In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Wonder Jazz

S Wonder, one of the greatest artists in popular music, is known for his popular hits, vocals, and multi-instrumental playing. However, his compositions extend far beyond the mainstream, incorporating jazz sensibilities that have inspired jazz artists to cover his work.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Joe Farrell ~ Too High ~ Penny Arcade
Herbie Hancock ~ You've Got It Bad Girl ~ The New Standard
SFJAZZ Collective ~ My Cherie Amour ~ Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions
Stevie Wonder ~ As ~ Songs in the Key of Life
Mike Stern ~ Echoes ~ Echoes and Other Songs
Michael Brecker ~ Nothing Personal ~ Michael Brecker

Post Thanksgiving 2025

After giving thanks, post Thanksgiving Day we get into a guitar set featuring both jazz masters (Kessel, Wess, Forman) and a talented young artist Tony Davis. Also featured are a new release from pianist George Colligan and a modern sound from Ahmad Jamal. We dance our way out with a funky Weather Report.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Jimmy Greene ~ Give Thanks ~ Mission Statement
Bruce Forman ~ Rope-a-Dope ~ Reunion!
Barney Kessel ~ On Green Dolphin Street ~ The Poll Winners
Tony Davis ~ Sphere Of Blues ~ Jessamine
Wes Montgomery ~ Bumpin' On Sunset ~ Tequila
George Colligan ~ If the Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn't Climb It ~ Live at the Jazz Standard
Ahmad Jamal ~ Marseille ~ Marseille
Weather Report ~ 125th Street Congress ~ Sweetnighter

Autumn and Thanksgiving

We begin this week's show with a celebration of this Fall season and Thanksgiving from Jamal and Monk. Also of note in Hutcherson's vibes and Trane's lament. New music from Hartford's guitarist Tony Davis and maestro Kenny Barron.

Playlist 
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Ahmad Jamal ~ Autumn Leaves ~ Marseille
Thelonious Monk ~ Stuffy Turkey ~ It's Monk's Time
Bobby Hutcherson ~ Little B's Poem ~ Components
John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent
Tony Davis ~ Viridian ~ Jessamine
Kenny Barron & Kurt Elling ~ In The Slow Lane ~ Songbook
Marquis Hill ~ Joseph Beat ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox
Marquis Hill ~ Libra ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox

All Jack D

This episode pays tribute to the late Jack DeJohnette who passed away a couple weeks ago. We feature Jack as a leader and side man on some of my favorite recordings.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Jack DeJohnette ~ Jack In ~ Parallel Realities
Joe Farrell ~ Follow Your Heart ~ Joe Farrell Quartet
Miroslav Vitous ~ Bamboo Forest ~ Universal Syncopations
Keith Jarrett Standards Trio ~ The Old Country ~ Standards Live
Hudson ~ Woodstock ~ Hudson
Michael Brecker ~ Midnight Voyage ~ Tales from the Hudson
Joe Henderson ~ Isotope ~ Power to the People
Charles Lloyd Quartet ~ Sombrero Sam ~ Soundtrack

Episode Nov 9 2025

We begin with a trio led by pianist George Colligan along with Linda Oh (b) and Jack DeJohnette (dr). Mr. DeJohnette passed away last week and was an important figure in modern jazz. Also, new music by guitarist Mike Stern and a live recording of Weather Reports famous tune Birdland.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
George Colligan ~ Song for the Tarahumera ~ Live at the Jazz Standard
Lenny White ~ L's Bop ~ The Griffith Park Collection
Mike Stern ~ Stuff Happens ~ Echoes and Other Songs
Mike Stern ~ Gospel Song ~ Echoes and Other Songs
John Opferkuch ~ Amerique ~ The Kennedy Files
Peter Sprague ~ Norwegian Wood ~ All You Need Is Love: Peter Sprague Plays the Beatles
Weather Report ~ Birdland (Live) ~ 8:30 (Live)

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