Mondo Jazz

Here's more jazz from the scene by the Seine, featuring the lyricism of Emile Parisien, Vincent Courtois, the rhythmic hypnosis of The Recyclers and Benoît Delbecq, the sketches of Miles by Airelle Besson and Médéric Collignon, the urban vibes of Antoine Berjeaut and Guillaume Perret and much more. Happy listening! The playlist features Edward Perraud, Barthelemy - Lazro - Margues - Tchamitchian, Édouard Ferlet, Stéphane Kerecki, and Makaya McCraven. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11243365/Mondo-Jazz (from Edward Perraud onwards).

Historically, the French scene has played a vital role in the world of jazz, so let's celebrate Bastille day and pay tribute to the French way of Jazz, exploring in particular the work of a captivating crop of contemporary French musicians who have developed a very original way to blend their love for jazz with multitude of other interests and influences. The playlist includes: Aldo Romano, Louis Sclavis, Henri Texier, Leïla Olivesi, Vincent Peirani, Thomas de Pourquery, Céline Bonacina, Papanosh, Claude Barthélémy, Théo Ceccaldi, Leïla Martial and Stephane Furic. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11243365/Mondo-Jazz (up to Stephane Furic).

This week we have a wide-ranging palette, as well go from the maelstroms of Andrew D'Angelo's DNA Orchestra and Raoul Björkenheim's Interstellar Coltrane, to the subtleties of Mara Rosenbloom, Nathalie Darche and João Lencastre's Communion 3, through the fertile collaborations between the indie darlings Deerhoof with Wadada Leo Smith, or Nubya Garcia and Joe Armon-Jones while savoring the exciting North European bands chuffDRONE and Superposition, the latest Blue Note releases by Ambrose Akinmusire and GoGo Penguin, and Ricardo Grilli's tribute to Peter Bernstein! Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11212684/Mondo-Jazz (from Nubya Garcia & Joe Armon-Jones onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Dave Kaufman

This week we pay tribute to the late Ennio Morricone the way we often do, through renditions of his memorable soundtracks performed by contemporary creative jazz artists like John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Marco Cappelli, Guano Padano, and Oddjob. We then check out some great new releases that cross borders, stylistic definitions and generations. The playlist also features: Jeff Cosgrove, John Medeski, Jeff Lederer, Billy Martin, Songs of Tales, McCoy Tyner, Gordon Grdina, Lucian Ban, John Surman, Mat Maneri, Bettye LaVette, Felice Clemente, Gabriel Chakarji Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11212684/Mondo-Jazz (up to Gabriel Chakarji)

The fusion of different musical cultures and genres is at the heart of this edition of Mondo Jazz, where the works of Frank Zappa are given the solo piano treatment by Dave Hartl, Mats Öberg and Stefano Bollani, where a Kansas City expat in Paris, trumpeter Hermon Mehari, explores both his Eritrean roots and his urban inclinations, where the global music of Ajoyo finds its matches in the Mathis Sound Orchestra, and where the cutting edge Ezra Collective looks back into the Blue Note vaults while the Brand New Heavies make a comeback and Kesha takes Marc Bolan into the future with a little help from Hal Willner. Happy listening! The playlist also features The Greyboy Allstars, Michelangelo Scandroglio, Dario Congedo, The Brecker Brothers and Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11111687/Mondo-Jazz (From the The Greyboy Allstars onwards) Photo credit: James O'Mara

Spectacular debut releases by Vanessa Perica, Immanuel Wilkins and Micah Thomas; international and inter-generational collaborations between Marcin Wasilewski and Joe Lovano, and among Juhani Aaltonen, Jonas Kullhammar, Christian Meaas Svendsen, Ilmari Heikinheimo; three bands lead by Michael Wolff, Steven Cardenas and Dave Glasser revolving around the thick and catchy pulse of Ben Allison's bass and more in this edition of Mondo Jazz. The playlist features also Alex Goodman, Azat Bayazitov, David Krakauer, Kathleen Tagg, Deep Ford, Camilla Battaglia and Francesco Cataldo. Happy listening. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11111687/Mondo-Jazz (up to Francesco Cataldo) Photo credit: Pia Johnson

