In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

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)

Episode Aug 16 2025

An eclectic show. We begin with a couple tunes from Brubecks 'Time Out' with a twist. Then a set with jazz masters Jamal, Tyner and Davis. The set ends with new music including Indian Fusion from Shakti.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
George Benson ~ Take Five ~ Bad Benson
Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ Blue Rondo A La Turk ~ Time Out
Ahmad Jamal ~ Arabesque ~ It's Magic
McCoy Tyner ~ Man From Tanganyika ~ Tender Moments
Miles Davis ~ Oleo ~ Bags' Groove 
Shakti ~ 5 In The Morning, 6 In The Afternoon ~ Mind Explosion
Brandee Younger ~ Breaking Point ~ Gadabout Season
Irving Flores ~ Armando Mi Conga  ~ (Single)

Back to Hardbop

Recent episodes have centered around jazz/rock fusion and new releases. This week we go back to Hard-Bop. Blakey, Miles, Trane, Freddie, Mobley to name a few.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers ~ One By One  ~ Ugetsu
Miles Davis ~ Milestones ~ Milestones
John Coltrane ~ Moment's Notice ~ Blue Train
Freddie Hubbard ~ Arietis ~ Ready For Freddie
Donald Byrd ~ Off To The Races ~ Off To The Races
Joe Henderson ~ Black ~ Mode For Joe 
Hank Mobley ~ Up Over and Out ~ Reach Out! 
Jackie McLean ~ Appointment In Ghana ~ Jackie's Bag

Episode Aug 3 2025

This episode begins with Michael Brecker in some interesting situations with Paul Simon and James Taylor. We follow that up with new music from another tenor sax player, Jimmy Greene from his newest release.

Playlist 
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Michael Brecker ~ African Skies ~ Tales from the Hudson
Paul Simon ~ Under African Skies ~ Graceland
Michael Brecker ~ The Nearness of You ~ Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
Jimmy Greene ~ Praises ~ As We Are Now
Jimmy Greene ~ Speak Low ~ As We Are Now
Sam Rivers ~ Beatrice ~ Fuchsia Swing Song
Chick Corea ~ Friends ~ Friends
Herbie Hancock ~ Maiden Voyage ~ Maiden Voyage

Mangione and More

This show begins by paying tribute to Chuck Mangione who passed away last week. Best known for his hit 'Feel So Good', Mangione is one of a few musicians that bridged jazz and popular music audiences. Also notable in this show we play new releases from modern jazz artists you may not yet have heard.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Chuck Mangione ~ Land of Make Believe ~ Land of Make Believe 
Chuck Mangione ~ Give It All You Got ~ Fun and Games
Kenny Burrell ~ Midnight Blue ~ Midnight Blue
Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio ~ Impressions ~ Smokin' At The Half Note
Nicole McCabe ~ A Change In Scenery ~ A Song To Sing
Jimmy Greene ~ As We Are Now ~ As We Are Now
Andrew Renfroe ~ DREAMER ~ POP LOGIC
Linda May Han Oh ~ The Sweetest Water  ~ Strange Heavens 
Dexter Gordon ~ Soy Califa ~ The Swingin' Affair

All Flute Special

This is an all flute special, with jazz greats James Moody, Herbie Mann, Roland Kirk, Hubert Laws and many more.

Playlist 
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Holly Hofmann Quartet ~ Bohemia After Dark (Live) ~ Live At Birdland
James Moody ~ Cherokee ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note
Lori Bell ~ Streets of New York ~ Brooklyn Dreaming
Herbie Mann ~ Memphis Underground ~ Memphis Underground
Roland Kirk ~ Serenade to a Cuckoo ~ Kirkatron
Eric Dolphy ~ Gazzelloni ~ Out to Lunch!
Jamie Baum ~ Far Side ~ Solace
Hubert Laws ~ The Rite of Spring ~ Rite of Spring