Discovering Jazz

Latest Episodes:

Archives, Episode 43: Edible Records–78rpm’s. Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

From the Archives, some 78rpm records from my collection. 78’s were popular from the turn of the century up into the late 1950’s.

One unique thing about 78’s is that you could eat them. Technically at least!

As well as some great music, you’ll hear Alex Campagnolo, a researcher in Sustainability Studies–a man who focuses on the sustainability of recorded music—talk about why 78’s are good for the environment.

As for the great music: I play three tracks by the father of cool and free jazz, Lennie Tristano. From 1949, believe it or not. Also some Gene Krupa, Jon Hendricks, Ellington and Basie (of course), Red Norvo Trio with Tal Farlow and Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, and so much more!

And lots of surface noise. We love surface noise!

Archives, Episode 41: Political Jazz Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Continuing with my summer re-runs of some of the best from past podcasts.

Today, Part 4 of a series on Jazz and Politics. It’s mostly music—featuring a few long tracks, such as the whole Freedom Suite by Sonny Rollins.

A lot of this music is about freedom and the struggle for equality: for blacks and also for female artists. There is also a selection from an album inspired by conspiracy theories.

The program finishes with a jazz protest tune that became a huge hit!

Archives: Episode 26, Jazzies Who Play Outside the Genre (Pt. 2). Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

A few years ago I put together a series of four Discovering Jazz Podcasts on jazz musicians who played on pop recordings. For these archives, I’m posting Part 3, Episode 26. (You may want to also listen to Episodes 24, 25 and 27 if you like this one).

You’ll hear guitarist Louis Shelton and his connection with The Monkees. Then Wayne Shorter and Steve Gadd—and their connection to Steely Dan. Andy Milne played with Bruce Cockburn. And then there’s the Chet Baker and Elvis Costello relationship.

A fun series! You’ll hear pop recordings, but also real jazz recordings of these great musicians.

Archives: Episode 19, Jazz Beatles Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

This week, as part of my ‘summer re-runs’, I feature Beatles tunes that have been adapted to jazz. Most are exquisitely done; some maybe not so much.

And not only that I interview John Lennon. Okay—not really! What it is is interesting clips from an interview I did with Michael Gagliano, who starred as John Lennon in a London, England tribute show called Let It Be.

Some of the great jazz artists you’ll hear in this podcast are Chick Corea and Hiromi, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Larry Coryell, Herbie Hancock, Interactivo, Jaco Pastorius, Shawn and the Wolf, and Django Bates. And one highlight for me is the beautiful rendition the Canadian folkie Kim Dun does of Blackbird—with a lovely reharmonization of the tune.

Archives: Episode 17, Jazz Singers I Like Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

A program from January of 2018.

A lot of real jazz lovers express a rather loud indifference—bordering on contempt—for the role of ‘vocals’ in jazz. Comments like ‘cheesy lounge singers’, ‘they keep the instrumental soloists from truly stretching out’, they make jazz musicians into accompanists, etc. come up.

Yet for many of us—-myself included—the vocalist can sometimes help ‘translate’ what the jazz musician or composer is doing into something I can understand. And a really great jazz vocalist does more than that. They can be an instrument unto themselves, convey a story in a way that is less ‘abstract’ than what the instrumentalists can do, and during the best of times, they function as one of the instruments……enhancing the development of the composition in the same way that any other soloist does.

Here you’ll hear some great vocalists: Nina Simone, Eddie Jefferson, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gene McDaniels, Julie London, Buddy Greco, Tony Bennett, Alex Samaras, Jennifer Scott, and Betty Carter. I also talk a bit about what makes somebody a ‘torch’ singer (at least from my perspective).

Episode 199, Even More Great Jazz Festival Performers! Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

For my final podcast of the season (but don’t worry—I’ll be posting ones from the archives weekly), I play more artists performing at this year’s Victoria Jazz Fest, 2022.

Lots of music this episode, and not much talk.

