Articles by Ludovico Granvassu
Makaya McCraven, Sam Ospovat, Johnathan Blake
by Ludovico Granvassu
Here is a playlist that gives the drummers some, actually more than some as it focuses exclusively on records released by remarkable modern drummers and composers/bandleaders like Makaya McCraven, Sam Ospovat, and Johnathan Blake.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Johnathan Blake “Last Breath" My Life Matters (Blue Note) 0:16 Host talks 7:12 Makaya McCraven “Venice" Off the Record: PopUp Shop (Nonesuch/International Anthem) 9:25 Makaya McCraven “News Feed" Off ...
Continue ReadingSaha Gnawa, Makiko Hirabayashi, Louis Sclavis, Amir ElSaffar, Roberto Ottaviano
by Ludovico Granvassu
Another episode of Mondo Jazz, another constellation of global musical connections--spanning Morocco to India, Basque to Arabic traditions, and the space where classical and world influences meet.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Saha Gnawa feat. Donny McCaslin “Negshah" Saha Gnawa (Pique-nique) 0:16 Host talks 9:35 Makiko Hirabayashi Weavers “High Tide" Gifts (Enja/Yellowbird) 11:14 Host talks 17:01 Louis Sclavis “Long Train" India (Yolk) 18:32 Amir ElSaffar “10:23 AM" New ...
Continue ReadingCamille Bertault, Daniel Santiago, Orchestre National de Jazz, Boz Scaggs & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Artists stepping outside their usual terrain, while others going deep in the one they're familiar with, take center stage in this week's selection of standout releases.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Boz Scaggs “Angel Eyes" Detour (Concord) 0:16 Host talks 4:54 Daniel Santiago “Christmas Song" Love in the Modern World (Heartcore) 6:32 Camille Bertault “Duvida cruel" Voz e Voces (Sunnyside) 12:27 Host talks 16:59 Andrea Molinari “Small Steps" ...
Continue ReadingGianni Coscia: Sigla 1950
by Ludovico Granvassu
If Gianni Coscia were Korean, he would have been declared a “Human Cultural Asset," the title bestowed upon individuals recognized for their mastery and role in preserving national culture. But he's not Korean, so he may be more accurately described as an Italian living national treasure--a poet laureate trapped in the body of an accordionist. After a lifetime spent giving a jazz inflection to regional and popular Italian musical traditions, he has--at 94--released his first solo album, La ...
Continue ReadingGianni Coscia, Tarun Balani, Laura Jurd, Igor Lumpert & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Cultural roots--and our shared roots on this planet--tie together the projects featured in this playlist of recent and soon-to-land treasures.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Igor Lumpert “Sures" Resistance of the Earth (ears&eyes) 0:16 Host talks 6:08 Tarun Balani “The Laburnum Blooms" Kadahin Milandaasin (Berthold) 7:29 Host talks 14:25 Fergus McCreadie “Windshelter" The Shieling (Edition) 15:45 Laura Jurd “What Are You Running Towards?" Rites & Revelations (New Soil) ...
Continue ReadingLuca Curcio, Marcus Gilmore, Alison Shearer, John Scofield, Dave Holland & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Welcome back to our weekly dispatch of recent and upcoming releases--where “recent and upcoming" isn't a marketing catchphrase but living proof that jazz keeps surpassing expectations, along with our sheer ability to keep up.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Luca Curcio “Bomba Dub" La Bomba (Boomslang) 0:16 Host talks 5:31 Alison Shearer “Homer “ In The Garden (Pinch) 7:17 Host talks 12:07 Steiger “5XP" Mowglowski's First Take (Steiger) ...
Continue ReadingLa Tanya Hall, Johan Lindström, Zack Lober, Gary Bartz & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Here is another dispatch of fresh new releases at the intersection of high-octane energy, cinematic vibes and much awaited returns.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 New Cool Collective “Ms. Wilson" On Tour (Dox) 0:16 Host talk 9:15 Vladimir Kostadinovic “The World Keeps Ending and the World Keeps Going On" Iris (Criss Cross) 10:11 Host talk 18:28 La Tanya Hall “Let's Burn Down the Cornfields" If Not Now, When... ...
Continue ReadingSaha Gnawa: Bacha Hamou
by Ludovico Granvassu
Even though Saha Gnawa is co-lead by Moroccan master musician Maâlem Abdellah Ben Jaafer--genuine Gnawa royalty--the project was actually born in Brooklyn, sparked by his collaboration with drummer Daniel Freedman and growing from late-night sessions into a full-fledged band. Their self-titled debut includes notable guests, among them Donny McCaslin and, on this track, “Bacha Hamou," Nels Cline. Not to mention a power line up which also includes Gilad Hekselman & Guilherme Monteiro on guitars and Jason Lindner on keyboards.
Continue ReadingDon Was & the Pan-Detroit Ensemble: Nubian Lady
by Ludovico Granvassu
Don Was' Groove in the Face of Adversity (Mack Avenue Records) is both a celebration of friendship and positivity in challenging times, and a heartfelt love letter to his hometown. Sneaking out from behind the Blue Note presidential desk for a moment, Was slips back behind the upright bass to shine a light on Detroit's vibrant--yet too often under-recognized--jazz scene, as embodied by the circle of long-time friends and collaborators performing under the banner of the Pan-Detroit Ensemble.
Continue ReadingJuan Chiavassa, Bob Schlesinger, Mike Stern, Wakan & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Mike Stern-powered debut albums, pastoral projects, and a J.J. Cale-tinged antidote to worry make up a playlist well worth your time.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade “Roll" Tokyo (ECM) 0:16 Host talk 2:44 Juan Chiavassa feat. Mike Stern, John Patitucci, Leo Genovese, Pedrito Martinez, Federico Gonzalez Peña “Bonus Track Jam" Fourth Generation (Whirlwind) 4:31 Bob Schlesinger feat. Mike Stern “Bait Tone Blues" ...
Continue Reading
