Mondo Jazz

Two tenor titans, Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano are at the heart of this week's show, with a multitude of projects as leaders or co-leaders. Two emerging pianists, Kari Ikonen and Francesco Orio share interesting perspectives on the use of their instrument. For the rest we'll go from the shreddin' energy of Marbin to Madre Vaca's jazz take on a classical music composition by Franz Schubert. The playlist also features Cortex; Benjamin Koppel; Alder Ego; The Generations Quartet; and The Kaleidoscope Quintet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12593654/Mondo-Jazz (from Marbin onward) Happy listening! Photo credit: Richard Conde

The irresistible grooves of Delvon Lamarr and The Meters open another celebration of great new releases and reissues, through which we look into the relationship between jazz and hip-hop, art songs, and some good old fusion. The playlist also features Binker and Moses; Butcher Brown; Chicago Yestet; Giovanni Cigui; Marcos Resende; Matt Mayhall; Nels Cline; Cristina Zavalloni; and Tori Handsley. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12593654/Mondo-Jazz (Up to Tori Handsley) Happy listening!

This week we focus our attention on two fundamental box-sets and a slew of live recordings the synchronicity of whose releases or reissues draws the spotlight on musicians that were at the center of the legendary Loft Scene (from Julius Hemphill to Sam Rivers, Michael Gregory Jackson and JuJU), as well as on some of those musicians that have been keeping the loft scene's spirit alive (William Parker, Tim Berne and the Italian-Danish band like On Dog). The latest albums by Charles Lloyd and the Marvels and Ayelet Rose Gottlieb provide the perfect way to open the proceedings. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12536816/Mondo-Jazz (from Charles Lloyd onward) Happy listening!

Never one to rest on his laurels, Franco-Moroccan comedian Gad Elmaleh dives into a new adventure with his remarkable and alluring Blue Note debut album which opens an equally adventurous set of new and upcoming albums from all around the world. The playlist features also Johan Lindström; Gabriel Alegria; Manteca; Yoko Miwa; Tino Tracanna; Elephant9; Ill Considered; Ok Nok... Kongo; Cyrus Nabipoor; Martin Wind, Ack van Rooyen, Philip Catherine; Franco Ambrosetti. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12536816/Mondo-Jazz (up to Franco Ambrosetti) Happy listening! Photo credit: Shayan Asgharnia

Navasha Daya's tribute to Gil Scott Heron, several projecfts that explored the trail that Coltrane blazed, artists for whom rhythm is melody and melody is rhythm, musicians that plunge themselves in the inner space and in the outer space, debut CDs, reissues, label showcase albums... There's something for everyone in this hour of new and umpcoming jazz. The playlist features Navasha Dava; The Auanders; Chris Speed; Steve Reid; Elin Forkelid; Anna Högberg; Muriel Grossmann; Benoît Delbecq; Susie Ibarra; Sun Ra Arkestra. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12487369/Mondo-Jazz (from Navasha Daya onward). Happy listening! Photo courtesy of Elin Forkelid (credit: Peter Gannushkin).

The future of the music we love is in good hands as you'll hear through the projects of the emerging artists featured in this show, ranging in style from the a stunning modern take on Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite" for Chris Pattishall's debut album to the eclectic first release by Slovenian singer Mirna Bogdanović. Bass veteran Pino Palladino has a different 'first': his first album for Impulse! in the company of Blake Mills, Larry Goldings, Sam Gendel, Marcus Strickland, Jacques Schwartz-Bart and Chris Dave. The playlist features also Chris McCarthy; Max Bessesen; Cowboys & Frenchmen; Dave Gisler Trio feat. Jamie Branch; Randal Despommier; R+R=NOW; Miguel Zenón, Luis Perdomo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12487369/Mondo-Jazz (up to Zenón-Perdomo). Happy listening! Photo credit: Dovile Sermokas

This week's perusal through recent and upcoming jazz releases brings us British jazz from today (Alfa Mist) and yesterday (Don Rendell and Ian Carr), a stunning debut from Italy (Francesca Remigi), cutting edge music from the East Coast (Dave Douglas, Ben Wendel and Taka Nawashiro) and the West Coast (Dan Rosenboom), and two live unreleased gems by Hal Galper with the The Brecker Brothers and the Breckers's own. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12450353/Mondo-Jazz (from Don Rendell onward) Happy listening!

