Mondo Jazz

Yes, Jimi Hendrix was a rock guitar god, but he inspired scores of jazz players, and fans. After all, he is the first non-jazz musician to enter the Down Beat Hall of Fame, back in 1970 (the year of his passing). Enjoy our third and final segment of this week's tribute to Jimi Hendrix, and yet more jazz renditions of Jimi Hendrix classics.

The playlist features World Saxophone Quartet; Idris Muhammad; Mac Gollehon, Lester Bowie; Jay Anderson; Robert Dick; Mina Agossi, Archie Shepp; Triad, Geri Allen, Mark Batson, Scott Batson; Kamikaze Ground Crew; Liro Rantala, Lars Danielsson, Peter Erskine; Bugge Wesseltoft.

Happy listening!

As we are exploring how Jimi Hendrix has inspired the jazz world, this segment focuses on the connections between Hendrix and Miles Davis and musicians close to him.

The playlist features, Gil Evans, Laurent Cugny; Mike Stern; Lonnie Smith, John Abercrombie, Marvin "Smitty" Smith; Daniele Sepe, Hamid Drake, Dean Bowman; Miles Davis; and Francis Lockwood

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19759068/Mondo-Jazz (up "1983 (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)").

Happy listening!

November is Jimi Hendrix's birth month and so we decided to focus this week's edition on jazz renditions of the Jimi Hendrix songbook.

The playlist features Jimi Hendrix; Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra; Booker T. & the M.G.'s; Thomas Naïm; Lizz Wright; Joachim Kühn; Rickie Lee Jones; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; and the Electric Lady Big Band.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19759068/Mondo-Jazz (up "1983 (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)").

Happy listening!

The prolific Argentinean pianist Leo Genovese, and various tributes (to Shetland, but also to masters like McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Duke Ellington and Bud Powell) are at the heart of this playlist.

The playlist features Josephine Davies; Antonio Faraò, John Patitucci, Jeff Ballard; Geoffrey Keezer; Brian Landrus; Leo Genovese [pictured], Demian Cabaud, Marcos Cavaleiro; John Lockwood and Nat Mugavero.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19726016/Mondo-Jazz (from "Part 1" onward).

Happy listening!

Mondo Jazz is back on its path of discovery of the finest new jazz releases which are found off the beaten path... and there's plenty to enjoy in this playlist!

The playlist features Stefano Risso, Francesco Bearzatti, Mattia Barbieri; Peter Evans [pictured], Petter Eldh, Jim Black; Orrin Evans, Bilal; Godwin Louis; Or Bareket; and Rahsaan Barber.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19726016/Mondo-Jazz (from "Lee's Dance" to "The Long Wait for Justice").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Peter Gannushkin

Enjoy a playlist featuring blending jazz and the musical traditions of Mali, Suriname, Cuba and Argentina.

The playlist features A Plane to Catch; Ballake Sissoko, Nicole Mitchell; Ronald Snijders [pictured]; Dafnis Prieto; Michael Sarian and Tomás Kidd.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19726016/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Primo").

Happy listening!

Enjoy the third installment of our "fall edition" of favorite tunes from the past few months.

The playlist features Ben Wendel [pictured]; Ayumi Ishito; Jake Long; Søren Skov Orbit; Meshell Ndegeocello; Parlor Greens; and Wolfgang Muthspiel.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19693022/Mondo-Jazz (from "I Saw You Say" onwards).

Happy listening!

We took a look back to the last few months of music, during which we have beeting setting aside some of our favorite songs with the idea of then compiling them for one of our periodic “best of the year” set-lists. Here's part two of our fall favorites playlist.

The playlist features Fabrizio Bosso, Julian Oliver Mazzariello; Anat Cohen [pictured]; Kathrine Windfeld; Lucy Woodward; Jimmy Villotti; and Harry Skoler.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19693022/Mondo-Jazz (from "Je so' pazzo" up to "Last Star, Last Night (epilogue)").

Happy listening!

From time to time, we take stock of the most exciting releases that have landed on our desks, and hard drives. Usually, we do it twice a year, in June and in December. However, we have already accumulated so much great material since June that there was no point in waiting until December to start sharing some of the songs we have been putting aside for our ‘favorites' playlist’. So, here we go...

The playlist features Amy Gadiaga; Chris Jennings; Milton Nascimento, Esperanza Spalding; KNOBIL [pictured]; Aaron Parks; Ella Zirina; Jihye Lee Orchestra; Franco Ambrosetti and John Scofield.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19693022/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Soul Eyes").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Anatholie

Master saxophonists of yesterday and today, piano trios from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and a piano-bouzouki duo exploring uncharted territories should give you plenty of pleasure and surprises in this week's Mondo Jazz set.

The playlist features Ben Wendel; Alden Hellmuth [pictured]; Joel Lyssarides, Georgios Prokopiou; Gato Barbieri; Franco D'Andrea; and Kris Davis.

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Pete Agraan.

Enjoy a set focusing on guitar players, Italian cult musicians at the intersection of jazz and many other genres, Northern European rising stars and poets trapped in the bodies of musicians.

The playlist features AHL6; Ella Zirina [pictured]; Giancarlo Tossani; David Preston; Jimmy Villotti; Paolo Conte; and Robin Holcomb.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19662601/Mondo-Jazz [from "Party" to "Blood in My Eyes for You"].

Happy listening!

The love of nature is at the heart of the three albums by Elsa Nilsson, Brad Shepik and Layale Chaker that open today's set, which is then wrapped-up by the slow but unstoppable crescendo of Norwegian prog icons, Elephant9 and a very special guest, Terje Rypdal.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19662601/Mondo-Jazz [up to "I Cover the Mountain Top"].

Happy listening!

Here is the second part of an edition of Mondo Jazz celebrating the birth of James Baldwin, 100 years ago in Harlem, through the countless connections between his life and work, the music he loved and the music he inspired.

The playlist features David Linx; Marty Ehrlich; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; Byron Asher; Bessie Smith; Mahalia Jackson; and Viktor Lazlo.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19628356/Mondo-Jazz (from "A Lover's Question, Pt. II" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Richard Avedon.

The centennial of writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin offers a great opportunity to look into the call and response which has been going on, for decades, between Baldwin’s inner world and the world of jazz. Here is a set featuring music inspired by his writings or by musicians we was connected with.

The playlist features Sébastien Texier, Christophe Marguet; Meshell Ndegeocello; Anthony Fung; Fabrizio Cassol; Miles Davis; William Parker; Don Cherry, Okay Temiz.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19628356/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Istanbul").

Happy listening!

Henry Hey, Kurt Elling and Kit Downes provide the thread of today's set, which also figures on the large ensembles led by Monique Chao, Ben Kono and Rob Mazurek.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19598321/Mondo-Jazz (from "Chester Is Boss" onward).

Happy listening!

Here is a set focusing on great contemporary saxophone players and on jazz projects shaped by a confluence of genres, from Brazilian Popular Music, to Flamenco to Classical Music.

The playlist features Ryan Keberle; Milton Nascimento, Esperanza Spalding; Marco Mezquida, Chicuelo; Maurizio Giammarco; Ohad Talmor [pictured]; and Ben Solomon.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19598321/Mondo-Jazz (from "Vera Cruz" to "Etude No. 17").

Happy listening!

This playlist is a case study in low-simmering and yet scorching music, handle with care!

The playlist features Chris Jennings; Lampen; Slow Poke; Alessio Zoratto; Alexander Hawkins, Sofia Jernberg [pictured]; Micah Thomas.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19598321/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Life").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Jon Edergren

A call and response between the North American and European scenes, covering anything from solo Etudes to Hammond trios, Zappa to Yoruba roots and modern day master arrangers.

The playlist features Parlor Greens; Kathrine Windfeld [pictured]; Ryan Keberle; Wolfgang Muthspiel; François Houle, Benoît Delbecq; Inventionis Mater; Alicia Olatuja, Michael Olatuja.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19563642/Mondo-Jazz (from "Parlor Strut" onward).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Søren Rønholdt

Unearthed gems, re-releases and brand new albums showcasing the work of piano masters, up-and-comers, and champions of Brazilian music.

The playlist features Ryuichi Sakamoto; Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Dongfeng Liu; Anat Cohen; Gaia Wilmer, Jaques Morelenbaum; Andrew Hill [pictured]; and Álvaro Torres.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19563642/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Sheltering Sky" to "The Good Life").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Lourdes Delgado.

The stunning new project by Lucy Woodward sets the tone for the return of Mondo Jazz after a brief summer hiatus.

The playlist features Lucy Woodward; Jasper Blom; Pericopes, Anais Drago; Tom Harrell; Tarbaby; Giovanni Guidi, James Brandon Lewis, Thomas Morgan, Joao Lobo; Candice Hoyes.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19563642/Mondo-Jazz (up to "In the Upper Room").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Nick Suttle

Gems from the "Book of Angels", "Book of Heads", "Song Project", and more, in the second part of this tribute to John Zorn, the composer.

The playlist features David Krakauer, Kathleen Tagg; Pietro Santangelo; Anna Garano; Marc Ribot; Jesse Harris, Star Rover; Guy Klucevsek; Kronos Quartet.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19435945/Mondo-Jazz [from "Parzial" onwards]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Chad Batka.

