In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

This podcast features some fine new albums to come across my desk. We begin with a vocal set with Lauren Kinhan of NY Voices fame. Noah Baerman is next up with his inspiring release Ripples. Also featured are the latest releases from Helen Sung and Hartford's favorite son Steve Davis. The podcast concludes with a trio set from Stranahan, Zaleski and Rosato.

Featured Album

Circle in a Square - Lauren Kinhan on iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Pocket Full of Harlem ~ Lauren Kinhan ~ Circle in a Square
Vanity's Paramour ~ Lauren Kinhan ~ Circle in a Square
Time is Now ~ Noah Baerman ~ Ripples
Armando's Rhumba ~ Helen Sung ~ Anthem for a New Day
It Don't Mean a Thing (if it ain't got that swing) ~ Helen Sung ~ Anthem for a New Day
Blues on Blues ~ Steve Davis ~ For Real
Angie's Groove ~ Steve Davis ~ For Real
Limitless ~ Stranahan, Zaleski, Rosato ~ Limitless
Rock Song ~ Stranahan, Zaleski, Rosato ~ Limitless

In the Groove interviews Noah Preminger prior to some gigs in Connecticut and New York City. We speak of expanding the jazz audience, various influences that shaped Noah’s playing, and a process for finding ones own playing style. There are even a couple of unreleased gems that you will only hear on our show.

 

Featured Album

Haymaker - Noah Preminger on iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Haymaker ~ Noah Preminger ~ Haymaker
Patterns of Behavior ~ Superpowers
Love Theme from Sparticus ~ Noah Preminger
Toy Dance ~ Noah Preminger ~ Before the Rain
Don’t Drink the Water ~ Noah Preminger ~ Haymaker
Tomorrow ~ Noah Preminger ~ Haymaker  

All music is the culmination of generations of influences. This holds great importance in jazz. This podcast illustrates the influences on these artists. Miguel Zenon's album played here is based on traditional songs his mother sang in Puerto Rico, that shaped his musical style. George Cables' latest album pays homage to some great jazz composers that influenced his playing. Matt DeChamplain shows the stride style from early jazz pianists that had a strong influence on his art.

Featured Album

Icons and Influences - George Cables in iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Perdon ~ Miguel Zenon ~ Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook
Jugette ~ Miguel Zenon ~ Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook
Happiness ~ George Cables ~ Icons and Influences
Farewell Mulgrew ~ George Cables ~ Icons and Influences
The Duke ~ George Cables ~ Icons and Influences
Honky Tonk Train Blues ~ Matt DeChamplain ~ Stride-Bop 
Minor League ~ Ralph Peterson ~ Alive at Firehouse 12

The varied sounds of modern jazz are represented in this playlist. From the hard driving Chris Potter, swinging rhythm of Matt Wilson, depth of Metheny's composition and the groove of Snarky Puppy. You will hear many facets of what is considered Jazz music.

Featured Album

Kin (<-->) - Pat Metheny on iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Kalypso ~ Chris Potter ~ The Sirens
Get Over, Get Off and Get On ~ Matt Wilson Quartet ~ Gathering Call
Twice ~ NEXT Collective ~ Cover Art
Rise Up ~ Pat Metheny ~ Kin(<-->)
Bent Nails ~ Snarky Puppy ~ Ground Up
Dances With Ancestors ~ Derrick Hodge ~ Live Today
This I Dig Of You ~ Jason Anick ~ Tipping Point

The Fender Rhodes is making a big comeback recently. We probably have Herbie Hancock to thank for fusing the Rhodes and electronics into jazz music. On this podcast we explore Herbie’s great Fender Rhodes playing from the early days with Miles to the glory days of Jazz-Rock Fusion.

