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

A catching-up session with gorgeous new and upcoming releases, featuring tons of fascinating debut albums that reassure us about the future of jazz (special mention for Billy Mohler's "Focus", Sarah Tandy's "Infection in the Sentence", Terraza Big Band's "One Day Wonder" and the Heartland Trio's eponymous album) side by side with new works by established masters like Wayne Horvitz, Brad Mehldau and Huw Warren. The playlist includes Sarah Tandy, Brad Mehldau, Jeff Williams, Huw Warren, Billy Mohler, Joel Ross, Melissa Aldana, Elliot Galvin, The Wayne Horvitz European Orchestra, Swiss Jazz Orchestra & Guillermo Klein, Terraza Big Band, Randy Brecker, Heartland Trio, Steph Richards, Giovanni Guidi, Le Rex, Alessandro Lanzoni, Jay Anderson. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/7417964/Mondo-Jazz

When creating a radio playlist one has to ensure how to sequence songs in a meaningful way. The dynamics of their interaction therefore becomes critical. There should be not too many fast pieces played back to back, nor not too many ballads one after the other. Fast and slow, soft and loud should take turn. Ideally the playlist should lead to a climax through one or more crescendos of songs. This week we each song in the playlist contains a remarkable crescendo... Two hours of jazz featuring only compositions that start softly and then build up and build up sometimes slowly some times fast, but always inexorably. The playlist features crescendo-meisters like Ibrahim Electric, Kresten Osgood, The Lounge Lizards, Michael Blake, Ben Allison, Michel Portal, Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Jaga Jazzist, Marc Johnson's Right Brain Patrol, David Binney, Richie Barshay, Jon Irabagon, Tim Berne, Nik Bärtsch. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/6078190/Mondo-Jazz

Jazz, the quintessential open door genre,has a capacity to beautifully integrate all kinds of sources. From music from faraway places to compositions written and instruments used for completely different genres. When it comes to the human voice, jazz has shown an uncanny openness finding a musical role for all sorts of non verbal sounds. Here we explore the jazz side of moaning, sighing, whistling, groaning, humming, grunting, etc. Don't worry it's all going to be supremely musical, even virtuosic thanks to the creative minds of the likes of Roland Kirk, Toots Thielemans, Art Farmer, Yohimbe Brothers, Keith Jarrett, Don Byron, Eddie Fisher, Guano Padano, Alessandro Alessandroni, Ennio Morricone, Dead Combo, Rollerball, Claude Barthelemy, Horace Silver, Supergenerous, Brahja Waldman, Napoli Centrale, Bill Withers, John Zorn, Wynton Marsalis, Todd Sickafoose, Talking Pictures, Louis Prima, Wayne Shorter, Allison Miller Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/5741842/Mondo-Jazz

New releases keep coming at an exciting place and Mondo Jazz obliges, sharing tons of exicting new releases, in particular celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and its spiritual offspring as well as some great European projects. The playlist features Marilyn Mazur, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Echoes of Zoo, James Brandon Lewis, Michael Gregory, Sam Opsovat, Itamar Borochov, Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren, Bridges with Seamus Blake, Andrea Manzoni, Larry Grenadier, Ran Blake, Claire Ritter, Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, Kendrick Scott, Jonathan Blake, Chiara Izzi, Mats Eilertsen, Beppe Scardino, Joe Martin, Jason Palmer, Iro Haarla. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/5629978/Mondo-Jazz

It’s a great time to be a jazz lover, with so many fantastic new releases that it’s almost overwhelming. To quote Shakespeare, it’s an embarrassment of riches! This week we have handpicked some of the most exciting new music, from giants like Bill Frisell and Chris Potter to indie upstarts and international artists like Theon Cross and Hard Mango Swing. The playlist features Theon Cross, Jasper Blom, Hearing Things, Kassa Overall, Lucian Ban & Alex Simu, Alex Sipiagin, Nubyian Twist, Julian Lage, Hard Mango Swing, Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan, Joris Teepe, Joshua Redman. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/5549158/Mondo-Jazz

This week we focus our attention British drummer, composer, arranger, producer, label manager and all around creative soul, Steve Argüelles, an artist that has kept himself busy listening to a wide sources of inspiration for almost four decades. So in these two hours we'll look into the eclectic output, which ranges from folk infused jazz to electronica, of one of the most compelling European improvisers. The playlist features Steve Argüelles, Benoît Delbecq, The Recyclers, Ashley Slater, Christine Tobin, John Taylor, Human Chain, Julian Argüelles, Omar Sosa, Csaba Palotai, Rémi Sciuto, Jorrit Dykstra, Ambitrionix, Poolplayers, Manasonics, Deqjam, Billy Jenkins, Stuart Hall, Steve Watts. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/4781540 Photo credit: Vincent Bourre

