Radio & Podcasts
Tune in daily to hear the internet's top jazz programs including Mondo Jazz, Jazz Bastard, World of Jazz, The Third Story, One Man's Jazz, Jazz at 100, Neon Jazz, A Broad Spectrum, Liner Notes and more. View our program schedule and check out the most recent JazzWeek Radio Chart.
Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Gerry Mulligan, Teddy Charles & Bob Brookmeyer
by Joe Dimino
Welcome to a full hour dedicated to the genius of Bob Brookmeyer--one of jazz's most inventive, soulful, and influential voices. Born in Kansas City, he carried the city's musical spirit across the globe, leaving a bold, unmistakable imprint on the world of jazz and beyond. This episode is inspired by Michael Stephans' powerful new book, On the Way to the Sky. Stephans--a seasoned author, musician, and longtime friend of Brookmeyer--shares insights that illuminate both the man and the master musician ...
Continue ReadingJazz playlist special features Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Miles Davis and much more
by Len Davis
Pat Metheny, Lynne Arriale, Jack Pantazis, {Tim Garland}}, Miles Davis, John Abercrombie, Chick Corea, Ference Snetberger, John Scofield, Marc Johnson, Chris Potter and Avishai Cohen. ...
Continue ReadingElla Fitzgerald, Gregory Porter, Olivia Van Goor, Leslie Odom Jr. and More!
by Jua Howard
Happy Holidays! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of holiday cheer to share with new music from April Varner, Wycliffe Gordon, Olivia Van Goor,Christian Wiggs; and a lot of other timeless holiday music including from Ella Fitzgerald, Kevin Mahogany, Laila Biali, Joe Williams, Natalie Cole, Leslie Odom Jr. and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Gregory Porter “Heart for Christmas" from Christmas ...
Continue ReadingSachal Vasandani: Best Life Now, Stripped Back
by Steven Roby
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with vocalist and songwriter Sachal Vasandani. Known for a voice that critics call “transfixing," Sachal has collaborated with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Bobby McFerrin. Sachal discusses his latest project, Best Life Now, and the surprising journey of taking that album--originally produced with deep grooves by drummer Nate Smith--and stripping it back to its raw, acoustic essentials. We dive into his philosophy on jazz improvisation, his ...
Continue ReadingElysian Fields, Zeitgeber, Kate Wyatt, Rin Seo Collective & more
by Marek J. Śmietański
Episode 119th of Jazz Crumbs wraps up the October releases. After the European chapter in episode 118th, we travel to the rest of the world. The sound is calmer and less experimental this time, with clear nods to tradition. There are plenty of albums by artists from outside the American mainstream--Canada, Cuba, South Africa, and several strong international projects. The new face of Australian jazz, however, truly catches the ear. Notably, only three of the featured albums are debuts. As ...
Continue ReadingMarcus Roberts: Jazz Piano And Technology's Promise
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on pianist Marcus Roberts. Roberts plays jazz piano like he's lived through its entire history. His style pulls from Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller as much as it does from bebop. He spent years in Wynton Marsalis' band, has performed piano concertos with Seiji Ozawa, and today leads The Modern Jazz Generation, a 12-piece ensemble encompassing three decades of musicians. Roberts is here today to talk about something beyond ...
Continue ReadingThe Klezmatics: 40 Years of Revolutionary Joy
by Steven Roby
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with Frank London, trumpeter and founding member of the Grammy Award-winning band The Klezmatics. For four decades, The Klezmatics have been the world's leading voice in blending traditional Yiddish roots with the energy of punk, jazz, and gospel. Frank shares stories from the band's origins in New York's gritty East Village scene of the 1980s and discusses their landmark collaboration with the Woody Guthrie estate--a project ...
Continue ReadingTrond Kallevåg, Dave McMurray, Bill Laurance, John O'Gallagher & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Whether born in the heart of Detroit, captured in the stillness of a London church at night, or inspired by cinematic visions of Norwegian immigration to Minnesota, the music in this playlist invites you into sound worlds that captivate and reward at every turn.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Dave McMurray “The Jungaleers" I LOVE LIFE even when I'm hurting (Blue Note) 0:16 Host talks 5:45 Don Was ...
Continue ReadingImprovising the Classics: Interpreting Mozart
by Larry Slater
Mozart is one of those true musical geniuses revered as one the classical gods. Why are jazz musicians drawn to his music? The combination of his deceptively simple melodies and logical harmonic progressions allows jazz artists to mold these classic pieces into music that is recognizably jazz, yet still recognizably Mozart. Whether or not you listen to classical music, a great deal of Mozart's music is instantly recognizable when jazz musicians transform them into vehicles for ...
Continue ReadingNew Music From Lovato, Burrows, Garcia, Faye, and More
by Bob Osborne
On this edition a set of 12 pieces tracing rhythmic invention, ensemble interplay, and tonal contrast across multiple continents and decades. The selections move from suite-based composition and archival live recordings to contemporary quartet work, solo piano abstraction, and layered studio arrangements. Formats include trio, orchestra, and collaborative studio ensemble, with instrumentation spanning reeds, brass, percussion, electronics, and voice. Styles range from modal jazz and Latin jazz to avant-garde improvisation and structured groove, with label origins including independent, cooperative, and ...
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