Mondo Jazz

This week's exploration of new and upcoming releases continues with a special focus on the late Frank Kimbrough through a preview of his upcoming posthumous CD "Ancestors" and some of the best renditions that appear on the monunental tribute conceived by pianist and producer Elan Mehler, "Kimbrough", one of the best releases of the year. Punkt vs. Punkt [Kaja Draksler pictured] and Chet Doxas add to the depth and Julien Lourau and Berta Moreno add to the fun. And if you want to know more about a balloon bass then you must check out the merciless groove of Rexray. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14012619/Mondo-Jazz (from Julien Lourau onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Sara Anke

We are back on the new releases trail with an exceptionally packed playlist featuring a posthumous release by Lyle Mays in celebration of Eberhard Weber, the many sides of Chris Speed, exciting upcoming releases by Makaya McCraven, Irreversible Entanglements, Common, Linda Fredriksson [pictured], Steve Coleman, and exciting recent albums by Marc Johnson, Andrew Cyrille and Douglas J. Cuomo with Nels Cline and the Aizuri Quartet. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/14012619/Mondo-Jazz (up to Douglas J. Cuomo). Happy listening!

Certain musicians like to do one thing over and over again. Others, like Elvis Costello, keep reinventing themselves or, at the very least, like to experiment with the many sides of the musical talent they were born with. Looking back at Costello’s career it seems like his sense of adventurous restlenesses has been both the cause and the effect of his many high-profile collaborations, including those in the jazz world - from Michael Leonhart to Roy Nathanson, from the Mingus legacy project to the New Orleans connections, and more - that we explore here. The playlist also features the Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Johan Lindström; Allen Toussaint; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Petra Magoni, Ferruccio Spinetti, Stefano Bollani; The Jazz Passengers; Roy Nathanson; Andy Sheppard; Marian McPartland; Mingus Big Band. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13950767/Mondo-Jazz (from to "Shut Him Down" onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: James Omara

Jazz is one of the most recurrent motifs in the multi-layered quilt that Elvis Costello's discography is; and one of those which make that eclectic patchwork both cohesive and uniquely appealing. The son of a jazz trumpeter and singer with a passion for the American jazz of the 40s and of a record seller with ears wide open, it's perhaps not surprising that he recorded a rendition of "My Funny Valentine" as early as the late '70s, while he was in the middle of his punk rock phase. This week we celebrate the British singer song-writer's birthday with an exploration of his jazz roots, branches and leaves. At the top of the hour a remembrance of another genre-defying artist with a deep appreciation for jazz, the late Charlie Watts. The playlist also features Charlie Watts; Metropole Orkest; Diana Krall; Charles Lloyd; Burt Bacharach, Bill Frisell; Zeno De Rossi; The Charles Mingus Orchestra; Hal Willner; Barb Jungr; Tony Bennett; Chet Baker. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13950767/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Shipbuilding"). Photo credit: Paul Moore

Variety is the spice of jazz, and there's plenty to be found here, from Adi Meyerson's compelling project inspired by Japanese visual artist Yayoi Kusama, to the cinematic music of Slowly Rolling Camera and WiFi CaBel, to the doom jazz of "Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide to the Universe" and the touching tribute to Tomasz Stanko by Giovanni Falzone and Glauco Venier. And much more! The playlist also features Jesse Harris, Vinícius Cantuária; New Age Doom; Bob Mintzer, NDR Big Band; Michele Tino "Chiasma". Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13921866/Mondo-Jazz (from Adi Meyerson onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Ronald Stewart

Impressive new albums by Rachel Eckroth and Melanie Charles, the cross-cultural experiments of Aakash Mittal and Ches Smith, groovy soulful recent releases and re-releases by Leon Spencer, David Axelrod and Will Bernard and much more in this week's playlist. The playlist also features Bruno Angelini; Sam Pilnick; Enrico Degani; and Christopher Hoffman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13921866/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ches Smith). Happy listening! Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

Two beautiful and diverse renditions of Nefertiti-era Wayne Shorter, two exciting new albums featuring John Ellis, yet another susprise from Becca Stevens and much more in the second part of this week's edition focusing on recent and upcoming releases. The playlist features John Ellis, Adam Levy, Glenn Patscha; Pete Rodríguez; Terenche Blanchard; Kari Ikonen; Atticus Reynolds; Ben Goldberg; Becca Stevens & The Secret Trio; Dahveed Behroozi; SaffronKeira with Paolo Fresu. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13865792/Mondo-Jazz (from John Ellis onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Greg Miles