Everyone knows that describing John Zorn as a prolific composer is an understatement. Everyone also knows how inclusive he has been, sharing his compositions with the many musicians who are in his circle of trust. Countless renditions of his music have been recorded by these musicians for Zorn's label, Tzadik. To mark his birthday, on September 2nd, here we will focus on interpretations of the John Zorn songbook, mostly Masada Book One, which have been a bit more independent and have come out on albums not on Tzadik.

The playlist features Wayne Horvitz; Rope; Annette Maye; Admah Hotel; Gabriele Coen; Roberto Gatto; Xavier Dubois; Surnatural Orchestra; and the Silkroad Ensemble.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19435945/Mondo-Jazz [from "Sex Fiend" to "Kochot"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Frans Schellekens.

From London to Stockholm, via New York, Paris, Chicago and Brussels, for a playlist that pays tribute to Marvin Gaye, Charles Mingus, African and African-American sources of inspiration, and much more.

The playlist features Zara McFarlane [pictured]; Lauren Henderson; Benjamin Sanz; Ethan Philion; Cinema Paradiso; and Gilbert Holmström.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19435945/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Poverty"]

Happy listening!

Around the world in a playlist, featuring jazz influenced by South-African, Norwegian and Caribbean music.

The playlist features Nubya Garcia; Joe Armon-Jones; Aaron Parks; Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Espen Berg; and Thembi Dunjana [pictured].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19406049/Mondo-Jazz [from "Set It Free" onwards].

Happy listening!

Enjoy an eclectic playlist featuring projects inspired by the novels of Don De Lillo and Philip Roth, champagne-making, mighty vertebrates, wood parasites, and more.

The playlist features Leon Phal; Rodrigo Dominguez; Neta Raanan [pictured]; Matt Pavolka; Anna Butterss; and SML.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19406049/Mondo-Jazz [from "Healthy Ground" to "Feed the Birds"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Jimmy Katz.

Mondo Jazz #300! To celebrate this milestone, here's a playlist featuring the global sounds which Mondo Jazz listeners have come to expect. Here's to 300 more episodes!

The playlist features Tranpe [pictured], Rufus Cappadocia, Sheila Anozier; Søren Skov; Melinda Sullivan, Larry Goldings; Hermeto Pascoal; Eduardo Belo; Emaginario; Ize Trio; and Happy Apple.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19406049/Mondo-Jazz [up to "The Broad Side of the Barn"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Lynn Feasey

The compelling debut releases of Tracy Yang's Jazz Orchestra and Sarah Hanahan, the new albums of jazz piano veterans Enrico Pieranunzi and Olli Ahvenlahti are just some of the highlights of another edition of Mondo Jazz packed with great new releases.

The playlist features Josh Lawrence; Enrico Pieranunzi; Sarah Hanahan; Tracy Yang [pictured]; Anthony Branker; and Olli Ahvenlahti.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19372705/Mondo-Jazz (from "A Tragic Tango Comedy" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Andreas Hofweber

Enjoy an episode built along an ideal bridge between Amsterdam and New Amsterdam, with a special focus on the launch of FOOD, a new New York based label (as well as live events production company, and soon to be brick-and-mortar restaurant) inspired by the storied, artist-run cafe of 1970’s SoHo of the same name.

The playlist features Louis Cole, Metropole Orkest, Jules Buckley; Tivon Pennicott [pictured]; Rosa Brunello; The Jazz Passengers; Adam O'Farrill; KAMA Kollektiv; and Louise van den Heuvel.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19372705/Mondo-Jazz (from "Things Will Fall Apart" to "Luchtsteen").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Claudia Tebar

Enjoy an episode of Mondo Jazz full of stellar collaborations, Puerto Rican rumbles, Brazilian waves, birthday celebrations, unearthed gems, and infectious grooves.

The playlist features Joe Tatton; George Benson, Robert Farnon Orchestra; Ben Sidran; Yvonnick Prené, Geoffrey Keezer; Milton Nascimento, Esperanza Spalding [pictured]; Benjamin Koppel, Brian Blade, Anders Koppel; Jonathan Suazo.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19372705/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Don't Take Kindly").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Larissa Zaidan

A carnival collective and brass band's take on a Britney Spear mega-hit open the dances, literally, and set the tone for a playlist full of surprises.

The playlist features Thiago França [pictured], A Espetacular Charanga do França; Altus; Welf Dorr, Elias Meister, Dmitry Ishenko, Kenny Wollesen; Emanuele Primavera; Kim Cass; Superposition.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19343552/Mondo-Jazz [from "Toxic" onwards]

Happy listening!

A playlist made of imaginary soundtracks, electro-acoustic experiments, guitar driven alchemies and virtuosic intricacy.

The playlist features Remy Le Boeuf; Slowly Rolling Camera; Orlando le Fleming; Reinier Baas; Miles Okazaki [pictured]; Gregory Uhlmann; Zack Clarke.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19343552/Mondo-Jazz [from "Stop & Go" to "Earnts"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Patrick Lambin

The sound of Memphis propels this episode into a fascinating exploration of the interplay between modern-day poets and jazz musicians, the reimagining of archival gospel grooves, Ray Charles vibes and Michel Legrand classics, and more!

The playlist features Parlor Greens; Booker T. & The M.G.'s; The Harlem Gospel Travelers; Taylor Eigsti, Ben Wendel; Simon Moullier, Gerald Clayton; Alistair Payne, Tongo Eisen-Martin; Mahogany L. Browne [pictured], Sean Mason; Catherine Russell; and Michela Lombardi.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19343552/Mondo-Jazz [up to "The Windmills of Your Mind"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Savannah Lauren.

A playlist in which Brazilian Forró meets New Orleans Funk, Brazilian Choro meets Portugues Fado, and the infinite possibilities of creative jazz bring tons of surprises.

The playlist features Nation Beat; Hamilton de Holanda, Gonzalo Rubalcaba; April Varner [pictured]; Tomeka Reid; Shiver, Matthew Bourne; Ryan McIntosh Ryan.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19310530/Mondo-Jazz (from "Forró le Fonque" onwards).

Happy listening!

This time around we start with a rendition of "Portrait of Jennie" with strings followed by a portrait by a string player named Jenny… a portrait of Ornette Coleman by violinist Jenny Scheinman to be precise. That's followed by tributes to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Steve Lacy and Hariprasad Chaurasia, as well as a love letter to NYC.

The playlist features Franco Ambrosetti; Jenny Scheinman; Lux Quartet; Dan Weiss; Roberto Ottaviano, Danilo Gallo, Ferdinando Faraò; Nasheet Waits [pictured].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19310530/Mondo-Jazz (from "Portrait of Jennie" to "Snake Stance").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Jimmy Katz

A playlist about connections lost and found, family connections, artistic connections, connections with musical heroes, and with former band-mates through archival recordings that announce much anticipated reunions... Is this a bit too cryptic? Play this episode of Mondo Jazz and find out more!

The playlist features Bria Skonberg; Giovanni Falzone, Orchestra Nazionale Jazz Giovani Talenti; Jihye Lee [pictured]; Andy Milne; and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19310530/Mondo-Jazz (up to"The Next Step").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Hyemi Kim

The return of the Staples Jr. Singers, almost half a century after their debut, followed by the first album of Summer Camargo; the duet of drummer Emil de Waal with saxophonist Cecilie Strange followed Get the Blessing featuring Portishead's bassist and drummer; and then an unearthed gem recorded 20 years ago by Tomasz Stanko followed Sebastien Ammann socio-environmental manifesto should give you lots to listen to and tons to think about.

The playlist features Staples Jr. Singers; Summer Camargo, Joey DeFrancesco; Emil de Waal, Cecilie Strange; Get the Blessing; Tomasz Stanko; and Sebastien Ammann.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19281563/Mondo-Jazz [from "Don't Need No Doctor" onwards].

Happy listening!

The extended sonic explorations of Enrico Rava and Jake Long, and the otherwordly sonic alchemy of Deron Johnson & Sam Gendel, with the support of producer and engineer Pete Min, Andrew Bird and Star Rover make for a compelling set that should engage both your brain and your heart.

The playlist features Star Rover; Deron Johnson, Sam Gendel; Andrew Bird; Enrico Rava; and Jake Long.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19281563/Mondo-Jazz [from "Pulpo Lucido" to "Ideological Rubble"].

Happy listening!

This time around our special focus is Paolo Fresu who is celebrating 40 years of activity with his historic Quartet, 20 years with his electric Devil Quartet, and 22 years with pianist Uri Caine. To mark these three anniversaries he has released a gorgeous triple album entitled "LEGACY" (and the limited edition companion triple LP "(next) LEGACY"). This episode's playlist also includes the latest albums by Yelena Eckemoff featuring Paolo Fresu, Moppa Elliott celebrating bassist Sam Jones, Mark Guiliana solo on all instruments, and the British band Qwalia with more music from their debut recording session.

The playlist features Moppa Elliott; Paolo Fresu, Uri Caine; Yelena Eckemoff; Mark Guiliana; Qwalia.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19281563/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Omega"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli.

A playlist focusing on leading cello cello players of today's creative scene -- Erik Friedlander, Hank Roberts (through his duo with trombonist Filippo Vignato) and Janel Leppin [pictured] and her Ensemble Volcanic Ash -- and the psychedelic cinematic atmospheres of Boris Boublil, the Hermanos Gutiérrez and the Sandman Project.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19249654/Mondo-Jazz [from "Tzotzil" onward].

