In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

This podcast kicks off with some modern clarinet work by Oran Etkin and later in the show from Anat Cohen. In the middle is a new album by Greg Abate with the late Phil Woods in one of his last recordings. A vocal set follows with Luciana Souza, Cyrille Aimee, and Norah Jones (with new Charles Lloyd). Some fusion to finish the podcast with two Frank's - Varella and Zappa.

Featured album

What's New? Reimagining Benny Goodman - Oran Etkin on iTunes

Artist ~ Album ~ Track

Oran Etkin ~ Be Good Lady ~ What's New? Reimagining Benny Goodman 

Greg Abate + Phil Woods ~ Strollin' ~ Kindred Spirits 

Greg Abate + Phil Woods ~ Yardbird Suite ~ Kindred Spirits

Luciana Souza ~ At The Fair ~ Speaking In Tongues 

Cyrille Aimee ~ Live Alone and Like It ~ Let's Get Lost 

Charles Lloyd & The Marvels ~ You Are So Beautiful ~ I Long to See You 

Anat Cohen ~ Lilia ~ Luminosa 

Anat Cohen ~ Bachio (feat. Rumero Lubambo) ~ Luminosa 

Josh Evans ~ Steps ~ Hope and Despair 

Frank Varella ~ Giant Steps ~ Grandma's Revenge 

Frank Zappa ~ Waka Jawaka ~ Waka Jawaka 

Some awesome modern jazz guitar is featured in this podcast. We hear from Kevin Eubanks (Dave Holland), Bill Frisell, Larry Coryell and John McLaughlin (Miroslav Vitous). At the end of the podcast is a new album from Charles Lloyd, featuring more great guitar from Frisell and the new fusion sound of Manuel Valera.

Featured Album

Bill Frisell, All We Are Saying

Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Dave Holland & Prism ~ The Watcher ~ Prism
Bill Frisell ~ Come Together ~ All We Are Saying
Bill Frisell ~ Give Peace a Chance ~ All We Are Saying 
Larry Coryell ~ Gypsy Queen ~ Barefoot Boy
Mirislav Vitous ~ I Will Tell Him on You ~ Infinite Search
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels ~ Masters of War ~ I Long to See You
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels ~ All My Trials ~ I Long to See You
Manuel Valera & Groove Street ~ 121st Street ~ Urban Landscape

This tribute podcast recorded on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. features music by Noah Baerman from his 2005 release dedicated to the life of the greatest American civil rights leader. That is followed by Nina Simone's tribute to Dr. King. David Bowie is also remembered with music from his final album Blackstar. We hear from Donny McCaslin who collaborated with Bowie on this recording, and some jazz covers of Bowie's work.

 

 

Featured Album

Soul Force, Noah Baerman

Artist ~ Track ~ Album

Noah Baerman ~ Montgomery, 1956 ~ Soul Force 

Noah Baerman ~ Washington, 1963 ~ Soul Force 

Nina Simone ~ Why? (The King of Love Is Dead) ~ The Best of Nina Simone 

Nina Simone ~ I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To Be Free ~ The Best of Nina Simone 

David Bowie ~ Blackstar ~ Blackstar 

David Bowie ~ Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) ~ Blackstar 

Donny McCaslin ~ Alpha and Omega ~ Casting for Gravity 

This Is Not America ~ Not In Our Name ~ Charlie Haden 

The Bad Plus ~ Life on Mars ~ Prog 

Start with some heavy funk, mix in some straight ahead jazz and blues, throw in modern jazz and fusion, and you have this week's podcast.

Feature Album

The Epic, Kamasi Washington

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

Maceo Parker ~ Basic Funk 101 ~ School's In
Maceo Parker ~ Shake Everything You Got ~ Roots & Grooves
Guy King ~ Tear it Down ~ I Am Who I Am and It Is What It Is
Guy King ~ Sunny ~ I Am Who I Am and It Is What It Is
Lionel Loueke ~ Vueve Malienne ~ Gaia
John Scofield ~ Enjoy the Future! ~ Past, Present & Future
Kamasi Washington ~ Change of the Guard ~ The Epic
Kamasi Washington ~ Re Run ~ The Epic
Mahavishnu Orchestra ~ Hymn to Him ~ Apocalypse

This podcast previews some live music that will be happening live at the Baby Grand Jazz series from the Hartford Public Library. We go on a world tour with Edmar Casteneda (Columbia), Sinan Bakir (Turkey), and Alon Nechushtan (Israel). Sunna Gunnlags from Iceland, and Ingred Jensen continues the international vibe. Jazz is an American art form at its roots, so we have Branford Marsalis and Miles Davis represented. 

