Mondo Jazz

This week we go through another delicious stash of new and upcoming releases, many of them launched on Bandcamp on 1 May for the 'waived fee' events the website is promoting every first Friday of the month to support musicians in the time of Covid19. The cherry on the stash? The much anticipated first single, sung by Nick Cave, from Hal Willner's last production, "Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex. The playlist features also: Omer Avital, Ohad Talmor, Danilo Gallo, Antti Lotjonen, Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, Majel Connery, Hobby Horse, Moon Hooch, The Michael Leonhart Orchestra feat. Jswiss, Kurt Elling and Danilo Perez Detailed playlists at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10891529/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Karjaka Studios

Here's is the second part of this week's exploration of new and upcoming releases, focusing on the new works of drummers Chad Taylor, with his trio and in the duo with James Brandon Lewis and Matt Wilson, the global jazz of the cult band Aka Moon and South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini... and some obliquely intriguing offerings by pianist Roberto Negro, the Onyx Collective and saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. Happy listening! The playlist features Matt Wilson, Chad Taylor, James Brandon Lewis, Ferdinando Romano, Nduduzo Makhathini, Aka Moon, Roberto Negro, Onyx Collective, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Mike McGinnis, Elias Bailey, and Vinnie Sperrazza. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10796388/Mondo-Jazz (from Matt Wilson onwards). Photo credit: Boris Lemonsky.

Plenty of European jazz on this week's show, with a special focus on the French scene and the mighty Convervatorium von Amsterdam Concert Big Band's new album. Also featured the great new releases by Aaron Parks and by Jason Palmer as well as the debut EP of the promising young quartet featuring Maya Keren, Camila Nebbia, Diana Arias, Lesley Mok. Happy listening! The playlist features also Reinier Baas, Johan Plomp, UR-Kestra feat. Steven Bernstein, Sarah Murcia, Magic Malik, Sophie Alour, Dal Sasso Big Band, and Mihaly Borbely. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10796388/Mondo-Jazz (up to Maya Keren).

Second part of our weekly exploration of brand new releases, with a special focus on guitar-centric albums. The playlist features Rob Luft, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade, John Scofield, Steve Swallow, Bill Stewart, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Gyan Riley, Thana Alexa, The Beat Freaks, George Burton, The Heliocentrics. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/export?k=9b4777c1046037f6dc71afd2d89b0fa4 (from Rob Luft onwards).

We may be in lock-down but outstanding jazz releases keep coming out as if nothing were of the COVID19 and the social distancing, bringing us much needed relief. One more reason to pay tribute to today's artists and to encourage everyone to support the music scene by purchasing music directly from the musicians and labels that make them. An hour of incredible collaborations, music for the dreamworld and from some of today's best trumpet players. The playlist features Makaya McCraven, Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Will Bernard, Luciana Souza, Alexia Bontempo, Nils Berg Cinemascope, Verneri Pohjola, Avishai Cohen, Dave Douglas and Elan Mehler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/export?k=9b4777c1046037f6dc71afd2d89b0fa4 (up to Dave Douglas & Elan Mehler) Happy listening! Photo credit: Brett Rubin & Bernard Benant

The final (for now) installment of this series dedicated to drummers features Rudy Royston, John Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet +1, Ted Poor, Brian Blade Fellowship, TOTM - Tivoli of the Mind, Louis Moholo, Ginger Baker, Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/10712210 (from Rudy Royston onwards). Photo credit: C. Andrew Howan

More music featuring projects lead by drummers. Drums for civil rights, solos and duos, and poetry drumming. The playlist features Terri Lyne Carrington; Max Roach; Bill Bruford; Andrew Cyrille; Günter Sommer; Emanuele Maniscalco; Marilyn Mazur, Jan Garbarek; Matt Wilson; OK:KO; Christian Lillinger; Edward Ware. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/10712210 (up to Edward Ware) Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti

Second part of this drummer-special, focusing on power drummers and showing the continuity that connects Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa to Joey Baron and Jim Black, and a special focus on the live performative energy of Kresten Osgood and Makaya McCraven as well as the spiritual jazz of Tommaso Cappellato's latest album. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10606137/Mondo-Jazz (from Buddy Rich onwards). Photo credit: Michael Parque

As we hunker down amidst a terrifying pandemic what we need is to drum up our positive energy and attitude. So here's a special home edition of Mondo Jazz spotlighting projects led by creative drummers. Just another way to give drummers more than some! Stay home, socially distance, but musically connected. And don't forget to support musicians and the institutions that contribute to their outreach during these challenging times! Happy listening! The playlist features Art Blakey, Derick Dickens, Allison Miller, Bobby Previte, Tiziano Tononi, Chico Hamilton, Scott Amendola, Sasha Mashin, Susie Ibarra, 3TM, Zeno De Rossi, Paul Motian, Lesley Mok. Detailed playlist available https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10606134/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Claudio Casanova