The second part of this week's new and upcoming release special brings new gems by Angel Bat Dawid, Caleb Dolister, old gems in new bottles courtesy of Gary Bartz & Maisha and of Jorja Smith diving into the Blue Note catalogue for a neo-classic St. Germain, some family love by the Granellis and the electro-acoustic experimentations of Enrico Rava, Matthew Herbert and Giovanni Guidi. The playlist features Jorja Smith, Gary Bartz & Maisha, Caleb Dolister, Angel Bat Dawid, Spirabassi, Jerry Granelli, Bobby Previte, Jamie Saft, Nels Cline, J. A. Granelli, Luca Alemanno, Enrico Rava, Matthew Herbert and Giovanni Guidi. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11066822/Mondo-Jazz (from Jorja Smith onwards). Photo credit: Anna Trevelyan

It has been more or less a month since our last episode devoted to new and upcoming releases, so it's time to catch up as so much great music has been coming out, some of it to raise funds for worthy causes. So sit back, put your headphones on and enjoy the latest by Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Michael Thomas, Marie Kruttli, Pericopes+1, Ernesto Cervini and more. The playlist features Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Brian Blade, Ernesto Cervini, Michael Thomas, Pericopes+1, Sebastien Ammann, Marie Kruttli, Jonathan Barber, Aubrey Johnson, Esperanza Spalding and Fred Hersch. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11066822/Mondo-Jazz (up to Esperanza Spalding and Fred Hersch). Photo credit: Jimmy Katz

As our series dedicated to the amazing music that has come out of the struggle for the advancement of African-Americans come to an end, we focus on tunes inspired by the march on Selma, or dedicated to the many victims of racially motivated brutality. Listen to this deep set featuring old masters like Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, current giants like Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jason Moran and Wynton Marsalis and stars of the future like Christian Scott, Logan Richardson, Kris Bowers and Keyon Harrold. The playlist also features Louise McCord and Curtis Mayfield. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11033090/Mondo-Jazz (from Grant Green onwards). Photo credit: Eric Ryan Anderson.

As Martin Luther King put it in the opening address to the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival, "When life itself offers no order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow through his instrument." And so, with that in mind, we continue our exploration of socially engaged jazz in search of order and meaning in the complicated phase we're living, looking at how Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, Charles Mingus, Archie Shepp, Lou Donaldson, Oscar Brown Jr., the Pharoahs Cannonball Adderley, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden and Hank Jones found it in the past, how Gary Bartz continues finding it today with Maisha and how Alicia Hall Moran, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Jaimeo Brown and Uri Caine are keeping that flame alive. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11033090/Mondo-Jazz (up to Ornette Coleman).

In the second part of this special dedicated to jazz and civil rights we look into music inspired by the bloody events that marked the advancement of the civil rights movement and by the victims of ongoing brutality. The playlist included tunes which incorporate the words or the cadence of Martin Luther King, are introduced by Jesse Jackson or celebrate Malcolm X, as well as songs that were played to draw attention to and support the cause. Enjoy the show! The playlist features Cannonball Adderley, Archie Shepp & Attica Blues Orchestra, Darrel Grant, John Coltrane, John Coltrane, Martin Luther King, Nina Simone, Terence Blanchard, Miles Davis and Ambrose Akinmusire. Detailed playlist at Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11000805/Mondo-Jazz (from Cannonball Adderley onward). Photo credit: New York Public Library

Music often distills the truth in ways that make it hard to ignore. The history of jazz is intertwined with the struggle for the advancement of the African-American society that birthed it. Many of its masterpieces were inspired by events that marked the civil rights movement, which, in turn, drew inspiration from them. Let's look back at the amazing body of music that has come out of the African-American struggle for social justice and equal rights, through the works of Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins, Mahalia Jackson (pictured), Herbie Hancock and many more. The playlist also features The Mothers of Invention, John Lee Hooker, Gil Scott-Heron, Terence Blanchard, Working Week, and Marlena Shaw. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/11000805/Mondo-Jazz

In the first part of the show we focused on jazz inspired by the of music composed by James Barry for 007 flicks. Here we switch our attention to other great soundtrack composers like Lalo Schifrin or Quincy Jones, and other movie characters like Sherlock Holmes, Ms. Marple, Nero Wolfe or Dirty Harry. And we look into why Charlie Parker became Charlie Chan. We wrap things up with the daughter of the writer of the "Detective Writer Daughter". Not sure what does that mean? Well, then play this episode to find out! The playlist features Jimmy Smith, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Oddjob, Médéric Collignon, Quincy Jones, The Spirits of Rhythm, Alan Barnes, Bill Frisell, Oranj Symphonette, Ron Goodwin, Marco Cappelli, Joe Lovano, The Quintet, Naked City, Nunzio Rotondo, and Karen Mantler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10949861/Mondo-Jazz (from Jimmy Smith onwards)

For a reason or another, movies about detectives, secret agents or spies have gone mano a mano with jazz, and so this week we'll feature jazz inspired by adventurous characters. In this first segment, the focus is on James Bond and how anyone from Louis Armstrong and Count Basie to Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas and Steven Bernstein, among others, have played with John Barry's compositions just like James Bond has played with Dr. No, Auric Goldfinger and whole bunch of other villains! The playlist features John Barry, Louis Armstrong, Pizzicato Five, CCM Jazz Orchestra, Steven Bernstein, Count Basie, Dave Douglas, Soul Brothers, Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan, Sexmob and Leroy Holmes. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10949861/Mondo-Jazz (up to Leroy Holmes). Happy listening!

