If Eric Dolphy's music were a school of painting it would be analytical cubism: planar and angular, multi-directional and austere, But it's not abstract. It's showing us something we know; we are simply experiencing it in a completely new way. His work, in its frame, becomes an entire reality unto itself. It's endless. So what happens when you place this masterly museum piece in a sweaty nightclub? Does it shine? Does it wilt? Does Dolphy change his approach? Few have examined Dolphy more closel...
Sep 03, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 316
If Eric Dolphy's music were a school of painting it would be analytical cubism: planar and angular, multi-directional and austere, But it's not abstract. It's showing us something we know; we are simply experiencing it in a completely new way. His work, in its frame, becomes an entire reality unto itself. It's endless. So what happens when you place this masterly museum piece in a sweaty nightclub? Does it shine? Does it wilt? Does Dolphy change his approach? Few have examined Dolphy more closel...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 315
You're Miles Davis. It's March of 1970 and you're about to release Bitches Brew, your most incendiary album yet. You have an electric band of young assassins (each of whom will go on to become a legendary bandleader in his own right) and they don't sound like any band anyone has ever heard. You know you've got the goods. You're looking for a new audience for this new sound and you get invited to share a bill with a major rock band at the Fillmore East, THE place where the Woodstock Generation is...
Aug 24, 2023•43 min•Ep. 314
You're Miles Davis. It's March of 1970 and you're about to release Bitches Brew, your most incendiary album yet. You have an electric band of young assassins (each of whom will go on to become a legendary bandleader in his own right) and they don't sound like any band anyone has ever heard. You know you've got the goods. You're looking for a new audience for this new sound and you get invited to share a bill with a major rock band at the Fillmore East, THE place where the Woodstock Generation is...
Aug 20, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 313
You're Miles Davis. It's March of 1970 and you're about to release Bitches Brew, your most incendiary album yet. You have an electric band of young assassins (each of whom will go on to become a legendary bandleader in his own right) and they don't sound like any band anyone has ever heard. You know you've got the goods. You're looking for a new audience for this new sound and you get invited to share a bill with a major rock band at the Fillmore East, THE place where the Woodstock Generation is...
Aug 13, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 312
The future that Sun Ra sang of has arrived in so many ways. No one knows this better than the musicians who made the music with him. Ahmed Abdullah was part of Sun Ra's Arkestra for more than 20 years and his insights about that time could fill a book. In fact, they have. "A Strange Celestial Road" is newly released and Ahmed joins host Mitch Goldman to discuss it on this week's Deep Focus. Monday night 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org . Next week it goes up on the Deep Foc...
Aug 10, 2023•58 min•Ep. 311
The future that Sun Ra sang of has arrived in so many ways. No one knows this better than the musicians who made the music with him. Ahmed Abdullah was part of Sun Ra's Arkestra for more than 20 years and his insights about that time could fill a book. In fact, they have. "A Strange Celestial Road" is newly released and Ahmed joins host Mitch Goldman to discuss it on this week's Deep Focus. Monday night 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org . Next week it goes up on the Deep Foc...
Aug 06, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 310
The future that Sun Ra sang of has arrived in so many ways. No one knows this better than the musicians who made the music with him. Ahmed Abdullah was part of Sun Ra's Arkestra for more than 20 years and his insights about that time could fill a book. In fact, they have. "A Strange Celestial Road" is newly released and Ahmed joins host Mitch Goldman to discuss it on this week's Deep Focus. Monday night 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org . Next week it goes up on the Deep Foc...
Jul 30, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 309
Who was Joseph Jarman? A shaman? A conjurer? A Buddhist priest? A poet? An Aikido sensei? In the words of his fellow member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Lester Bowie, "Well, I guess that all depends on, ah, what you know." We know that in the universe of this music, which thrives on original thinking, few ranged as far and as free as Jarman. He brought us songs and stories, large-scale compositions, movement, theatricality, costumes and confrontation, along with collaborations and improvisati...