Our stash of exciting recent and upcoming releases was replete with great new music from France that we had to devote to it a whole section of this week's show. Here large and small ensembles of unbounded creativity and multiple influences. The playlist features Mina Agossi; The Volunteered Slaves; Valentin Ceccaldi, Théo Ceccaldi & le Grand Orchestre du Tricot; Roberto Negro; Surnatural Orchestra; Orchestre National de Jazz; Orchestra Nazionale della Luna; Collectif la boutique; Vincent Peirani, Emile Parisien; Naïssam Jalal; François Lana; Renaud-Gabriel Pion; Raphaël Pannier; Yannic Seddiki; Alban Darche, Jean-Louis Pommier, Sebastien Boisseau. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12450353/Mondo-Jazz (up to Alban Darche) Happy listening! Photo credit: Thibault Stipal

We continue our exploration of the musical world of Frank Kimbrough, through his works as leader, co-leader, sideman in groups of long-time collaborators and in live never-heard-before recordings. The playlist features Frank Kimbrough, Lucas Pino; Rich Perry; Ben Allison; Ted Nash; The Herbie Nichols Project; Ron Horton; Jazz Composers Collective Trio; Jon Gordon. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12403391/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Spins" onward). Happy listening!

Frank Kimbrough had carved a unique place on the jazz scene, admired and respected by his peers for his capacity of inhabiting the moment and this way really embodying the essence of a music like jazz. This week we will go through some of the highlights of his discography as a leader, sideman, composer, producer and mentor of a new generation of musicians; including through never heard before recordings. The playlist features Frank Kimbrough; Michael Blake; Ron Horton; Ben Allison; Andrew Wangemann; Federica Michisanti; Jeff Cosgrove; Martin Wind; Joe Locke; Evan Harris; Katie Bull; Maryanne de Prophetis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12403391/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Chant"). Enjoy the show!

You feel like you need a shot of energy because you've been at home too long, or you dream about traveling around the world but you're stuck in lock-down mode. Or maybe you feel curious about the ways in which jazz can advocate environmental or social causes. Or you're simply curious about new and exciting jazz releases. Then just click on the player, because you've just hit the mother lode of albums which check all the above boxes, and more. The playist features Ernesto Cervini; Kungen Jazz; Dave Gisler; Sylvain Rifflet; Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra; Antônio Neves; Mauro Ottolini; Becca Stevens; Elan Mehler; Ron Miles. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12351227/Mondo-Jazz (from Ernesto Cervini onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Elliot Ross

This week we go from Wynton Marsalis's ruminations on the status of our society to Teodross Avery's and the Analog Players Society's reflections on Monk. In between. a world tour with stops in South Africa, Guatemala, Norway and Canada, and on two sides of the country, LA and NYC, for another great tasting menu of the best that today's jazz scene has to offer. The playlist features the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis; Bokani Dyer; Eyolf Dale; Dina Ramirez; James Brandon Lewis; Kristiana Roemer; Lee Pardini; William Chernoff; Dayna Stephens. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12351227/Mondo-Jazz (up to Analog Player Society). Happy listening! Photo credit: Ludovico Granvassu

Gregory Porter kicks off the party with his uplifting "Revival Song", electro-acoustic projects keep the momentum going during the first half and jazz-meets-contemporary music albums take over the second half, including the latest by Pat Metheny with a new label, and the celebrated Kronos Quartet in two quite different contexts. The playlist features Gregory Porter; Francesco Bearzatti; Soul Church Music; Henry Solomon, Logan Kane (feat. Louis Cole & Dennis Hamm); Mortality; Matt Moran; Los Angeles Guitar Quartet; Pat Metheny; Alberto Pinton; J. Peter Schwalm, Arve Henriksen; AINON; Ibrahim Maalouf; Kronos Quartet; Stephan Thelen. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12324136/Mondo-Jazz (From Gregory Porter onward). Happy listening! Photo credit: Shawn Peters

The year ended as it started, and as if COVID-19 never were, with a heart-warming slew of great new releases. Here's the last installment for 2020 acting as a great omen for an equally rewarding 2021 jazz year. The playlist features Dr. John; Claire Daly; Jason Moran; Dave Douglas; Maria Pia de Vito [pictured]; Daniel Casimir, Tess Hirst; Ramon Moro; Joel Ross; Billy Childs; Becca Stevens, Elan Mehler; Lucia Cadotsch; Giovanni Francesca. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12324136/Mondo-Jazz (up to Giovanni Francesca). Happy listening!