When he passed away Charlie Parker was not even 35 years old. The impact of his genius however has been ever-lasting. This week we continue our exploration of his influence on the generations of musicians that followed him, featuring their original take on his music as well as music composed to celebrate him. [For the first part of this Charlie Parker special go to: https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/charlie-parker-100-reincarnations-of-bird-mondo-jazz-106-1/] The playlist features Greg Osby, Charles Mingus, Tony Scott, Massimo Urbani, Hal Willner, Kronos Quartet, Dr. John, Linda May Han Oh, Ken Peplowski, Johnathan Blake, Joey Baron, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Caroline Davis, Anthony Ortega, Gil Evans. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10501026/Mondo-Jazz (from Greg Osby onwards). Photo credit: William P. Gottlieb

100 years on, the music of Charlie Parker remains relevant and vital. This week we celebrate his foundational contribution to modern jazz by featuring renditions of his work by contemporary musicians who have drawn inspiration not only from his compositions but especially from his spirit as a forward-looking creative artist. Enjoy these reincarnations of Bird! Happy listening! The playlist featurs: Paul Motian, Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christopher Marguet, Steve Cardenas, Walking Distance, Dave Holland, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jaco Pastorius, Django Bates, Geri Allen, Mark Murphy, Stefano Di Battista, Joe Lovano, Charlie Haden. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10501026/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: William P. Gottlieb

Second part of our weekly exploration of new releases showcasing new and upcoming gems with a special focus on musical forces of nature like Cuban violinist and singer Yilian Cañizares, and prolific British reedist Shabaka Hutchings (check out his South African forays with his Shabaka and the Ancestors and with Idiosyncratic guitarist Sibusile Xaba!). A special mention for Chris McCarty's Still Time to Quit Project and the new album by Wildflower. Happy listening! The playlist also features Bowman Trio, Vincent Courtois, Reverso, Shake Stew, Eric Hofbauer and Dylan Jack. Detailed playlist available at Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10411488/Mondo-Jazz (from Wildflower onwards) Photo credit: Andrea Rotili

In our weekly exploration of new releases, here are beautiful albums featuring piano trios, adventurous guitarists, Miles Davis alumni, a tribute to John Coltrane and vocalists that explore electro-acoustic soundscapes. Happy listening! The playlist features Franck Amsallem, Marco Bardoscia, Lynne Arriale, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, Ross Hammond, Isabelle Olivier, Rez Abbasi, Camille Bertault, Kassa Overall, Heroes Are Gang Leaders, Lakecia Benjamin Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10411488/Mondo-Jazz (up to Lakecja Benjamin).

Anthony Braxton playing standards? Don Byron and Phillip Johnston playing the music of Raymond Scott? Nothing to be surprised about... as musicians have a more open mind than critics like to recognize. So here's the second part of this week's show focusing on retro-sounding jazz performed by forward-leaning musicians - a bit like the jazz equivalent of Blade Runner. For the first part go to https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/avant-retro-or-retro-avant-mondo-jazz-103-1/ Happy listening! The playlist features also Matt Darriau's Ballin' the Jack, Enrico Terragnoli's Orchestra Vertical, Mauro Ottolini's Sousaphonix, Francesco Bearzatti Tinissima Quartet, Phillip Johnston's Big Trouble, Don Byron, Farmers Market, Anthony Braxton, The Four Bags, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, and Moppa Elliott. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10322837/Mondo-Jazz (from Vangelis onward)

Rigid categories are not what music should be about. This week we focus on music that some may file under "retro" but is performed by musicians that are often labelled "avant", it may not sound exactly how Count Basie and the Kansas City 7 would have played, but hey... it's 2020 and it debunks the notion that musicians that may like it skronky don't know how to swing. Case in point: Steven Bernstein whose playing and arranging is the common thread through this week's show. Happy listening! Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli The playlist features Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Ghost Train Orchestra, The Lounge Lizards, Roy Nathanson, Alban Darche's l'OrphiCube, Octurn, Django Bates, Baikida Carroll, Trio Grande, Houdini's Cage, Max Nagl, and the Kansas City Band. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10322837/Mondo-Jazz (up to Kansas City Band)

Second part of this week's ride through the new releases prairie with music by artists that cover a lot of ground, from Chicago Underground Quartet to Jesse Harris, from Valentina Ciardelli's take on Frank Zappa to Roger Kellaway' interpretation of Paul Desmond, and much more. For the first part go to: https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/irreversible-entanglements-goran-kajfes-soul-gnawa-other-new-releases-mondo-jazz-102-1/ Happy listening! The playlist features also Matt Mayhall, Pulcinella, Christophe Panzani, Brent Birckhead, Wayne Krantz, Gebhard Ullmann, Ben Wolfe, and Jesse Harris. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10278243/Mondo-Jazz (from Matt Mayhall onwards).