Jazz musicians have made great contributions to soundtracks (from Ellington's music for Otto Preminger's "Anatomy of a Murder" to Miles Davis soundtrack for Louis Malle's "Elevator to the Gallows") and themes from soundtracks have lent themselves to great renditions by jazz musicians. This week we explore the intersection between jazz and soundtracks of movies of all sorts, from police flicks to erotic movies to documentaries, and we'll throw in some TV soundtracks for good measure. The playlist features: N.Johänntgen, J.Lurie, M.Blake, J.McGriff, H.Hancock, F.Bosso, J.O.Mazzariello, M.Gaye, J.J. Johnson, Jazz Interactions Orchestra, J.Jackson, S.Wilson, J.Taylor Qt, W.Bobo, EZ Pour Sprout, B,Hutcherson, Q.Jones, K.Asbjornsen, B.Frisell, J.L.Hooker, M.Davis, G.Barbieri, J.Zorn, M.Cappelli, Luigee Trademarq, A.Goraguer, T.Bennett, B.Allison, C.Baker, B.Evans, J.Steig, O.Coleman, The Bad Plus. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/4172740

Thelonious Monk once said "play what you want and let the public pick up on what you are doing even if it does take them 15, 20 years". Luckily, he lived long enough to become fully embraced and celebrated before his passing. However, it's after his death that his music has really become central to the jazz canon. To mark the thirty-seventh anniversary of his demise, on 17 February 1982, this week we feature a very diverse range of renditions of his masterpieces. The playlist includes Cootie Williams, Paul Motian, Carmen McRae, Georg Gräwe, Duck Baker, Allen Toussaint, Charlie Haden, Jim Hall, Gianluca Petrella, Lindsey Horner, Brad Mehldau, Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, Gary Thomas, Quincy Jones, Miles Okazaki, Frank Kimbrough, Thomas Chapin, Ran Blake, Jeanne Lee, Tronzo Trio, Steve Lacy, Charlie Rouse, Barry Harris, Ernst Reijseger, Thelonious Monk. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/4095369. Photo credit: Jim Marshall

Last week we dived deep in some of best new releases of 2019. Two hours were not enough so this week we continue our quest for fascinating new jazz out there… and we'll branch out a bit going into releases that came out at the end of 2018 as well. Many of the albums we're going to listen to are debut albums and quite a few of them are from abroad, especially from the prolific Italian scene. Check for yourself why this is going to be remembered as a very prolific period for creative jazz! The playlist includes Angel Bat Dawid, Znap, Wing Walker Orchestra, Francesco Diodati, The Swinging Santas, John Medeski, Giacomo Tantillo, Atomic, Lars Danielsson, Paolo Fresu, Shirley Smart, Resavoir, Jeff Ballard, Armo, Tiziano Tononi, Jon Lundbom, Guillaume Perret, Anton Eger, Kassa Overall, Wendy Eisenberg, Marco Cappelli Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9546#here Photo credit: Leslie Frempong

As they say, "a good beginning makes a good ending" and, based on the extraordinary amount of sensational new releases that have come out in less than a month, it looks like we're in it for a great musical ride in 2019. Here are two hours of gems from albums that have just been, or about to be, released. A nice mix of well established and lesser known artists from all over the place. The playlist includes music by Bruut!, Hearing Things, Invisible Bird, Jim Piela, Julian Lage, Lucian Ban, Alex Simu, Emile Parisien, Yonathan Avishai, Chris Potter, Joe Lovano, Marilyn Crispell, Carmen Castaldi, Eric Dolphy, Ralph Alessi, Miho Hazama, The Comet Is Coming, Steph Richards, Moppa Elliott, Yaron Herman, Johnathan Blake, Quinsin Nachoff. For a detailed playlist https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9487#here

Where do rhythm and harmony intersect? Where do you feel the beat, not just with your ears but your whole body? Bass is the place where it all comes together. This week we celebrate some beloved jazz bass players, from riveting soloists to groundbreaking composers and consummate sidemen. The playlist features Ben Allison, Larry Grenadier, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Ron Carter, Melvin Gibbs, Trevor Dunn, Dave Holland. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9438#here