We continue our celebration of the Jazz Standard's legacy, following the announcement of its untimely closure. The capacity to appeal to both the beginner and the long-time jazz fan, and to combine the familiar with the unfamiliar, were some of the many strengths of Seth Abramson's artistic direction. Through a number of concerts recorded live at the NoMad venue, we want to remember a jazz club that distinguished itself, in a city with countless jazz clubs, not only for the excellent programming but also for an atmosphere that was as welcoming to the musicians as it was to the audience. The playlist features Fred Hersch; Ben Allison; Mina Agossi; Steven Bernstein, Henry Butler & Hot 9; Dave Douglas [pictured]; Jakob Bro; David Gilmore; Dafnis Prieto; Edward Simon; Dena DeRose; Gary Bartz. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12172805/Mondo-Jazz (from Fred Hersch onwards). Photo credit: Russell Moore

A jazz club is not just a commercial enterprise, or an entertainment spot, it's a cultural hub. When a venue like the Jazz Standard closes the loss should not be seen only in terms of a measurable disappearance of revenues but especially in terms of an unmeasurable loss of artistic opportunities. This week we focus on the artistic opportunities that the Jazz Standard made possible over the years, through some of the best concerts that were recorded live at its celebrated location on East 27th Street. The playlist features The Michael Leonhart Orchestra [pictured]; Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra; Mingus Big Band; The Michael Blake Euplion Orchestra; Maria Schneider Orchestra; Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra; SFJAZZ Collective; Wolfgang Muthspiel, Mick Goodrick; Ben Sidran feat. David "Fathead" Newman; Antonio Sanchez. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12172805/Mondo-Jazz (up to Antonio Sanchez). Photo credit: Nathan West.

Duos galore, grrrl power, trans-European and trans-Atlantic collaborations and plenty of pianos in this wave of new and upcoming releases. The playlist includes KerenDun; Lara Driscoll; Chris White; Artemis; Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Jarrett Cherner; Archie Shepp, Jason Moran; Martin Wind, Ack Van Rooyen, Philip Catherine; WHO Trio; Sylvie Courvoisier; Angelica Sanchez, Marilyn Crispell. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12131126/Mondo-Jazz (from KerenDun onwards). Happy listening!

Ibrahim Maalouf celebrates his fortieth birthday with 40 melodies, then we dive into a rather guitar-centric collection of new and upcoming releases, which then takes a left turn with the latest from Common feat. Lenny Kravitz & Chuck D, Madlib & Karriem Riggins a.k.a. Jahari Massamba Unit and Vulfpeck. The playlist also features Maurizio Giammarco, Matteo Bortone, Manlio Maresca, Reinier Baas, Lionel Loueke, Andrew Renfroe, Luke Sellick, Nels Cline, Yves Rousseau, and Raoul Björkenheim Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12131126/Mondo-Jazz (up to Raoul Björkenheim). Happy listening!

This year our seasonal Hanksgiving episodes celebrates a musician that is a cult figure in the world of saxophonists and fans of the Blue Note catalogue, saxophonist and composer Hank Mobley. The show features a mix of Hank Mobley's tunes and renditions of his work by peers that were attracted by his brand of jazz firmly grounded in the blues and R&B roots that he had mastered in the years that preceded his first engagement, with Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers. The playlist features Hank Mobley, Eddie Roberts, Gianni Basso, Irio de Paula, Philip Catherine, Wood in di Fire, James Spaulding, Cory Weeds, Ralph Lalama, Peter Bernstein, Eli Degibri, Randy Sabien. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12082760/Mondo-Jazz (from "Soft Impressions" onwards) Happy listening!

For our seasonal Hanksgiving show, this year we pay tribute to Hank Mobley, both as a saxophonist and a composer, by playing music from his albums, which are a cornerstone of the Blue Note sound and catalogue, and renditions of his music by musicians that came after him. There's so much to love in Mobley's repertoire. Happy listening and happy Hanksgiving, so it may very well become your new favorite holiday, the jazz equivalent of Festivus for the rest of us jazz loving freaks! The playlist features Hank Mobley, Big John Patton, Rafael Jerjen, Pat Martino, Warren Vache, Tony Coe, Alan Barnes, Toots Thielemans, Warne Marsh, Kenny Burrell, Stefon Harris, Jason Moran, Greg Osby, Mark Shim, John Zorn, George Lewis, Bill Frisell, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Gary Bartz, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12082760/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Fin de l'affaire")