Happy listening!

If you want to make the case of jazz as a musical esperanto spoken all around the world, in countless accents, the music on this week's playlist should offer you with some great sounding evidence!

The playlist features Amy Gadiaga [pictured]; Ayumi Ishito; Lakecia Benjamin; Linda Sikhakhane; and Tommaso Cappellato.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19249654/Mondo-Jazz [from "Full Sun (해찬)" to "Melody Lounge"].

Happy listening!

Enjoy an edition of Mondo Jazz, focusing on tributes to Bud Powell, Chick Corea, Bob Berg and Italian pop icon Pino Daniele, plus the gorgeous new albums by Black Diamond, Oded Tzur and Harry Skoler.

The playlist features Fabrizio Bosso [pictured], Julian Oliver Mazzariello; Gianfranco Menzella; Monday Orchestra, Luca Missiti; Dal Sasso Big Band; Black Diamond; Oded Tzur; and Harry Skoler.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19249654/Mondo-Jazz [up to "blue, mostly"].

Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli.

Happy listening!

For the past couple of weeks we have been sharing some of our favorite songs from the first six months of the year. We have reached the final installment, so enjoy the rest of the best. In six months, we’ll do this all over again!

The playlist features The Jazz Defenders; Ivanna Cuesta; Alon Farber & Hagiga; Layale Chaker [pictured]; Julieta Eugenio; Roxana Amed; Charles Lloyd; and Dave Douglas.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19220195/Mondo-Jazz [from "Take a Minute" onward]

Happy listening!

Last week we started looking back at albums released this year that we have been fascinated by. From these albums we have been cherry picking the songs that struck us the most. Enjoy the fifth installment.

The playlist features Haroldo Bontempo; Cassie Kinoshi; Abdullah Ibrahim; Stephan Crump; Phillip Golub; Riley Mulherkar [pictured]; Mikael Máni; and Jamie Baum.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19220195/Mondo-Jazz [from "Sobe e Desce" to "An Old Story"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Zenith Richards

You know how rewarding it can be to approach a menu leaving the most delicious treats for last? Well that is how we like to approach our daily search for new music, selecting great tunes for our weekly programming, but saving for later the very best of them, so that twice a year we can organize retrospective on the best of the best. Here are some of these delicious sonic treats.

The playlist features Julian Lage [pictured]; Janel & Anthony; Grégoire Maret, Romain Collin; Larry Goldings, John Sneider; Natalie Cressman, Ian Faquini; Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell; and Julie Sassoon.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19220195/Mondo-Jazz [up to "To Be"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Alysse Gakfjen

Welcome to the third part of our retrospective on some of the tunes we have loved the most in the first half of the year. We hope you do too!

The playlist features Jukka Eskola, Timo Lassy; Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas, Ted Nash; The Choir Invisible [pictured]: Charlotte Greve, Vinnie Sperrazza, Chris Tordini; Vinícius Cantuária; Church Chords; Vijay Iyer; John Surman; Simona Severini, Daniele Richiedei; Giulio Corini, Peo Alfonsi, Fulvio Sigurtà; and The Jazz Passengers.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19189528/Mondo-Jazz [from "The Duke of Bayou" onwards].

Happy listening!

Here is an edition of Mondo Jazz dedicated to the cream of the crop among the songs we have had the pleasure of listening to this year, so far!

The playlist features Simon Spiess [pictured]; Oan Kim; Otis Sandsjö; Sean Ono Lennon; The Messthetics, James Brandon Lewis; Bill Laurance, The Untold Orchestra; Melissa Aldana; and The Beat Freaks feat. Ralph Alessi

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19189528/Mondo-Jazz [from "Grieving Was Yesterday" to "Elephant Song"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Sven Germann

It’s July already! And so here is the first installment of Mondo Jazz in which we start sharing some of our favorite tunes from the first six months of a 2024 that has been quite generous with jazz fans!

The playlist features Joe Webb; Amaro Freitas, Jeff Parker; Black Lives; Émile Parisien; Trish Clowes, Ross Stanley; Brad Mehldau; Vincent Courtois, Ryan Keberle, Frank Woeste; and Ches Smith.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19189528/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Exit Shivers"].

Happy listening!

Taylor Eigsti opens the set with his exciting new album, and then a focus on large and medium ensembles from New York and New Orleans.

The playlist features Taylor Eigsti; Mike Holober; Christopher Zuar; Byron Asher; New Orleans Klezmer All Stars.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19158303/Mondo-Jazz [from "Happy Feet" to "Loss of Love" ].

Happy listening!

A compelling playlist thanks to two generations of drummers who get themselves in very good trouble addressing politics, the environment, and our cultural past, plenty of strings, and young talents.

The playlist features Matt Wilson; Ivanna Cuesta; Phillip Golub; 9 Horses; Ryan Truesdell; Tony Moreno.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19158303/Mondo-Jazz [from "Happy Feet" to "Loss of Love" ].

Happy listening!

Guitar/bass/drum trios for the win, the endless relevance of Max Roach, Abdul Wadud and Morphine, and more in six remarkable albums!

The playlist features The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis; Morphine; The Early Planets; Álvaro Torres; Joy Guidry; and Tom Skinner.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19158303/Mondo-Jazz [up to "The Journey"].

Happy listening!

Dynamic elegance may be the trait that the albums featured in this set have in common, so we hope you'll be elegantly surprised!

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19127036/Mondo-Jazz [from "The Long Haul" onward].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Omar Cruz

"Two" is the thread running through this episode of Mondo Jazz, two albums of rare depth by Stephen Crump, two members of the Koppel family, two remarkable musicians at the center of the new LA scene, Josh Johnson and Julien Knowles, and two trumpeter player to keep an eye, and ear, on: Knowles and Tomasz Dabrowski. A set that is pairful and suspensful!

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19127036/Mondo-Jazz [from "Time Again" to "Commerce Sunrise" ].

Happy listening!

Four musicians, Jacky Terrasson; Etienne Charles; Brent Birckhead; Isaiah Collier, and their individual takes on how to both celebrate the canon and innovate it.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19127036/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Duality Suite"].

Happy listening!

In our final look into the basketball & jazz interconnectedness, we focus on several jazz, or funk-jazz soundtracks for movies dedicated to the game, on jazz musicians with a basketball career, like Cab Calloway and Wayman Tisdale, a composition inspired by the elegant and creative crossover dribble known as the Shammgod, and more!

The playlist also features The Leonhart Brass Band [Michael Leonhart pictured]; The Rongetz Foundation; Billy Preston, Syreeta; Ben Sidran, Mavis Staples, Pop Staples; Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds; Bill Frisell; Eddie Harris; Jeff Beal and Robert Glasper.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19064879/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Basketball")

Happy listening!

As we have been exploring the connections between jazz and basketball, in this set we focus on compositions inspired by iconic athletes like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Michael Jordan, George Gervin, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. At the top of the set a collaboration between Quincy Jones and Shaquille O'Neal [pictured].

The playlist features Quincy Jones, Shaquille O'Neal [pictured]; Mads Tolling; Leonhart Brass Band; Tobias Meinhart; Steve Coleman; Max Graef, Glen Astro; Robert Glasper.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19064879/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Basketball")

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Stephen Bondio

This time we felt like exploring the interplay of basketball and jazz, focusing in particular on a great jazz advocate like Kareem Abdul Jabbar [pictured], on the soundtrack of the HBO series "The Winning Time", on an oneiric game played with a basketball fish, and on Stanley Clarke's tribute to this sport, to which he devoted as many hours as he did to the study of the bass, while growing up in Philly.

The playlist features Nicholas Britell, Robert Glasper; Jeff Beal; Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente; Steve Lacy, Don Cherry; Freddie Hubbard; Kris Allen; The Jazz Passengers; and Stanley Clarke.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19064879/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Basketball")

Happy listening!

This time we focus on the unique voice of Lizz Wright, and the distinctive instrumental voices of Charles Lloyd, Matthieu Bordenave, Greg Osby, Nicole Glover and Jon Gordon, in a set that brings together soul, M-Base and ECM echoes, and the legacy of Seventh Avenue South, the iconic jazz club run by the Brecker Brothers in Greenwich Village.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19033914/Mondo-Jazz (from "No More Will I Run" onward).

Happy listening!

As if the return of Goran Kajfes' Tropiques and of Elliott Sharp's Terraplane were not enough to make you want to play this episode of Mondo Jazz, its playlist features also two fascinating releases by Idit Shner, Michelangelo Scandroglio and the excellent debut album by Nicola Caminiti.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19033914/Mondo-Jazz (from "For Now" to "Twenty Dollar Bill").

Happy listening!

They say that three is the perfect number, and so we have decided to go "three-by-three", focusing on three musicians, Nicole McCabe [pictured], Herbie Nichols and John Hadfield, and featuring three recent tracks associated with each one of them.

The playlist also features Dolphin Hyperspace, Louis Cole, Logan Kane; Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas, Ted Nash; Fay Victor; Enrique Heredia; Layale Chaker, Sarafand; and Rachel Eckroth.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19033914/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Improvisation 1").

Happy listening!

Enjoy a set featuring Wadada Leo Smith's and Amina Claudine Myers' [pictured] magical collaboration, the return of Flukten and a number of really exciting collaboration between forward looking European and US musicians.

