In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Election Day 2024 Nov 03, 2024

Today's show begins with a reminder to vote on or before Election Day, Nov 5, 2024. Let's start with a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie's run for President in 1964. That's followed by Ella's Vote for Mr. Rhythm. A new posthumous release from trumpeter Roy Hargrove has a track, Kamala's Dance (written for Roy's daughter). After that is just some music I have been listening to this past week.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Dizzy Gillespie ~ Salt Peanuts ~ Groovin' High
Ella Fitzgerald ~ Vote For Mister Rhythm ~ The Complete Decca Singles Vol. 1: 1935-1939
Roy Hargrove ~ Kamala's Dance ~ Grande-Terre
Roy Hargrove ~ Ethiopia ~ Grande-Terre
Jackie McLean ~ Star Eyes ~ Nature Boy
The Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ The City Is Crying ~ Jazz Impressions of Japan
David Borgo ~ Relational View ~ Persistence
Steve Davis ~ Milestones ~ We See
Wayne Shorter ~ Orbits ~ Celebration, Volume 1

More Cross-Coastal Oct 27, 2024

Following my recent themes of music from SoCal and New England, I will feature music that exemplifies some of the fine jazz artists from these two areas of the country. Also, we close out the show with classic guitar work from Kenny Burrell and brand new music from Imannuel Wilkins.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Rob Thorsen ~ Dexterity ~ Lasting Impression
Gilbert Castellanos ~ Bilad as Sudan ~ Espérame En El Cielo
Mackenzie Leighton ~ November ~ I Remember
Steve Davis ~ To Wisdom, the Prize ~ We See
Abena Koomson-Davis ~ Everyday I Have the Blues ~ Where Is Love
Matt Dwonszyk ~ It's Donny Time ~ Donny Time
Kenny Burrell ~ Kenny's Sound ~ Midnight Blue
Immanuel Wilkins ~ DARK EYES SMILE ~ Blues Blood

Episode Oct 20 2024 Oct 20, 2024

Kind of a random playlist of music I have been listening to this week. Of particular interest are the tunes that feature McCoy Tyner, including a Michael Brecker piece (composed by Metheny). Also a track from Immanuel Wilkins' new release Blue Blood has some interesting vocals.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Andrew Renfroe ~ SPRINGS ~ Big Country EP
Michael Brecker ~ Song for Bilbao ~ Tales from the Hudson
McCoy Tyner ~ When Sunny Gets Blue ~ Today and Tomorrow
McCoy Tyner ~ Sama Layuca ~ Sama Layuca
Dan Pugach ~ My Favorite Things (feat. Nicole Zuraitis) - Single
Immanuel Wilkins ~ MOTION (feat. June McDoom) ~ Blues Blood
Billy Childs ~ Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp ~ Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro
Bill Bruford's Earthworks & Tim Garland ~ Tramontana ~ Random Acts of Happiness
Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart ~ FU Donald ~ Perpetual Pendulum

From Monterey to Hartford Oct 13, 2024

This episode continues from last week in bringing new music that I heard from Monterey Jazz Fest recently. Following that is more music from the Hartford jazz scene with Abena Koomson-Davis, Andrew Wilcox and Matt Dwonczyk.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Marquis Hill ~ A Star Is Born ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox
Brandee Younger ~ Brand New Life ~ Brand New Life
Robert Glasper ~ Prototype ~ Keys To The City Volume One
Anat Cohen ~ Paco ~ Quartetinho: Bloom
Abena Koomson-Davis ~ Just the Two of Us ~ Where Is Love
Matt Dwonszyk ~ Groovin' on Wine ~ Donny Time
Matt Dwonszyk ~ What a Difference a Day Makes ~ Donny Time
Andrew Wilcox ~ Old Devil Moon ~ Dear Mr. Hill
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis ~ Freedom Day ~ The Music of Max Roach

