The Checkout - podcast cover

The Checkout

Simon Rentner•www.wbgo.org

Music Interviews

Voted "Best Jazz Podcast" in the JazzTimes Critics' Poll for four consecutive years, The Checkout championed the music we call jazz — along the trend lines and on its outer edges. Hosted, produced and curated by Simon Rentner, the show focused on the compelling personal narratives behind today's most exciting artists.Check out the rest of our line up at WBGO Studios.

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Episodes

The Checkout x Jazz Night in America: Top 5 Collabs

Mark Guiliana, Randy Weston, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Kamasi Washington are the artists featured in this retrospective podcast celebrating the top Jazz Night In America and The Checkout productions over the years.

Feb 18, 2022•1 hr 10 min

Angel Bat Dawid leads a fearless expedition to 'Afro Town' at Winter Jazzfest

Winter Jazzfest artist-in-residence Angel Bat Dawid premieres 'Afro-Town Topics: A Mythological Afrofuturist Revue,' and talks about it on The Checkout with Simon Rentner.

Feb 03, 2022•51 min

Vijay Iyer shares lessons in stillness for our turbulent time

As his trio settles in for a week at The Village Vanguard, pianist and composer Vijay Iyer stops by The Checkout to share insights, and a glimmer of hope.

Jan 26, 2022•40 min

Cory Henry walks back the timeline to his 'First Steps,' with a new concert recording

On The Checkout, keyboardist Cory Henry pinpoints the album that marks his rite of passage as an artist.

Jan 21, 2022•1 hr 5 min

Michael Bourne in his element at the Montreal Jazz Festival, with Diana Krall and more

Michael Bourne interviews Diana Krall and tells stories of Charlie Haden, Dave Brubeck, and Tony Bennett at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Jan 05, 2022•27 min

When Booker T. Jones met Robert Randolph, at a session hosted by Michael Bourne

In 2003, legendary organist Booker T. Jones and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph met for the first time at WBGO. That studio performance comes to light again as we celebrate the retirement of our own legendary jazz jock, Michael Bourne.

Dec 22, 2021•36 min

From Rat Pack to J Dilla: José James Serves a Holiday Vibe

On The Checkout, José James explains why it's finally time for him to release a holiday recording, featuring his takes on Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Donny Hathaway.

Dec 16, 2021•49 min

Dave Douglas and Joe Lovano aim for the stratosphere on Sound Prints' 'Other Worlds'

Jazz United host Nate Chinen talks with the members of Sound Prints, including its co-leaders trumpeter Dave Douglas and saxophonist Joe Lovano, for a lively conversation about their latest recording, Other Worlds.

Nov 30, 2021•44 min

Rachel Eckroth, a most mysterious pianist and singer

Pianist and singer/songwriter Rachel Eckroth is a musical shapeshifter of the highest order. She speaks with The Checkout's Simon Rentner about her latest recording, 'The Garden.'

Nov 18, 2021•40 min

Everybody Should 'Really Care' About Melanie Charles

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Melanie Charles joins The Checkout to talk about 'Y'all Don't Really Care About Black Women,' her major-label debut.

Nov 09, 2021•42 min

Nate Smith flips an awkward youth into a skyward path on 'Kinfolk 2: See the Birds'

Drummer and composer Nate Smith taps into his unique autobiography on his latest album, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds. On this episode of The Checkout, he talks about growing up in Chesapeake, Va., with an unorthodox taste for hard rock.

Oct 29, 2021•49 min

BADBADNOTGOOD, a band beloved in hip-hop circles, rediscovers its jazz voice

'Talk Memory' is BadBadNotGood's first album in five years. Bassist Chester Hansen and saxophonist Leland Whitty join The Checkout's Simon Rentner to talk about it.

Oct 23, 2021•34 min

Switch on your senses: Steph Richards sniffs out the possibilities

The Checkout catches up with trumpeter and composer Steph Richards, who unleashes our sense of sound and smell on her latest recordings Supersense and Zephyr.

Oct 13, 2021•48 min

Hiromi finds the bright side, with fast fingers, on 'Silver Lining Suite'

While the music industry was mostly dormant, Hiromi was busy collaborating with a string quartet, writing new music for her Silver Lining Suite, and performing at the Tokyo Olympics.

Oct 07, 2021•29 min

Checkout Sesh (Almost Lost): Knower's Genevieve Artadi & Nay Flutist Faris Ishaq

Genevieve Artadi talks about her creative partnership with Louis Cole and Faris Ishaq proclaims he's the world's first Nay flute jazz artist.

Sep 23, 2021•49 min

Mndsgn's 'Rare Pleasure' Dials Up a '70s Fusion Vibe

The electronic artist Mndsgn draws from crossover jazz of the 1970s and '80s on his latest album, 'Rare Pleasure.'

Sep 01, 2021•34 min

9 Horses: A Chamber Trio Scales Up with 'Omegah'

Joe Brent (mandolin) and Sara Caswell (violin) unleash the full potential of their chamber jazz group 9 Horses on their new recording, 'Omegah'

Aug 19, 2021•49 min

Staunchly Original: Marking 20 Years of Pi Recordings

For the last 20 years, Pi Recordings has been a home and haven to the avant-garde, including first-wave members of the AACM. The Checkout catches up with label co-founders Seth Rosner and Yulun Wang, who say the mission is ongoing.

Aug 05, 2021•50 min

Honoring Frank Kimbrough with a Sprawling Tribute

The Checkout discusses 'KIMBROUGH,' an extravagant tribute to an underrated artist, who left us at the end of 2020.

Jul 23, 2021•42 min

Hiatus Kaiyote Is Back With A Grand Howl (and Crooning Bats) on The Checkout

Bassist Paul Bender and keyboardist Simon Mavin speak with Simon Rentner on The Checkout about Hiatus Kaiyote's new album, 'Mood Valiant.'

Jul 14, 2021•38 min

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