We continue our exploration of bands and projects lead by female bass players which have become exponentially more prominent in the past two decades. Here is the fascinating music by musicians that debunk commonly held stereotypes related to the physicality of music, and develop a personal way to syntesize their countless sources of inspiration. The playlist features Marlene Rosenberg, Esperanza Spalding, Rosa Brunello, Hélène Labarrière, Hasse Poulsen, Donna Khalifé, Linda May Han Oh, Sélène Saint-Aimé, Ellen Andrea Wang, Joy Grifoni, Lisa Mezzacappa, Elise Dabrowski [pictured], Anna Butterss with Makaya McCraven, Anne Mette Iversen, Joelle Leandre, Eric Watson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12031082/Mondo-Jazz (from Marlene Rosenberg onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit (Elise Dabrowski): Adrien Hyppolite

All around the world, there's a bassisterhood that is rapidly expanding and claiming its rigthful place on the jazz scene. This week we'll focus on the queens of the low-end and the fascinating bands and projects they lead. The playlist features Noriko Ueda, Giulia Valle, Silvia Bolognesi, Stefanie Kunckler, Heartland Trio, Mimi Jones [pictured], Caterina Palazzi, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sarah Murcia, Lisa Hoppe, Adi Meyerson, Federica Michisanti, Carmen Rothwell, Nicki Parrott, Rossano Sportiello. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/12031082/Mondo-Jazz (up to Parrott, Sportiello) Happy listening!

The second part of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz revolves around the Chicago-Paris-Brussels triangle, with forays into New York, Los Angeles and Austin, to deliver great, much awaited, new releases by the Sun Ra Arkestra, The Grassy Knoll and The Awakening Orchestra. To put the wheels in motion, the high-octane music of Dan Rosenboom. That and much more... The playlist also features Thunderblender, Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood, Geof Bradfield, Ben Goldberg, Dana Hall, Orange Moon, Sélène Saint-Aimé, Serge Lazarevitch, Ben Sluijs, Teun Verbruggen, Alex Goodman, and Dustin Laurenzi. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11952401/Mondo-Jazz (From Dan Rosenbloom onwards) Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

In this week's exploration of new and upcoming releases we explore a whole range of human interactions, from Matt Wilson's hugs to Kahil El'Zabar's jumps and shout, from Prince and Miles Davis going mano a mano to Bootsy Collins and Branford Maraslis proceeding arm in arm like true funkateeers, from Antoine Pierre following Miles' steps to Lionel Loueke doing the same with those of Herbie Hancock. And more... Happy listening! The playlist also features Michel Benita, Roberto Cecchetto, Thoine Thys, Miki Yamanaka and Susan Alcorn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11952401/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Henrik Noergaard Rohweder Paulsen

One thing that Jazz and Circus have in common is that--unlike way too many things that we see in our daily lives--you can't fake them. You cannot pretend you're an expert among circus or jazz artists… If you are not … it'll show! And this authenticity may be one of the reasons why they seem so precious in this age of disposable fakeness. Here we continue our exploration of the connections between jazz and circuls with a dolly shot of circus acts, fire eaters, mimes, jugglers and many more. Enjoy the show, and don't forget that jazz never fails to be our safety net when we fall off the trapeze because the other guy didn't bother reaching out for us... The playlist features Rusty Bryant, Tuatara, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Mathilde Santing, Paolo Fresu, Rez Abbasi, Trio Grande & Matthew Bourne, Django Bates, Phillip Johnston, James Chance, Nucleus, Noël McGhie and Charlie Haden. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11882854/Mondo-Jazz (from Rusty Bryant onwards).

Circus is like Jazz. They both require a great deal of originality and a capacity to improvise and be in the moment. They come out of a sense of artistic urgency and self-expression since they are not arts that people embrace to get rich. And they both demand incredible dedication and discipline. We explore the connections between these two art forms, focusing on jazz inspired by the circus world, composed for circus shows, or evoking-in a way or another-"The Greatest Show on Earth" Sit back, relax, enjoy the show, and, like Charles Mingus put it, "Don't Be Afraid, the Clown's Afraid Too". The playlist features Art Blakey, Raffaello Pareti, Django Bates, Emile Parisien, Vincent Peirani, Otello Savoia, Michael Shrieve, Bobby Previte, Kamikaze Ground Crew, Richard Galliano, Sexmob, Wayne Horvitz, Geri Allen, Mary Lou Williams, Leïla Martial, Charles Mingus, Willem Breuker, and Henry Threadgill. Detailed playlist: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11882854/Mondo-Jazz (up to Threadgill)

In the second part of this week's review of new and upcoming releases we focus on new projects by saxophonists Ben Wendel (as leader and sideman of Tom Guarna) and Nubya Garcia (revisiting Joe Henderson for the "Blue Note Re:imagined" project, and as member of Maisha. Also noteworthy the new project of drummers Cindy Blackman Santana (with a guitar dream-duo of Vernon Reid and Carlos Santana), and Antoine Berjeaut as well the new trio by Norwegian bassist Ellen Andrea Wang. To bring some acoustic balance the brilliant debut of Ben Rosenblum's Nebula Project and the reading of one of Aaron Copland's piano blues by Marco Fumo Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11851066/Mondo-Jazz (from Nubya Garcia onwards).