Monterey Jazz Fest 2024 Oct 06, 2024

This year's Monterey Jazz Festival is reviewed in this week's podcast episode. Some of the best shows took place on the smaller stages featuring young artists. That is reflected in the playlist below.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Jahari Stampley ~ Power ~ Still Listening
Ulysses Owens Jr. ~ Chicken An' Dumplins ~ A New Beat
Sean Mason ~ Final Voyage ~ The Southern Suite
Endea Owens ~ For the People ~ Feel Good Music
Joshua Redman ~ Chicago Blues (feat. Gabrielle Cavassa) ~ where are we
Hiromi ~ Up ~ Sonicwonderland
Marquis Hill ~ Libra (South Node) ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox
Stephane Wrembel ~ Le Mythe de Sisyphe ~ Triptych
Stanley Clarke ~ Song to John, Pt. II ~ Journey to Love

Podcast Redux Sep 29, 2024

While I am at the Monterey Jazz Festival, I've queued up another episode originally published in March of this year. The episode begins with new music from guitarist Andrew Renfroe and vibraphonist Joel Ross. We then work our way back to the 1950's with classic Brubeck, Wes and Trane.

Playlist
Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Andrew Renfroe ~ BIG COUNTRY ~ Big Country EP
Joel Ross ~ nublues ~ nublues
Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger ~ This Woman's Work ~ Force Majeure
Samara Joy ~ Misty ~ Linger Awhile
Shelly Manne and His Men ~ Our Delight ~ Shelly Manne & His Men At the Blackhawk, Vol. 1
The Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ The Duke ~ Jazz: Red, Hot and Cool
Wes Montgomery ~ Four On Six ~ The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
John Coltrane ~ Moment's Notice ~ Blue Train

Episode Sep 22 2024 Sep 22, 2024

A wide variety of jazz music represented here, from jazz classics, to new jazz releases to jazz/rock fusion, progressive rock and even jazz harp with a reggae beat.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Miles Davis ~ Milestones ~ Milestones
McCoy Tyner ~ Impressions ~ Trident
Bobby Broom ~ Hallucinations (Budo) ~ Keyed Up
Joel Frahm ~ Yesterdays ~ I'm Old Fashioned
Charles McPherson ~ Blues for Lonnie in Three ~ Reverence
Jonathan Barber ~ Radar ~ In Motion (feat. Vision Ahead)
Steely Dan ~ Aja ~ Aja
Brandee Younger ~ Dust (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello) ~ Brand New Life
Brandee Younger ~ Soulris (feat. Ravi Coltrane) ~ Soul Awakening

Episode Sep 15 2024 Sep 15, 2024

This week's edition has new releases and classic hard bop. From the new, we have Hanahan, Barber, Escoffery, Castellanos. As we know, modern jazz always draws from the legacy of the art form with masters like Hubbard, Roach, Hancock, and Shorter. All are represented here.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Sarah Hanahan ~ We Bop! ~ Among Giants
Jonathan Barber ~ Can't Call It ~ In Motion
Freddie Hubbard ~ Luana ~ Hub Cap
Gilbert Castellanos ~ La Tinsa ~ Underground
Herbie Hancock ~ The Peacocks ~ Round Midnight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Max Roach ~ Libra ~ Members Don't Get Weary
Wayne Escoffery ~ Rapture ~ Alone
Wayne Shorter ~ Edge Of The World ~ Celebration, Volume 1

Sonny's 94 Birthday Sep 08, 2024

This episode celebrates Sonny Rollins on his 94th birthday with three tracks from some of his best albums. We also feature new music including the debut recording from altoist, Sarah Hanahan and flautist Lori Bell. The podcast ends with Kurt Elling covering a fold classic from P. Simon.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Sonny Rollins ~ Wonderful! Wonderful! ~ Newk's Time
Miles Davis & Sonny Rollins ~ Oleo ~ On Prestige
Sonny Rollins ~ Way Out West ~ Way Out West
Gerry Mulligan Quartet ~ Bernie's Tune ~ Gerry Mulligan Quartet
Hampton Hawes ~ I Love You ~ For Real!
Hank Mobley ~ Up a Step ~ No Room for Squares
Sarah Hanahan ~ Resonance ~ Among Giants
Lori Bell Quartet ~ Black Narcissus ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson
Kurt Elling ~ American Tune ~ The Questions