This week's exploration of new and upcoming releases and releases features projects inspired by music from Benin and the Gnawa tradition of Morocco, hip-hop and electronica, as well as a tribute to Eddie Harris and the socially engaged music of Irreversible Entanglements. Happy listening! The playlist features Goran Kajfes, Majid Bekkas, Soul Gnawa, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Irreversible Entanglements, Michael Leonhart Orchestra feat. JSwiss, Slow Poke, Jimi Tenor. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10278243/Mondo-Jazz (up to Jimi Tenor) Photo credit: Bob Sweeney.

This week we focus on the art of the duo. A challenging format as one does neither have the complete freedom of a solo nor the support of a larger band. Yet, in the hands of the right artists, it can produce magical music. During the first hour we feature Geri Allen & Marcus Belgrave, Joe Henderson & Christian McBride, Fabrizio Bosso & Julian Oliver Mazzariello, Michael Blake & Kresten Osgood, Günter Sommer & Till Brönner, Charlie Hunter & Leon Parker, Marc Ducret & Herb Robertson, Jim Hall & Joey Baron, Roberto Ottaviano & Mal Waldron, Gil Evans & Steve Lacy, Don Byron & Jason Moran, Steve Kuhn & Joe Lovano. In the the second part there's a special emphasis on duos featuring saxophonists as well as drummers with the music of Vincent Peirani & Emile Parisien; Lionel Martin & Sangoma Everett; TOTM - Tivoli of the Mind; Guy Klucevsek & Phillip Johnston; Paul Weiling & Dave Tronzo; Aldo Romano & Joe Lovano; Ted Poor & Andrew D'Angelo; William Parker & Hamid Drake; Uli Kempendorff’s Field; Max Roach & Dizzy Gillespie; Massimo Colombo & Felice Clemente; Mats Eilertsen; NickHead; Nicole Johänntgen & Thomas Lahns; Joe Lovano & Hank Jones. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10222238/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

This week Mondo Jazz turns "100 episodes old". So we open with the uplifting "celebration" by South African pianist Bheki Mseleku before delving into what we like best, unearthing precious gems from around the world. During the first hour segment we feature another great stack of new releases, including the upcoming "The Fantastic Mrs. 10" by Tim Berne's Snakeoil and a special focus on the French and Italian scenes, including one of the albums destined to make many 'best of 2020' listicles, Zeno De Rossi Trio's "Elpis". In the second hour we focus on new releases by Kirk Knuffke and Paul Bryan as well as upcoming Blue Note albums by Charles Lloyd and South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini. To top off Mondo Jazz's 100th episode, a celebration of Federico Fellini's centennial through his soundtrack maestro, Nino Rota, as interpreted by Carla Bley and producer Hal Willner. The playlist features also Théo Ceccaldi, Roxy Coss, Sébastien Brun, Vincent Courtois, Robin Fincker, Daniel Erdmann, Federica Colangelo, YES! Trio, Fredrik Nordström and Junius Paul. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu Photo credit: Annamaria Lucchetti

We start 2020 where we left off in 2019, exploring great new releases. During the first hour we feature music ranging from the upcoming release of the Afrobeat ambassadors Antibalas, who are turning 20 this year, to a previously unreleased superb 1975 live performance by Pharoah Sanders. In the process we take a look at the vibrant Swedish scene with the music of Oddjob and its pianist Daniel Karlsson, two recent albums featuring saxophonist Greg Ward, a very original take on Cole Porter and the contagious music of Mwenso & the Shakes and the Horne Electric Band together with one of our favorite albums of 2019, "Everybody Wins" by Amendola vs. Blades. In the second part we focus, in particular, on the work of drummer Jim Black with his new trio and as a member of the outstanding Dark Dry Tears led by Italian bassist Danilo Gallo, and on another batch of genre-defying releases by International Anthem, featuring Jeff Parker, Resavoir 's drummer Jeremy Cunningham and the first European player signed by the Chicago label, British saxophonist Alabaster DePlume. The playlist also features Baptiste Trotignon, The Westerlies, Alice Ricciardi & Pietro Lussu, Michele Rosewoman, Lica Cecato and Paolo Baltaro Orchestra as well as Philipp Gropper. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10151141/Mondo-Jazz (up to Horne Electric Band). Photo credit: Céline Pinget.

The 2020 edition of the Winter JazzFest has just begun. This week we feature music by some of the most interesting bands from out of town who will be at the JazzFest, and new or unreleased material that will performed on the stages of the JazzFest. Of special interest yet-to-be-released material by Ted Poor, Kevin Eubanks & Orrin Evans and a unique reimagining of the work of Gil Scott Heron by Makaya McCraven, and musicians from the British, French and Italian scenes. The playlist also features Nduduzo Makhathini, Kokoroko, MAE.SUN, Dominique Fils-Aimé (pictured), Anne Paceo, Tin Men and the Telephone, Sarathy Korwar, Uri Caine, Ron Artis II, Thomas de Pourquery, Jaimie Branch, Naassam Jalal, Sara Schoenbeck, Tommaso Cappellato, PLUME, Tineke Postma (pictured), Jonathan Jurion, and the EYM Trio. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10103941/Mondo-Jazz

Mondo Jazz's final stash of new releases of 2019 is the perfect way to end a year that has been generous and full of surprises. During this first hour we'll sample the music of many 'bands without borders' as well as tributes to Mose Allison, Dewey Redman and Bernhard Herrmann. The second part of this week's show focuses on newly released album features, in particular, large ensembles, electronically infused improvised music and the collaborations of the Brazilian transplant in Paris, guitarist Nelson Veras. The playlist features Daniel Erdmann, Antoine Berjeaut, Makaya McCraven, Aly Keïta, Jan Galega Brönniman, Lucas Niggli, Jaimie Branch, Ben Harper, Charles Musselwhite, Jeff Parker, Frederik Villmow, Carla Marciano, Licaones, Rita Marcotulli, Black Friday TRiO; Dan Rosenboom, Michael Leonhart, Remy Le Boeuf, Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra, Lisa Hoppe, Evgeny Sivtsov, Miles Okazaki, Yves Robert, Junius Paul, The Comet Is Coming, Pablo Held, Mátyás Szandai, Alexandra Grimal. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9990617/Mondo-Jazz Happy listening!

Herbie Nichols was a master of the piano which has inspired generations of musicians after his passing, despite the little commercial success that his albums obtained when first released. 2019 marks the centennial of his birth and to remedy the lack of retrospectives that his work should have, but hasn't, received this year, this week's edition of Mondo Jazz will be looking into the impact that his memorable compositions have had on a number of contemporary artists. This episode includes both compositions that Nichols was able to record himself, as well as others that he never managed to bring to a recording studio, but other musicians after him did. As a special bonus, also never released material by the Herbie Nichols Project, one of the bands that championed Nichols' music. The playlist also includes Paul Motian, Ted Nash, Dave Douglas, Heikki Sarmanto, Simon Nabatov, Duck Baker, Roswell Rudd, Misha Mengelberg, Steve Lacy, Pietro Tonolo, Flavio Boltro, Emmanuel Bex, Joe Chambers, Lucas Gillan, Ben Allison, Mal Waldron, Buell Neidlinger, Geri Allen, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, The Mary Lou Williams Collective, Matt Wilson, Simon Nabatov. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9934856/Mondo-Jazz (up to Duck Baker)

This week let's pay homage to the musical legacy of Michael Jackson. It's been 10 years since Michael Jackson passed away and lots of things have emerged since then, but the popularity of his music remains strong, including among jazz musicians (the majority of the tracks featured this week was released after his passing). If you are concerned that jazz interpretations of pop music come very close to smooth jazz, don't worry… that's not Mondo Jazz's fare and the fact that musicians like Lester Bowie, Mal Waldron, Geri Allen, Enrico Rava, Vijay Iyer, Ran and Michael Blake have embraced the repertoire of the King of Pop should provide sufficient reassurances. So stay tuned for 2 hours of covers played by these musicians (& more) plus a collaboration between Michael Jackson and the master of jazz organ, Jimmy Smith, under the watchful eye of Quincy Jones. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9893602/Mondo-Jazz Cover based on a file photo (AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa)

Traditions are traditions... For this year's Hanksgiving episode we celebrate the work of a truly original artist, Hank Roberts. The Indiana-born, upstate New York-based, cellist, jazzaphone fiddler and vocalist, is one of those rare musicians whose name on the front or the back of an album should make any one purchase that record without questions asked, run home and play it immediately. This week we try to squeeze into a couple of hours a discography that spans over three decades and illustrates the artistic trajectory of a key figure in the famed New York downtown scene that continues to be at the forefront of creative music. In this first part, we focus in particular on some of his projects as a leader and on his ongoing collaboration with Bill Frisell. In the second part we focus on a number of other projects he is the leader of, including yet unreleased material of his current sextet. This segment also spotlights his work as a member of 858 Strings, the string section he shares with Jenny Scheinmann and Eyvind Kang featured on a number of projects by Bill Frisell, as well as his Italian adventures with Pipe Dream and trombonist Filippo Vignato. To complete this overview of Robert's discography during this segment we also feature a number of projects he has recorded with Tim Berne as well as with other luminaries of the New York scene like Marty Ehrlich or Ralph Alessi as well as collaborations with singers. Hank in there! It must be a very nice Hanksgiving then! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9867097/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Christopher DelCollo.

Another week replete with deliciuos new releases, from those of European jazz queens Céline Bonacina, Yazz Ahmed and Carla Marciano, to the Pan-African manifesto of Russell Gunn's Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, to the collaborative trios of Ben Perowski--John Medeski--Chris Speed, Zach Brock--Matt Ulery--Jon Deitemeyer, and Alban Darche--Matthieu Donarier--Meivelyan Jacquot, not to forget the latest by Keith Jarrett and the first by Harish Raghavan. During the second hour we go from the high-powered new album by Kneebody and the 10th anniversary single by Mopo, to Mauro Ottolini's stunningly original sea-shell extravaganza, the over the top outings of the Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive and Rhythmos (Amir Ziv, Billy Martin, Cyro Baptista), the Eastern-European rising stars Makar Kashitsyn and Fima Chupakhin and the wide-ranging music of Enrico Fazio, Julia Hülsmann and Mareike Wiening. What a bonanza to be grateful for! Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9819514/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Ralf Dombrowski.