All good things come to an end, so here we are with the last part of our celebration of Stevie Wonder's 70th birthday in the key of jazz. In this final installment tributes by Geri Allen, Stephane Belmondo and Sylvain Luc, Urbie Green, Max Ionata and Dado Moroni, Abbey Lincoln, Steve Khan, the New West Guitar Group with Gretchen Parlato, Joshua Redman the SFJAZZ Collective, and Grover Washington, Jr.. Plus Stevie Wonder's first hit, his early collaboration with Billy Preston and a later one with Herbie Hancock. Happy listening and long live Stevie! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10919157/Mondo-Jazz (from Urbie Green onwards).

After a dive in renditions from the '70s during parts 1, here we mix things up with a combination of contemporary stunners, like the unique take of Alicia Hall Moran on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" or the incandescent rendition of "Too High" by Chris Hunter, with classics like Roland Kirk's version of "Ma Cherie Amour" or Toots Thielemans'"You've Got It Bad Girl". The cherry on the cake: Stevie's own playing under the pseudonym of Eivets Rednow (Stevie Wonder backwards), aged 18, and as guest of Herbie Hancock on "St. Louis Blues". The playlist also includes: Enzo Pietropaoli, Max Ionata, Regina Carter, Doug Wamble, Tiziano Tononi, Stanley Turrentine, Carmen McRae, Jared Gold, and Elephant9. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10919157/Mondo-Jazz (up to Elephant9).

Stevie Wonder has often infused his performances with compelling renditions of jazz standards like Miles' "All Blues" or Coltrane's "Giant Steps". In return, countless jazz musicians have looked at his Songbook and found in his compositions fertile grounds for their own explorations. In the second part of our "Stevie @70 special" we cherry-picked tributes to his genius by the likes of Ran Blake, Cassandra Wilson, Gene Harris, Jamie Saft and many more, and a great guest appearance by Stevie Wonder on Herbie Hancock's 70s funk jazz voyage "Man-Child". Happy listening! The playlist features Gene Harris, Hank Crawford, Herbie Hancock, Dave Pietro, Cassandra Wilson, Ran Blake, Rune Gustaffson, Lou Rawls, Jamie Saft, Gato Barbieri, Laika and Joe Farrell. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10877639/Mondo-Jazz (from Gene Harris onwards).

Stevie Wonder has more entries in the "Real Book" than any other pop musician, The Beatles included. It is not surprising therefore that his Songbook has been mined by hundreds of jazz musicians, including Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dexter Gordon and Herbie Hancock. To mark his 70th birthday we feature some of the best jazz renditions of his compositions. In this segment we focus, in particular, on renditions from the '70s which payed tribute to hits from his "classic period". Happy listening! The playlist features Ahmad Jamal, Ray Barretto, Gary Bartz, Phil Upchurch, Tennyson Stephens, Charles Earland, Les McCann, Richard Tee, Ramsey Lewis, David Newman, Lionel Hampton, Max Ionata, Ralph Alessi, Vijay Iyer, Collin Walcott, Don Cherry, Naná Vasconcelos, Avishai Cohen, Yonathan Avishai. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10877639/Mondo-Jazz (up to Avishai Cohen & Yonathan Avishai).

Second part of this week's review of new and upcoming releases with the great return of master arranger Pablo Ablanedo, the new single by Swedish saxophonist and flutist Otis Sandsjö, two new projects by the prolific oud and guitar player Gordon Grdina, and saxophones in solo, duo, trio and quartet settings. Happy listening! The playlist features Otis Sandsjö, Enzo Favata, Orchestra Nazionale della Luna, Pablo Ablanedo, Vincent Peirani & Emile Parisien, Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums, Crisco 3, Tim Berne, Giorgio Pacorig & Zeno De Rossi, Webber/Morris Big Band, Gordon Grdina. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/10891529/Mondo-Jazz. (from Otis Sandsjö onwards) Photo credit: Urs Leuenberger

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