New York may have the highest density of daily jazz performances in the world, but they mostly feature the countless, and very busy, musicians that belong to the local scene. The Winter JazzFest has traditionally offered a very welcome opportunity to check out acts that rarely perform in the big apple. These are bands that come either from abroad or from Chicago. This week we focus on some of the most interesting "Out of Towners" from the 2019 Winter JazzFest Weekend Marathon. The playlist features the Ezra Collective, Florian Pellissier, Camille Bertault, Nubya Garcia, Yosvany Terry - Baptiste Trotignon, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Mathias Eick, Makaya McCraven, Ben Lamar Gay, Joshua Abrams. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=9246#here

The end of the year is the time when we usually look back and take stock. To celebrate the continuous growth and expansion of the music we love, rather than compiling yet another "best of 2018 playlist" we have decided to look back at the music that, for a reason or another, has surprised us the most this year. It features mostly young musicians, artists we were not familiar with, unexpected reissues or new projects by players we have loved for a long time. The playlist features Michael Leonhart, Rachelle Garniez, Reinier Baas Ben van Gelder & Metropole Orkest, Mopo, Dairo Miyamoto, Ben Lamar Gay, Walking Distance, Dexter Gordon, Anais Drago, Camilla Battaglia, Little Rosies Kindergarten, Sketchbook Quartet, Otis Sandsjo, Maistah Aphrica, SLUGish Ensemble, Yellow Bird, Pipe Dream, Rosa Brunello. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9138#here

We continue our look into Zappa's complex relationship with jazz, through a mix of the jazzier compositions performed by Zappa and countless tributes to his music paid by jazz musicians. As Zappa loved to say, quoting E.Varèse, "the present day composer refuses to die" and the music featured in this show provides plenty of evidence that he was right. The first part of this Frank Zappa retrospective is avaialble at https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/frank-zappas-jazz-allures-mondo-jazz-ep-53/ Playlist: Zappa, B.Sanabria, P.Sambeat, C.Towns, NDR Bigband, Bohuslän Big Band, M. Pacassoni, The Wrong Object, M.Hedges, G.Venier, V.Vasi, G.Pacorig, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Gotan Project, S.Bollani, D.Preston, G.Winston, Quintorigo, R.Gatto, V.Ciardelli, F.DiCastri, If Six Was Nine, Meridian Arts Ensemble, P.Gaucher, Le Bocal, R.Fassi, D.Fabris, A.Takase, A.vonSchlippenbach, M.Schultz, E.Soderlind Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9096#here

Drummer Makaya McCraven’s new double album “Universal Beings” mixes the artistry and experimentation of jazz with the irresistible dance beats of hip-hop. It also brings together a dream team of collaborators from London, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, including Shabaka Hutchings, Jeff Parker, Nubya Garcia, and Brandee Younger. This episode of Mondo Jazz celebrates Makaya McCraven’s musical universe and its brilliant stars from around the world. The playlist includes Makaya McCraven, Nubya Garcia, Brandee Younger, Jeff Parker, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Shabaka Hutchings, Sons of Kemet, Shabaka and the Ancestors, Isotope 217. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=9040#here Photo credit: Yvonne Schmedemann

Frank Zappa may have said "jazz is not dead, it just smells funny" but looking at his life and music one does not get the impression that he really believed that jazz was decomposing or dying a slow death. This week we revel in the beauty of the jazzier side of Zappa's vast repertoire checking out not only some of his recordings but also how the jazz world has embraced his genius. The playlist includes music by Frank Zappa, Colin Towns, The NDR Bigband, Ed Palermo, Mike Mainieri, Joe Lovano, Stefano Bollani, Daniele Sepe, Woody Herman, Le Bocal, Riccardo Fassi, David Kikoski, Zach Brock, Javon Jackson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Zappatistas, Flat Earth Society, Anais Drago, Asphalt Orchestra, Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8916#here

This week we focus our on the music of Wayne Horvitz with special attention for his latest two releases, "The Snowghost Sessions" and "Those Who Remain". It's hard to condense in two hours the long career and many facets of a composer and pianist of great versality, but we will do our best to present highlights from his various projects as a leader and side-man. The playlist contains: Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, Mylab, Michael Shrieve, Jerry Granelli, John Zorn, Sonny Clark Memorial Quartet, Bobby Previte, Marty Ehrlich, Robin Holcomb. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8847#here

