Articles by Stephen Braunginn

Radio & Podcasts

Thelonious Monk: Wrong Is Right-Part Two

by Stephen Braunginn
October 17, 2026

The conversation continues. In Part Two of Thelonious Monk: Wrong Is Right, Steve Braunginn rejoins T.S. Monk and Thelonious Monk IV, beginning with Charlie Rouse and the musical language he shared with Monk. From a remarkable Archie Shepp story and T.S.'s “No Monk, no funk" to archival recordings and the fourth generation carrying the Monk legacy forward, the conversation ultimately returns home--to Thelonious Monk the father, husband and man behind the mythology, and to Nellie Monk, the woman T.S. calls ...

Radio & Podcasts

Thelonious Monk: Wrong is Right, Part 1

by Stephen Braunginn
October 10, 2026

Thelonious Monk changed the language of jazz--but who was the man behind the music? On Strictly Jazz Sounds, Steve Braunginn talks with T.S. Monk and his son, Thelonious Monk IV, about Monk as father, grandfather and musical revolutionary. T.S. challenges the familiar image of Monk as an eccentric, examines his remarkable relationship with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, and offers a revealing way to hear his father's genius: listen not only to Monk's solos, but to what he plays ...

Radio & Podcasts

Joe Lovano: Still on the Rise

by Stephen Braunginn
August 9, 2026

Joe Lovano has been shaping the sound of modern jazz for more than five decades--and this cat is still moving forward. On this episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, Grammy Award winning saxophonist Joe Lovano joins me for a deep and spirited conversation about Paramount Quartet his latest ECM recording with guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Santi Debriano and drummer Will Calhoun. We get into the music behind the music: the chemistry of the quartet, recording with Manfred Eicher, the contrast between ...

Radio & Podcasts

Martin Ludlow: Reclaiming LA's Jazz Legacy

by Stephen Braunginn
July 15, 2026

On the newest episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, Martin Ludlow, President and CEO of Bridge Street, Inc. is my guest. We attempt to answer the question, “Is Los Angeles ready to take its place among the world's great jazz festival cities?" We discuss the vision behind the inaugural LA Jazz Festival, LA's jazz history, the legacy of Central Avenue and the Dunbar Hotel, how the festival hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians and what it will take for ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jeremy Pelt: Jazz, Leadership, and Legacy

by Stephen Braunginn
June 27, 2026

Jeremy Pelt : When someone says jazz is dead, or that they cannot find great jazz being made today, I always think of the artists, mentors, and leaders who continue to move the music forward. Jeremy Pelt is one of those essential voices. As a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, educator, and author, Pelt continues to carry the music forward with purpose, clarity, and deep respect for its lineage. In this episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, Steve Braunginn talks with ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jenny Scheinman: Rural Roots Join Eclectic Creativity

by Stephen Braunginn
May 23, 2026

Violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman joins Strictly Jazz Sounds to discuss All Species Parade, her 2024 release on Royal Potato Family. Inspired by her return to Humboldt County, California, the album reflects her deep connection to landscape, ecology, community, and collective listening. Scheinman talks about growing up off-grid, shaping a musical voice rooted in lyricism rather than virtuosity, and writing for collaborators including Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, and Nels Cline. The episode explores how jazz can model trust, individuality, and ...

Radio & Podcasts

Walter Smith III: Driving Modern Jazz With An Unyielding Voice

by Stephen Braunginn
April 25, 2026

From his early beginnings at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston to leadership roles at Berklee College of Music, Walter Smith III shares stories from his journey and discusses his commitment to gender equity in jazz. We take a deep dive into his album three of us are from Houston Reuben is not (Blue Note, 2024) featuring Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers, and Eric Harland, exploring the significance behind the music and composition titles. Hear about ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jaleel Shaw: Painting the Invisibility in Jazz

by Stephen Braunginn
April 6, 2026

Discover how music, family, and culture shape alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw. We discuss his album, Painter of the Invisible, and the personal stories woven into his jazz, from his Philly roots to his latest inspirations--including the gentle sounds of his new baby. Playlist Jaleel Shaw: “Gina's Ascent" from Painter of the Invisible (Changu Records) 09:32 Jaleel Shaw: “Tamir (For Tamir Rice)" from Painter of the Invisible (Changu Records) 10:53 Jaleel Shaw: “The Invisible Man" from Painter of the ...

Radio & Podcasts

Mark Turner: Jazz and Race-He Tells It Like It Is

by Stephen Braunginn
November 29, 2025

World-renowned tenor saxophonist Mark Turner turns his attention to a provocative subject, directly related to a dynamic novel by civil rights activist, poet and novelist, James Weldon Johnson. Turner's latest project, Reflections On: An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is the main subject of this conversation on Strictly Jazz Sounds. Turner goes into detail explaining how personal and historical contexts guided the music's thematic material. He describes the process of selecting relevant texts from the book to enhance the album's ...

Radio & Podcasts

John Patitucci: The Soul, Spirit, and Sound of Jazz

by Stephen Braunginn
May 13, 2025

John Patitucci, the 2025 Jazz Journalists Association Electric Bassist of the Year, a four-time Grammy winner, shares his journey from joining Chick Corea's bands to playing in Wayne Shorter's quartet. His “faith" profoundly influences his music and collaborations, including with Brian Blade and Chris Potter}}. The conversation highlights Patitucci's spiritual growth and recent recording, Spirit Fall, which was recorded in one day's time for Edition Records. Playlist John Patitucci “Think Fast" from Spirit Fall (Edition Records) 06:51 John ...