Another week devoted to new and upcoming releases with a special focus on the latest albums by Italian saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti and the members of his Tinissima 4et, trumpeter Giovanni Falzone, bassist Danilo Gallo and drummer Zeno De Rossi. To complete this all-European showcase, two quite different projects by British saxophonist Iain Ballamy, the resounding elegance of Renaud-Gabriel Pion, a lesson on how to 'play nature' by András Dés Rangers, the great debut of the Charlotte Greve Trio with Chris Tordini and Vinnie Sperrazza and the uplifting music by Spanish bassist Giulia Valle and British saxophonist Ken Stubbs. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11851066/Mondo-Jazz (up to Iain Ballamy, Aidan Pope). Photo credit: Paolo Piga.

Elvis Costello with the Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Robert Wyatt with Mary Halvorson's Code Girl, Jesse Harris lending his pen to Camille Bertault or John Zorn and Petra Haden... that why we like blurred lines between genres! And so do Rosa Brunello, Nels Cline, Erik Friedlander with new releases that draw inspiration from a multitude of sources. And keep an eye on the French vibraphone player Simon Moullier who has just released a remarkable debut album. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11796385/Mondo-Jazz (from the Michael Leonhart Orchestra onwards) Happy listening!

This week our playlist is bursting at the seams with great projects, several of which explore the renewed interest in what many like to call 'spiritual jazz', from Roberto Ottaviano to Dwight Trible's Cosmic Vibrations and Matthew Halsall out of the increasingly interesting Manchester jazz scene. The rest of the playlist alternates forward looking projects like the welcome return of Craig Taborn's Junk Magic, "Supersense" the multisensory project by Steph Richards with Jason Moran, or Torbjörn Zetterberg's Den Stora Frågan, with powerful straight-ahead releases like the debut stunners by Immanuel Wilkins and the Doxas Brothers. In the middle of it all, a feel-good jazz-meets-soul of Curtis Mayfield by William Parker and Leena Conquest with the help of a choir of 90 kids from Paris' suburbs. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11796385/Mondo-Jazz (up to Mary Halvorson). Photo credit: Chris Weiss.

Although Sting is widely known for his solo career and for fronting The Police, his love for jazz has been a common thread throughout his career. His jazz sensibility became more prominent when he started his solo career with a band of young heavy-weights from the New York jazz scene of the time, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Darryl Johns and Omar Hakim. We continue our exploration of Sting's jazz projects and renditions of his jazz compositions by the likes of Lester Bowie, Pat Metheny, Esbjörn Svensson, Michael Brecker, collaborations with producer Hal Willner and more. Happy listening! The playlist also features Bob Belden; Christian McBride; Michela Lombardi; Nils Landgren, Lars Danielsson, Wolfgang Haffner; Eric Reed; Nobuyoshi Ino; Joe Henderson; Bill Frisell, David Sanborn, Fareed Haque, Don Alias, Hank Roberts; and Branford Marsalis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11767727/Mondo-Jazz (from Bob Belden's "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" on).

From his early years as a bass player in the trad Phoenix Jazzmen, the straight-ahead Newcastle Big Band, and the fusion quintet Last Exit, to his collaborations with idols like Gil Evans and Miles Davis, jazz has been a constant in Sting's artistic path. This week, we feature music from his jazzier projects as a leader or side-man, and jazz renditions of his compositions by jazz legends and up and coming masters. Happy listening! The playlist also features Gregory Porter; Espen Berg; Jazz Fantasy feat. Franco Ambrosetti; John McLaughlin; The Bob Belden Ensemble; and Marcin Wasilewski. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11767727/Mondo-Jazz (up to Marcin Wasilewski). Photo credit: Frédéric Stucin

A classical musical upbringing; a deep knowledge of contemporary classical masters; a career that rapidly saw him develop affinities and life-long collaborations with mainstream and forward-looking jazz musicians, both from the US and from abroad; equally at home with fusion, pop and rock. In sum, Kenny Kirkland epitomized that kind of musician that defies categorization which we tend to admire the most. Here is the second part of our celebration of this legacy. Happy listening! The playlist also features Courtney Pine, Kenny Garrett, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Emilia Mårtensson & Barry Green, Conjure, Kip Hanrahan, Hal Willner, Carla Bley, Ernie Watts with Gilberto Gil, Miroslav Vitous, George Ohtsuka, John Scofield, Mabumi Yamaguchi, Stone Alliance and Noah Haidu. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11713129/Mondo-Jazz (from Kenny Kirkland "When will the Blues Leave?" onwards).