After focusing on Enrico Rava's discography as leader, this week we explore his more than five decades of work as co-leader & sideman. The statuture of an artist can be measured not only through the albums s/he has recorded but also by the caliber of the musicians he has played with. There are not many who can claim to have collaborated with such a remarkable and diverse range of musicians like Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Lee Konitz, Gianluigi Trovesi, Franco D'Andrea, Henri Texier, Aldo Romano, Marc Ducret, and Gato Barbieri, to name just a few. During the first part of the show we focus on his work in Europe. During the second part we explore his electric projects, duos, in particular with pianists, and work with heavy-weights of the NYC avant-garde scene like Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp and Jimmy Lyons. The playlist also features Piero Umiliani, Louis Sclavis, Claudio Fasoli, Gebhard Ullmann, Riccardo Gatto, Rita Marcotulli, Salvatore Bonafede, Nexus, Richard Galliano, Karl Berger, Dino Saluzzi, Aga Taura Confab, Gas Mask, Robin Kenyatta, Giochi Proibiti, Stefano Bollani, Enrico Pieranunzi, Renato Sellani, Francesco Bearzatti, Barry Altschul. Detailed playlist: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9740347/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Luca D'Agostino (Phocus Agency)

Enrico Rava turned 80 this year and has had a five-decade long artistic path that paralleled and often intersected that of the label founded by Manfred Eicher. To mark this double anniversary this week we focus on his work as leader looking at his collaborations with many masters of this art form, from John Abercrombie to Paul Motian and Joe Lovano, the sources of his inspiration ranging from Miles Davis to Chet Baker and Don Cherry, as well the countless young talents he has nurtured in his bands, from Stefano Bollani to Gianluca Petrella and Giovanni Guidi. This playlist features his work with the likes of Roswell Rudd, Franco D'Andrea, John Abercrombie, Gianluigi Trovesi, Aldo Romano, Javier Girotto, Richard Galliano, Tony Oxley, Marcello Melis, Nana Vasconcelos, Stefano Battaglia and many more. Detailed playlists at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9699344/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Andrea Rotili.

Another remembrance, this week of a musician with a magic touch which has left us too early, Larry Willis, followed by the perusal of a pile of exciting new releases and re-relases building jazz bridges between North America and Europe, featuring Midnight Lilacs (i.e. Chris Speed, Marc Ribot, Danilo Gallo and Zeno De Rossi), Ethan Iverson Qt. with Tom Harrell, Simone Graziano, Tomeka Reid, Ghost Horse, Matana Roberts, Alban Darche and more. The playlist also features YES! Trio, Sketchbook Orchestra, Kris Davis, Rez Abbasi, Gerald Cleaver, David Sánchez, Raffaele Casarano and Mirko Signorile as well as the return of veteran guitarist Steve Khan, Kevin Hays, Lionel Loueke, Chase Baird, Warren Galea, David Sánchez and Petros Klampanis. and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9657724/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

A remembrance of Ginger Baker, the jazziest drummer rock music ever had, and a stack of new releases for this week's edition of Mondo Jazz, featuring ensembles that bridge musical cultures - from the Michael Leonhart Orchestra to Brajia, Ajoyo, the Jazzaar Global Ensemble, the Go: Organic Orchestra and Brooklyn Raga Massive - compelling global singers like Youn Sun Nah, Natacha Atlas, Sarah Elizabeth Charles and Petra Haden, as well as Wynton Marsalis' new music for film. In the second part of this week's episode we continue our exploration of new and upcoming releases with two smash albums, a stunner from Piero Bittolo Bon's Bread and Fox and the debut album by Chicago bassist Junius Paul. During the rest of the show we feature Nat Birchall's tribute to Yusef Lateef and music ranging from the electronic soundscapes of Two Thou and Hobby Horse, LIUN + The Science Fiction Band feat. Lucia Cadotsch and Wanja Slavin, Lorenzo Feliciati and Michele Rabbia, to trumpet reference players like Avishai Cohen, Mirko Cisilino and Franco Ambrosetti. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9610481/Mondo-Jazz

