilhem Flouzat Trio, Fabrio Puglisi, Irene Schweizer & Joey Baron - Open Window
The first episode of 2018. A great opportunity to look back at some of the great releases of 2017 and to look forward at the festival that, every January, brings the New York jazz year into full gear, the Winter Jazz Festival, with previews of some of the international artists that will be performing there. PLAYLIST INCLUDES Matteo Pastorino, Marvin Pontiac, Lucia Cadotsch, Thelonious Monk, Guilhem Flouzat, Rez Abbasi, Rudresh Mahantappa, Sons of Kemet, Jaimie Branch, Ryan Kaberle, Frank Woeste, David's Angels, Maria Grand, Steve Coleman, Bill Frisell, Nels Cline, Erik Friedlander, Yazz Ahmed, Norma Winstone, John Taylor
The holiday season continues and so does the gift-giving. Here’s the second of a two part series featuring some of my favorite tunes as my holiday gift to end a challenging year on a positive note. PLAYLIST INCLUDES Alicia Hall Moran, Toots Thielemans, Quincy Jones, Manhattan Brothers, Bheki Mseleku, The Gaturs, The Dickens Campaign, Sifter, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Oliver Nelson, Chico Hamilton & Euphoria, Chris Potter, Wolfgang Pusching, Max Nagl, Nels Cline, Reve d'elephant orchestra, Peppe Servillo - Javier Girotto - Natalio Mangalavite, Tino Tracanna, Anat Fort
Holidays are the season of gift-giving. And music makes the perfect gift. So here’s the first of a two part series featuring some of my favorite tunes as my holiday gift to end a challenging year on a positive note. PLAYLISTS INCLUDES Donald Fagen, Sonny Rollins, George Benson, Kresten Osgood, Jaga Jazzist, Don Byron, Krystle Warren, Marisa Monte, Jimmie Rowles, Tony Bennett, Marc Ribot, Ernst Reijseger, Georg Gräwe, Paul Motian, Eddie Jobson, Evan Ziporyn, Susie Ibarra Trio, Frank Zappa, Geri Allen, Sidsel Endresen, Bugge Wesseltotft, Mary Margaret O'Hara, New American Orchestra, John Bahler, Vangelis, Peggy Lee.
The Road. A place that inspires music and inspires to listen to music. In this episode of Mondo Jazz we’ll focus on music about roads to Timbuktu, French and Italian streets, being “on the road” and the road as a metaphor for a jazzist’s necessary openness to the unexpected. And some jazz inspired by the soundtrack of Federico Fellini's "La Strada" [The street, in Italian]. PLAYLIST INCLUDES: Thievery Corporation, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Sexmob, Enrico Pieranunzi, Avion Travel, Richard Galliano, Jacky Byard, Geri Allen, Mario Arcari, Aldo Romano, Nelson Veras, Francesco Negro, Paolo Fresu, Phronesis, Peter Schwebs, Fabrizio Cassol, Oumou Sangarè, Branford Marsalis, Jr. Walker, Numbers Band, Mark Simmonds, Mark Murphy, Jenny Scheinman, Rob Wasserman, Lou Reed. Full playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5859#here
Orange and Blue are the colors of Radio Free Brooklyn gorgeous new studio. And orange and blue, two complimentary colors that go especially well together, are the colors that have inspired the music featured in this episode of Mondo Jazz. In addition: an exclusive interview with the leaders of The Microscopic Septet, The Jazz Passengers, and the Kamikaze Ground Crew who speak about music, friendship and what it means to have grown out of the New York Downtown Scene of the ‘80s... PLAYLISTS INCLUDES Daniel Yvinec & Guillaume de Chassy, Gil Evans & Laurent Cugny - Big Band Lumiere, Dinamitri Jazz Foklore, Oranj Symphonette, Allen Toussaint, Rachelle Garniez & the Fortunate Few, The Microscopic Septet, The Jazz Passengers, Kamikaze Ground Crew, Ahn Trio, Cat Power, Will Holshouser Trio, Eri Yamamoto, Vienna Art Orchestra. Full Playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5574#here
Jazz and Travel, what a natural fit. In this installment of Mondo Jazz we’ll continue exploring music that was inspired by the relentless travels that jazz musicians have to do to share their music with their audience, their departures and arrivals, trips in the spaceways and the subways, journeys on trains and other means of transportation, in space and time, and... latin for travellers. PLAYLIST INCLUDES Jerry Granelli, Matteo Bortone, Jan Garbarek, Ned Rothenberg, Hal Willner, First House (feat. Django Bates), Manu Katche, Chico Hamilton, Charlie Hunter, The Microscopic Septet, The Jazz Passengers, Nacka Forum, Kamikaze Ground Crew, Han Bennink – Michiel Borstlap – Ernst Glerum, Kris Deefort Quartet (feat. Mark Turner), Dave Douglas, Wolfgang Puschnig. Full playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5481#here
Jazz and Travel, what a natural fit! In this installment of Mondo Jazz we’ll explore music that was inspired by the relentless travels that jazz musicians have to do to share their music with their audience, their departures and arrivals, their adventures and misadventures using trains and planes and the places and the people they encounter as they travel, in space and in time... THE PLAYLIST INCLUDES: Ben Sidran, Jerry Granelli, Michael Blake, Duke Ellington, Randy Weston, Ben Allison, Nah Youn Sun, Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel & Slava Grigoryan, Enten Eller & Tim Berne, Kamikaze Ground Crew, The Microscopic Septet, The Jazz Passengers, Michel Benita, Glenn Ferris, Paolo Fresu & Aldo Romano, Stian Carstensen, Michael Brecker Full playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Nov&year=2017&playlist=5421#here
It’s the first episode, the first steps of Mondo Jazz. So let’s start this show with some music about walking and moving forward, strolling and strutting, leaping and loping, going through life and death? PLAYLIST INCLUDES Herbie Nichols, Joe Harriott, Honi Gordon, Clusone Trio, Michael Blake, Benny Carter, Leo Parker, Jimmy Giuffre, Louis Armstrong, The Meters, Frank Zappa, Jackie McLean, Danilo Perez, Lack of Afro, Soul Coughing, Raymond Scott, Wynton Marsalis, Donald Byrd, Ted Nash, The Harlem Experiment, Guillaume Perret, Tuatara Full playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&sv=l&playlist=5313#here