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'...
Nov 19, 2018•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 49
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, S...
Nov 10, 2018•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 48
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, Si...
Nov 04, 2018•2 hr 12 min•Ep. 47
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;...
Oct 28, 2018•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 46
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...
Oct 23, 2018•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 45
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 wit...
Oct 14, 2018•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 44
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 ...
Oct 01, 2018•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 43
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 Tho...
Oct 01, 2018•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 42
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 ...
Sep 23, 2018•2 hr 21 min•Ep. 41
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 Her...
Sep 17, 2018•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 40
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 ...
Sep 09, 2018•2 hr•Ep. 39
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, Nico...
Aug 30, 2018•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 38
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 Marsal...
Aug 14, 2018•2 hr 23 min•Ep. 37
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, ...
Aug 08, 2018•2 hr 22 min•Ep. 36
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 m...
Jul 31, 2018•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 35
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 Lauri...
Jul 27, 2018•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 34
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/...
Jul 17, 2018•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 33
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 m...
Jul 06, 2018•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 32
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...
Jun 27, 2018•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 31
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 se...
Jun 23, 2018•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 30
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 Mrubat...
Jun 15, 2018•2 hr•Ep. 29
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/rad...
Jun 10, 2018•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 28
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 play...
Jun 03, 2018•2 hr•Ep. 27
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
May 21, 2018•2 hr•Ep. 26
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=rf...
May 13, 2018•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 25
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?...
May 09, 2018•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 24
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 ...
May 01, 2018•2 hr•Ep. 23
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, BO...
Apr 22, 2018•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 22
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, Th...
Apr 17, 2018•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 21
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...
Apr 08, 2018•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 20
