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 Listen →

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 Bourr Listen →

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 Listen →

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 Marsha Listen →

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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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 Listen →

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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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: Listen →

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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →