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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

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#her Listen →

Whatever material she touches -- be it a Horace Silver standard, a Wes Montgomery blues, a Johnny Cash country tune, a Randy Newman heartbreak song, or one of her disarming originals -- New York-based Israeli guitarist and vocalist Dida Pelled leaves her indelible mark on it. Her signature style is a mix of playful warmth and remarkable guitar chops approached with the soul of a natural born storyteller that knows how to make the listener... listen to her! This mixtape offers an overview of her recording career, in advance of the third Rizzoli Music Aperitivo curated by Mondo Jazz [Friday 14 Sept. 2018 – 7pm - 1133 Broadway btw 25th-26th St. NYC], for which Dida Pelled will present her latest project, "The Lost Women of Song", an intimate evening of remarkable songs by -- and mysterious stories about -- hardly known or under-recognized female artists who were well ahead of their time, from Connie Converse to Elizabeth Cotten to Molly Drake, Vashti Bunyan, Tia Blake and Norma Listen →

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#her Listen →

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 Listen →

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 Listen →

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#her Listen →

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 →