Jul 27, 2023•52 min•Ep. 308
Who was Joseph Jarman? A shaman? A conjurer? A Buddhist priest? A poet? An Aikido sensei? In the words of his fellow member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Lester Bowie, "Well, I guess that all depends on, ah, what you know." We know that in the universe of this music, which thrives on original thinking, few ranged as far and as free as Jarman. He brought us songs and stories, large-scale compositions, movement, theatricality, costumes and confrontation, along with collaborations and improvisati...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 307
Who was Joseph Jarman? A shaman? A conjurer? A Buddhist priest? A poet? An Aikido sensei? In the words of his fellow member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Lester Bowie, "Well, I guess that all depends on, ah, what you know." We know that in the universe of this music, which thrives on original thinking, few ranged as far and as free as Jarman. He brought us songs and stories, large-scale compositions, movement, theatricality, costumes and confrontation, along with collaborations and improvisati...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 306
Yes, I am starting to see the pattern! Vijay Iyer has joined Mitch Goldman for Deep Focus programs on Andrew Hill, Thelonious Monk, and Geri Allen. This Monday the lens turns to McCoy Tyner. Do you see what I see? You will this Monday night from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org . Next week it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/ Photo credit: Mccoy Tyner 1973_gh Copyright 1973 Gisle Hannemyr - licensed und...
Jul 02, 2023•59 min•Ep. 305
Yes, I am starting to see the pattern! Vijay Iyer has joined Mitch Goldman for Deep Focus programs on Andrew Hill, Thelonious Monk, and Geri Allen. This Monday the lens turns to McCoy Tyner. Do you see what I see? You will this Monday night from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org . Next week it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/ Photo credit: McCoy Tyner - Keystone Korner 1981 - Photo by Brian McMillen - T...
Jun 29, 2023•58 min•Ep. 304
Yes, I am starting to see the pattern! Vijay Iyer has joined Mitch Goldman for Deep Focus programs on Andrew Hill, Thelonious Monk, and Geri Allen. This Monday the lens turns to McCoy Tyner. Do you see what I see? You will this Monday night from 6p to 9p NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org . Next week it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/ Photo credit: Mccoy Tyner 1973_gh Copyright 1973 Gisle Hannemyr - licensed und...
Jun 25, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 303
William Parker has perhaps done more than any musician alive to spread understanding and support for open improvised music. More than that, he is a bassist, bandleader, and conceptualist of the highest order. The sheer volume of projects (including the upcoming Vision Festival) that he commits energy to is simply daunting and the list of noted improvisers he has played with is practically a who's who of the idiom. So which of them are we going to focus on? You'll have to tune in to find out but ...
Jun 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 302
William Parker has perhaps done more than any musician alive to spread understanding and support for open improvised music. More than that, he is a bassist, bandleader, and conceptualist of the highest order. The sheer volume of projects (including the upcoming Vision Festival) that he commits energy to is simply daunting and the list of noted improvisers he has played with is practically a who's who of the idiom. So which of them are we going to focus on? You'll have to tune in to find out but ...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 301
William Parker has perhaps done more than any musician alive to spread understanding and support for open improvised music. More than that, he is a bassist, bandleader, and conceptualist of the highest order. The sheer volume of projects (including the upcoming Vision Festival) that he commits energy to is simply daunting and the list of noted improvisers he has played with is practically a who's who of the idiom. So which of them are we going to focus on? Are we going to push our luck one more ...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 300
When the centennial of an artist as singular and inventive and influential and expressive as Wes Montgomery passes, one Deep Focus is not enough. Several weeks ago, Rodney Jones brought us a whole new appreciation for Wes. Can Mark Whitfield do it again? This Monday (5/8), Mark takes a deep dive into the WKCR archives on Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus. Not only are we going to play some never-released live recordings from the NYC nightlife of 1965, but what about that supposed recording of Wes playi...
Jun 05, 2023•33 min•Ep. 299
When the centennial of an artist as singular and inventive and influential and expressive as Wes Montgomery passes, one Deep Focus is not enough. Several weeks ago, Rodney Jones brought us a whole new appreciation for Wes. Can Mark Whitfield do it again? This Monday (5/8), Mark takes a deep dive into the WKCR archives on Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus. Not only are we going to play some never-released live recordings from the NYC nightlife of 1965, but what about that supposed recording of Wes playi...
Jun 04, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 298
When the centennial of an artist as singular and inventive and influential and expressive as Wes Montgomery passes, one Deep Focus is not enough. Several weeks ago, Rodney Jones brought us a whole new appreciation for Wes. Can Mark Whitfield do it again? This Monday (5/8), Mark takes a deep dive into the WKCR archives on Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus. Not only are we going to play some never-released live recordings from the NYC nightlife of 1965, but what about that supposed recording of Wes playi...
May 28, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 297
This Monday (5/1) Jazz Alternatives presents Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus on Andrew Cyrille with guest Daniel Sadownick. Take a stroll through Andrew Cyrille's discography. The range of his work across the last 60+ years is practically gasp-inducing. Admire How many of the hundreds of sessions that he has anchored in that time represent the leader's best works. Weigh the sense of anticipation you feel when you see him taking the bandstand, the certainty that you are about to be led through a quart...
May 18, 2023•50 min•Ep. 296
This Monday (5/1) Jazz Alternatives presents Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus on Andrew Cyrille with guest Daniel Sadownick. Take a stroll through Andrew Cyrille's discography. The range of his work across the last 60+ years is practically gasp-inducing. Admire How many of the hundreds of sessions that he has anchored in that time represent the leader's best works. Weigh the sense of anticipation you feel when you see him taking the bandstand, the certainty that you are about to be led through a quart...
May 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 295
This Monday (5/1) Jazz Alternatives presents Mitch Goldman's Deep Focus on Andrew Cyrille with guest Daniel Sadownick. Take a stroll through Andrew Cyrille's discography. The range of his work across the last 60+ years is practically gasp-inducing. Admire How many of the hundreds of sessions that he has anchored in that time represent the leader's best works. Weigh the sense of anticipation you feel when you see him taking the bandstand, the certainty that you are about to be led through a quart...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 294
The streets of NYC are vibrantly alive with the spirits of the originators and the thrust and tumult of what they created. If, that is, you know how to summon them, and few do as our guest for this Deep Focus, Ras Moshe. He and host Mitch Goldman bring us to the legendary Tin Palace for an exploration by Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre at the height of his creative powers in the mid-Seventies. He is joined by some of the brightest lights of that continually-emerging scene. Want to know what it was ...
Apr 02, 2023•46 min•Ep. 293
The streets of NYC are vibrantly alive with the spirits of the originators and the thrust and tumult of what they created. If, that is, you know how to summon them, and few do as our guest for this Deep Focus, Ras Moshe. He and host Mitch Goldman bring us to the legendary Tin Palace for an exploration by Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre at the height of his creative powers in the mid-Seventies. He is joined by some of the brightest lights of that continually-emerging scene. Want to know what it was ...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 292
The streets of NYC are vibrantly alive with the spirits of the originators and the thrust and tumult of what they created. If, that is, you know how to summon them, and few do as our guest for this Deep Focus, Ras Moshe. He and host Mitch Goldman bring us to the legendary Tin Palace for an exploration by Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre at the height of his creative powers in the mid-Seventies. He is joined by some of the brightest lights of that continually-emerging scene. Want to know what it was ...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 291
It's 1965. Wes Montgomery has been on the scene for more than 2 decades but he is just emerging as a major pop star. He has hit singles on the charts and he is touring major European concert venues. But in New York, he plays a series of shows at a small club on Spring Street called the Half Note. It's the spot downtown where all the cats check each other out. For this episode, recorded on the actual centennial of Wes Montgomery's birth, you are a fly on the wall of the Half Note for some true mu...
Mar 26, 2023•55 min•Ep. 290
It's 1965. Wes Montgomery has been on the scene for more than 2 decades but he is just emerging as a major pop star. He has hit singles on the charts and he is touring major European concert venues. But in New York, he plays a series of shows at a small club on Spring Street called the Half Note. It's the spot downtown where all the cats check each other out. For this episode, recorded on the actual centennial of Wes Montgomery's birth, you are a fly on the wall of the Half Note for some true mu...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 289
It's 1965. Wes Montgomery has been on the scene for more than 2 decades but he is just emerging as a major pop star. He has hit singles on the charts and he is touring major European concert venues. But in New York, he plays a series of shows at a small club on Spring Street called the Half Note. It's the spot downtown where all the cats check each other out. For this episode, recorded on the actual centennial of Wes Montgomery's birth, you are a fly on the wall of the Half Note for some true mu...
Mar 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 288
Celebrating the glorious music of Dexter Gordon on the centenary of his birth, February 27, 2023, with the brilliant Eric Person. Photo credit: Dexter Gordon at Mountain Winery Jazz Festival, Saratoga CA_1981 Brianmcmillen, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org-licenses-by-sa-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mar 19, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 287
