Jack DeJohnette, Horace Silver, Jerry Weldon & Lakecia Benjamin

Kicking off the 932nd episode of Neon Jazz, we dive in with the always electrifying Lakecia Benjamin, joined by Immanuel Wilkins and Mark Whitfield on her powerful new 2025 single "Noble Rise." From there, we journey through a treasure trove of fresh and timeless jazz—unreleased gems from Horace Silver live in Seattle circa 1965, a stirring Chick Corea farewell performance, the haunting beauty of Bill Evans' Haunted Heart, and Charles Mingus captured in full force at Monterey. In between, we spotlight Kansas City guitarist Jeff Shirley and his vibrant new live album, Ethan Margolis in collaboration with Chano Dominguez, and Loren Schoenberg with his swinging Jazz Orchestra. We also take a heartfelt moment to honor the incomparable Jack DeJohnette, a true titan of jazz, who left us in October 2025. And to round it all out—new sounds from the ever-soulful Jerry Weldon. Dig in and feel the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Immanuel Wilkins and Mark Whitfield "Noble Rise" Single (Ropeadope Records) 0:00
• Host talks 6:33
• Horace Silver "No Smokin" Live at The Penthouse, Seattle, WA 65 (Blue Note) 10:06
• Jeff Shirley "Oneology" Trio Live at the Green Lady Lounge (Jazz Daddy Records) 16:09
• Host talks 20:31
• Chick Corea "In a Sentimental Mood" Forever Yours—The Farewell Performance (Candid) 22:19
• Jack DeJohnette Ron Carter Gonzalo Rubalcaba "A Quiet Place" Skyline (5 Passion Records) 26:19
• Host talks 30:44
• Charles Mingus "I've Got it Bad" Mingus at Monterey (Candid) 32:35
• Loren Schoenberg And His Jazz Orchestra "Roses in December" So Many Memories (Turtle Bay Records) 36:58
• Host talks 39:09
• Bill Evans Trio "Witchcraft" Haunted Heart {Craft Recordings) 39:46
• Ethan Margolis & Chano Dominguez "Rumbop Swing" The Blues Around Us (Ethan Margolis & Chano Dominguez ) 44:30
• Host talks 47:52
• Jerry Weldon "You Got To My Head" The Summit (Clear Live) 49:50