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 →

Joy, something that all need more of, especially on days like these with such lousy weather. We are all familiar with the fact that music can greatly contribute to such state, and neuroscience has proved that when pleasurable music is heard, dopamine is released. Let's then focus on music that has a very positive vibe and hopefully will help you release tons of dopamine! Plus an interview to Amir ElSaffar concerning his joy-and-awe-inspiring Rivers of Sound Orchestra. Playlist includes: Paul Motian, Joey Baron, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Django Bates, Steve Argüelles, Musette Explosion, Curtis Hasselbring, Michael Blake, Dollar Brand, Ryan Cohan, Stefano Bollani, David Murray, Amir ElSaffar, Dewey Redman. Detailed playlist at: https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=6040#her Listen →

More music that could work well as soundtrack of an imaginary film noir, with some spaghetti-western variations. The first part of this noir investigation is at https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioFreeBrooklyn/mondo-jazz-ep-11-film-noir-a-jazz-investigation-interview-previews-frank-woeste-paolo-angeli/ Playlist includes Guano Padano, Bobby Previte, Giancarlo Vulcano, John Zorn, George Lewis, Bill Frisell, Ran Blake, John Hassell, Gianluca Petrella, David Sanborn, Barry Adamson, Max Nagl, Art Farmer, Gary Peacock, Emile Parisien, Papanosh, Joe Harriott, John Meyer, Randy Weston. Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5983#her Listen →

Film Noir: a Jazz Investigation. In search of clues about the key components that make it possible to build the mood, the suspense, the intrigue, the build-up of tension, the adrenaline rush, the release in a good film noir with a jazz soundtrack, or in the soundtrack of an imaginary film noir. Plus an interview to German-born, Paris-based, pianist Frank Woeste and a preview of the Carnegie Hall debut of Sardinian guitarist Paolo Angeli. PLAYLIST INCLUDES: The Lounge Lizards, Stanley Wilson, Chet Baker & Piero Umiliani, Bobby Previte, Ben Allison, Metropole Orchestra, Andre Popp, Carlo Actis Dato, Barney Wilen, Daniel Humair, Guy Lafitte, Art Ensemble, Two Sisters, Inc., Colin Towns, Dylan Ryan, Dave Douglas, Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle, Paolo Angeli. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=rfb&playlist=5916#her Listen →

2018 album previews; Swiss, Finnish, and French approaches to quintessentially United Statesian music genres like Hip-Hop, Jazz and Americana, which traveled to Europe and got local; tributes to Martin Luther King and a preview of the Ned Rothenberg, Erik Friedlander, Ami Yamasaki trio. PLAYLISTS INCLUDES Raoul Bjorkenheim, Adam Nussbaum, Danny Fox, Yellow Bird, Sylvie Courvoisier, Weird Beard, Nicole Jo, Porta Palace Collective & Rob Mazurek, Joshua Gerowitz, Ned Rothenberg with Ernst Reijseger & Ami Yamasaki, Claudio Fasoli, Dave Douglas & Frank Woeste, MC Solaar, Thiefs, Darrell Grant, Herbie Hancock Listen →

This is the second part of Mondo Jazz dedicated to previewing some of the international artists that will be performing at the 2018 Winter Jazz Festival and play some of the gems of 2017. It features interviews with Lucia Cadotsch, Yazz Ahmed, Yacine Boularès and Guilhelm Flouzat who will perform at the festival. PLAYLIST INCLUDES James Brandon Lewis, Lucia Cadotsch, Yazz Ahmed, Yacine Boularès, Ajoyo, Guilhem Flouzat Trio, Fabrio Puglisi, Irene Schweizer & Joey Baron - Open Window Listen →

The first episode of 2018. A great opportunity to look back at some of the great releases of 2017 and to look forward at the festival that, every January, brings the New York jazz year into full gear, the Winter Jazz Festival, with previews of some of the international artists that will be performing there. PLAYLIST INCLUDES Matteo Pastorino, Marvin Pontiac, Lucia Cadotsch, Thelonious Monk, Guilhem Flouzat, Rez Abbasi, Rudresh Mahantappa, Sons of Kemet, Jaimie Branch, Ryan Kaberle, Frank Woeste, David's Angels, Maria Grand, Steve Coleman, Bill Frisell, Nels Cline, Erik Friedlander, Yazz Ahmed, Norma Winstone, John Taylor Listen →

The holiday season continues and so does the gift-giving. Here’s the second of a two part series featuring some of my favorite tunes as my holiday gift to end a challenging year on a positive note. PLAYLIST INCLUDES Alicia Hall Moran, Toots Thielemans, Quincy Jones, Manhattan Brothers, Bheki Mseleku, The Gaturs, The Dickens Campaign, Sifter, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Oliver Nelson, Chico Hamilton & Euphoria, Chris Potter, Wolfgang Pusching, Max Nagl, Nels Cline, Reve d'elephant orchestra, Peppe Servillo - Javier Girotto - Natalio Mangalavite, Tino Tracanna, Anat Fort Listen →

Holidays are the season of gift-giving. And music makes the perfect gift. So here’s the first of a two part series featuring some of my favorite tunes as my holiday gift to end a challenging year on a positive note. PLAYLISTS INCLUDES Donald Fagen, Sonny Rollins, George Benson, Kresten Osgood, Jaga Jazzist, Don Byron, Krystle Warren, Marisa Monte, Jimmie Rowles, Tony Bennett, Marc Ribot, Ernst Reijseger, Georg Gräwe, Paul Motian, Eddie Jobson, Evan Ziporyn, Susie Ibarra Trio, Frank Zappa, Geri Allen, Sidsel Endresen, Bugge Wesseltotft, Mary Margaret O'Hara, New American Orchestra, John Bahler, Vangelis, Peggy Lee. Listen →