You’ll hear (in order):

Ghost Song–Cecile McLorin Salvant

The Preacher–Taurey Butler

Ranky Tanky–Ranky Tanky

Chrome Beauty–Joy Lapps and Larnell Lewis

La Sopa–Mazacote

Night Song–Wes Carroll Confabulation

Stardust–Samara Joy

Summertime–David Santana Quartet

Reconstruction Beat–Dan Wilson Quartet

Lovers in a Dangerous Time–Es:Mo

Mile High–Astrocolor

Ancestry–Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio with Verneri Pohjola

I’ll have some new podcasts ready to go for September. I have lots of interesting ideas for themes, and some terrific possible guests. And, of course, some of the best music (old and new) that fits somewhere within the category of ‘jazz’.

Episode 198, Victoria Jazz Festival Performers Part 2 Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Putting together these three episodes allows me to find the time to listen to a bit of every performer coming to the upcoming Victoria Jazz Fest, Jun 24th to July 3rd (2022).

And what a stellar line-up!

In terms of straight jazz—this episode includes The Brubeck Brothers (two of Dave Brubeck’s sons), Ashley Wey from Victoria, trumpeter Giveton Gelin and his Quintet, and a great vibes player named Joel M. Ross.

More on the soulful side are Gregory Porter, Malika Tirolien, and Lisa Fischer.

And on the fringes of the genre, there is Ghost-Note (an off-shoot of Snarky Puppy), and a traditional group from Niger called Les Filles de Illighadad,

Episode 197: Jazz Festival Performers, Part 1 Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Jazz is best enjoyed live! Watching musicians interacting with each other on stage, as well as with their instrument can be quite exciting.

Coming up is The Victoria Jazz Festival June 24th to July 3rd. My plan is to listen to recordings of all the performers….so I can decide which concerts to see (and hear). And I’ll share what I ‘discover’ as I listen to these recordings—playing some of the ones that stand out for me.

For part 1 of this series, the tracks you’ll hear are:

Atomized—GoGo Penguin
Blues is Alive and Well–Buddy Guy (who has unfortunately cancelled due to health concerns. Hoping he recovers fully.
Low Interest Rate–Audrey Ochoa (trombonist)
Recuerdos–Hilario Duran (w. Brenda Navarette)
Unpredictable—Laura Deviato with Pablo Cardenas
It’s Alright With Me–Jocelyn Gould
February–Sunna Gaunlaugs Trio with Verneri Pohjola (trumpet)
My People–Cha Wa
Warriors–Immanuel Wilkins
Atlantic Limited–Julian Lage

Episode 196: Freedom–An Essential Element of Jazz Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Jazz has continuously evolved as a result of freeing itself from constraints. According to Steve Haines, jazz bassist and director of the Miles Davis Jazz studies program at the university of North Carolina, jazz as taught in music institutions today is being ‘whitewashed and creativity is being strangled. He says “we need to be singing what’s inside of our soul”.

In this episode we play music that well illustrates the freedom that is such an integral part of jazz. You’ll hear historical recordings by Charles Mingus, Charlie Haden & The Liberation Orchestra, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday.

I also play more modern music. These include recordings by Mike Murley, Joe Chambers, and Simona Smirnova—a Lithuanian Kankles player. As well, you’ll enjoy the track from one of Steve Haines’ four albums under his own name, which he describes as “a silly little melody where the improvisers get to choose which tempo to play on every chorus”.

Then there’s that gospel track from 1928 by Arizona Dranes that sounds so free—despite a rather constraining title.

Some of the greatest jazz has been made thanks to people not allowing their limitations to stop them. Steve Haines talks about how Billie Holiday and Charlie Haden are the classic examples of that kind of freedom.

Episode 195: Deep Roots, the Essential Elements of Jazz (with Steve Haines) May 31, 2022

Show notes

Steve Haines, professor and interim director of the Miles Davis Jazz Studies program at University of North Carolina talks about what he sees as the most essential elements of jazz. And we play music to illustrate some of those elements.

What are the essential elements? They include the expected ones—blues and swing. But just as important are gospel, repetition, precedent (attending to what came before), and especially—freedom. Also essential is inclusion—something he feels has been lacking in the jazz world.

As usual, you’ll hear a lot of great music this episode. Includes recordings by Steve Haines himself with Peter Bernstein, plus tracks by Cannonball Adderley, Ma Rainey, Oscar Peterson, Arizona Dranes (who, you ask?), Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Roy Hargrove, and Hazel Scott.

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