Back To Bop Sep 01, 2024

For this week's episode, we go back 60's hard bop format for most of the show. From Rollins to Trane, we groove to this era's hard hitting jazz. I did throw in a couple of modern pieces from Eddie Henderson and Billy Childs, that reflect on the hard-bop period.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Sonny Rollins ~ Alone Together ~ Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders
Hank Mobley ~ Up Over And Out ~ Reach Out!
Eddie Henderson ~ Totem Pole ~ Witness to History
Billy Childs ~ The Starry Night ~ Rebirth
Jackie McLean ~ Climax ~ Jacknife
John Coltrane ~ Bahia ~ Bahia
John Coltrane ~ Something I Dreamed Last Night ~ Bahia

Musings from the DNC Aug 25, 2024

A few musical references from last week's Democratic Convention was the inspiration for this episode. VP Kamala Harris invoked the names of Aretha, Miles and Coltrane, and an appearance by Stevie Wonder are relived in this show.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Aretha Franklin ~ A Change Is Gonna Come ~ I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Miles Davis Quintet ~ Solar ~ Walkin'
John Coltrane ~ Giant Steps ~ Giant Steps
Stevie Wonder ~ Higher Ground ~ Innervisions
Herbie Hancock ~ You've Got It Bad Girl ~ The New Standard
SFJAZZ Collective ~ Creepin' ~ Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions
Jacob Collier ~ Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing ~ Single
George Duke ~ Capricorn ~ Faces In Reflection
Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention ~ Inca Roads ~ One Size Fits All

Kamala's Vinyl Aug 18, 2024

This episode begins with a set, taken from the news video of VP Kamala Harris showing off her vinyl purchases after visiting a DC record store. Following that, we have a bass player set featuring a couple of San Diego based artists. The show ends with a tribute to Alice Coltrane and a symphonic piece from Tim Garland.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong ~ It Ain't Necessarily So ~ Porgy and Bess
Charles Mingus ~ The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers ~ Let My Children Hear Music
Roy Ayers Ubiquity ~ Everybody Loves the Sunshine ~ Everybody Loves the Sunshine
Rob Thorsen Quartet ~ Let's Fall In Love ~ Evolution
Mackenzie Leighton ~ Summer Strollin' ~ I Remember
John Patitucci ~ We See ~ Trio
Ravi Coltrane ~ For Turiya ~ Blending Times
Tim Garland ~ The Forever Seed Part V - Praise ~ Moment Of Departure

Harping in Jazz Aug 11, 2024

This episode begins with a wonderful harpist Brandee Younger carrying on the legacy of Alice Coltrane and others bringing the sound of harp to modern jazz. This is followed by new music and concludes with three of the greatest saxophone players that have graced this art form.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger ~ The Creator Has a Master Plan ~ Force Majeure
Brandee Younger ~ Moving Target ~ Brand New Life
Brandee Younger ~ Blue Nile ~ Soul Awakening
Jonathan Barber ~ The City That Sits On A Hill ~ In Motion
Tim Garland ~ Trails ~ Moment Of Departure
Kenny Barron ~ We See ~ Beyond This Place
Chris Potter ~ Indigo Ildikó ~ Eagle's Point
Wayne Shorter ~ Orbits ~ Without a Net
Joe Henderson ~ Power to the People ~ Power to the People

New in Hartford Aug 04, 2024

Several notable releases from jazz artists with Hartford roots are represented at the top of this episode. We present Karen Frisk (v), Jonathan Barber (dr), and Sarah Hanahan (as). We finish this show with some heavy 70's fusion with an extended four part Concerto for Jazz/Rock from Stanley Clarke.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Karen Frisk ~ Street of Dreams ~ Still A Dreamer
Jonathan Barber ~ Can't Call It ~ In Motion
Sarah Hanahan ~ We Bop! ~ Among Giants
Kenny Burrell ~ Isabella ~ Soulero
Howard McGhee ~ Demon Chase ~ Maggie's Back In Town!
Charles McPherson ~ Surge ~ Reverence
Gilbert Castellanos ~ Home is Africa ~ Espérame En El Cielo
Stanley Clarke ~ Concerto for Jazz/Rock Orchestra, Pt. 1-4 ~ Journey to Love

Episode July 28 2024 Jul 28, 2024

This episode begins with classic hard-bop from Mobley and McGee, followed by a wonderful new album from vocalist Karen Frisk. Then West Coast artists Wofford, Bell and Renfroe before finishing with a fusion set from Weather Report and Metheny.