This week we have have decided to do the jazz shuffle, and by shuffle we don't mean the jazz rhythm, but the randomized play. A perfect approach to revel through unexpected pairings, daring juxtapositions and accidental non sequiturs. After all if one is careful to only add great music in an ipod or music collection, then no matter how random the selection is, it'll sound good. Enjoy jumping from John Zorn to Vinicius Cantuaria, from Don Byron to United Future Organization, from Ornette Coleman to Timi Yuro, from Towa Tei to Bill Evans or from Captain Beefheart to Lester Bowie and realizing that it all makes perfect sense. The playlist features also: Osmiza, Calvin Keys, Oliver Nelson, Keely Smith, John Fourie, Stanley Turrentine, Ben Allison, George Lewis, Bill Frisell, Lucio Dalla, Phillip Johnston, Steve Argüelles, Rodney Kendrick, Jason Moran, Skopje Connection, Leo Gasperoni 3Quietmen, Bunky Green Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9529864/Mondo-Jazz

September, what a month! The summer is over... so are the summer festivals. But that's also when record labels start churning out some of their best releases to bring the temperature up in advance of the end of year polls and listicles. And here comes an onslaught of heavy-hitters with their new or upcoming releases, from Jaimie Branch to Kris Davis, from Kneebody to The Bad Plus, from Terri Lyne Carrington to Abraham Inc. and Miguel Zenon and a whole bunch more. Sit down, put your stereo system's volume up and absorb all this new great music! Happy listening! The playlist also features Wallace Roney; Julian Argüelles; Fred Hersch with the WDR Big Band and Vince Mendoza; Ben Flocks; Orice Jenkins; Adam Larson; Charles Owens; Jenny Hill; Joshua Espinoza; Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas; Aki Rissanen; and Zwitschermaschine. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9376217/Mondo-Jazz

September 2019 will mark the 40th anniversary of "Message in a Bottle", an auspicious opportunity to look back at the seminal work of The Police. With Sting and Andy Summers coming to The Police with a jazz background and Stewart Copeland being a master of polyrhythms it’s not a surprise that their compositions would sound very good in the hands of jazz players. These two hours will feature some of their most beloved tunes, from "Roxanne" to "Walking on the Moon", from "Wrapped Around Your Finger" to "Every Breath You Take", performed by jazz luminaries like Gil Evans, Don Cherry, Charlie Haden among many musicians that took took more than a few liberties with these Police classics... We then close with music by The Police and the jazz dabblings of Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers and Sting. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9320150/Mondo-Jazz

Two hours of genre-defying, global, music, with a special focus on socially engaged projects, Finnish bands, and charismatic artists whose music has a higher than average density of ideas, like Michael Mwenso and Frank Zappa (by way of the tribute paid to him by the Orchestre Franck Tortiller). It all starts with the much anticipated new release by Tenor Triage. The playlist features Tenor Triage, Nérija, Taylor Ho Bynum 9-tette, Bowman Trio, Uri Caine, Avery R. Young, Mwenso & the Shakes, Orchestre Franck Tortiller, Electric Lady Big Band, The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Ola Onabule, Jenna Camille, Nu Guinea, Joe Armon-Jones, Olli Hirvonen, Oddarang, Aki Rissanen and Chris Lightcap. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9295174/Mondo-Jazz.

After three weeks of thematic episodes, we have to get back to checking what's new and what's coming up... The piles of new and upcoming releases have been building up and we could not wait any longer. So here's to a great episode with new, upcoming and reissued gems, featuring the music of Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter, Ben Van Gelder, Reinier Baas, Emma Frank, Craig Taborn, Louis Moholo and other creative minds. The playlist features Kevin Hays, Lionel Loueke, Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter, Jenny Scheinman, Allison Miller, Théo Ceccaldi, Roberto Negro, Ryan Blotnick, Maurice Louca, Louis Moholo, Petter Eldh, Emma Frank, Ben Van Gelder, Reinier Baas, Remy Le Boeuf, Dan Tepfer, Reid Anderson, Dave King, Craig Taborn, Steve Lehman, Alex Koo, Caroline Davis, Rob Clearfield, Anne Paceo, Moutin Factory, Tim Ries, Guillermo Klein, Jean-Christophe Cholet, Matthieu Michel. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9265241/Mondo-Jazz

As much as we favor a complete integration of the jazz sexes, this week we feature twenty-four bands or projects with not a single man in sight, actually in hearing. After all, how much jazz radio have you listened to (not on Mondo Jazz) with playlists made exclusively of all male bands? Here's a small contribution to rebalancing that statistical abherration. The playlist features Rhoda Scott's Lady Quartet, Nérija, Irène Schweizer, Co Streiff, Marilyn Mazur's Shamania, Terri Lyne Carrington, Aki Takase, Silke Eberhard, Anna Högberg Attack, Maggie Nicols, Joelle Leandre, Sylvie Courvoisier, Susie Ibarra, Sisters in Jazz, Cæcilie Norby, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Monika Herzig, Tia Fuller, Giovani Leonesse, Lioness, Ahn Trio, Minamo, Mary Halvorson, Jessica Pavone, Eve Risser, Kaja Draksler, Susana Santos Silva, Lauren Newton, Hae Voces. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9230056/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Agata Urbaniak

On 30 July 1969 Miles Davis released "In a Silent Way". After influencing generations of musicians, its tracks continue to sound as modern 50 years later as when they were first recorded. This week we celebrate the musical trail blazed by that seminal album by focusing on musicians that have embraced Miles' electric legacy. The playlist features Hot Club of Detroit; Médéric Collignon; Don Byron; Animation; Betty Davis; Henry Kaiser, Wadada Leo Smith; Bill Evans; Miles Davis; Jeff Ballard; Yazz Ahmed; Dave Douglas; Mat Maneri; Enrico Merlin; Mark Isham; Jon Hassell; Nicholas Payton; Erik Truffaz; Ben Neill; Nils Petter Molvær; Martux_m. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9195145/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Lee Friedlander.