The playlist features also The Beat Freaks, Ralph Alessi; Andrea Grossi, Jim Black; Natsuki Tamura; John Escreet; Alex Sipiagin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19003066/Mondo-Jazz [from "Flukten" onward].

Happy listening!

A playlist dedicated to the cross-pollination between jazz and classical music or opera, with jazz musicians inspired by classical music and classical music composers and pianists nodding to jazz.

The playlist features John Ellis; Yuja Wang; Brad Mehldau [pictured]; Enrico Pieranunzi; Marcella Carboni.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19003066/Mondo-Jazz [from "Gypsy Song" to "Canto Nascosto"].

Happy listening!

As if 88 keys were not enough, here are 440 keys, played by the five exciting pianists featured on today's show, Fergus McCreadie, Marta Sánchez, Noam Duboille, Benoit Delbecq and Rob Clearfield [in order of appearance].

The playlist also David Murray; VERB; Etienne Renard and Guilhem Flouzat.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/19003066/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Lento"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: ©️Kimberly M Wang | eardog.com | @eardogfoto

New releases and re-releases to remember Harold Land open this episode which then continues with a tribute to Paul Auster, a writer admired by many musicians who wrote music with him, for him, to accompany some of his writings, or inspired by him.

The playlist also features Lily White; Harold Land; Nathalie Loriers; John Lurie National Orchestra; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Lisa Mezzacappa; Tobias Meinhart; Jeff Gardner; Sébastien Ammann, Soraya Berent; Michael Mantler Paul Auster, Robert Wyatt, Susi Hildegaard

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18973930/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Further On Up the Road"].

Photo credit: Ulf Andersen

This week we pay tribute to David Sanborn selecting projects from his extensive discography, which showcase both his versatility and his signature, sweetly blistering, sound. In this hour we will hop back and forth between some of his more forward looking projects and some of his best collaborations with pop, funk and rock stars.

The playlist also features David Bowie; Django Bates; Tim Berne; John Zorn, Philippe Saisse, Marcus Miller, Omar Hakim; Michael Franks; Dr. John'; Miles Davis; Gil Evans Orchestra; James Brown.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18973930/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Further On Up the Road"].

Enjoy a set spotlighting fascinating South African projects and artists, and their new albums which do a really great job at showing both where they are coming from and how they experiment with their roots in unconventional ways.

The playlist features Spirits Rejoice; McCoy Mrubata, Siyabulela; Abdullah Ibrahim [pictured]; Nduduzo Makhathini; Karl-Martin Almqvist Ababhemu Quartet; Steve Dyer, Andile Yenana; Malcolm Jiyane.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18954736/Mondo-Jazz [from "Emakhaya" onward].

Happy listening!

Here is an edition of Mondo Jazz featuring tributes and rembrances of Curtis Fowlkes, Ron Miles and Johnny Hodges, Bill Frisell in an orchestral duo with Wayne Horvitz and with an actual orchestra, the exciting new albums by Rosa Brunello [pictured] and Kenny Wollesen and more.

The playlist also features Snarky Puppy; Sam Fribush; Latrala; Owen Broder; Brussels Philarmonic; The Jazz Passengers; Brian Blade.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18954736/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Queen B"].

Happy listening!

More un-earthed gems and special edition re-issues released for Record Store Day in this set, which also focuses on two wonderful Sun Ra tribute albumss produced by the Red Hot Organization.

The playlist features Lettuce; Kenny Garrett, Svoy; Brother Jack McDuff; Dave Pike; Shelly Manne and His Men; Jack Sheldon, Chet Baker; Sun Ra [pictured]; Meshell Ndegeocello; Kronos Quartet, Laraaji.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18910139/Mondo-Jazz [from "Vibe" onwards].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Baron Wolman

This is a special edition of Mondo Jazz focusing on soon-to-be collector's items which were released on the occasion of the first Record Store Day of 2024.

The playlist features Cannonball Adderley [pictured]; Omar Sosa, NDR Big Band; Bill Evans; Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy; and Yusef Lateef.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18910139/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Yusef's Mood"].

Photo credit: Roberto Polillo.

Happy listening!

The live magnetism of Roy Hargrove and Julie Sassoon enrich a playlist which is bookended by the lush new project by British pianist Bill Laurance with the The Untold Orchestra and the latest, ambitious album by Australian bassist Sam Anning.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18875252/Mondo-Jazz (from "NYC Man" to "The Lost One").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: David Beecroft

Enjoy a playlist featuring a tribute to Lou Reed, two projects featuring British guitarist Rob Luft and the masterful exercises in noir by Oan Kim & Dirty Jazz, Max Nagl, and Flat Earth Society.

The playlist also features The Leaping Fish Trio, Arild Andersen and Daniel Sommer.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18875252/Mondo-Jazz (from "NYC Man" to "The Lost One").

Happy listening!

Creative takes on Django Reinhardt and George Gershwin open a show which then spotlights three emerging and compelling musicians: Hillai Govreen, Nicole McCabe and Eva Novoa.

The playlist also features Edouard Pennes and Béla Fleck.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18875252/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Face Down in the Dirt").

Happy listening!

A playlist built along a Latin American trail that takes us from Chile to Colombia, Brazil and Argentina, with a couple of side trips to France and Italy.

The playlist features Melissa Aldana [pictured]; Diana Arias; Dora Morelenbaum; Fred Soul, Zé Luis Nascimento; Ana Frango Elétrico; Julieta Eugenio; Gianmarco Ferri, David Kikoski.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18842335/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Solitary Seeker" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

An enriching mix of United Statesian and European projects in a fascinating set of creative new jazz.

The playlist features Bévort 3; Willy Rodríguez; Dave Douglas; Cotonete; Jake Long; and Gilles Coronado

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18842335/Mondo-Jazz (from "Strolling in June" to "114").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: John Abbott.

The return of Madeleine Peyroux [pictured], the narrative qualities of modern guitar players, hypnotic violins, and an unepxected John Zorn--Nino Rota--Ennio Morricone astral alignment are some of the reasons which make this playlist very intriguing.

The playlist also features Mikael Máni; Janick Martin; Trio Vier; Grégoire Maret, Romain Collin; Marco Tiraboschi; Adam Baldych, Leszek Mozdzer; and Andrew Bird.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18842335/Mondo-Jazz (up to "I Fall in Love Too Easily”).

Happy listening!

From the merciless funk Ghost-Note and Prince & The New Power Generation all the way to the Mitteleuropean cool of Franz Koglmann, here for you is a playlist of music that is as eclectic as it is compelling. The cherry on its top: Queen Esther's [pictured] tribute to Billie Holiday.

The playlist also features Huntertones, Cory Wong; Yann Jankielewicz, Jason Lindner, Josh Dion; Jeremy Rose, The Earshift Orchestra.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18809727/Mondo-Jazz [from "Phatbacc" onwards].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Amy Arbus.

Enjoy a playlist thick with music about the times we live in--courtesy of Jamie Baum, Black Lives and Ben Sidran--, the new album by Italian singer Gegè Telesforo [pictured], and two album by, and featuring, Dayna Stephens.

The playlist also features Kokayi, Aubrey Johnson; Christian Mascetta; Clark Terry, Jon Hendricks; Alexis Valet

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18809727/Mondo-Jazz [from "Sorrow Song" to "Ups and Downs"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Gianluca di Santo.

The return of Don Was [pictured], tributes to Tony Williams and Leonard Bernstein and much more in another energizing edition of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist also features The Jazz Defenders; Lucy Woodward; The Pan-Detroit Ensemble; Roberto Gatto; divr; Peter Erskine & JAM Music Lab All-Stars.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18809727/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Cool"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Miryam Ramos

This time we are focusing on jazz-infused soundtracks that received nominations for Best Original Score in a Feature Film at the latest Academy Awards... because jazz does a great job a propelling a movie story forward. Kudos to Laura Karpman, the composer of the soundtrack for "American Fiction" and Branford Marsalis for the soundtrack of "Rustin", two scores that have a life of their own even without the images they were was meant to accompany.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18746259/Mondo-Jazz [from "Bookstore" onwards].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Eric Ryan Anderson

Julian Lage's latest album--possibly his best to date--opens a playlist of recent releases spanning many styles and cultural influences.

The playlist also features Adam Levy, Larry Grenadier, Joey Baron; Julieta Eugenio; Hugues Mayot; Amirtha Kidambi; Daniel Herskedal; Matthew Sheens

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18746259/Mondo-Jazz [from "76" to "Written in the Dark: Part I, II, III"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Alexx Duvall

A playlist showcasing the interesting new releases by Christopher Hoffman [pictured], the Liv Andrea Hauge Trio, Travis Reuter, Geoffrey Dean plus a number of recent albums we already featured in the past, but were too good not to get back to one more time.

The playlist also features Hiromi; Timo Lassy, Juka Eskola; Riley Mulherkar; and Nitai Hershkovits.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18746259/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Nardis"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Stephanie McNiel

A soulful rendition of Curtis Fuller's "Mini Mama", and two recent albums featuring Vinnie Sperrazza open an edition of Mondo Jazz which then features three projects at the intersection of jazz and classical music.

The playlist features Luke Carlos O'Reilly [pictured]; Vinnie Sperrazza; The Choir Invisible; Brad Mehldau; Franck Tortiller, Debussy String Quartet; Jean-Christophe Cholet, Matthieu Michel, Diagonal.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18712354/Mondo-Jazz (from "Mini Mama" onwards).