Playlist
Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Hank Mobley ~ No Room for Squares ~ No Room for Squares
Howard McGhee ~ Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise ~ Maggie's Back In Town!
Karen Frisk ~ Sack Full Of Dreams ~ Still A Dreamer
Mike Wofford ~ Cole Porter ~ Synergy
Lori Bell Quartet ~ Shade of Jade ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson
Luke Sellick & Andrew Renfroe ~ Jolene ~ Small Vacation
Weather Report ~ Cucumber Slumber ~ Mysterious Traveller
Pat Metheny Group ~ To the End of the World ~ We Live Here

Episode July 21 2024 Jul 21, 2024

We begin with a tribute to Jim Rotondi, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. The music that follows is a good representation of the modern jazz being made from young players on the jazz scene.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Jim Rotondi ~ Pure Imagination ~ Dark Blue
Christopher Hollyday ~ One of Another Kind ~ Telepathy
Sarah Hanahan ~ Resonance ~ Among Giants
Chris Potter ~ Dream of Home (feat. Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci & Brian Blade) ~ Eagle's Point (feat. Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci & Brian Blade)
Immanuel Wilkins ~ Fugitive Ritual, Selah ~ The 7th Hand
Joshua White ~ Scarlet Tanager ~ 13 Short Stories (feat. Josh Johnson, Dean Hulett & Jonathan Pinson)
Tina Raymond ~ Eight of Wands ~ Divinations
Kenny Barron ~ Sunset (feat. Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Johnathan Blake, Immanuel Wilkins & Steve Nelson) ~ Beyond This Place

Episode July 14 2024 Jul 14, 2024

Back to more straight-ahead jazz this week from the 60's to the present. A brand new single from an upcoming album by Emmet Cohen starts the show followed by classic Brubeck, Chris Potter, Cannonball and more.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Emmet Cohen ~ Emmet’s Blues ~ Emmet's Blues - Single
The Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ It's a Raggy Waltz ~ Time Further Out
Chris Potter ~ Horizon Dance ~ Eagle's Point
Cannonball Adderley Quintet ~ Lisa ~ The Quintet Plus
Charles McPherson ~ Old Folks ~ Reverence
Mackenzie Leighton ~ Pm/Am ~ I Remember
Lori Bell Quartet ~ Serenity ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson ~ Power To The People ~ Power To The People

Episode July 7 2024 Jul 07, 2024

This episode has new releases from Sarah Hanahan (debut recording), Chris Potter, Adam O'Farrill and Steph Richards. Also featured are tracks from Gilbert Castellanos, Wayne Shorter, John Ambercrombie and more.

Playlist
Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Gilbert Castellanos ~ Big P ~ Espérame En El Cielo
Sarah Hanahan ~ Stardust ~ Among Giants
Chris Potter ~ Cloud Message ~ Eagle's Point
John Abercrombie Quartet ~ Arcade ~ Arcade
Adam O'Farrill ~ Truth Ray II ~ Truth Ray II - Single
Steph Richards ~ Moutons ~ Power Vibe
Weather Report ~ Elegant People ~ Black Market
Wayne Shorter ~ Moto Grosso Feio ~ Moto Grosso Feio

Hartford Jazz Jun 30, 2024

This episode features some of the fine jazz music coming out of Hartford Connecticut. It begins with new releases from Sarah Hanahan, Jonathan Barber and Andrew Renfroe. Later in the podcast we play a beautiful ballad from Jimmy Greene, also an alumni of U of H, and mentored by Jackie McLean.

Playlist
Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Sarah Hanahan ~ Welcome ~ Among Giants
Jonathan Barber ~ Radar (feat. Vision Ahead) ~ Single
Luke Sellick & Andrew Renfroe ~ Ain't No Mountain High Enough ~ Aberdeen Blues
Kenny Burrell ~ Isabella ~ Soulero
Miles Davis ~ Joshua ~ Seven Steps To Heaven
Kenny Garrett ~ Chucho's Mambo ~ Pushing the World Away
Jimmy Greene ~ Love In Action ~ Mission Statement
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band ~ Kings Highway ~ Kings Highway