Spiritual jazz, accordions, Ennio Morricone, noir atmospheres, unbridled virtuosos and the mighty guitar of {{Eva Mendoza}}, and much more in this set focusing on recent and upcoming releases. The playlist features Theo Croker; Web Web; Brandee Younger; Benito Gonzalez; Julian Lage; Noé Clerc; Maya Dunietz; Marco Fumo; Lauren Henderson; Duo Fines Lames; Erik Friedlander; William Parker. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13865792/Mondo-Jazz (up to William Parker). Happy listening! Photo credit: Erin Patrice O'Brien

More new and upcoming releases ahoy! And this time with a special focus on previously unissued gems by the likes of Joe Harriott, Roy Brooks, Roy Hargrove and Mulgrew Miller and Bill Evans who came back to the future... The playlist features Huntertones, Cory Wong; Nicole Johänntgen; Roy Hargrove, Mulgrew Miller; Bill Evans; Joe Harriott; Roy Brooks; Big Monitors; Fabien Mary; Madre Vaca. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13806677/Mondo-Jazz Happy listening! Photo credit: Hank O'Neal

We're back to our periodic perusal of the best new releases, from the groove of the Band of Other Brothers and the Bogie Band to the show-stopping electric blues of Elliot Sharp's Terraplane and the sheer beauty of the latest albums by Sarah Wilson and Hank Roberts. The playlist features Band of Other Brothers; The Bogie Band; Malox; Elliot Sharp's Terraplane; Hank Roberts; Enzo Carniel, Filippo Vignato; Jalen Baker; Sarah Wilson; James Brandon Lewis; Giovanni Guidi; Dino Piana. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13806677/Mondo-Jazz Happy listening! Photo credit: Lenny Gonzalez

In the early days of jazz, bands larger than a septet were called an orchestra. Nowadays jazz orchestras and big bands are much larger than that, like those we feature in our final instalment of our mini-series dedicated to (mostly new and upcoming) releases by big bands and orchestras which can be found at the intersection of beauty, fun and mischief. The playlist features: The Louis Cole Big Band [pictured]; Jazzrausch Bigband; Brussels Jazz Orchestra; Chris Potter Underground Orchestra; Django Bates, Norbotten Big Band; Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra; Michael Moore; Tim Hagans; Terraza Big Band; Webber/Morris Big Band; Andrew D'Angelo's DNA Orchestra; Gard Nilssen Supersonic Orchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13766964/Mondo-Jazz (from Louis Cole onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Zoe Holman

Big bands and orchestras have something that smaller ensembles cannot offer, sheer power and energy, which very often equals tons of fun, like that you will find in our ongoing deep-dive in the world of forward looking big bands and orchestras continues. The show features mostly new and upcoming albums from some of the best large ensembles from around the globe. Sometimes bigger is actually better! The playlist features: Fabia Mantwill Orchestra [pictured]; Electric Lady Big Band; Colin Towns, NDR Bigband; David Sanford Big Band; Darcy James Argue's Secret Society; Big Heart Machine; Vanessa Perica Orchestra; Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp; The Awakening Orchestra; Umlaut Big Band; Van Dyke Parks, Verónica Valerio; theBABAorchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13766964/Mondo-Jazz (up to theBABAorchestra). Happy listening! Photo credit: Dovile Sermokas

As we continue our journey in the recent work of some of the most compelling Jazz Orchestras and Big Bands of today, and a few from the past that were so ahead of their time that their albums sound still very modern. The playlist features Orchestre National de Jazz; Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Enrico Terragnoli Orchestra Vertical; Fred Pallem et le Sacre du Tympan; The Don Ellis Orchestra; Miho Hazama [pictured] and the Danish Radio Big Band; Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra; Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive; UMO Jazz Orchestra & Raoul Bjorkenheim; Mike Gibbs; Jihye Lee Orchestra; Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13708272/Mondo-Jazz (from Orchestre National de Jazz onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Agnete Schlichtkrull

More is not always necessarily better, especially in music. However, the proliferation of remarkable Jazz Big Bands and Orchestras of the last decade or so is providing plenty of ground to prove that quality and quantity can go hand-in-hand. This week we focus on recent releases by some of the most compelling large ensembles around, with a few exceptions of older albums that fit with the forward-looking tenor of this music. The playlist features the Vienna Art Orchestra; Sun Ra; Rob Mazurek Exploding Star Orchestra; The Matthew Herbert Big Band; CvA Concert Big Band, Reinier Baas, Johan Plomp; Yuri Honing, Vince Mendoza, Metropole Orchestra; Luciana Souza; Johannes Wallmann; Alban Darche; Surnatural Orchestra; The Very Big Experimental Toubifri Orchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13708272/Mondo-Jazz (up to Toubifri Orchestra) Happy listening!

Welcome to the second half of the England-Italy jazz rematch. England and Italy have both championed jazz very early on, and they have been among the first European jazz scenes to develop a recognizable accent in how they speak the jazz language, light-heartedness and sense of humour being integral aspects of that accent. Even though Italian and English sound quite different as languages, their two jazz accents are surprisingly similar in how they both seem to be characterized by a certain attention to melody. Once more a playlist matching one British musician, band or project, with one from Italy The playlist features Stefano Bollani; Django Bates; First House; 3Quietmen (feat. Stefano Battaglia); Julian Arguelles & Frankfurt Radio Big Band; Pino Minafra; Guy Barker; Fabrizio Bosso, Julian Oliver Mazzariello; Gianluigi Trovesi; John Surman; Colin Towns' Mask Symphonic; Loose Tubes; Italian Instabile Orchestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13662704/Mondo-Jazz (from Stefano Bollani onward). Happy listening!

Last week, England and Italy faced each other in the finals of the European Soccer Cup. It was a compelling match with a nail-biting end between two teams that exceeded expectations and that promise to have a brilliant future. Italy won in a penalty shootout because in sports--especially in the finals of a tournament--there has to be a winner and a loser. That's why we much prefer arts--and music in particular--where usually everyone wins (or everyone loses… if the music is terrible, but then again… you don't have to listen to that). So here's re-match in which Italy and England go side by side rather than against each other, for a game of Fantasy Jazz Sport matching one British musician, band or project, with one from Italy. The playlist features Steve Argüelles; Tommaso Cappellato; Ezra Collective [pictured]; Gianluca Petrella; Wildflower; Leo Gasperoni Mamud Band feat. Lester Bowie; Ginger Baker; Zeno De Rossi; Stefano Battaglia; John Taylor; Antonio Zambrini; Stan Tracey; Franco D'Andrea; Nunzio Rotondo; Tubby Hayes. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13662704/Mondo-Jazz (up to Tubby Hayes). Happy listening!

In this installment of Mondo Jazz we check out the latest releases by the prolific French pianist Benoit Delbecq, the expanded version of Charles Mingus' 1974 legendary concert at Carnegie Hall, the textural work of Waxwing and the trio of Thomas Stronen, Ayumi Tanaka, Marthe Lea, and a couple of albums that may end up very high on the best of 2021 lists: the latest releases by Danilo Gallo and Tom Rainey. The playlist also features: Simon Moullier; Joel Frahm; Philippe Mouratoglou; Steve Argüelles; Pierre Bastien. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13603965/Mondo-Jazz (from Simon Moullier onward). Happy listening!

This week we return to our periodic perusal of new releases, including re-releases from the vault of Black Fire Records (courtesy of the ever vigilant Strut Records), a newly released 1991 live-recording by Miles Davis and the upcoming project by his saxophonist from that band, Kenny Garrett. Speaking of saxophonists, don't miss the gems by electro-saxophonists Cochemea and Sam Gendel. The playlist also features Southern Energy Ensemble; Oneness of Juju; Kamasi Washington; Daniel Freedman; Sam Wilkes. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13603965/Mondo-Jazz (up to Miles Davis). Happy listening!

The much-awaited return of queen Marisa Monte, and the faux-Nippo-jazz of Julien Daïan open a show which centers around the outstanding new album by Ches Smith and dives deep into the diversity of today's international jazz scene. The playlist features also Evgeny Ponomarev; Le Tigre (des platanes); Colin Stetson; Ches Smith; Attilio Sepe; Florian Pellissier; Tino Tracanna; Mário Laginha, Julian Arguelles, Helge Norbakken; Paul Bedal; and Yaniv Taubenhouse. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13449683/Mondo-Jazz (from Marisa Monte onwards) Happy listening!

In the two weeks since our last new releases special, so much great new music came to our attention, that today we have one of those shows that some like to define all killer, no filler, except that I don't like to think of music as killing, but you get the drift. A special focus on Charlie Hunter numerous recent projects as leader or sideman, and on great bass players like Petter Eldh, Christian McBride, Michael Formanek and Clovis Nicolas. The playlist also features Nicole Johänntgen; Sébastien Texier, Christope Marguet; Kurt Elling; Sam Fribush; Lucy Woodward; Costanza Alegiani; Francesco Beccaro; Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas; Michel Meis; Dan Rosenboom, Billy Mohler, Anthony Fung Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13449683/Mondo-Jazz (up to Dan Rosenboom) Happy listening!

Welcome to the second part of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz dedicated to the one and only Geri Allen, the monumental pianist that would have turned 65 this year, but has left a body of work that will continue to play a fundamental influence on generations of musicians. Her unique synthesis of influences comes across a beautiful Songbook which we'll explore through her original interpretations and those of her peers. The playlist features Geri Allen, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette; Vijay Iyer; David Murray, Terri Lyne Carrington; Steve Coleman; Gary Thomas; Dianne Reeves; Ben Waltzer; Michael Gregory Jackson; Gerald Cleaver; Kassa Overall. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13403741/Mondo-Jazz (from Allen/Holland/DeJohnette onward). Happy listening!

This week we celebrate the legacy of a musician whose contribution to the jazz world was cut short too early, pianist Geri Allen. The fruits of her legacy, however, have already been evident for some time. There are so many among today's pianists who are in their late 40s, from Jason Moran to Ethan Iverson, from Vijay Iyer to Aruan Ortiz, in whose piano playing one can feel the influence of the Pontiac native. And when you hear today's trailblazers look up to a musician that was just 15-20 years their senior, you know that Geri Allen's repertoire is bound to become an increasingly influential source of inspiration for years to come. The playlist features Geri Allen; Tim Ray; Donald Walden; Wallace Roney; The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet; Don Byron and Aruan Ortiz; Noël Akchoté; Vijay Iyer and Craig Taborn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13403741/Mondo-Jazz (up to Iyer-Taborn). Happy listening!

If you belong to the CD generation you must be familiar with the feeling of surprise and elation that comes when you let the CD player spinning even when the music is over, just to realize suddenly that there was a hidden track not mentioned on the booklet or the liner notes… Today we're focusing on great tunes that - for a reason or another - were concealed to great effect but may have also not received the attention they deserve. We'll try to remedy just that focusing on ghost-tracks, and other ghostly jazz. The playlist features Cortex; Shake Stew; John Ellis; Johnny Fourie; Heiri Känzig; Howard Fishman; Paul Jarret; Jason Moran; Branford Marsalis; Aljosa Jeric; Houdini's Cage; Rêve d'éléphant orchestra; The Other Quartet; Joe Henry; and Albert Ayler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13409684/Mondo-Jazz (from Cortex onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

You are all very familiar with the sense of surprise and joy that comes when you've finished playing an album, and as you thought it was over and you are about to turn off the player or start playing the next album... the music fills the air again when you no longer expected it. This week we focus on great jazz tunes hidden in plain sight, or plain hearing, the so-called ghost tracks, and other ghost-related jazz. The playlist features Bobby Previte; Erik Truffaz; Paolo Fresu; Thomas de Pourquery; Duke Pearson; Branford Marsalis; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Rudy Royston; Enrico Morello; Oltremare Quartet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13409684/Mondo-Jazz (up to Oltremare Quartet). Happy listening! Photo credit: Sylvain Gripoix

Leo Sidran and Kat Edmonson's latest single introduce the Art of Conversation in jazz. Irène Schweizer and Hamid Drake, and Javier Santiago and Melanie Charles continue it as a dialogue; Keith Brown and Garage a Trois as a trialougue; Dina Ramirez, Roberto Negro, Erik Fratzke as a quadralogue; Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Makram Aboul Hosn, Ofentse Moses Sebula and Little Rosies Kindergarten as much larger conversation. But in all cases, it's the result of deep listening and opennes that gives rise to memorable music. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13276049/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ocelot). Happy listening!

This week we pay tribute to the late Mario Pavone, with an epic live set in which his majestic bass sound propelled the Thomas Chapin Trio into the stratosphere at the 1995 Newport Jazz Festival. The rest of the playlist revolves around modern jazz guitar, with two different way to pay tribute to Bill Frisell by the Unscientific Italians and Skuli Sverrison, the revelatory new albums by Hungarian guitarist Csaba Palotai (with Steve Arguelles) and French guitarist Paul Jarret, the guitar talk of Joel Harrison and Pete McCann in tribute to Vic Juris (for Harrison's new imprint ASG), and the solo soundpainting of Lake Michigan by Scott DuBois. Completing the dense playlist, are the new albums by Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas' Soundprints Quintet, the first of new material after a string of Wayne Shorter tribute albums, Tell No Lies and Ocelot. The playlist features Mario Pavone, Thomas Chapin, Mike Sarin; Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas; Tell No Lies; Paul Jarret; Unscientific Italians; Skúli Sverrisson with Bill Frisell; Csaba Palotai, Steve Arguelles; Joel Harrison; Scott DuBois; and Ocelot. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13276049/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ocelot). Happy listening!

Tributes, pianists, and tributes to pianists at the core of this show, from the hommages to Paul Jackson by John Patitucci, Ennio Morricone by Stefano Di Battista, Alice Coltrane by Il Sogno and Hasan Ibn Ali by Brian Marsella to available-at-last music by Ali himself and British pianist Mike Taylor both as leader and composer for Cream. To top things up the remarkable debut album by New York based Japanese pianist Erika Dohi [pictured] with a track featuring special guests Ambrose Akinmusire and Immanuel Wilkins, Berlin based Japanese veteran pianist Aki Takase, the spiritual jazz of Wildflower, the unstoppable groove of The Bamboos and a quasi-Morriconean reprise of Moby's hit "Natural Blues" feat. Gregory Porter. The playlist features The Bamboos; John Patitucci; Stefano di Battista; Moby, Gregory Porter; Wildflower; Il Sogno; Erika Dohi; Aki Takase, Christian Weber, Michael Griener; Hasan Ibn Ali; Brian Marsella; Mike Taylor; and Cream. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13220267/Mondo-Jazz (from The Bamboos onward). Photo credit: Shervin Lainez.

A playlist replete music that hits you hard and deep regardless the volume at which it was recorded, ranging from the compelling album marking the 85th birthday of Michel Portal to the new concept album by Maria Grand, and a whole bunch of genre-defying projects to keep your spirits high! The playlist features The Gangsters; Michel Portal; Anthony Joseph; Maria Grand; The J. & F. Band; Steven Bernstein; Daniele Sepe; Mark Feldman; Paul Berner, Michael Moore; Hjortron; and Michael Rodriguez. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13220267/Mondo-Jazz (up to Michael Rodriguez). Happy listening! Photo credit: Pedro Gil Rosas

In the second part of this week's show we continue exploring the compositional genius of Keith Jarrett on the occasion of his 76th birthday, focusing on renditions of his tunes by other musicians. It is one of the ways we can celebrate the lasting contribution of Keith Jarrett to the music world at a time where unfortunately his health does not allow him to play live or record new material. The playlist features Bruce Hornsby; Angel Sucheras; Steve Cardenas; Jay Anderson; Branford Marsalis; George Schuller; Kenny Werner; Rudy Linka; Eric Legnini; Emily Remler; Larry Corryel, Philippe Catherine; Tom Lellis; The Matteson - Phillips Tubajazz Consort; Nelson Veras; and Vert. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13172951/Mondo-Jazz (from Brunce Hornsby onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Yasuhisa Yoneda

For over four and a half decades, Keith Jarrett has penned countless memorable compositions many of which have become integral part of the repertoires of many of today's musicians. As his years at ECM have become increasingly focused on improvisational tour de forces or the exploration of the Great American Songbook, the compositions of Keith Jarrett that other musicians have been covering are mostly the tunes from his years with Atlantic Records and Impulse! Records albums, which perhaps better lend themselves to a re-interpretation. This week we explore some of the best, and some of the more unusual, renditions of the Keith Jarrett Songbook to celebrate the pianist's 76th birthday. The playlist features Big Band Katowice; Woody Herman; Steve Arguelles; Pat Metheny; Mike Gibbs; Georgie Fame; Keith Jarrett; Ulf Wakenius; Noël Akchoté; Sylvain Luc; Peter Lehel; SHIN-SKI; Noah Haidu; and Eric Revis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13172951/Mondo-Jazz (up to Eric Revis). Happy listening!

Jazz from Sweden, Republic of Korea, Australia, Switzerland and the USA in this set which blends tradition, innovation, and social engagement. The playlist features Jazzagenturen Qt.; Butcher Brown; Susanna Risberg; Andrea Keller; Johan Lindström; Focusyear Band; Pat Donaher; Soojin Suh; Jordan Vanhemert; Peter DiCarlo; Felipe Salles. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13116160/Mondo-Jazz (from Susanna Risberg onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Rene Jakobson

A Hammond Organ spotlight opens the show, courtesy of the WRD Trio, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio and the James Taylor Quartet. Its groove then gives way to the contemporary sounds of Mark Lettieri and Taylor Eigsti's latest collaboration with Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens, the spledid new albums of Israeli pianist Maya Dunietz and bassist Almog Sharvit; the jazz forays of the Stooges' Iggy Pop (with Dr. Lonnie Smith) and Mike Watt (with Three Layer Cake; the return of trumpet maverick Jaimie Branch with a live album, and two adventurous Italian projects, Circles 44 and Koine Sound Collective; and a second taste from the impressive debut album by guitarist Zane Carney. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13116160/Mondo-Jazz (up to Koine Sound Collective). Happy listening!

We continue our focus on the compositions of Charles Mingus, on the eve of what would have been his 99th birthday. Today's jazz would sound very different if Mingus had not been around and for this show we're focusing on some of the best renditions of some of his most beautiful compositions. The playlist features Quincy Jones; Gavino Murgia; Andy Summers; RZA; Jyoti; Soil & Pimp Sessions; Ravi Coltrane; Bobby Previte, Hal Willner; Stephanie Nilles; Ron Miles; Mark Murphy; Honi Gordon; and Domino Quartet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13065964/Mondo-Jazz (from Quincy Jones onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Guy Le Querrec

This week Charles Mingus would have turned 99 years old, so to be a whole year ahead of the celebration of his centennial we've decided to focus this edition of Mondo Jazz on his figure as a composer, featuring some of the best renditions of some of his most memorable compositions. The playlist features Maceo Parker; Osmiza; Vienna Art Orchestra; Jane Bunnett, Dewey Redman, Stanley Cowell, Dean Bowman; Joni Mitchell; Gil Evans; Steve Lacy; Hal Willner; The Uptown Horns; Greg Cohen; Elvis Costello, Bill Frisell; Michael Blake; Medeski, Martin & Wood. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13065964/Mondo-Jazz (up to Medeski, Martine & Wood). Happy listening!

The extrovert pianism of Stefano Bollani and Benito Gonzalez opens this show, which then dives into recent Nordic and Eastern European jazz (Fredrik Nordström, Julia Karosi, JAF Trio), embraces the compelling melodicism of Roberto Spadoni, Chris Pattishall, Stefano Coppari, Wayne Horvitz and Sara Schoenbeck, explores the music of two adventurous Canadians (Lina Allemano and Francois Houle), before landing in Ornette-land courtesy of Miguel Zenon. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13026978/Mondo-Jazz (from Stefano Bollani onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Gert Vandepoele

This week we focus on music about fake news (Veronica Swift - pictured) and black lives (Daniel Casimir, Spaza), historic British jazz reissues (Neil Ardley) and young compelling reeds players Rahsaan Barber, Pauli Lyytinen, Tobias Meinhart, Michael Thomas, Leonhard Skorupa of the Austrian angular trio Znap!, and Nathan Daems of the Belgian power-outfit Echoes of Zoo) Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/13026978/Mondo-Jazz (up to Neil Ardley). Happy listening! Photo credit: Matt Baker

A show focusing directly or indirectly on current and past masters of the creative scene, from Don Cherry to John Coltrane, from William Parker to Tony Allen. Big Monitors; Tony Allen; Emanuele Passerini; Elin Forkelid; John Coltrane; Don Cherry. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12965801/Mondo-Jazz (from Big Monitors onward). Happy listening!

Hypnotic tunes, Orchestras, South African piano masters and James Brandon Lewis' prolific vein are the main theme of this show focusing on new and upcoming releases. The playlist features Omar Sosa; Sam Fribush; De Beren Gieren; Dave Holland; Lee Pardini; Ghost Funk Orchestra; Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra; Jihye Lee Orchestra; Nortonk; Bheki Mseleku; The Ibrahim Khalil Shihab Quintet; James Brandon Lewis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12965801/Mondo-Jazz (up to James Brandon Lewis). Happy listening! Photo credit: Eunha So

Our exploration of new and upcoming releases, and reissues, continues with the compelling homage to Charles Mingus by Stephanie Nilles, followed by the stunning Bremen live recordings recently released by Sunnyside Records. Sandwhiched between two beautiful Blue Note albums (the upcoming project by the Julian Lage Trio and an instant classic by Charles Lloyd) and two projects by the beacons of the London scene, Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia, the usual mix of European projects (Bad Uok, Florian Arbenz and Edward Perraud, and blast from the downtown past: the debut album by Pachora! The playlist features Julian Lage; Charles Lloyd; Florian Arbenz, Nelson Veras, Hermon Mehari; Edward Perraud; Bad Uok; Pachora; Stephanie Nilles; Charles Mingus; Sons of Kemet; Nubya Garcia. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12923792/Mondo-Jazz (from Julian Lage onward). Happy listening!

We take off with another upcoming gem from Georgia Anne Muldrow and land with John Zorn and the first (of what will certainly be many) box set dedicated to his delightful Bagatelles. In the middle a mini-section on the Palladino bass-dinasty which acts as a bridge between two of the hot scenes of today, London's and LA's. From there we dive in the latter with a special focus on the fascinating new releases by Sam Gendel, Carlos Niño, Zane Carney, Henry Solomon and Logan Kane. The playlist features Georgia Anne Muldrow; H ZETTRIO; Dzhian & Kamien; Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino; Pino Palladino, Blake Mills; Sam Gendel; Carlos Niño; Zane Carney; Henry Solomon, Logan Kane; JOMORO; R+R=NOW; Sana Nagano; John Zorn, Mary Halvorson, Erik Friedlander, Michael Nicolas, Trigger, and Ikue Mori. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12923792/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ikue Mori). Happy listening! Photo credit: Luke Marantz.

Every age its defining musicians, who stand-out for their innovations and distinctive voices. For us growing up musically in the 1980s and 1990s and interested in forward looking music Bill Frisell is one of these foundational figures. His instrumental style is certainly unique and has shaped the way the following generations have approached the guitar, and--more and more so--his compositions are being embraced by his peers. His tunes integrate sources as diverse as country music, rock, pop, surf music or American contemporary and classical music into jazz. They contain many familiar traits which are hard to pin down because they've been revisited through Frisell's original vision, creating a brand of Americana that has become influential well beyond the confines of the US. Here we'll explore some of the best renditions of his songs. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (up to Jerry Douglas) Happy listening! Photo credit: Monica Jane Frisell

Bill Frisell's instrumental voice is instantly recognizable, no matter whether he displays its skronky side in John Zorn's Naked City or his sublime and delicate voicings infused of high-end Americana. Equally distinctive are his compositions which more and more of his peers have been incorporating in their repertoires, in a process of metabolization that goes back to the 1990s but--as it always happens for musicians whose style is so distinctive--started to really take off later in Frisell's career and is now reaching a healthy cruising speed. In this part of the show we'll feature renditions of Frisell's tunes by The Spellcasters; Rope; JP Schlegelmilch; Matt Brewer; Leni Stern; Arto Lindsay; David Sylvian; Danny Barnes; David Halliday; Unscientific Italians; Allen Ginsberg; Hal Willner; Gabriela; Angela Davis; Brooklyn Rider. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (from The Spellcasters onward) Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

Me might be living in difficult times but the music scene, key to our mental well-being in this challenging phaes, is on fire. Literally every day it brings us new voices or new projects. This week we feature a few, with a special focus on vocalists, from the powerful debut of Ve.Nika to Dominique Fils-Aimé's remarkable third, and final, chapter of her African-American Trilogy; from Kirk Knuffke's projects with two Danish singers (Lilly's exquisite modern takes on the Great American Songbook and Josefine Cronholm's project inspired by the poetry of Carl Sandburg) to the prog vibes of Oba Loba featuring Belgian singer Lynn Cassiers and Valentin Ceccaldi, Théo Ceccaldi & le Grand Orchestre du Tricot featuring the signature vocals of Thomas De Pourquery. Philippe Lemm's piano trio featuring the late Angelo di Loreto, the 36-year collaboration of Roberto Cipelli and Paolo Fresu, Stefano Tamborrino's blend of jazz and chamber music and the funky side of Lawrence Sieberth's New Orleans-meets-Paris project complete the packed playlist. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12724697/Mondo-Jazz (from Ve.Nika onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Steven Haberland

This week we put together an energy-packed playlist to boost us towards the finishing line of the winter season. At the heart of the show is electric jazz, from a rather guitar-centric set of bands. They oscillate between the shredding power of Hedvig Mollestad or Marbin, and the legacy of the New York Downtown scene that has started emerging from the vaults of Wayne Horvitz and has echoes coming back to us from across the world: exhibit A the Belgian band Echoes of Zoo; exhibit B: French drummer Anne Pacéo's project Circles. A second taste of two current favorites, the Pino Palladino - Blake Mills collaboration and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Chris Potter's compelling one-man-show, the intricate philigrane of Shijin and Tamil Rogeon's electro-spiritual jazz adventures complete this journey in our stashes of new and upcoming releases. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12724697/Mondo-Jazz (up to Tamil Rogeon). Happy listening! Photo credit: Arve-Kjersheim

Bill Frisell's instrumental voice is instantly recognizable, no matter whether he displays its skronky side in John Zorn's Naked City or his sublime and delicate voicings infused of high-end Americana. Equally distinctive are his compositions which more and more of his peers have been incorporating in their repertoires, in a process of metabolization that goes back to the 1990s but--as it always happens for musicians whose style is so distinctive--started to really take off later in Frisell's career and is now reaching a healthy cruising speed. In this part of the show we'll feature renditions of Frisell's tunes by The Spellcasters; Rope; JP Schlegelmilch; Matt Brewer; Leni Stern; Arto Lindsay; David Sylvian; Danny Barnes; David Halliday; Unscientific Italians; Allen Ginsberg; Hal Willner; Gabriela; Angela Davis; Brooklyn Rider. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (from The Spellcasters onward) Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

Every age has a number of defining musicians, who stand-out for their innovations and distinctive voices. For us growing up musically in the 1980s and 1990s and interested in forward looking music Bill Frisell is one of these foundational figures. His instrumental style is certainly unique and has shaped the way the following generations have approached the guitar, and--more and more so--his compositions are being embraced by his peers. His tunes integrate sources as diverse as country music, rock, pop, surf music or American contemporary and classical music into jazz. They contain many familiar traits which are hard to pin down because they've been revisited through Frisell's original vision, creating a brand of Americana that has become influential well beyond the confines of the US. With tunes like "Throughout" or "Strange Meeting" having been covered by tens of musicians, Bill Frisell' songbook is becoming as influential as his instrumental style Here we'll explore renditions of his songs by Michael Gibbs; Wayne Horvitz; Unscientific Italians; Elvis Costello and Metropole Orkest; Molly Johnson; Steve Argüelles; Aljosa Jeric; Charlie Haden; Tony Malaby; Noël Akchoté; Dylan-Thomas Vance and Griff Bear; and Jerry Douglas. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12860963/Mondo-Jazz (up to Jerry Douglas) Happy listening! Photo credit: Monica Jane Frisell

This week we feature plenty of jazz for social justice, exciting piano players and young ensembles, unearthed live gems that are coming out during these COVID times both to remind us of the power of live music and to remedy the lack of new live recordings, and the album that confirms Gretchen Parlato's role in the pantheon of today's best jazz vocalists. The playlist features Gretchen Parlato; Michael Wolff; Daniele Sepe; Christopher Parker, Kelley Hurt; Damon Locks; Alonzo Demetrius; Matty Stecks & Dead Cat Bounce; Alban Darche; Tania Giannouli; Cat Toren; Soojin Suh; Alexander von Schlippenbach; Daniele Germani. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12681941/Mondo-Jazz (from Gretchen Parlato onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Seung Yeol Nah.

The return of Garage a Trois to its original line-up (Charlie Hunter, Skerik, Stanton Moore) kicks off a show featuring plenty of new and upcoming releases delivering good energy, adventure, sophistication and dreams of wide open spaces. A special mention for the upcoming album by Argentinean singer Roxana Amed which confirms her as unique voice on today's jazz scene. The playlist features Garage a Trois; Pierrick Pédron; Dr. Lonnie Smith; Fabio Accardi; Roxana Amed; Giovanni Di Carlo; Frank Martino; Hitra; Jakob Bro; Warped Dreamer; Hubert Dupont, Antoine Berjeaut, Steve Arguelles; Francesco Chiapperini & Theo Bleckmann. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12681941/Mondo-Jazz (up to the Westerlies).

We continue our journey in the Chick Corea Songbook. For decades he has been one of the contemporary ambassadors of American jazz, inspiring fans and other musicians all over the world. In this part of the programme we'll feature renditions of his work by musicians from abroad and from the USA, and from across musical genres through some hip-hop bands that mined the Chick Corea catalogue. The playlist features Masabumi Kikuchi; Luca Mannutza; Bob Berg; Jonathan Kreisberg, Nelson Veras; Lizz Wright; Rigmor Gustafsson; Tom Scott, Phil Woods; World Renown; Black Sheep; Ramsey Lewis, Billy Taylor; Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Brian Blade. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12628787/Mondo-Jazz (from Masabumi Kikuchi onward). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli

To celebrate the legacy of the late Chick Corea, today we'll focus on what he leaves behind, in addition to countless recordings as a leader or sideman, a body of compositions that have already expanded the jazz canon and will continue to do so in the coming years. In this first part of the programme we'll focus in particular on his "Spanish heart" and his "Children's Songs" cycle. The playlist features Iiro Rantala, Michael Wollny, Leszek Mozdzer; Don Grolnick; Willie Bobo; Michel Camilo; Santana; Biréli Lagrène, Sylvain Luc; Roy Haynes; Diego Figueiredo; Friedrich Gulda; Susanne Abbuehl; Tommy Smith; Kris Bowers; Nicola Andrioli; Mural; Chick Corea. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12628787/Mondo-Jazz (up to Chick Corea). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli.