James Brandon Lewis' homage to Mahalia Jackson, the ongoing Eastern and microtonal adventures of Lucian Ban, Mat Maneri, Fabio Delvò's fellowship and an exciting posse of emerging artists in their twenties make this hour of Mondo Jazz a treasure trove of sonic delights. The playlist also features Léon Phal; Logan Kane; Emma Rawicz; Shuteen Erdenebaatar [pictured]; Location Location Location feat. Michael Formanek, Anthony Pirog, Mike Pride; and Wasted Generation. Detailed playlist at https://spi...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 255
A playlist to travel the spaceways of Sun Ra and Bernie Worrell, but also those of Ronald Shannon Jackson and Joe Zawinul, experience the Afro Futuristic Dreams of Idris Ackamoor, the grooves of the Adam Dietch Quartet feat. John Scofield and the river streams that have inspired Helen Svoboda and Slowly Rolling Camera. The playlist also features David Helbock; Cindy Blackman Santana, John King; Orquestra Afrosinfônica, Jazzmeia Horn; Kris Davis; John O’Connor, Tim Green; Verneri Pohjola and Josh...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 255
A playlist featuring some delicious new and upcoming releases... but this week we also want to celebrate one of the musicians we admired and respected, an artist you would always find in bands and projects that mattered and a rare gentleman with a great sense of humor, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes who passed away a few days ago at the age of 72. The playlist features The Guests, Lucy Woodward, Henry Hey; Richard Baratta; Marike Van Dijk; Aline Homzy; Precarious Towers; JoVia Armstrong; and Tomasz D...
Sep 18, 2023•59 min•Ep. 254
A series of recent re-releases gives us the opportunity to focus on the phenomenal 1970s music of two iconic musicians like Betty Davis and Charles Mingus. Music so ahead of its time that it sounds as if it has just been recorded today. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17842983/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Mademoiselle Mabry"]. Happy listening!
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 254
Too often we focus our attention on instrumental jazz… in this hour we will try to remedy that with special attention to jazz singers who excel at surprising and challenging expectations. The playlist features Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter; Veronica Swift; Maria Pia de Vito; Kornél Fekete-Kovács, Veronika Harcsa, Robert Balzar Trio; Gabriela Martina; Elina Duni [pictured]; Camille Bertault, Paul Bertault; Christina Galisatus. Erin Bentlage, Joshua Crumbly; Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke; Rita Rey...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 253
Seven days have flown by, and seven days were barely enough to go through another big pile of wonderful new and upcoming albums which we are featuring this week focusing on some captivating and forward looking projects, and several new albums that bring together jazz and the musical traditions of Cuba and Puerto Rico. The playlist features Adrian Younge, Tony Allen; Azmari; Johnathan Blake; Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade; Elio Villafranca [pictured]; Miguel Zenón, Luis Perdomo; Sa...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 253
The transatlantic partnership between Céline Bonacina, John Hadfield and Rachel Eckroth [pictured] opens an edition of Mondo Jazz which also focuses on drummer-driven projects and piano trios. The playlist features also Csaba Palotaï, Simon Drappier, Steve Argüelles; Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra; Gauthier Toux; Luciana Souza & Trio Corrente; Orbit (Stephan Oliva, Sébastien Boisseau, Tom Rainey). Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17784582/Mondo-Jazz (from "Tunnel" onwar...
Sep 01, 2023•49 min•Ep. 252
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!
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 252
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/1775622...
Aug 25, 2023•54 min•Ep. 251
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]. Deta...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 251
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 list...
Aug 18, 2023•55 min•Ep. 249
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 Det...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 250
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; Langst...
Aug 11, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 250
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 Richar...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 249
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/p...
Aug 06, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 248
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 Ruba...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 248
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
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 247
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; C...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 247
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 "R...
Jul 21, 2023•56 min•Ep. 246
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 Kle...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 246
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
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 245
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 liste...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 245
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 & Nor...
Jul 09, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 244
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!
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 244
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!
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 243
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...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 243
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 S...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 242
A tribute to Tina Turner opens a show featuring music characterized by a deliberate desire to blur the lines between jazz and other genres, be it pop, R&B, world music or church music, and to do so with the most wonderful arrangements. The playlist features Herbie Hancock; Don Braden; Selma Savolainen; Le Cri du Caire, Abdullah Miniawy, Erik Truffaz, Peter Corser; Ben Van Gelder; Matt Ulery; and Rajna Swaminathan. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17442424/Mondo-Jazz (up to "...
Jun 05, 2023•58 min•Ep. 242
From projects inspired by African traditions to jazz spiked with hard-rock, passing through some fascinating chamber influences, this week's playlist showcases the creativity, breadth and depth of today's international jazz scene. The playlist features Kala Jula & Gangbé Brass Band [pictured]; Peter Somuah, Stevo Atambire; Samuele Strufaldi; Ze in the Clouds, Paolo Fresu, Uri Caine; Rudy Royston; Sam Bardfeld; Vincent Peirani; Francesco Bearzatti; Brass Against; Ingrid Laubrock; Brandon Seab...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 241
This week we focus on two of the most vibrant scenes in Northern Europe, Amsterdam and Berlin. Along the way we hop from Copenhagen to New York with a few more stops on the way. Enjoy some of the freshest jazz projects out there. The playlist features Lucia Cadotsch, Kurt Rosenwinkel; Petter Eldh, Sun-Mi Hong; Deadeye; Michele Sannelli; Mariasole De Pascali [pictured]; Lukas Traxel; Tilo Weber; Girls in Airports; Carlo Mombelli; Ralph Towner; and Ben Wolfe. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 241