Do you sympathize with the plight of the turkeys? Do family reunions bring you anxiety? Then forget about Thanksgiving! Mondo Jazz is here to help you switch to Hanksgiving, with two hours of Jazz tributes to the great Hank Williams, the only singer who is more American than pumpkin pie! Enjoy a delicious playlist which is all stuffing and no tryptophan. Revel in discovering how jazz musicians can make even Country & Western tunes swing and groove like there is no tomorrow! The playlist includes James Brown, Regina Carter, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Douglas, Madeleine Peyroux, Andrew Bishop, Lenny Breau, Laurence Hobgood, Bill Frisell,Jason Moran,Kenny Wollesen,John Scofield,Louis Armstrong,Tom Varner,Stephen Ryley,Roy Clark,Joe Pass,Leon Redbone,Charlie Hunter,Scott Amendola,Aretha Franklin,Spike Jones,Taj Mahal,Ran Blake,Owen Broder,Joe Pass,Guano Padano,Esther Phillips,Jack Walrath,Orquestra Was Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8789#here

The new albums bonanza goes on! And we happily oblige, reveling in some gorgeous new releases, some of which will definitely end up on the "Best of 2018" lists of many critics. Surprises, confirmations, re-releases, unexpected collaborations and more make this week's playlist full of aural pleasures... The playlist includes: Ben Allison, Phillip Johnston, Reinier Baas, Ben van Gelder, Metropole Orkest, Gil Evans Orchestra, Francois Houle, Harris Eisenstadt, Alexander Hawkins, Poline Renou, Matthieu Donarier, Sylvain Lemêtre, Roberto Ottaviano, David Virelles, Gianluigi Trovesi, Sylvain Darrifourcq, Anais Drago, Bluering-Improvisers, Taiga, Mirko Signorile, Dave Sewelson, Harriet Tubman. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8664#here Photo: G.Driessen

This week we'll go through a heap of spectacular new releases, with a special emphasis on albums featuring piano and saxophone, and an ecstatic sampling of The Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Associated Ensembles, the definitive 21 CD set which is about to be released by ECM to mark the 50th anniversary of both the German label and of the legendary Art Ensemble of Chicago. The playlist includes: Jane Ira Bloom, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Don Byron & Aruan Ortiz, Aaron Goldberg, John Medeski's Mad Skillet, Ben Wendel, Kenny Werner, Devin Gray, Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet, Emanuele Maniscalco - Francesco Bigoni - Mark Solborg, Florian Weber, Steve Kuhn, Federica Michisanti, Jacques Schwarz-Bart - Laurent David - Malcolm Braff - Stephane Galland, Jerome Sabbagh & Greg Tuohey, Abstract Orchestra, Marcus Strickland, Jonathan Finlayson. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8283#here

This week we continue our exploration of jazz interpretations of today's popular music, with renditions of the songs of artists ranging from Kraftwerk to Sly Stone, from Bjork to Frank Zappa, from J.J. Cale to Bob Marley and more. The playlist includes Jimmy Smith, Miho Hazama, Michel Benita, Eva Kruse, Eric Schaefer & Michael Wollny's [em], Dave Douglas, Tuck & Patti, Ran Blake & David Fabris, Sting & Gil Evans Orchestra, Yuri Honing, Nicole Johänntgen, Stefano Bollani, Vibes, Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Spaceways Inc. & Zu, Chet Baker, Magic Malik Orchestra, Charles Lloyd & The Marvels, Charlie Hunter, Herbie Hancock. Full playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=8138#here

The compositions that we refer to as "jazz standards" were the pop songs of their time, before gradually developing into mainstays of the jazz repertoire. This week we focus on jazz interpretations of today's popular music, with renditions of the songs of artists ranging from Marvin Gaye to Sonic Youth, from Prince to Led Zeppelin, from Ray Charles to Paul Simon, from Donald Fagen to Bob Dylan and more. The playlist includes: John Scofield, Paul Desmond, Cannonball Adderley, Erik Friedlander, Sidsel Endresen & Bugge Wesseltoft, The New York Composers Orchestra, Joe Pass, Donald Byrd, Bill Frisell, Malcom Braff, Jewels and Binoculars, Vincent Peirani, Chris Lightcap, Bill Evans, Stefano Bollani, Júlio Resende, Nels Cline, Ernst Reijseger & Franco D'Andrea, Etienne Charles. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=8093#here

For decades jazz standards have provided improvisers with both a vehicle and a testing ground for their creativity. In some cases they have taken more liberties than others. This week we focus on not-so-standard renditions of jazz standards, from "Take Five" to "My Favorite Things", from "Mood Indigo" to "'Round Midnight"! Two hours of jazz played with boundless creativity and a good dose of humor. The playlist features Farmers Market; Uri Caine; Steve Houben - Jacques Pirotton - Stephan Pougin; Adam Benjamin; Django Bates; Rahsaan Roland Kirk; Hank Roberts; John Zorn - George Lewis - Bill Frisell; Roy Paci; Paul Motian; Manu Codjia - Geraldine Larent - Christopher Marguet; Steve Argüelles; Ran Blake; Björk; Orquestra Mahatma; Roy Nathanson & Anthony Coleman; Daniel Humair; Mostly Other People Do the Killing; Elliott Sharp; Cassandra Wilson; Joey Baron; Kashmere Stage Band. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7986#here

This week we'll go through a heap of outstanding new releases, ranging from tributes to seminal albums like Soul Station by Eli Degibri and the Far East Suite by Pierre Bertrand, to new releases by master pianists like Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau (in an unreleased duo with Charlie Haden!), Aaron Parks and Simone Graziano. Seasoned avant-veterans on ECM (Andrew Cyrille with Leo Smith and Bill Frisell) and vociferous rising stars on Blue Note (Ambrose Akinmusire and James Francies). Special treats come from the surprising tribute to Jun Miyake by saxophonist Dairo Miyamoto and the adventurously captivating projects by bassist-against-borders Kave Rastegar, the BABAorchestra, the SLUGgish Ensemble, David Dominique, the Sketchbook Quartet and David Ullman. Happy listening! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7925#here

This week we will explore the cross pollination between jazz and popular music genres, like pop, rock, soul, funk and ska. Archie Shepp playing with Whitney Houston? The jazz beginnings of Björk, Serge Gainsbourg, Sacha Distel? Ornette Coleman's and Sonny Rollins' adventures in rock-land? Lester Bowie playing ska? How Miles Davis' "So What" inspired Pee Wee Ellis' horn lines for James Brown's "Cold Sweat"? Paul Simon's latest album with Bill Frisell and Wynton Marsalis? Stevie Wonder jamming with Dizzy Gillespie? The Jazz moods of Sting, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Vinicio Capossela, Lyle Lovett, Paolo Conte. We'll look into this and more... Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7890#here

This week we feature an exclusive interview with, and two hours of music by the bay area saxophonist Idris Ackamoor. An iconoclast like Thelonious Monk once famously said "You play what you want and let the public pick up on what you're doing. Even if it does take them 15 or 20 years". In the case of Idris Ackamoor, that took more like 35 years. But the amount of attention that his music has garnered in the past decade is a well deserved pay-back to a musician that has cultivated his own vision pursuing -- for five decades -- a personal path, fueled by a fascination for his African roots, a profound respect for Duke Ellington, Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra, as well as an admiration for the capacity of musicians like Fela Kuti and Bob Marley to balance the spiritual and the artistic with the social and political dimensions of music. All of that infused with a contagious theatrical ability that makes his performances memorable. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=7830#here

The bonanza of new releases goes on. So let's dive right in and find out more about the much-awaited return of Kip Hanrahan; music inspired by whales, fictional or real (courtesy of David Crowell & Simon Jermyn and Garth Stevenson); a Kenny Wheeler Tribute by Ingrid Jensen and Steve Steve Treseler, the second installment of Nicole Johänntgen's New Orleans travelogue, a new trio by Wayne Horvitz and the intriguing blend of piano and Maori traditional instruments by Tania Giannouli and Rob Thorne. And, of course, much more! The playlist includes also music by Ben Sluijs, Pierre Bertrand, Stu Minderman, Myra Melford, Chris Lightcap, Fred Frith, Trygve Seim. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=7802#here Photo: Richard Conde

The summer is winding down and the pace at which new albums are being released is picking up. Given the quality of what is coming our way, we duly oblige. Enjoy two hours of gorgeous new music, including some unexpected gems from the European jazz like the Austrian ensemble Little Rosie's Kindgergarten and the Italian supergroup Peace Pice (featuring Hank Roberts), and more great projects featuring Bill Frisell (with Cuong Vu) or inspired by his artistry, and Frisell's cohort Hank Roberts (with Pipe Dream and Sean Moran, as well Nels Cline (with Chris Lightcap) and a dinasty of Israeli guitarists (Dida Pelled, Gilad Hekselman and Rotem Sivan). The playlist also includes music by Mikkel Ploug, Ethan Iverson, Erik Friedlander, Günter Baby Sommer & Till Brönner, Makaya McCraven & Pericopes+1 Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7713#here

Another master has left us. Randy Weston passed away on Sept. 1st at the venerable age of 92. This week we celebrate the music of an artist that consciously built a bridge between jazz and African musical traditions and, in doing so, strongly contributed to the awareness of the African roots of jazz music. The playlist will include music by Randy Weston and by musicians he inspired like Al Grey, Rodney Kendrick, Heiner Franz and Freddie Hubbard as well as new releases and re-releases by Fred Hersch, Dinosaur, Phronesis, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Stefon Harris and Stephane Spira. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7670#here