On September 28th, 2020, Kenny Kirkland would have turned 65. This week we celebrate his legacy as leader, co-leader, as side-man invited to add power and sophistication to the bands he joined, and as composer, through renditions of his music by peers and contemporary musicians. Among these, pianist Noah Haidu has recently released the first-ever album entirely dedicated to the Kenny Kirkland songbook, which we feature here and in the second part of the show, which will be online in a few days. Happy listening! The playlist also features Jeff "Tain" Watts, Noah Haidu, Wynton Marsalis, Craig Taborn & Steve Lehman Trio, Michael Brecker, Sting, and Branford Marsalis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11713129/Mondo-Jazz (up to Branford Marsalis)

Django Bates celebrated his 60th birthday and 40th anniversary as a musician while marking Bird's centennial with adventurous and witty arrangements for the Norrbotten Big Band. That gives us a cue to look into more Scandinavian and large-ensemble music, following the adventures of Bates' bassist Petter Eldh, as part of the much awaited return of Lucia Cadotsch's Speak Low project in which he works side-by-side with Swedish saxophonist Otis Sandsjö who, in turn, can be found in Martin Perret's L'Anderer. The big band and orchestra section of the playlist is lush and deep thanks to the encounter of Michael Moore [pictured] with the NDR Big Band, Mike Fahie's jazz arrangements of Debussy and the love sounds of Le Mirifique Orchestra. At the top of the set Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel's rendition of Buddy Miles (in the company of Bernard Purdie, Randy Brecker and Scott Colley!) and French drummer Raphaël Pannier's reimagining of Wayne Shorter. At the end of the set bassist Luke Stewart rides the Chicago-Washington D.C. express and Noah Kaplan explores the microtonal space, while John Lurie a.k.a. Marvin Pontiac dotes on his little garden gnome.

This week we hit the mother lode, with plenty of undiscovered, or re-discovered, jazz ore, in the form of unreleased live recordings of Joe Harriott and the re-release of "Windows of the Mind" by the skoonum player, and Ray Charles alum, Billy Brooks, respectively. Among the new gems projects of the acoustic (Roots Magic; Reijseger, Fraanje, Sylla [pictured]; Federica Michisanti), electro-acoustic (Rob Mazurek with the Exploding Star Orchestra; Dinosaur) and electric (Guillaume Perret; Mach 6) amalgam. And, to wrap things up, the exciting finds of two Franco-American duos of sonic surveyors, featuring members of the cult band The Reyclers: Noël Akchoté-Bill Frisell and Fred Hersch-Benoit Delbecq. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11677159/Mondo-Jazz (up to Fred Hersch and Benoit Delbecq). Happy listening. Photo credit: Krijn van Noordwijk (courtesy of Ernst Reijsger).

From audiophile jazz labels, to definitive record stores and jazz kissaten-the outstanding jazz bars that provide a cozy place for jazz fans to congregate and share their love for jazz-Japan has traditionally been one of the most jazz-friendly countries in the world. Here is the second part of a special edition that pays tribute to some of Japan's own eclectic talents. Happy listening! The playlist features Fumio Yasuda, Theo Bleckmann, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Soil & Pimp Sessions, Yuka Honda [pictured], Dairo Miyamoto, Jun Miyake, Aki Takase, Misako Kano, United Future Organization, Towa Tei and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11641315/Mondo-Jazz (from Fumio Yasuda & Theo Bleckmann onwards). Photo: Nathan West.

In addition to offering a safe haven and an enthusiastic audience for international jazz players, Japan has a vibrant local scene which features musicians that approach jazz without necessarily being encumbered by its tradition, and infuse it with their own cultural traditions and generally post-modern attitude. So let's dive into the fun and varied universe of Japanese jazz through the work of some of its most remarkable iconoclasts. The playlist features Suga Dairo, Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra [pictured], Koh, Masahiro Uemura, Yosuke Yamashita, Eri Yamamoto, Emi Makabe, Minoru Muraoka, Rinsyoe Kida, Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffalos, Johnny Hartman, Masabumi Kikuchi, Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Otomo Yoshihide, Sax Ruins, O.N.T.J. (Olivia New Ton John), Kaze & Ikue Mori. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11641315/Mondo-Jazz (up to Kaze & Ikue Mori) Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

For the second part of this week's exploration of new and upcoming releases we "Focus". As in... we compare and contrast the music from that iconic 'saxophone & strings' album by Stan Getz with the two more recent CDs-both entitled "Re Focus"-by Tim Garland and Silvayn Rifflet which Getz's 1961 masterpiece inspired. The latter was orchestrated by the great French bass player and arranger Fred Pallem who is about to release a fascinating project dedicated to fairy tales in the key of jazz, which sounds... fabulous, of course, just like the prohibition era fairy tales narrated by another bass player (this time he's back on sousaphone) that is writing fundamental new pages in the Chicago jazz book, Matt Ulery [pictured] This and much more in this edition of Mondo Jazz. Happy listening! The playlist features also Jesse Fischer; Takuya Kuroda; Darrifourq, Hermia, Ceccaldi; Tigran Hamasyan. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11596865/Mondo-Jazz (From Jesse Fischer onwards)

Genre-bending, re-imaginings of masters past and present, and eclectic alliances of musicians from different scenes and background are at the heart of this week's roll-call of new and upcoming releases, with the latest albums by Jyoti (a.k.a. Georgia Anne Muldrow), and Hal Willner, deserving special attention. We wrap things up with Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah infusing electric-era Miles' "Guinnevere" with the spirit of "Sketches of Spain". The playlist also features Butcher Brown, Ezra Collective, Yaya Bey, Gil Scott-Heron, Makaya McCraven, Helga Davis, Lakecia Benjamin, Roy Ayers, Josh Johnson, Sean Khan and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11596865/Mondo-Jazz (up to Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah). Happy listening!

This is the second part of our exploration of Michael Brecker's and Steven Bernstein's work as first-call musicians in the world of high-end pop productions. Their capacity to adapt to the demands of these productions while remaining true to their jazz roots has offered millions of listeners that might have looked at jazz with a grain of diffidence an opportunity to re-assess their skepticism. Brecker and Bernstein musicians that have played and keep playing a prime role in bringing new fans to the world of jazz through these crossover projects. In this segment we'll hear how they've left the mark in productions featuring U2 and the Sun Ra Arkestra, James Brown, Frank Zappa, Levon Helm and many more legends of the pop world, including Donald Fagen, Rufus Wainwright, Aerosmith, Bettye LaVette, and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11543087/Mondo-Jazz (up to the Barabbas). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli (Bernstein)

This week we focus on Steven Bernstein and Michael Brecker, the quintessential jazz-hackers of the pop world. If you heard a compelling saxophone solo on a high-end pop or rock production, especially between the 1970s and 1990s, you could bet it was by Michael Brecker. Likewise, if you have been struck by an elegant yet quirky arrangement on a high-end pop or rock album from the past two decades, the odds were that it had been written by Steven Bernstein. In today's show we'll be alternating songs featuring Michael Brecker mostly as a soloist, with tunes that have Steven Bernstein as either a soloist or arranger. The playlist features Mocean Worker; Catherine Russell; Esther Phillips; Joni Mitchell; Marianne Faithfull; Eric Mingus; Robert Palmer; Cameo; Digable Planets; Michael Franks; Chris Barron; Chaka Khan; Lee "Scratch" Perry; Barabbas and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11543087/Mondo-Jazz (up to the Barabbas). Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli (Bernstein)

As we continue our exploration of the best in new and upcoming jazz, this week we look into a unique project featuring the music of John Zorn and lyrics of Jesse Harris written with the unique voice of Petra Haden in mind, a special album that blends beautifully with the new releases by Bill Frisell, Jorge Roeder and Ron Miles, Jimmy Heath's musical testament, a Spinal-Tappy jazz take on the music of Black Sabbath and much more. The playlist features also Throttle Elevator Music, Logan Kane, Regina Carter, John Hollenbeck, Donatello D'Attoma, James Carney, Brian Landrus, Camila Nebbia, Lesley Mok, David Leon and Russ Nolan. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11493007/Mondo-Jazz (from Throttle Elevator Music onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Steven Perilloux

Recently unearthed gems by Dudu Pukwana and Art Blakey, beautiful new albums by Eric Revis and Charles Tolliver, the Cuban roots of David Virelles and Aruán Ortiz, a peak in the Amsterdam and Berlin scenes through the music of Federico Calcagno and Reza Askari, respectively, and much more in this week's edition of Mondo Jazz dedicated to new and upcoming releases. The playlist features also Daniel Bingert, Chico Pinheiro, Rez Abbasi, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Nduduzo Makhathini and Gabriele Coen. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11493007/Mondo-Jazz (up to Gabriele Coen). Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