Featured Album

Miles In the Sky on iTunes 

Artist ~ Album ~ Song 

Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ The Ballad of Chet Kincaid ~ Crazy People Music
Edmar Castaneda World Ensemble ~ Jesus De Nazareth ~ Live At The Jazz Standard
Sinan Bakir ~ Protagonist ~ Tales & Stories
Alon Nechushtan ~ Pome (Grenades) ~ venture bound
Maria Schnieder Orchestra ~ The Thompson Fields ~ The Thompson Fields
Sunna Gunnlaugs ~ Icelandic Blues ~ Cielito Lindo
Jovan Alexandre ~ Red Blues ~ collective consciousness
Miles Davis ~ Stuff ~ Miles in the Sky
Jason Miles & Ingrid Jensen ~ Ferrari ~ Kind of New

This year end podcast reviews some of the 2015 releases I've enjoyed. We've got some holiday songs in there as well. Peace to all during the holidays and Happy New Year.

Featured Album

For One to Love - Cécile McLorin Salvant on iTunes

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

Tom Harrell ~ Passepied ~ First Impressions 

Christian McBride Trio ~ Down By the Riverside ~ Live at The Village Vanguard 

Dave Liebman and Expansions ~ Good Bait ~ The Puzzle 

Cecile McLorin Salvant ~ Somethings Coming ~ For one to love 

Terrell Stafford ~ Mr. Kenyatta ~ Brotherlee Love 

Joey Alexander ~ My Favorite Things ~ My Favorite Things 

Chris Potter ~ O Come All Ye Faithful ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas 

Marian McPartland ~ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas 2 

Joey DeFrancesco ~ Trip Mode ~ Trip Mode 

Brad Mehldau ~ Blackbird ~ 10 Years Solo Live 

Sunna Gunnlaugs ~ Dry Cycle ~ Cielito Lindo 

This holiday season brings a feeling of hope for a just and peaceful world. This is the inspiration for this week's podcast.  Featured is a set of Jimmy Greene's music in remembrance of the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy and to pay tribute to the victims and their families. 

Featured Album

Beautiful Life - Jimmy Greene on iTunes

Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Greg Abate ~ Winter Wonderland ~ It's Christmastime
Jimmy Greene ~ Saludos/Come Thou Almighty King ~ Beautiful Life
Jimmy Greene ~ Last Summer ~ Beautiful Life
Jimmy Greene ~ Love In Action ~ Mission Statement
Jimmy Greene ~ Anthem of Hope ~ The Overcomer's Suite
Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Hope ~ Braggtown
Joni Mitchell ~ River ~ Blue
Joe Magnarelli ~ Paris ~ Three on Two
Steve Davis ~ Grove's Groove ~ Update
Steve Davis ~ Kenya ~ Say When

This is a segment from my Thanksgiving show, but why should we give thanks only in late November? That set features songs inspired by my favorite holiday by Jimmy Greene, Miguel Zenon and Arthur Blythe. Lots more here including a couple of tracks by trombonist Michael Dease.

Featured Album

Decisions - Michael Dease on iTunes

Artist ~ Track ~ Album
Cory Weeds & The Jeff Hamilton Trio ~ I Thought About You ~ this happy madness
Michael Dease ~ Grove's Groove ~ Decisions
Michael Dease ~ Decisions ~ Decisions
Joe Farrell ~ Sound Down ~ Outback
Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis ~ Inaki's Decision (From Vitia Suite) ~ Live In Cuba
Walt Wieskopf ~ Gates of Madrid ~ Open Road
Luciana Souza ~ Free At Last ~ Speaking in Tongues
Romero Lubambo ~ Influencia Do Jazz ~ Setembro
Jimmy Greene ~ Give Thanks ~ Mission Statement
Miguel Zenon ~ Prayer #2 (Thanksgiving) ~ Looking Forward
Arthur Blythe ~ Stuffy Turkey ~ Focus