On 20 July 1969, while Herbie Mann was over the figurative moon, because his "Memphis Underground" was the best selling jazz album in the country, the man was landing on the actual moon (apologies for the gender insensitivity here but otherwise the pun won't work...). What a day! 50 years later we celebrate the latter milestone with two hours of jazz inspired by the moon and the desire to cross big divides. The playlist includes Herbie Mann, Maria Ahn, Ahn Trio, Nguyên Lê with NDR Bigband & Michael Gibbs, John Zorn, Stephane Furic, Michel Benita, Daniel Yvinec, Gato Barbieri, Massimiliano Milesi, Giacomo Papetti, Cassandra Wilson, William Parker, Lester Bowie, Theo Bleckmann, Fumio Yasuda, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Geoff Keezer, Ron Horton, Michael Bates-Samuel Blaser Quintet, Cristina Zavalloni, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, Zoot Sims, Rob Wasserman, The Mancini Project. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9145979/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Barbara Rigon

From previously unreleased recordings of Frank Zappa to the much-anticipated new album by the Michael Leonhart Orchestra and the exciting collaboration between Enrico Rava and Joe Lovano, this week we delve into another stash of really exciting new releases. The playlist features Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Susanna Risberg, Ted Nash, Enrico Rava, Joe Lovano, Zhenya Strigalev, Federico Dannemann, Leïla Martial, Ben Goldberg, Shahbaz Hussain, Helen Anahita Wilson, Gianni Gagliardi, Liam Noble, Eyolf Dale, André Roligheten, Satoyama, Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9126302/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Stefano Casali

There is a treasure-trove of jazz gems away from the usual labels, venues, websites... one has just to look around and search for it. This week we feature bands whose quality may have not been matched by their international commercial success… but that’s often the curse of excellent music that goes off the beaten path. Since we only care about the beauty of the music, here are twenty bands which you didn't know you cannot live without: Rootless, Slow Poke, Spanish Fly, Trio Grande, Trio Bravo, Aka Moon, Rêve d'éléphant orchestra, Tuatara, The Grassy Knoll, Morphine, Throttle Elevator Music, The Fresh Cut Orchestra, Orchestra del Titanic, Farmers Market, The Volunteered Slaves, Metalwood, Lost Tribe, Octurn, Clusone Trio, and the Dingobats. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9085139/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Scott Friedlander.

Another week replete with beautiful new releases, and re-releases, from the etheral to the political, both catchy and heart-brakingly gorgeous, from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The playlist includes Vincent Peirani, Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller, Tom Pierson, Lisa Maxwell, Laura Jurd, Daniele di Bonaventura, Gianluigi Trovesi & Gianni Coscia, The Last Poets, Idam Morim, Jonny Mansfield, Jon Irabagon, Cecilie Grundt, Stéphan Oliva, Sébastien Boisseau, Tom Rainey, Kuhn Fu, Mickey Finn, Giancarlo Tossani, Red Kite. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/9059129/Mondo-Jazz

Accordion players, saxophists, clarinet and trombone players as well as compelling singers are at the heart of this week's focus on new releases. Give a listen and then promise to support the musicians and the labels that put out this amazing music so that the prolific jazz phase we live in can go on, and possibly keep getting better... The playlist features Massimiliano Milesi, Vince Abbracciante, Jean-Christophe Cholet, Matthieu Michel, Yazz Ahmed, Gianni Coscia, Gianluigi Trovesi, Filippo Vignato, Hank Roberts, Ryan Keberle, Dalia, Francesca Gaza, CUP (Nels Cline & Yuka Honda), New Vocabulary, Paul Bley, Gary Peacock, Paul Motian, Jamie Saft, Patricia Barber, David Sánchez, Maarten Hogenhuis, James Brandon Lewis, Michael Eaton. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8960788/Mondo-Jazz

From tributes to past masters to new perspectives, from acoustic to electronic, the new and upcoming releases we play this week show the wide-range of today's creative scene. The playlist includes Brandee Younger, Alexi Tuomarila, Fabian Almazan, Magic Malik, Ben Goldberg, Nature Work, Sam Ospovat, Joel Ross, Marvin Gaye, Plume, John Patitucci, Jo-Yu Chen, Anne Mette Iversen, Kaveh Rastegar, Resavoir, Michele Rabbia, Jeremy Udden Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8642564/Mondo-Jazz