Photo credit: Ernest Stuart.

The New York residency of Graham Haynes at FourOneOne offers an opportunity to look back at his seminal album "The Griot's Footsteps" and at his recent collaboration with Brandon Ross. Before that, a playlist rich in remarkable new releases!

The playlist features Chief Keegan; Triad; Raffi Garabedian; Rodrigo Recabarren, Pablo Menares, Yago Vazquez; Brandon Ross Phantom Station; and Graham Haynes [pictured].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18712354/Mondo-Jazz [from "Shallow Gander" to "Enlightenment"].

The mighty organ trio of Sam Fribush opens a set mostly devoted to post-bossa nova Brazilian projects.

The playlist features Sam Fribush Organ Trio; Ricardo Dias Gomes; Haroldo Bontempo; Amaro Freitas, Jeff Parker; Vinícius Cantuária [pictured]; Natalie Cressman, Ian Faquini, Guinga; Hermon Mehari; and Anna Gréta.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18712354/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Imaginary Unit"].

Here's the long and short of it: Bill Frisell goes orchestral, Emile Parisien is cookin', Nout goes live, Kamasi Washington is back with a prologue to his new album, producer Church Chords channels his inner Hal Willer, and Toine Thys's Orlando sounds better then ever. 

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18680724/Mondo-Jazz (from "Quartography" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Sylvain Gripoix

Three new releases by John Lurie, Benjamin Herman and Fergus Quill give us the opportunity to pay tribute to three musicians whose no-holds-barred attitude significantly marked the scenes in New York and the UK in the 1980s... and now: Xero Slingsby, James Chance and Lurie.

The playlist also features: The Works, The Contortions, The Lounge Lizards, Michael Blake, Marc Ribot, Stefan Pasborg

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18680724/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Melt Yourself Down").

Happy listening!

Chamber jazz, field recordings, and deep deep deep interplay are at the heart of this exciting playlist.

The playlist features Ethan Iverson; Bex Burch; Sanne Rambags [pictured], Vincent Courtois, Julian Sartorius; Trish Clowes, Ross Stanley; Kenneth Jimenez; Sharel Cassity, Colleen Clark - Alliance.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18648961/Mondo-Jazz (from "Victory Is Assured (Alla Breve)").

Happy listening!

The remarkable debut album by Amy Aileen Wood [pictured] and other genre-defying gems by Alexander Claffy and Yilian Cañizares, three albums featuring Rob Luft and more "Monk by Carlberg" should give you plenty to enjoy in this playlist!

The playlist also features John Surman, Elina Duni and Frank Carlberg.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18648961/Mondo-Jazz (from "Strut Like Jagger" to "Elegy for Thelonious").

Happy listening!

Billy Valentine's new single, three albums that will end up on our best of the year list, and more, make it for a thoroughly enjoyable ride!

The playlist features Laurent de Wilde; Billy Valentine; Larry Goldings, John Sneider; Simona Severini, Daniele Richiedei, Giulio Corini, Peo Alfonsi, Fulvio Sigurtà; Joel Ross [pictured]; and Lorenzo Di Maio.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18648961/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Buenos Aires").

Happy listening!

There has always been plenty of interplay between jazz and movies: jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway or Harry Connick Jr. turned actors; or actors like Jeff Goldblum or Cybill Shepherd turned jazz musicians; jazz soundtracks for movie; or movies about jazz musicians… However, in anticipation of Oscars Night, here we are focusing on songs inspired by or dedicated to movie stars.

The playlist features Vienna Art Orchestra; Supergenerous; Black Art Jazz Collective; Herb Geller, Brian Kellock; Leith Stevens, Chet Baker; Salvatore Bonafede; Enrico Pieranunzi; Henri Texier; and Till Brönner.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18614498/Mondo-Jazz (from “Jayne Mansfield: Rises and Falls” onward).

Happy listening!

In a few days the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood will host the Academy Awards, and so we thought that it would be a lot of fun to come up with an episode of Mondo Jazz featuring exclusively tunes inspired by, dedicated to, or titled after movie stars (regardless of whether or not they have won any Oscar awards).

The playlist features The Stance Brothers; Vienna Art Orchestra; Exploding Pig; Adam O'Farrill; Steinar Raknes; Pete Rugolo; Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond; Shorty Rogers; Wergeld; Miles Davis; and Rachelle Garniez.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18614498/Mondo-Jazz (up to “Jean Claude Van Damme”).

Happy listening!

Cassie Kinoshi's stunning new album, "Gratitude", new releases featuring Dave Douglas, Dave Guy, James Brandon Lewis, Alon Farber and Fredrik Nordström will bring you a high-density set of rewarding new music.

The playlist features Dave Guy; Cassie Kinoshi; Alon Farber Hagiga; Dave Douglas, James Brandon Lewis, Ian Chang, Rafiq Bhatia; and Fredrik Nordström.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18582410/Mondo-Jazz (from "Footwork" onward).

Happy listening!

The gorgeous new album by Sean Ono Lennon, "Asterisms" (Tzadik), opens a set of electro-acousti otherworldly beauty.

The playlist features Sean Ono Lennon; Simon Spiess; Ben Lumsdaine; Debby Wang; YES! Trio, Ali Jackson, Aaron Goldberg, Omer Avital; Paul Dunmall, Ed Puddick and The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Big Band.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18582410/Mondo-Jazz (from "Acisalia" to "Sacred Hymn").

Happy listening!

Welcome to your weekly fix of recent and upcoming releases, from the seismic brasshouse of Too Many Zooz, to the re-imagining of Sun Ra's "The Magic City" by Meshell Ndegeocello, and a whole lot in between.

The playlist features Too Many Zooz; Jonathan Suazo; Meshell Ndegeocello; Antti Lötjönen; Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, Tyshawn Sorey; Gordon Grdina, Christian Lillinger; Annie Chen; Jacky Terrasson and Camille Bertault.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18582410/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Est-ce que tu me suis ?").

Happy listening!

The restless spirit of Moppa Elliott kicks off a set that illustrates the breadth and depth of today's scene.

The playlist features Moppa Elliott; Adam Baldych, Leszek Możdżer; Zach Brock, Bob Lanzetti, Keita Ogawa; Joe Webb [pictured]; Reinier Baas; Félix Zurstrassen Nova; and Olivia Pérez-Collellmir.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18554293/Mondo-Jazz (from "Delaware Water Gap" onward).

Happy listening!

This time we focus on a number of emerging artists and their search for a personal synthesis of the many influences that have shaped them for a set bookended by deep grooves and avant-funk.

The playlist features Ari Joshua, John Medeski, Billy Martin; The Sextones; Otis Sandsjö; Michele Bonifati Emong; Evita Polidoro; Ciara Moser [pictured]; Roni Kaspi; Bernie Worrell, Cindy Blackman Santana and John King.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18554293/Mondo-Jazz (from "Elephant Walk" to "Auguries).

Happy listening!

A set with countless flavors and colors from all around the world featuring songs about travelling to the Moon, or traveling sustainably; Afrobeat songs; songs of low simmering groove; songs by cellists; and more.

The playlist features Ghost Funk Orchestra; Rosa Brunello; Louis Matute; Jahari Massamba Unit; Newen Afrobeat; Ana Carla Maza [pictured]; and Leyla McCalla.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18554293/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Tree").

Happy listening!

A playlist in which edgy and calm take turn, but never at the expense of the surprise factor.

The playlist features Benjamin Herman [pictured]; Oan Kim; John Scofield; Janning Trumann, Brandon Seabrook; Fiona Grond; Guido Spannocchi; Ruth Goller and Tom Skinner.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18521847/Mondo-Jazz (from "Hornin’ Out").

Happy listening!

An episode bookended by two albums destined to be in the "best of 2024" lists under the categories "new releases" (Riley Mulherkar's) and "Unearthed Gems" (Alice Coltrane's). In between, various ways to infuse jazz with Brazilian music - and the odd library music tune for good measure.

The playlist features also Tima Volozh; Julien Lourau; Ed Motta; Benoît Delbecq and Steve Arguelles.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18521847/Mondo-Jazz (from "Ride or Die" to "Shiva Loka").

Happy listening!

If the episodes of a radio show could have a capital, the capital of this episode would have to be New Orleans, where almost all the roads coming out of the songs in this playlist lead, one way or another.

The playlist features Juka Eskola, Timo Lassy; Nicole Johänntgen; Sean Mason [pictured]; Elan Mehler; Rufus Reid and Sullivan Fortner.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18521847/Mondo-Jazz (up to "I Didn't Know What Time It Was").

Happy listening!

Today we focus on the new albums by two revered European bands De Beren Gieren and Ill Considered, and a peculiar case of artistic synchronicity: two intriguing albums of music Inspired by the Films of Wes Anderson, which have been independently but almost simultaneously concocted by Amanda Gardier and Marty Isenberg in 2022 and recently released.

The playlist features De Beren Gieren; Ill Considered; Marty Isenberg; Amanda Gardier [pictured]; Greg Foat, Gigi Masin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18494768/Mondo-Jazz [from "The Houses" onward].

Happy listening!

With this playlist we focus on deep listening as a mindset for musicians who wish to achieve successful recording sessions, through a number of albums of seamless interplay.