The summer is almost over and the pace at which new albums are being released is picking up... This week we focus on a few new gems, including two remarkable tributes to Thelonious Monk, the mighty "Work: The Complete Compositions of Thelonious Monk" (in six volumes!) by Miles Okazaki and the idiosyncratic "The MONK: Live at Bimhuis" by Miho Hazama with the Metropole Orkest Big Band. Ah... and new works featuring John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Steve Cardenas, Manu Codja and Charlie Hunter (and of course Miles Okazaki) for all the guitar hero worshippers out there! The playlist includes also: Emile Parisien, Steve Coleman, Mopo, Walking Distance feat. Jason Moran, Judy Niemack, Skúli Sverrisson, Don Cherry, Rob Dixon, Lucas Pino and Marcin Wasilewski. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7480#here

This week we pay homage to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, looking into her early jazz forays and her influence on many jazz musicians. We'll then dive into a bin full of extraordinary new albums. The playlist includes: Aretha Franklin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Frisell, Phil Haynes & Free Country, Grover Washington Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Lonnie Smith, Rob Dixon, Medeski Martin & Wood with Alarm Will Sound, Friends of Scotty Hard, Don Cherry, Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids, Nicole Mitchell, Andy Milne & Dapp Theory, Allison Miller, Carmen Staaf, Shai Maestro, Wolfgang Muthspiel, JD Allen, Norvald Dahl. Detailed playlist available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7540#here

Spoken word is performance art that goes hand in hand with jazz because words often sound great and notes can speak loud and clear. In this episode we will explore the best of it, together with outstanding new releases that are making our summer even hotter than it already is! The playlist will include music and words by Gil Scott-Heron, Terry Callier, Elio Villafranca, Don Byron, Emile Parisien & Wynton Marsalis, William Tatge, Steve Coleman & Five Elements, Maria Grand, Branford Marsalis, Jason Moran, Matt Wilson, Hermeto Pascoal, Brad Mehldau, Jason Lindner, Ursula Rucker, Gerald Clayton feat. Aja Monet & Carl Hancock Rux, David Murray & Saul Williams, Ginger Baker, Michael Lowenstern, Caroline Davis. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&month=Aug&year=2018&playlist=7408#here

The best of jazz is aural poetry. The best of poetry swings and grooves. So it's not surprising that jazz and poetry have had a long and fruitful synergy. We decided to explore intriguing collaborations between jazz musicians and poets, from the icons of the Beat Generation to Amiri Baraka, from Federico Garcia Lorca to Emily Dickinson. And we'll celebrate a poet of the jazz trumpet, Tomasz Stanko, which has left us too soon. The playlist includes music and verses by Tomasz Stanko, Matt Wilson, Roy Nathanson, Andrew Cyrille, Allen Ginsberg, Bill Frisell, Lenny Pickett, William Burroughs, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Hal Willner, Jack Kerouac, Mark Murphy, Kip Hanrahan, Ishmael Reed, Ralph Alessi, Piri Thomas, William Parker, Amiri Baraka, Alexis Cuadrado, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Steve Lacy, Frank Carlberg, Jane Ira Bloom, Emily Dickinson, Susanne Abbuehl Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Aug&year=2018&playlist=7363#here

Today we go back to 1981, when "Amarcord Nino Rota" by producer Hal Willner was released. 37 years later it remains a reference record and one of the greatest tribute albums ever produced. We take a look back at the making of this great album, which has just been re-released by Corbett vs. Dempsey, with an interview with Hal Willner, and we play music from some of his other tribute projects (to Monk, Mingus, Ginsberg and vintage Disney movies). Two hours of aural fantasy. The playlist includes music by Nino Rota, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Kurt Weill performed by Jacki Byard, George Adams, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Dave Samuels, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell, Steve Lacy, Allen Ginsberg, Was (Not Was), Sun Ra, Greg Cohen, Vernon Reid, Geri Allen, Don Byron, Art Baron, Chuck D, Henry Rollins, Charlie Watts, The Uptown Horns. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jul&year=2018&playlist=7311#here

Inspired by "Head Full of Hair, Heart of Full of Song", Pyeng Threadgill's investigation in music about the role of hair in her life, family, community and throughout the African diaspora, this episode of Mondo Jazz builds a narrative about hair, because -- whether it’s a braided bun or flowing tendrils -- hair has always mirrored the cultural (and musical) zeitgeist. An interview with Pyeng Threadgill and a preview of her recent album together with music ranging from the Lounge Lizards to Laurindo Almeida. The playlist includes The Lounge Lizards, Slow Poke, Garage a Trois, Chico Hamilton, Nels Cline, Bobby Previte, Pyeng Threadgill, Nina Simone, Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana, Laurindo Almeida & Bud Shank, Gil Evans & Laurent Cugny, Alain Goraguer, Carlo Nardozza, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Either/Orchestra, Eric Dolphy. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jul&year=2018&playlist=7218#here

