In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

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 

Jazz in the Motor City

Returning from the Detroit Jazz Fest, I wanted to highlight some of the remarkable artists who graced the stage, both local jazz talents and national acts. The episode concludes with the release of new music from pianist Christian Sands (New Haven) and saxophonist David Borgo (San Diego).

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Louis Jones III ~ Alternative Facts ~ Motions
Marion Hayden ~ Buhaina ~ Visions
Herlin Riley ~ Wang Dang Doodle ~ Perpetual Optimism
Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Spiral Dance ~ Belonging
Walter Smith III ~ Cézanne ~ three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not
Jackie McLean ~ Appointment In Ghana ~ Jackie's Bag
Christian Sands ~ Divergent Journeys ~ Embracing Dawn
David Borgo ~ Fluctuating Friends ~ Uplift

That 70s Sound

This playlist is a retrospective of recordings on CTI albums released in the 1970. They have that quality production and slick arrangement that make these albums so recognizable. These are some of my favorite examples.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Airto ~ Return to Forever ~ Free
Deodato ~ Also Sprach Zarathustra ~ Prelude
Milt Jackson ~ Sunflower ~ Sunflower
Stanley Turrentine ~ Sugar ~ Sugar
Joe Farrell ~ Follow Your Heart ~ Joe Farrell Quartet
George Benson ~ So What? ~ Beyond the Blue Horizon

Episode Aug 24 2025

We begin with a couple big band tunes arranged by Gerald Wilson followed by guitar greats Benson and Wes. This show concludes with an extended cover of one of Chick's great tunes, by a quartet of modern jazz top tier players.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Gerald Wilson Big Band ~ Milestones ~ Moment Of Truth
Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra ~ California Soul ~ California Soul
George Benson ~ Affirmation ~ Breezin'
Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio ~ Impressions ~ Smokin' At The Half Note
Weather Report ~ Brown Street ~ 8:30 (Live)
Michael Brecker ~ Midnight Voyage ~ Tales from the Hudson
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland & Chris Potter ~ 500 Miles High ~ First Meeting (Live at Dizzy's Club)