Featured Album

Sextant - Herbie Hancock on iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Watermelon Man ~ Herbie Hancock ~ Headhunters
Tell Me a Bedtime Story ~ Herbie Hancock ~ Fat Albert Rotunda
Actual Proof ~ Herbie Hancock ~ Thrust
Butterfly ~ Herbie Hancock ~ Thrust
Ostinato ~ Herbie Hancock ~ Mwandishi
Hidden Shadows ~ Herbie Hancock ~ Sextant
In A Silent Way ~ Miles Davis ~ Complete IASW Sessions
Times Lie ~ Joe Farrell ~ Moon Germs
Red Clay ~ Freddie Hubbard ~ Red Clay
Water on the Pond ~ Miles Davis ~ Complete Miles Davis Quintet 1965-68

Drummer Ben Bilello joins me for a conversation about jazz and drums this week. We begin with a classic Jackie McLean composition before hearing from Ben with guitarist Rich Goldstein. Then we put Ben through the Blindfold Test and talk about Max, Philly Joe, Tony, Motian and more. Hear from Lawrence Hobgood, Harry Connick, Atla DeChamplain and Ahmad Jamal on this podcast episode.

Featured Album

Poinciana (Live) - Ahmad Jamal on iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Appointment in Ghana ~ Jackie McLean ~ Jackie's Bag
Just for Now ~ Rich Goldstein ~ Comin' from Wes
Revival ~ Lawrence Hobgood ~ Crazy World
Pent Up House ~ Sonny Rollins ~ Plus 4
Star Eyes ~ Art Pepper ~ Art Meets Rhythm Section
Big Nick ~ Tony Williams Lifetime ~ Turn it Over
Don't Ever Leave Me ~ Joe Lovano ~ Joyous Encounter
Downtime ~ Robert Glasper ~ Double Booked
Stompin' at the Savoy ~ Harry Connick Jr. ~ When Harry Met Sally
On Green Dolphin Street ~ Atla DeChamplain
This Can't be Love ~ Poinciana (Live) ~ Ahmad Jamal

This podcast marks the return of Jazz and Beyond to prime time on WHUS FM from 5-7PM. The show starts with a couple covers of John Coltrane classics by Hubert Laws, and Branford Marsalis. We continue with a vocal set featuring Kurt Elling, grammy winner Gregory Porter and Chet Baker. Matt Wilson has a new CD and you can hear a couple tracks here. Craig Hartley wraps up this podcast with Books on Tape.

Featured Album

Gathering Call - Matt Wilson Quartet & John Medeski on iTunes

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Moments Notice ~ Hubert Laws ~ In the Beginning
A Love Supreme II Resolution ~ Branford Marsalis ~ Footsteps of out Fathers
Norwegian wood ~ Kurt Elling ~ The Gate
Free ~ Gregory Porter ~ Liquid Spirit
My Funny Valentine ~ Chet Baker ~ Deep In A Dream
Some Assembly Required ~ Matt Wilson Quartet + John Medeski ~ Gathering Call
Hope (For the Cause) ~ Matt Wilson Quartet + John Medeski ~ Gathering Call
Books on Tape ~ Craig Hartley ~ Books on Tape

This show is based on a "shuffled" list from my wife Claire's iPod while on an hour long drive to a jazz club one night. The choice of tunes and the flow of the music makes you wonder if a shuffled list is really random. Enjoy tracks from Miguel Zenon, Keith Jarrett, Joey Calderazzo and more. I think the Michael Brecker track here is brilliant.

Featured Album

Classic iPod

Track ~ Artist ~ Album
Tiemblas ~ Miguel Zenon ~ Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook
Everything That Lives, Laments ~ Keith Jarrett ~ The Impulse Story
Main Stem ~ Jimmy Smith ~ Fourmost
At Sea ~ Ingrid Jensen ~ At Sea
Explicity ~ Gary Reader ~ Moja
Toonay ~ Joey Calderazzo ~ Joey Calderazzo
Mt. Zion ~ Joshua Redman Quartet ~ Spirit of the Moment: Live at Vanguard
Naked Soul ~ Michael Brecker ~ Tales from the Hudson
Spirit Song ~ Ernie Watts ~ Spirit Song