As jazz was born where cultures converged, it's not a surprise that it is the most adaptable form of music. An art form permeable since its very inception to musical traditions from other continents. This week we focus on the contribution of musicians that approached jazz and improvised music benefiting from the wider perspective afforded to them by the exposure to not only American culture but also the traditions of the places of origin of their families, which hailed from Asian countries like China, India, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam. The playlist features Susie Ibarra, Cuong Vu, Ben Kono, Amir ElSaffar, Fred Ho, Amirtha Kidambi, Edge, Peggy Chew, Rajna Swaminathan, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Vijay Iyer, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Rez Abbasi, Jon Jang, Jen Shyu, Tomas Fujiwara, Taylor Ho Bynum, Jon Irabagon, Miles Okazaki, Ha-Yang Kim. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8609813/Mondo-Jazz Photo credit: Peter Gannushkin http://downtownmusic.net

If jazz is, as someone put it, the sound of surprise, then it makes complete sense that countless musicians have become enamored with the music of Björk. Like the most innovative jazz musicians, Bjork is a restless artist that tries to continuously reinvent herself, often blending familiar sources in completely unprecedented ways, and deliberately challenging the status quo. In these two hours we'll check out some of the most intriguing jazz renditions of her work. The playlist features Björk, Yaron Herman, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Björk, Travis Sullivan, the Bjorkestra, Yuri Honing, Marcus Strickland, Larry Goldings, Paolo Angeli, Dave Douglas, Joël Allouche, The Bad Plus, The 3 Moons, Ann Dyer, Ada Montellanico, Iris Ornig, Harmen Fraanje, Fredrik Nordström. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8304448/Mondo-Jazz.

From bass players leading cutting edge bands, to ensembles with strings; from electronica-infused projects to tributes to Sun Ra, Count Basie and Oliver Nelson; from multi-kulti to straight-ahead. This and more on this episode of Mondo Jazz. The playlist features Dezron Douglas, Matt Mitchell, Caroline Davis, Gregory Saunier, Linda May Han Oh, Calvin Weston, The Barrence Whitfield Soul Savage Arkestra, Rajna Swaminathan, Timo Lassy, Teppo Mäkynen, Giancarlo Vulcano, Lionel Martin, Sangoma Everett, Jacopo Ferrazza, Dave Douglas, Terkel Nørgaard, Michael Eaton, Ilmiliekki Quartet, Brian Krock, SPAZA, Hae Voces, Typical Sisters, Rosa Brunello, Tyler Blanton. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/8235592/Mondo-Jazz. Photo credit: Shervin Lainez.

This week we focus on the music of two of the most influential composers of film and TV scores of all times, Henry Mancini and Ennio Morricone. Their compositional styles lend themselves to jazz interpretations, with Mancini being a soundtracks composer that often relied on jazz motifs and smaller ensembles and Morricone coming to the world of soundtracks after playing the trumpet in jazz bands in the 1940s. So we have two hours of jazz interpretations of their unforgettable themes, performed by Ted Nash, Oranj Symphonette, Shirley Scott, Stanley Turrentine, Lucia Cadotsch, Freddie Roach, Joe Jackson, John Stowell, Quincy Jones, Noël Akchoté, Johnny Hartman, Eddie Harris, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Henry Mancini, John Zorn, Marco Cappelli, Jens Thomas, Enrico Pieranunzi, Marc Johnson, Joey Baron, Marcin Wasilewski, Ennio Morricone. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7998154/Mondo-Jazz

Possibly, more than any other instrument, the saxophone defines the sound of jazz. Most jazz combos have at least one sax player on the front—and when you see that saxophone, you know it’s going to be doing a LOT of soloing, even if the bandleader or composer plays another instrument. But what happens to the shape and texture of jazz when you subtract the sax from the equation? We’ll find out in this episode of Mondo Jazz, featuring Jaimie Branch, Allison Miller, Erik Friedlander, John Zorn, Marvin Pontiac, Tenderlonious, Jeremy Steig, Clark Gayton, John Scofield, Tronzo Trio, Michael Rossetto, Bill Frisell, Jenny Scheinman, Makaya McCraven. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7762748/Mondo-Jazz

In less than two decades Kneebody has established itself as reference band of forward-looking musicians. With a brand new EP out, "By Fire", their first release entirely dedicated to covers, a new outlet (the British musician-run reference label Edition Records), and new line-up following the departure of bassist Kaveh Rastegar, there's a been a lot going on for this influential group. So this week we look back at their genre-bending work, and at the busy careers and eclectic collaborations of its members, Adam Benjamin, Shane Endsley, Kaveh Rastegar, Ben Wendel and Nate Wood. The playlist features music by Kneebody Adam Benjamin, Shane Endsley, Kaveh Rastegar, Ben Wendel Nate Wood, Theo Bleckmann, Daedelus, Dan Tepfer, Billy Mohler, Tony Scott, Zing! Ro Sham Beaux, Hat. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7520254/Mondo-Jazz