The playlist features Arnaud Dolmen, Leonardo Montana; Miguel Zenón, Dan Tepfer; Gui Duvignau; Arve Henriksen, Harmen Fraanje; Sonar, David Torn, J. Peter Schwalm.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18494768/Mondo-Jazz [from "Zouky Monky" to "Third Movement"].

Happy listening!

Nubya Garcia returns; Impulse! Records further syncs itself to today's scene; Ches Smith finds catharsis in laughter; Ken Stubbs pays tribute to Sonny Rollins... These are only some of the interesting things in this episode of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist features Nubya Garcia; The Messthetics, James Brandon Lewis; Ches Smith; Christian Dillingham; Anthony Pirog, Andy Summers; and Ken Stubbs.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18494768/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Hidden Variations--For Sonny Rollins"].

Happy listening!

Straight to you from Bushwick, NY--from where Mondo Jazz broadcasts--here is music rooted in Amsterdam and New Amsterdam, Sydney and Munich and other places in between.

The playlist features Shuteen Erdenebaatar; Astghik Martirosyan; Matt Munisteri [pictured]; The EarRegulars; Roberto Ottaviano; Phillip Johnston & The Greasy Chicken Orchestra; Miha Gantar, Michael Moore.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18457659/Mondo-Jazz (from "Rising Sun" to "Common Orbits: The Birth of Light").

Happy listening!

This set focuses on Andrew Hill, Herbie Nichols, Bob Dorough and Oliver Nelson, four American originals and various generations of musicians they've inspired.

The playlist features Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Superblue; Kristen Lee Sergeant [pictured], Ted Nash; Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas; Ron Horton; Russ Johnson; and Audible Spirits.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18457659/Mondo-Jazz (from "Naughty Number Nine" to "Stolen Moments").

Happy listening!

The elegance of the unforeseen might well be the core theme of this set featuring gorgeous and surprising international projects.

The playlist features Shalosh; Anni Kiviniemi [pictured]; Illegal Crowns; Mark Solborg; Visions of Nar; Charley Rose; and Susan Alcorn.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18457659/Mondo-Jazz (up to "El Derecho de Vivir en Paz").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Klaudia Kołdras

Zoe Rahman opens the show with the beautiful writing and arrangements of her latest album, followed by two remarkable recent releases by Jason Adasiewicz. At the end of the set the compelling music of Vilhelm Bromander.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18426284/Mondo-Jazz (from "For Love" onwards).

Happy listening!

At a time when music producers have been seriously entertaining the thought of promoting one minute-long songs to deal with the short attention span of today's online music listeners, we want to celebrate musicians who are unfazed by this trend, and instead they follow their internal muse. At the top of the hour the remarkable new album by Loren Stillman.

The playlist features also Trickster and Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18426284/Mondo-Jazz (from "Backyard" to "Hug That Tree!").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Anne Marie Forker

Chris Potter's upcoming album and then two tunes which were recorded without any concerns about time limitations, either in studio or live on stage, a place where suddenly the perception of time is altered in the midst of the creative flow.

The playlist also features Alex Hitchcock [pictured] and Sylvie Courvoisier.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18426284/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Le pavot rouge").

Happy listening!

At this stop we focus on up and coming pianists, Butcher Brown's eclecticism and some interesting European projects.

The playlist features also Charlie Hunter; Lawrence Fields; Isaiah J. Thompson; Reverso [pictured]: Frank Woeste, Vincent Courtois, Ryan Keberle; Emilio Teubal; Lluc Casares; and Henry Spencer.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18395861/Mondo-Jazz (from "Espionage" onwards).

Happy listening!

The sultry depth of Dominique Fils-Aimé paves the way to a number of projects which merge fun and intensity, and a long-awaited re-release.

The playlist features Dominique Fils-Aimé; Magic Carpet; Mama Terra; Roman Norfleet [pictured]; Shake Stew; Roots Magic; Abdul Wadud.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18395861/Mondo-Jazz (from "Love Will Grow Back" to "In a Breeze").

Happy listening!

Enjoy a set featuring jazz inspired by a Persian mathematician, Omar Khayyam; jazz which blends with Hindustani and Carnatic music; jazz that meets a chamber string quartet; jazz that pays tribute to Joni Mitchell; and a whole bunch of other jazz permutations.

The playlist features Dhafer Youssef [pictured]; Shakti; Miguel Atwood-Ferguson; Imogen Ryall; Joe Lovano, Marilyn Crispell, Carmen Castaldi; Per "Texas" Johansson; James Brandon Lewis, Lutosławski Quartet.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18395861/Mondo-Jazz (up to "These Are Soulful Days - Movement II").

Happy listening!

New York City's Winter JazzFest might be the festival where fans and promoters from all over the world come to learn about the New York scene's going-ons, but it is also the event where Newyorkers get a rare chance to see remarkable musicians from abroad (or at least from out of town), including those featured here. Enjoy a playlist which will make you want to go to see them live!

The playlist features Léon Phal; Deajazz, Lionel Belmondo, Stéphane Belmondo, Thomas Bramerie, Laurent Fickelson, Eric Legnini, Dre Pallemaerts; Bokani Dyer; Malika Zarra [pictured]; Natalie Greffel; Rogê; Pedro Martins; Tineke Postma; Chiquita Magic, Ambrose Akinmusire; Nduduzo Makhathini; Shabaka; and Natural Information Society [up to "Stigmergy"]

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18366352/Mondo-Jazz

Happy listening!

We may regret not having been around when some of our idols were writing the pages that have now become foundations of the music we love. There is not much we can do about that, other than fantasizing about those times and those musicians. What we can do however is feeling lucky to live at a time when there is a number of modern masters in action. One of them is trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire [pictured], for whom 2023 was a remarkable year. Here we focus on the wide range of releases he has worked on, as well as on those of other adventurous musicians.

The playlist also features ; Michael Yezerski; Cautious Clay; Dhafer Youssef; Bill Frisell, Herlin Riley; ladyybirdd; Enji; Joseph Branciforte, Theo Bleckmann [from "Brickdrop Mashup" onwards].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18366352/Mondo-Jazz

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Tim Dickeson.

This is the last hour of Mondo Jazz for 2023. Thank you for your attention and support in the past 12 months. We look forward to sharing more beauty in the key of jazz in 2024.

The playlist features Charley Rose; Anthony Hervey [pictured]; Espen Eriksen, Andy Sheppard; Maciej Obara; Roy Nathanson; Anna Webber; Myra Melford; and Jasper Høiby

The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18308128/Mondo-Jazz [from "Cow's Blues" onward].

Happy listening!

The past four episodes were dedicated to a retrospective and a celebration of the many good things that happened in the jazz world in 2023, through a focus on our favorite songs of the last few months. This time we revert to our regular overview of recent and upcoming releases… some which could also have been included in our favorites, but we just didn't have enough space in the last four playlists.

The playlist features Jaimie Branch; Fire! Orchestra; Chief Adjuah; Mbuso Khoza, Nduduzo Makhathini; Nabou Claerhout [pictured]; Ella Zirina; Dave Meder, Isabel Crespo Pardo; Joshua Redman, Gabrielle Cavassa; Dave Douglas and Elan Mehler

The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18308128/Mondo-Jazz [up to "A Thicket of Summer Grass"].

Happy listening!

For the past few episodes we have been looking back at albums released this year which we've been most fascinated by, and we cherry-picked songs from those albums that struck us the most… To wrap up this retrospective here's the last batch of sonic gems.

The playlist features Trio Grande, Will Vinson, Gilad Hekselman, Nate Wood; Sammy Figueroa, Gonzalo Rubalcaba; Richard Baratta; Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns; Nitai Hershkovits; Per "Texas" Johansson; Jonathan Suazo; Sullivan Fortner, Cecile McLorin Salvant; Helen Svoboda; Hannah Marks [pictured]; Andrew Krasilnikov.

Playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18307958/Mondo-Jazz [from "Urban Myth" onward].

Happy listening!

A playlist with a few more among the songs that we have been collecting through the past 6 months with a plan to share them, all at once, in an attempt to close a challenging year under more than a few good notes, a right of passage from one phase of our lives to another.

The playlist features Johnathan Blake; Elio Villafranca; Will Bernard, Beth Custer; Francesco Bigoni, Benoît Delbecq, Francesco Diodati, Steve Argüelles; Makiko Hirabayashi [pictured]; Miho Hazama's m_unit; Marike Van Dijk; Darcy James Argue's Secret Society; Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra.

Playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18307958/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Dolphin Disco"].

Happy listening!

It's that time of the year when we look back at the past twelve months and realize that Jazz continues to be possibly the only thing that doesn't let us down, while the world is getting crazier by the hour. So here we are again, sharing a few mores tunes we've loved the most in the past few months.

The playlist features Idris Ackamoor; Maria Pia de Vito; Todd Sickafoose; John Zorn; Henri Texier; Billy Mohler; Thandi Ntuli, Carlos Niño; Kris Davis; Sofia Rei, Jorge Roeder; Pierrick Pédron, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18277956/Mondo-Jazz [from 'Police Dem" onwards].

Photo credit: Scott Irvine.

This week we focus on the songs that have made us smile, tap our feet, reflect and keep our optimism in spite of the dire state of the world during the past six months. We hope they'll have the same effect on you.