This episode features new releases and fresh sounds, from postmodern big bands to protest songs to lyrical meditations that will melt your heart. The playlist includes music by Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Pyeng Threadgill, Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas' Sound prints, Snarky Puppy, Robert Glasper, Dos Santos, Peter Madsen's Seven Sins Orchestra, Rob Schwimmer, Marike Van Dijk, Mathias Eick and John Christensen. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jul&year=2018&playlist=7201#here Cover photo: Barbara Rigon

Gorgeous music never stops. Case in point: the spectacularly beautiful new album by the Michael Leonhart, “The Painted Lady Suite”, destined to become a reference record for large ensembles, and the latest release by Charles Lloyd and the Marvels, “Vanished Gardens”. This episode of Mondo Jazz spotlights those albums and other intriguing new (and not so new) releases, and features an exclusive interview with Michael Leonhart on the making of “The Painted Lady Suite”. The playlist also includes music by Dave Holland – Evan Parker – Craig Taborn – Ches Smith, Makaya McCraven, Nels Cline, Thomas Strønen & Time Is A Blind Guide, Wanja Slavin, 3TM, Cortex, Humcrush, Henry Mancini, A detailed playlist is available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=7088#here

Already soccered-out? Then dive in the world of Jazz Relay: the exciting sport in which one jazz player passes the baton to the next one and at the end all listeners are exhilarated by the mind-boggling diversity of music that comes out of different bands even when they have many musicians in common. The playlist will include (mostly) new releases by artists who (mostly) are, or about to be, in NY or touring North America: Lucia Cadotsch (interview), Django Bates, Peter Bruun, Petter Eldh, Enemy, Otis Sandsjö, Marius Neset, Amok Amor, Samuel Blaser, Marc Ducret, Tim Berne, Thumbscrew (Michael Formanek, Tomas Fujiwara, Mary Halvorson), Ted Nash, Julian Arguelles, Jim Black, Elias Stemeseder, Mopo. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jun&year=2018&playlist=7052#here

If you are intrigued by jazz because of its capacity to surprise, amaze, astound, even flabbergast and leave you without words… British pianist Django Bates is the musician for you! This week Mondo Jazz has reached out to Django Bates for an interview, in advance of his North American tour. The episode also previews the upcoming concert by Camille Bertault and Chico Pinheiro, which will launch the Rizzoli Music Aperitivo (https://www.rizzolibookstore.com/news/rizzoli-music-aperitivo), a music series curated by Mondo Jazz at the historic Rizzoli Bookstore in New York, which will try to spotlight, and possibly spark, cross-pollination between music and literature or poetry. The playlist will include music by Django Bates' various projects over the years, as well as by Camille Bertault and Marius Neset. Detailed playlists at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jun&year=2018&playlist=6967#here

One episode was not enough, so we needed more time to cover the South African scene. This week we look back at an earlier phase of the history of jazz in South Africa, focusing on some foundational bands and musicians, and the musicians they inspired both in South African and elsewhere. The playlist includes music by Winston Mankunku Ngozi, The Manhattan Brothers, Hugh Masekela & The Zulus, Johnny Fourie, The Musical "King Kong", The Jazz Epistles, Dollar Brand, Ernst Reijseger, McCoy Mrubata & Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades, Hotep Idris Galeta, Mario Pavone, Bheki Mseleku, Jean Toussaint, Alan Skidmore featuring Amampondo, Julian Arguelles feat. the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Django Bates & Steve Argüelles, Loose Tubes. The detailed playlist is available at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Jun&year=2018&playlist=6899#here Photo credit: Jürgen Schadeberg

This episode features tracks from two influential band leaders -- John Lurie of the Lounge Lizards and Miles Davis -- who had a talent for surrounding themselves with talented artists that became prominent musicians who founded their own influential bands. The playlist includes The Loung Lizards, Miles Davis, Medeski Martin & Wood, Roy Nathanson's Jazz Passengers, Herbie Hancock, Marc Ribot, Michael Blake, Dave Holland, John McLaughlin and more. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=May&year=2018&playlist=6875#here Cover photo by Roberto Cifarelli

This week we dive into the music that got me hooked on jazz, from crossover hits like Miles Davis’ "Bitches Brew" and Dave Brubeck’s "Take Five" to maybe lesser-known, but equally fabulous, pieces by Marc Ribot, Dave Holland, and more. If you don't usually listen to jazz, this episode could be a good place to start. Some of these songs are accessible enough to have a made a dumb teenager in New Jersey (me) pay attention –- and they still sound great today. They might get you hooked too. The playlist includes Ahmad Jamal, Dave Brubeck, King Crimson, Bill Bruford, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett - Gary Peacock - Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Lounge Lizards, Cal Tjader, Buena Vista Social Club, Marc Ribot. https://www.spinitron.com/member/showplaylist.php?plid=6817

This week we check out new releases by some of the most exciting and innovative jazz musicians working today, from established names like Henry Threadgill and Nik Bärtsch to up-and-comers like Ben LaMar Gay. The playlist includes also music by Leni Stern, Mary Halvorson, Rogerio Boccato, John Hollenbeck, Jamie Baum, Matt Penman, and Dan Weiss. A detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=May&year=2018&playlist=6764#here

This week we focus on unforgettable gems from the most prolific Jazz scene in Africa, South Africa, which has remained vibrant for decades, even during the aparthied years, which forced many of its main figures to live in exile. The playlist will include: Bheky Mseleku, Andile Yenana, Zim Ngqawana, Robert Wyatt, Mongezi Feza, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Dyani A detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=6704

In our exploration of Jazz & Africa, this week we focus on music by international musicians inspired by Africa. Plus an interview with, and live performance by, the talented Israeli singer and guitarist Dida Pelled. The playlist includes music by: Steven Bernstein, Orchestre National de Jazz, Third World Love, Michael Blake, Ornette Coleman, Dave Holland, David Murray, Graham Haynes, Duke Ellington, Dida Pelled, Ragtime Vampires. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=May&year=2018&playlist=6647#here

As we continue our exploration of jazz by African musicians and by international musicians fascinated with the African continent and its music, this week we focus on Benin, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal & Zimbabwe. The Playlist includes: Getatchew Mekurya & The Ex, Mulatu Astatke, Either/Orchestra, Gigi, Hailu Mergia, Fela Kuti, Ernst Reijseger - Mola Sylla - Serigne C. M. Gueye, Benoit Delbecq 3, Ray Lema, Aka Moon, Doudou N'Diaye Rose, Thomas Mapfumo & Wadada Leo Smith, Lionel Loueke, Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&month=Apr&year=2018&playlist=6584#here

In this episode we'll explore jazz by African musicians and by foreign musicians fascinated with the African continent and its music, with a special focus on Mali, Morocco and Tunisia. The Playlist includes: Yacine Boulares, Anouar Brahem & Dave Holland, Bill Frisell & Sidiki Camara, Ben Allison & Mamadou Diabate, Roswell Rudd & Toumani Diabate, Michael Blake, Joachim Kuhn & Majid Bekkas, Smadj, Daniel Freedman, Club d'Elf, Toubab Krewe, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, BOZILO. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&playlist=6554#here

Jazz and minimalism? An interesting combination that produces fascinating and hypnotic results which we'll delve in in this episode of Mondo Jazz. Plus: an interview with Caroline Davis on the occasion of the release of her latest album, "Heart Tonic", as well as a loungy tribute to Cecil Taylor, and a preview of live performances by Patrick Zimmerli and Derek Gripper. The playlist includes also new releases by: Dead Combo, Nick Baertsch, Shake Stew, Brad Jones, Phil Ranelin, Jenny Scheinman, The Necks, Neil Cowley, Horace Silver, & more... Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&month=Apr&year=2018&playlist=6499#here

This week Mondo Jazz features an interview with cellist Erik Friedlander about his latest project inspired by the viewing of Pablo Picasso's "Glass of Absinthe", "Artemisia" a visually stunning vinyl box set containing the musically stunning work of his latest project, Throw a Glass, featuring Uri Caine on piano, Mark Helias on bass and Ches Smith on drums. The playlist also includes music by Reinier Baas, Sly & Robbie - Nils Petter Molvær - Eivind Aarset - Vladislav Delay, David Ake, Maciej Obara, Django Bates, Alban Darche & L'OrphiCube, Jean Christope Cholet - Alban Darche - Mathias Ruegg & Grand Ensemble, Jozef Dumoulin & Orca Noise Unit, Evan Parker & Ned Rothenberg, Sara Serpa, Christian Lillinger's Grund. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/radio/index.php?station=rfb&month=Apr&year=2018&playlist=6439#here .