In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Jazz Fusion and Beyond

Mostly jazz/rock fusion on this week's show, featuring some of my favorite bands from the 70's and beyond. This music sparked my interest in jazz music during my college years, and eventually branching out into more traditional forms. But this is the music that started it all for me and many others of my generation.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Herbie Hancock ~ Heartbeat ~ Man-Child
Chick Corea ~ Shadow of Lo ~ Where Have I Known You Before
Frank Zappa ~ Waka/Jawaka ~ Waka / Jawaka
Shunzo Ohno ~ Runner ~ Runner - EP
Miles Davis ~ Right Off - take 10 ~ Complete Jack Johnson Sessions
Shakti with John McLaughlin ~ La Danse Du Bonheur ~ A Handful of Beauty
Joshua Redman ~ Jazz Crimes ~ Elastic

Episode October 26 2025

This show has a number of notable albums including two posthumous releases from Chick Corea. Also an alternative take of a Joni Mitchell composition. Other tracks feature Japanese trumpet player Ohno, Miles and San Diego Latin Jazz pianist Irving Flores.

Playlist 
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Chick Corea Elektric Band & Chick Corea ~ Trance Dance ~ The Future Is Now
Chick Corea ~ Armando's Rhumba ~ Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance
Joni Mitchell ~ The Wolf That Lives in Lindsey ~ Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4
Shunzo Ohno ~ Musashi ~ Dreamer
Miles Davis ~ Paraphernalia ~ Miles In the Sky
Irving Flores ~ Dana Point ~ Armando Mi Conga

Episode October 19 2025

Much of this playlist is from artists that performed at the fundraiser for Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC.org) founded by trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. Also featured is music from Shunzo Ohno a trumpet player originally from Japan who has played with Buster Williams, Hancock, Shorter and more.

Playlist 
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Gilbert Castellanos ~ New Delhi ~ Espérame En El Cielo
Helen Sung ~ Time Loops ~ Quartet + (with Harlem Quartet)
Charles McPherson ~ Surge ~ Reverence
Shunzo Ohno ~ Go On ~ Dreamer
Buster Williams ~ Decepticon  ~ Something More 
Emmet Cohen ~ Henei Ma Tov ~ Vibe Provider
Lee Morgan ~ Party Time ~ The Procrastinator
Hank Mobley ~ No Room for Squares ~ No Room for Squares

San Diego-Tijuana Jazz Festival

The first set of this podcast reviews some of the music represented at the 2nd annual San Diego-Tijuana (SDTJ) International Jazz Festival. This unique festival features artists from both sides of the US Mexico boarder. We begin with a tribute to the late James Moody, a resident of San Diego, celebrating his 100th Centennial of his birth. Also featured is a young singer from Veracruz Mx, Lucia and pianist-composer Irving Flores with his brand new album. We keep to the Latin jazz theme with a reading of Tres Palabras from Charlie Haden. More music concludes with an extended selection from Dexter's homecoming concert.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
James Moody ~ Darben, the Redd Foxx ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note
Lucía ~ Veracruz ~ Lucía
Irving Flores ~ With Amanda in Favignana ~ Armando Mi Conga
Charlie Haden ~ Tres Palabras ~ Nocturne
Tony Davis ~ Trinkets From Mars ~ Jessamine
Les McCann ~ Poo Pye McGoochie (And His Friends) ~ Invitation to Openness
Dexter Gordon ~ In Case You Haven't Heard ~ Homecoming - Live At the Village Vanguard

Episode October 5 2025

This episode begins as a continuation of last week's tribute to the late pianist Mike Wofford with a solo rendition of a Jackie McLean composition Little Melonae. Also featured is another San Diego pianist Irving Flores with his latest album release. Herbie, McLaughlin and Maupin round out the show.

Playlist 
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Mike Wofford ~ Little Melonae ~ It's Personal
Irving Flores ~ Tramonto a Massa Lubrense ~ Armando Mi Conga
Herbie Hancock ~ Oliloqui Valley ~ Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock ~ Ostinato (Suite for Angela) ~ Mwandishi
John McLaughlin ~ Peace One ~ My Goals Beyond
Bennie Maupin ~ The Jewel In the Lotus ~ The Jewel In the Lotus

Mike Wofford Tribute

We pay homage to pianist Mike Wofford in this episode's first set. Mike passed away last week at age 87. He was a giant in the Socal jazz scene, playing with the great West Coast artists of the 60's, accompanist to Sarah and Ella in the 80's, as well as scores for Hollywood and TV. Mike will be missed by the jazz community in San Diego and beyond. His wife Holly Hofmann (flute) is represented here as well. 

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Mike Wofford ~ Take the "A" Train ~ Time Cafe
Rob Thorsen Quartet ~ Beatrice ~ First Impression
Mike Wofford & Holly Hofmann ~ Karita ~ Turn Signal
Joe Henderson ~ Black Narcissus ~ Power To The People
Joe Farnsworth ~ Continuance ~ The Big Room
Wes Montgomery ~ West Coast Blues ~ Incredible Jazz Guitar
John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent

Episode September 21 2025

This week's jazz podcast starts with an old standard from 1928, Makin' Whoopee. Classics from Brubeck, Wes and Trane (on his birth anniversary), and new music from Barron and McLaughlin, and more.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Branford Marsalis ~ Makin' Whoopee ~ Trio Jeepy
The Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ Three to Get Ready ~ Time Out
Dave Holland Quartet ~ Four Winds ~ Conference of the Birds
Wes Montgomery ~ Bumpin' On Sunset ~ Tequila
John Coltrane ~ Dear Old Stockholm ~ Dear Old Stockholm
Irving Flores ~ Samba Con Sabor ~ Armando Mi Conga
Kenny Barron ~ The Nearness of You ~ Beyond This Place
John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension ~ New Blues Old Bruise ~ Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2022

Chill Out

This episode is my Chill Playlist. Starting with Miles & Trane is a fine way to begin.  While it is laid back on the surface, many of the tunes start chill, but gain in intensity. Branford's Hope is a great example of this. I especially dig Joe Henderson's take on Lazy Afternoon.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Miles Davis ~ Footprints ~ Miles Smiles
John Coltrane ~ Equinox ~ Coltrane's Sound
Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Hope ~ Braggtown
Joe Henderson ~ Lazy Afternoon ~ Power to the People
Pat Metheny ~ Minuano ~ Still Life (Talking)
Emmet Cohen ~ Everlasting ~ Vibe Provider
David Borgo ~ InFormation ~ Uplift