Episode June 23 2024 Jun 23, 2024

This episode begins with two talented flautists from the Southern California, Holly Hofmann and Lori Bell. Also featured here are some great West Coasts pianists, Bill Cunliffe and John Hicks. Alto sax player Sarah Hanahan has released her debut album Among Giants, with a featured track here.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Holly Hofmann ~ Soul-Leo ~ Low Life
Lori Bell Quartet ~ Shade of Jade ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson
John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta & Bill Cunliffe ~ Ana Maria ~ Trio
Sarah Hanahan ~ On the Trail ~ Among Giants
John Hicks Quartet ~ Naima's Love Song ~ Naima's Love Song
John Hicks Trio ~ Airegin ~ I'll Give You Something to Remember Me by...
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band ~ Season Of Changes ~ Season Of Changes

Episode June 16 2024 Jun 16, 2024

The show starts with straight ahead jazz standards followed by 70's fusion and on to modern day sounds of new artists. We end with a Getz-Corea duet.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Joel Frahm ~ I'm Old Fashioned ~ I'm Old Fashioned
Gilbert Castellanos ~ La Puerta ~ Espérame En El Cielo
Joe Farrell ~ The Jazz Crunch ~ Sonic Text
Les McCann ~ Poo Pye McGoochie (And His Friends) ~ Invitation to Openness
Andrew Renfroe ~ Alps ~ Run in the Storm
Nduduzo Makhathini ~ Libations: KwaKhangelamankengana ~ uNomkhubulwane
Stan Getz ~ Crystal Silence ~ Captain Marvel

New Bop Old Fusion Jun 09, 2024

There is an paradox in this week's playlist. We start the episode with new music from hard-bop masters Charles McPherson and Conrad Herwig, and finish with Weather Report and Electric Miles. New music from Gilbert Castellanos and Tim Garland in-between.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Conrad Herwig ~ Fly with the Wind ~ The Latin Side of McCoy Tyner
Charles McPherson ~ Ode to Barry ~ Reverence
Gilbert Castellanos ~ New Delhi ~ Espérame En El Cielo
Tim Garland ~ No Horizon ~ Moment Of Departure
Weather Report ~ A Remark You Made ~ 8:30 (Live)
Wayne Shorter ~ Ana Maria ~ Native Dancer
Miles Davis ~ Paraphernalia ~ Miles In the Sky

Episode June 2 2024 Jun 02, 2024

A wide range of music is presented here including some new releases. There is a set from some of San Diego's finest jazz musicians. There is also a flashback pop hit from the jazzy BS&T.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Sarah Hanahan ~ NATO ~ Among Giants
Charles McPherson ~ Come Rain or Come Shine ~ Reverence
Mike Wofford & Holly Hofmann ~ Karita ~ Turn Signal
Holly Hofmann ~ Farmer's Trust ~ Low Life
Mackenzie Leighton ~ November ~ I Remember
Tim Garland ~ Trails ~ Moment Of Departure
Blood, Sweat & Tears ~ God Bless the Child ~ Blood, Sweat & Tears
Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart ~ FU Donald ~ Perpetual Pendulum

Episode May 26 2024 May 26, 2024

After the opening track, we feature the music of Greg Abate and Kenny Barron, both as leaders, and a collaboration between the two. Other great music covers classic jazz, hard bop and fusion.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Wayne Shorter ~ Angola (Alternate Take) ~ The Soothsayer
Greg Abate & Paul Del Nero Quartet ~ Clare's Ostinado ~ Reunion - Live at WICN
Greg Abate ~ Sunshower ~ Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron ~ Tragic Magic ~ Beyond This Place
Sonny Rollins ~ Asiatic Raes ~ Newk's Time
Pat Metheny Group ~ The Epic ~ American Garage
Herbie Hancock ~ Actual Proof ~ Thrust

Episode May 19 2024 May 19, 2024

Featured new music from Kenny Barron, Lori Bell, Dan Pugach. Classic jazz from Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean and James Moody. Lastly, we say farewell to David Sanborn.

Playlist
Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Christopher Hollyday ~ Dialogue ~ Dialogue
Jackie McLean ~ What Is This Thing Called Love? ~ Nature Boy
Kenny Barron ~ Innocence ~ Beyond This Place
Lori Bell Quartet ~ Black Narcissus ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson ~ In 'n Out ~ In 'n Out
James Moody ~ I'm in the Mood for Love ~ Moody's Mood for Love
Dan Pugach ~ Travel ~ Bianca
David Sanborn ~ Full House ~ Upfront

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected