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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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 Listen →

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 Cifar Listen →

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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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 . Listen →

On this episode we play music by the members of the Coltrane family, John, Alice and Ravi, and by those inspired by it. We'll then explore jazz inspired by funeral marching bands from the South of Italy, and other jazz experiments with funeral music, which are much more fun than you'd expect! And more new releases. Playlist includes music by John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, Jason Stein's Locksmith Isidore, Marco Colonna, Nelson Veras, Houdini's Cage, Kamikaze Ground Crew, Mauro Ottolini, Francesco Chiapperini Extemporary Vision Ensemble, Maria Grand, Thomas Strønen & Time Is A Blind Guide, Arild Andersen - Paolo Vinaccia - Tommy Smith, Nicolas Masson, and Reinier Baas. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6397#her Listen →

As we focus on recent and upcoming releases, in this episode we feature an exclusive interview with the rising French superstar Camille Bertault in advance of her New York concerts to promote her new album "Pas de géant" and the preview of Bill Frisell's upcoming "Music Is", an instant classic which marks his return to the solo format and some of his earlier solo work. Also in the playlist, the recent releases by Jon Irabagon, Rosa Brunello, Jakob Bro and the legendary Belgian band Aka Moon. https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6326#her Listen →

Great new albums keep coming and we are previewing them for you. In this episode interview with the new titan of the saxophone, James Brandon Lewis, and sample music from his upcoming duo album "Radiant Imprints" with Chad Taylor. The playlist includes also new or upcoming releases by Nels Cline, Bill Frisell, John Surman, Caroline Davis, Dafnis Prieto Big Band, Roman Filiu, Aruán Ortiz, Yellow Bird, Sebastien Texier & Cristoph Marguet, Louis Sclavis & Bernard Lubat Listen →

Just two months have passed and 2018 is already replete with amazing new music. In this episode we interview Bobby Previte about his new album "Rhapsody", the second part of his "Travel Trilogy", and sample the exciting new or upcoming releases by Camille Bertault, The Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Ben LaMar, Alicia Hall Moran, Owen Broder, Nicola Conte & Gianluca Petrella, Nubya Garcia, The Recyclers, Jason Moran, Shabaka Hutching's Sons of Kemet, Hobby Horse, David Murray, Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Jeff Cosgrove - Scott Robinson - Ken Filiano, Martin Wind. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6229#her Listen →

When interpreting music from the past should contemporary musicians focus on its form or its spirit? We look into this question through two new projects that focus on the legacy of Dizzy Gillespie and Lead Belly, with interviews to Dave Douglas about his latest project, "Dizzy's Atmosphere", and to Adam Nussbaum about his brand new album "The Lead Belly Project". Playlist includes: Manu Codjia, Geraldine Laurent, Christopher Marguet, Dave Douglas, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Lovano, Adam Nussbaum, Lead Belly, Paolo Botti, Gil Evans, Bill Frisell, Dino Rubino Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6134#her Listen →

More dopamine enhancing jazz after last week's episode. Music that should turn a grey day into a shiny one. Playlist includes: Joe Jackson, Miles Davis & Gil Evans, Joe Lovano, Sun Ra, Dave Douglas, Gerald Clayton, Leo Parker, Rodney Kendrick, Kevin Eubanks, Stephan Crump, Duck Baker, Vana Gierig, Antonio Zambrini, Avion Travel, Nico Morelli & Mauro Negri, Tuck & Patti, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Jordan, Wayne Shorter Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6089#her Listen →