This is the second part of our celebration of Pat Metheny's 66th birthday through an exploration of the best renditions of his work by other musicians. Metheny's signature compositional style inspired countless colleagues, even before he had released his own debut album. It's no surprise that more than four decades lager, the renditions of his work can be counted in the hundreds. I hope you'll enjoy those featured here by long time collaborators like Lyle Mays, Gary Burton, Charlie Haden, Brad Mehldau, Gil Goldstein, as well as a diverse range of other artists like Judy Niemack, Wallace Roney, Alex Sipiagin, Gilad Hekselman, Mark Murphy, Peo Alfonsi, Béla Fleck, Julie Caron, Mattia Zappa and Ivo Kova. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11409581/Mondo-Jazz (from Judy Niemack onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Andrea Rotili

This week we launch a series of episodes that, from time to time, we'll look at the work of contemporary jazz players as composers, rather than performers, from Tim Berne to Geri Allen, Bill Frisell, Carla Bley, John Zorn, Brad Mehldau and many more. We are starting this series with Pat Metheny, the author of countless unforgettable themes. The playlist features Bob Curnow, Kurt Elling, Cristiano Stocchetti, Kevin Mahogany, Billy Drummond, George Colligan, Orion Saxophone Quartet, Jason Vieaux, Paul Motian, Mario Stanchev, John Law, Moncef Genoud, and The Ahn Trio. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11409581/Mondo-Jazz (up to The Ahn Trio) Happy listening! Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti

A Belgian vocalist that turns the Great American Songbook inside out, young Austrian creative minds, female guitar experimentalists, an all female ensemble and the band that brings the Allman Brothers spirit to Rahsaan Roland Kirk town... To find out more, I guess you'll have to click on the player and find out for yourself! Happy listening! The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11326394/Mondo-Jazz (from Ahl6 onwards). Ahl6, chuffDRONE, Dave Pietro, ARTEMIS, Lynn Cassiers, Alessandra Novaga, Thumbscrew, and The J. & F. Band. Photo credit: Geert Vandepoele

It's time to get back to the new releases menu and its delicious assortment of modern jazz infused with timeless Miles Davis aromas, forward looking fare marked by traces of Tim Berne, as well as gargantuan ensembles for good measure. Bon appetit! The playlist features Daniel Bingert [pictured], Antoine Pierre, Nubya Garcia, Rudresh Mahanthappa, In Common: Walter Smith III, Matt Stevens, Tommaso Gambini, Andrea Keller Five Degree Below, Makaya McCraven, On Dog, Michael Formanek, Small Choices, The Spike Orchestra, and Schapiro 17. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11326394/Mondo-Jazz (up to Schapiro 17). Photo credit: Truls Nord.

In this final installment of our exploration of today's French jazz scene, a number of projects that illustrate how beautifully French musicians blend their many influences, from troubadour music of the middle-ages to pop songs of the '60s and '70s, and interests, from Greek mythology to the M-Base collective. The playlist features Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christophe Marguet, Camille Bertault, Sarah Murcia, Louis Sclavis, Sélène Saint-Aimé [pictured], Michel Portal, Alban Darche, Matthieu Donarier, Meivelyan Jacquot, Sophia Domancich, Magic Malik, Stéphane Payen, Alexandra Grimal, Joelle Leandre, Noël Akchoté, Marc Ribot and Sylvain Rifflet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11280569/Mondo-Jazz (from Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christophe Marguet onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Nikola Cindric

As we continue our journey in today's French jazz scene we look at how it has been influenced by the many musical traditions that enrich the French society, in particular those from North Africa and the Middle-East courtesy of Yacine Boularès, Ibrahim Maalouf, Naïssam Jalal, Smadj and Sophie Alour with Mohamed Abozekry and Wassim Halal). To add the range of this episode. The urban influence of hip hop on jazz (Kit De Survie and Thiefs); the faux soundtracks of Fred Pallem; the groove of The Volunteered Slaves and Julien Lourau, the pianistic elegance of Baptiste Trotignon and Benjamin Moussay, the angular melodicism of Marc Ducret and the atmospheric lure of Michel Benita make it for a rather eclectic listening experience Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11280569/Mondo-Jazz (up to Benjamin Moussay) Photo credit: Jeff Humbert