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Videos Recommended by Scott Lichtman
Stolen Moments
Lee Ritenour
Duration: 7:20
156 views
Can any song put you in a melancholy mood better than “Stolen Moments,” composed by {{m: Oliver Nelson = 9785}} with its major release in 1961? Well, there’s a case to be made for another version of the song to be considered the smokiest and most swinging -- it’s the all-star group featuring {{m: Lee Ritenour = 10710}} (guitar), {{m: Ernie Watts = 11215}} (tenor sax), {{m: Alan Broadbent = 5302}} (piano), plus {{m: Harvey Mason = 9141}} (drums) and {{m: Brian Bromberg = 5311}} (bass). This 1990 live version is a master class on how to play with elastic time and how to build a solo from the ground up. In particular, Broadbent opens with a melange of extended harmonies; Ritenour follows with his best impression of {{m: Wes Montgomery = 9528}}’s octave double-stops, and finally Watts provides the coup de grace with a burning, emotional solo. By the way, the {{m: New York Voices = 9837}} version on Youtube is really good, too. What’s your favorite "Stolen Moments?"
Featured on September 13, 2026
Cassandra Wilson at North Sea Jazz
Cassandra Wilson
Duration: 65:15
408 views
Cassandra Wilson was a singular voice in the world of jazz. A smoky contralto, she poured a well of emotion into everything she sang — her blues ached, her ballads floated, her percussion-driven grooves felt visceral. She skillfully reinvented arrangements from the canon of jazz standards, pop, blues, folk and African music. What never changed was the space she left around the phrases, room enough for every listener in the room to pour in their own meaning. Wilson’s accomplishments led her to be named “America’s Best Singer” in 2001 by Time Magazine and to be bestowed a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master award in 2022. The full range of the songstress was well-captured at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2003, especially on “Lay, Lady, Lay” (by {{m: Bob Dylan = 16590}}) at 2:08, “I Want More” at 34:20, and “Tupelo Honey” (by {{m: Van Morrison = 16537}}) at 40:00. Cassandra Wilson passed away September 1, 2026.
Featured on September 6, 2026
Curves Ahead
The Rippingtons
Duration: 5:26
140 views
Starting in the 1980s, smooth jazz greatly expanded the audience for jazz-adjacent music. The best performers of this sub-genre could solo ably enough to please casual listeners. However, the Achilles Heel of the smooth movement was that the typical song’s melody and changes weren’t unique and catchy enough to warrant a passionate devotion. Without that, the tunes could border on elevator “muzak.” The Rippingtons, led by guitarist Russ Freeman, met and surpassed that melodic hurdle with contemporary jazz hits such as “Welcome to the St. James’ Club,” “Tourist in Paradise” and "Curves Ahead." The band’s doubled-up leads on guitar (or guitar synth penny whistle) and sax, phat synth sounds, and locked-in digital and acoustic percussion rhythms were easy to identify on the radio. Also, be sure to listen for the poppin' bass riffs. The Rippingtons join {{m: Spyro Gyra = 4567}}, {{m: Fattburger = 6651}} and {{m: Fourplay = 6798}} among the most satisfying groups of that era.
Featured on August 30, 2026
Solo Concert at La Roque d'Antheron
Tigran Hamasyan
Duration: 59:35
244 views
Tigran Hamasyan is a virtuosic pianist who intermingles sounds from his home country of Armenia with jazz and rock. He won the Montreux Jazz Festival’s Piano Competition at age 16 and the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Piano Competition at 18. Hamasyan’s performance at La Roque D’Antheron (a village in southern France with a 12th century abbey, set in the steep limestone foothills) displays his solo talents in abundance. If you must, set the video on background listening until the waves of sound compel you to pay attention (starting around 4:21). His climaxes could be compared to {{m: Keith Jarrett = 7984}} sessions played on an LP turning at 43 RPM and set at volume 7 or 8. To get a sense of the artist’s breadth, also watch the video clip “Tigran Hamasyan - War Time Poem,” whose electronic sounds and hard rock interjections remind us of the stress of war on children.
Featured on August 23, 2026
Roundabouts
SML
Duration: 24:34
244 views
SML is a minimalist, poly-rhythmic improvisational quintet that has fashioned a unique groove sound. You may already resonate with this type of intense, evolving groove-scape or find that it grows on you given patience. The group sounds roughly like what you would get by putting {{m: King Crimson = 44682}}, {{m: Snarky Puppy = 31427}}, {{m: Fela Kuti = 20999}}, {{m: Angine de Poitrine = 170841}} and Blue Man Group through a milkshake blender. One suggestion is to “put the needle down” briefly on the video clip every 60 seconds to experience how the piece “Roundabouts” builds, then return for a complete session later that evening. The Los Angeles-based band is comprised of Anna Butterss (bass), Jeremiah Chiu (synthesizers), Josh Johnson (saxophone), Booker Stardrum (percussion), and Gregory Uhlmann (guitar). Individually and as one, SML (“Small Medium Large?” “Spontaneous Music Live?”) shine, locked into a tight musical arc.
Featured on August 16, 2026
Antonio Sanchez master class demonstration
Antonio Sanchez
Duration: 02:22
255 views
For drummers, there’s rhythmic and limb independence… and then there’s Antonio Sánchez. Sánchez is acclaimed for his longtime collaboration with Pat Metheny and for his Birdman film soundtrack (which solely contains drum kit improvisations and classical clips). As a high-energy instrumentalist, he displays a technical fluidity and polyrhythmic mastery that has few peers on drum kit. Beginning this demonstration solo with a deceptive, understated groove, Sanchez’ musicality shines as he explores the complete sonic palette of his instrument, extracting subtle variations in cymbal and tom tones. He does this so seemingly effortlessly that his fills seem to float across the set. The master drummer’s time, as highlighted by his clave and high-hat pulses, is impeccable. Watch the breathtaking performance as the intensity builds then washes over you like a crashing ocean wave. And, as the foam subsides, one may wish to surf Sánchez’ broadening ventures in multi-instrumental recordings and electronic and acoustic blends.
Featured on August 9, 2026
Herkimer Diamond
Adam O'Farrill
Duration: 07:18
288 views
With his quartet and album, both called ELEPHANT, trumpeter Adam O’Farrill achieves new heights in modern jazz that make you think… and nod approval. The son of master pianist {{m: Arturo O'Farrill = 16133}}, this trumpet player has carved out a personal sound that incorporates modern jazz, cinematic themes and indie rock. On ELEPHANT, he updates the approach. First, Adam is now the sole horn, which make his bell tone, splats and blats, and electronic effects each pop. Second, his configuration now includes a chordal component, {{m: Yvonne Rogers = 142800}} on piano, prepared piano and synth, who delivers off-kilter harmonic clusters and stuttering patterns that feel compatible with jazz or modern classical compositions. Finally, his bassist {{m: Walter Stinson = 44909}} and drummer {{m: Russell Holzman = 81320}} create fluidity while locking in hip hop-tight. The title of the song “Herkimer Diamond” refers to quartz crystals that, through natural processes, emerge from the ground exceptionally translucent and multi-faceted – an apt description for a track that begins as a jam and transforms into a shifting soundscape and groove.
Featured on August 2, 2026