The playlist features Alan Ferber; Laurent Cugny; Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Allison Miller [pictured]; Céline Bonacina; Zenophilia; Lucas Pino; RDL+; Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley and Brian Blade.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18277956/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Amelia"]

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Jay Blakesberg

If this episode of Mondo Jazz could be summarized in a flow-chart it would be someting like: West-African tinged European Jazz -> jazz meets (symphonic or chamber) classical music -> electro-acoustic chamber jazz. 

The playlist features Csaba Palotai, Simon Drappier, Steve Arguelles; African Jazz Roots; Sophie Alour [pictured]; Luigi Grasso, Orchestra Senzaspine; Andrea Keller; Paul Dietrich; Quinsin Nachoff; Espen Berg; and Guillermo Klein.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18247879/Mondo-Jazz (from "Ave De Clichy" onward).

Happy listening!

Here's an episode mostly dedicated to the proposition that piano jazz has a very beautiful future, if we have to judge by what emerging pianists like Micah Thomas, Nitai Hershkovits [pictured], Dexter Goldberg, Joona Toivanen or Fergus McCreadie are putting on record. Before and after this piano segment, thrilling new albums.

The playlist also features Koma Saxo; Ethnic Heritage Ensemble; Geri Allen, Kurt Rosenwinkel; Mire III; and Simon Wilsson.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18247879/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Viridiana").

Happy listening!

Emerging saxophonists, emerging guitarists, established masters, and the good feeling that we're in the middle of a great time for jazz lovers where tradition and innovation bring about tons of good music.

The playlist features Freddy DeBoe; Azat Bayazitov; Silvan Joray; Filippo Sala; Gabor Gado, Veronika Harcsa; Zsòfia Boros [pictured]; Ron Blake; Joe Peri; Martin Wind, Jim McNeely and Ed Neumeister.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18216397/Mondo-Jazz [from "Lora Blu" onward].

Happy listening!

Stevie Wonder, Maya Angelou, Ryuichi Sakamoto, the crazy world we live in, and the world immigrants left behind are some of the sources of inspiration of the intriguing music featured this week on our playlist.

The playlist features Isaiah Collier; Endea Owens; Sullivan Fortner [pictured]; Fabrice Martinez; Steven Lugerner; Asynchrone; Trond Kallevåg; Elsa Nilsson; Ray Angry, Dave Murray, ?uestlove

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18216397/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Atomic Number"].

Happy listening!

This time we play with an unusual idea, alternating big band albums with albums recorded by vibraphone players. Why?, you may ask... For no particular reason, other than the fact that we realized the tunes we selected flow well together in this sequence.

The playlist features Nikki Iles; Chien Chien Lu; Miho Hazama, Immanuel Wilkins; Yuhan Su [pictured]; Sam Eastmond; Wayne Horvitz, Butch Morris, Bobby Previte; Vanessa Perica; and Simon Moullier.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18186218/Mondo-Jazz (from "Red Ellen" onwards).

Happy listening!

We open this week's edition with a few projects that represent the essence of world fusion which is taking place in these modern times, and we close with a few projects that gravitate around that music catalyst that {{Carlos Niño}} is. In between, projects that will let your fantasy fly.

The playlist features also Matthieu Saglio; Jonathan Suazo [pictured]; Itamar Borochov; RDL+; Wayne Horvitz, Butch Morris, Bobby Previte; Blue Cranes; Will Vinson, Gilad Hekselman, Nate Wood; Clément Janinet; Thandi Ntuli; Surya Botofasina; and André 3000.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18186218/Mondo-Jazz (up to "BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears A 3000® Shirt Embroidered").

Happy listening!

This episode features music inspired by {{Miles Davis}}, {{Andrew Hill}} and {{Buddy Emmons}}, but also by the Amazon Forest and the rivers of the Brazilian North-East.

The playlist features Bright Magus; André Roligheten [pictured]; Rich Hinman; Verneri Pohjola; Amaro Freitas; Ron Horton; Angelica Sanchez; Marike Van Dijk; Maria Grapsa.

Detailed list at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18155316/Mondo-Jazz (from "Long Legs" onwards).

Happy Listening!

Photo credit: Žiga Koritnik

This time we try to bring you jazz that refuses to respect boundaries, or "Somethin' Else from Somewher' Else". Here is an episode illustrates how jazz may well be the most welcoming music genre there is, perfectly able to blend with musical traditions from all over the world, from Native American and Latin American roots to Fado, Flamenco, Baroque British music and more.

The playlist features Zenophilia, Dean Bowman; Nicole Johänntgen [pictured]; Henri Texier; Robbie Robertson; Tiziano Tononi; Leïla Martial, Valentin Ceccaldi; Sofia Rei, Jorge Roeder; Emilio Solla, Antonio Lizana; Antonio Lizana; Júlio Resende Fado Jazz; Nils Berg Cinemascope.

Detailed list at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18155316/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Anima").

Happy Listening!

Photo credit: Daniel Bernet

From wall of sound albums to projects of sparse beauty, this week we cover the whole sonic gamut, with a special attention to the trio format, because... three is the perfect jazz number!

The playlist features Daniel Karlsson; John Scofield; Makiko Hirabayashi; Francesco Fiorenzani; MoonMot; Resavoir; Hannah Marks; Ava Mendoza [pictured], Kevin Hoff; Vincent Courtois, Daniel Erdmann, Robin Finker; Blankfor.ms, Jason Moran, Marcus Gilmore; JD Allen.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18123672/Mondo-Jazz (from "Bus Stop Story" onward).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Petra Cvelbar

A playlist featuring musicians paying tribute to the music that inspired them to do what they do, be it electric jazz or R&B of the 70s and 80s, the Mississippi Blues of the '40s and '50s, and the music of their mentors. The second half features three compelling albums featuring tight bands lead by forward looking bass players.

The playlist features Céline Bonacina; Nicholas Payton [pictured]; Lucas Pino; Rick Rosato; Mareike Wiening; Kaisa's Machine; Arthur Kell; and A Tonic for the Troops.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18123672/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Revelator").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Adrien H. Tillmann. 

Mark Turner is here, is there, is everywhere--both on the East Coast where he was once based and on the West Coast where he moved to. And this playlist features some of his recent recordings as leader or sideman. The rest of the playlist features remarkable medium and large size ensembles, and the beautiful album by Henry Hey and his trio of sound-wave pilots.

The playlist features 

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18087063/Mondo-Jazz (from "Season of the Thicket" onward).

Happy listening!

Putting together an episode of Mondo Jazz feels like an experiment, requiring research and analysis leading to a synthesis of the most interesting specimens from the current world jazz flora. Here some of the most significant discoveries of the last week.

The playlist features Todd Clouser; Shake Stew; Mike Reed; Hiromi pictured]; Kevin Sun; Weave4, Francesco Bigoni, Benoît Delbecq, Francesco Diodati, Steve Argüelles; Astghik Martirosyan; Jeremy Udden; Sunny Kim, Vardan Ovsepian, Ben Monder

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18087063/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Totality of Silence").

Happy listening!

Artistically ambitious, a rare woman in a male dominated scene, taking the road less travelled, or even the road never travelled, and with her feet well on the ground business-wise side to ensure her artistic independence, Carla Bley played a key role in giving today's music scene the shape we know. This week we concentrate on some of her signature compositions, focusing on her Church side, her Big Band side, her catchy side, her electric side, and some of the musicians that embraced her work early on.

The playlist features Conjure, Kip Hanrahan; Orrin Evans; Howard Tate; Masabumi Kikuchi, Gil Evans; Espoo Big Band; George Russell; Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley, Steve Swallow; Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Paul Bley, Bruce Ditmas; and John McLaughlin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18060273/Mondo-Jazz [from "The Wardrobe Master of Paradise" onwards]

We could spend hours talking about the many things that made Carla Bley unique, and made her passing a huge loss for the world of jazz. This week we decided to focus on her songbook, as interpreted by many of the peers that admired her work. 

The playlist features Gary Burton; Henri Texier; Marcin Wasilewski; Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash; Antonio Zambrini, Jesper Bodilsen, Martin Maretti Andersen; Jean-Charles Capon, Richard Galliano, Gilles Perrin; NRBQ; Nick Mason; Donkey Monkey (feat. Eve Risser, Yuko Oshima); and Nancy Zeltsman.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18060273/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Over There"]

Photo credit: Guy Le Querrec

Swedish saxophonists Per "Texas" Johansson and Marius Neset both have two new albums out; Swedish bassist Petter Eldh is on--at least--three new albums, including some by Johansson and Neset. This and much more on a playlist largely focusing on music from the Berlin and Scandinavian scenes.

The playlist features Lucia Cadotsch; Enemy (Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren); Per "Texas" Johansson [pictured]; Johan Lindström, Norbotten Big Band; Marius Neset, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, London Sinfonietta; Suzanne, Emile Parisien; and Aruan Ortiz.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18027811/Mondo-Jazz (from "No Apology" onwards).

Happy listening!

We look at the music we love not only as source of sonic delight, but also as a metaphor of how societies could work, in harmony and respect regardless of place of origin and without boundaries, to create something higher than themselves. So this week we focus on music that may provide either hope or relief at a time when another war has erupted.

The playlist features Timmy Thomas; Gilad Atzmon; Michael Moore, Jewels and Binoculars; Gerald Clayton; Charles Lloyd; Will Holshouser, Bernardo Sassetti; Horace Silver; Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny; John McLaughlin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/18027811/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Gaza City").

A mysterious new producer, Church Chords; the unearthing of a gem; jazz divinations; blood diamonds and bloody belly comb jellies... here for you a playlist that reads like a thriller story, and is as gripping as one.

The playlist features Billy Valentine; Church Chords; Geri Allen, Kurt Rosenwinkel; Andrew Krasilnikov; Arch (Luca Sguera, Giovanni Iacovella, Joe Rehmer); Tina Raymond; Jim Campilongo, Steve Cardenas; Walt Weiskopf.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17994717/Mondo-Jazz [from ""We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue" onwards].

Happy listening!

Welcome back for yet another edition of Mondo Jazz bursting at the seams with gorgeous new and upcoming albums and music about the lockdown, incarceration, reincarnation, multi-tasking, astral projections, and how beautiful it is to play with musicians of different cultural backgrounds.

The playlist features Xavi Torres; Federica Michisanti; Aaron Diehl [pictured]; Tyshawn Sorey; Joel Goodman; Caroline Davis; Andreas Schaerer, Kalle Kalima, Tim Lefebvre; Volker Goetze, Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko, Alejandro Moreno.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17994717/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Dougou"].

Happy listening!

A cosmopolitan edition of Mondo Jazz, which brings India, Cape Verde, Canada, Haiti, England, Sicily, Sardinia, the Great American Rivers, California and Germany to your headphones, wherever you might be, through Radio Free Brooklyn's digital transmitter in Bushwick! Jazz without borders!

The playlist features Kavita Shah; Dominique Fils-Aimé; Alabaster Deplume; Cettina Donato, Zoe Pia; Allison Miller; Todd Sickafoose; Billy Mohler; Angelika Niescier, Tomeka Reid, Savannah Harris.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17937324/Mondo-Jazz [from "Cape Verdean Blues" onwards]

Happy listening!

Large ensembles, big bands, orchestras... A playlist replete of successful experiments in the art of more is more...

The playlist features Chuck Owen, WDR Big Band; Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra; Miho Hazama; Steve Lehman, Orchestre National de Jazz; Darcy James Argue's Secret Society; Pascal Le Boeuf; Andrew Krasilnikov.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17937324/Mondo-Jazz [up to "How Many Roads"]

Happy listening!

James Brandon Lewis' homage to Mahalia Jackson, the ongoing Eastern and microtonal adventures of Lucian Ban, Mat Maneri, Fabio Delvò's fellowship and an exciting posse of emerging artists in their twenties make this hour of Mondo Jazz a treasure trove of sonic delights.

The playlist also features Léon Phal; Logan Kane; Emma Rawicz; Shuteen Erdenebaatar [pictured]; Location Location Location feat. Michael Formanek, Anthony Pirog, Mike Pride; and Wasted Generation.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17904177/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Flow"].

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Ralf Dombrowski

A playlist to travel the spaceways of Sun Ra and Bernie Worrell, but also those of Ronald Shannon Jackson and Joe Zawinul, experience the Afro Futuristic Dreams of Idris Ackamoor, the grooves of the Adam Dietch Quartet feat. John Scofield and the river streams that have inspired Helen Svoboda and Slowly Rolling Camera.

The playlist also features David Helbock; Cindy Blackman Santana, John King; Orquestra Afrosinfônica, Jazzmeia Horn; Kris Davis; John O’Connor, Tim Green; Verneri Pohjola and Josh Arcoleo.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17904177/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Flow"].

Happy listening!

A playlist featuring some delicious new and upcoming releases... but this week we also want to celebrate one of the musicians we admired and respected, an artist you would always find in bands and projects that mattered and a rare gentleman with a great sense of humor, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes who passed away a few days ago at the age of 72. 

The playlist features The Guests, Lucy Woodward, Henry Hey; Richard Baratta; Marike Van Dijk; Aline Homzy; Precarious Towers; JoVia Armstrong; and Tomasz Dąbrowski.

Detailed playlist at [from "Who Is She (And What Is She to You)?" onwards].

Happy listening!

A series of recent re-releases gives us the opportunity to focus on the phenomenal 1970s music of two iconic musicians like Betty Davis and Charles Mingus. Music so ahead of its time that it sounds as if it has just been recorded today.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17842983/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Mademoiselle Mabry"].

Happy listening!

Too often we focus our attention on instrumental jazz… in this hour we will try to remedy that with special attention to jazz singers who excel at surprising and challenging expectations.

The playlist features Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter; Veronica Swift; Maria Pia de Vito; Kornél Fekete-Kovács, Veronika Harcsa, Robert Balzar Trio; Gabriela Martina; Elina Duni [pictured]; Camille Bertault, Paul Bertault; Christina Galisatus. Erin Bentlage, Joshua Crumbly; Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke; Rita Reys, Oliver Nelson; Marc Jordan; Nite Bjuti.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17812561/Mondo-Jazz [from "Freeman Square" onwards].

Happy listening!

Seven days have flown by, and seven days were barely enough to go through another big pile of wonderful new and upcoming albums which we are featuring this week focusing on some captivating and forward looking projects, and several new albums that bring together jazz and the musical traditions of Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The playlist features Adrian Younge, Tony Allen; Azmari; Johnathan Blake; Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade; Elio Villafranca [pictured]; Miguel Zenón, Luis Perdomo; Sammy Figueroa; and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17812561/Mondo-Jazz [up to "In a Sentimental Mood"].

Happy listening!

The transatlantic partnership between Céline Bonacina, John Hadfield and Rachel Eckroth [pictured] opens an edition of Mondo Jazz which also focuses on drummer-driven projects and piano trios.

The playlist features also Csaba Palotaï, Simon Drappier, Steve Argüelles; Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra; Gauthier Toux; Luciana Souza & Trio Corrente; Orbit (Stephan Oliva, Sébastien Boisseau, Tom Rainey).

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17784582/Mondo-Jazz (from "Tunnel" onwards)

Happy listening!

The Fender Rhodes is back (actually, it never left)! And so is Peter Epstein almost a decade after his acclaimed album "Polarities", and with a new sextet!

The playlist features also Laurent Cugny; Aki Rissanen; Matthew Halsall; Guillermo Klein; Peter Epstein; Lauren Henderson; Jeremy Dutton; Alex LoRe; and Artemis

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17784582/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Timber")

Happy listening!

Unexpected returns, B-sides that sound as good as the A-sides, tributes to rock and folk heroes, Impulse! signing another key band of today's scene, Colorfield Records establishing itself even more as the label to follow... this and more on this week's edition of Mondo Jazz!

Greg Joseph; Daniel Villareal; Anthony Wilson; Irreversible Entanglements; Darcy James Argue; Joni Mitchell; Vicente Archer, Gerald Clayton, Bill Stewart; Kris Allen.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17756229/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Blood Count").

Photo Credit: Nina Westervelt.

Happy listening!

This week we focus on the reissue of a seminal project bridging acid jazz and trip-hop, the soundtrack to a film without pictures, a trip east bound and down fusion lane, a great crop of guitarists deserving wider recognition, and saxophonists of well-deserved recognition.

The playlist features Marden Hill; Funkwrench Blues; Kait Dunton; Herb Alpert; B.D. Lenz; Andrew Gorny; David Preston; Max Light; Emiliano D'Auria; Benjamin Koppel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade; annd Chris Potter [pictured].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17756229/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Blood Count").

Photo credit: Dave Stapleton.

Happy listening!

A revelation of an album, "Sky" by Will Bernard, Beth Custer open a playlist which explores three piano jazz formats, solo, duo and trio, through a number of impressive recent releases.

The playlist also features Yosef Gutman Levitt, Lionel Loueke; Jeff Babko, David Piltch; Benny Green; Simona Premazzi [pictured]; Satoko Fujii; Tania Giannouli; Leo Genovese, Demian Cabaud and Marcos Cavaleiro.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17698766/Mondo-Jazz (from "Fence" onwards)

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Jan Cain

This week take a look back at decades of productive and progressive relationship between jazz and hip-hop, with a focus on international projects and collaborations between jazz and hip-hop artists. Our way to celebrate half a century of hip-hop.

The playlist features Dream Warriors; Us3; Meshell Ndegeocello [pictured]; Buckshot LeFonque; Steve Williamson; Q Tip, Kenny Garrett; Madlib; Jon Hassell; Russell Gunn; Courtney Pine; Guru, MC Solaar; Daniele Sepe; Thiefs, Mike Ladd; Jazz Liberatorz

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17727979/Mondo-Jazz (from "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" onwards).

Happy listening!

Somehow a birthday has been identified for Hip-Hop, 11 August 1973, so in a couple of days you'll run into tons of initiatives marking the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Hip-Hop. Should you catch yourself wondering, as a jazz fan, about how jazz and hip hop influenced each other… you may find a few clues with us here today... And since you're in a celebratory mood, maybe you may also celebrate the airing 250th episode of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist features Gang Starr; Pigmeat Markham; Langston Hughes, Charles Mingus; Gil Scott-Heron; Frankie Crocker; Herbie Hancock, Rob Swift; Aesop Quartet; Steve Coleman [pictured], the Mystic Rhythm Society, AfroCuba De Matanzas; Greg Osby; Cassandra Wilson; Gary Thomas; Steve Lehman; Vijay Iyer and Mike Ladd

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17727979/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Color of My Circumference I")

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Dimicology.

Lucy Woodward returns with a powerful single paving the way for a full-length album not to be missed, and for a playlist under the sign of electro-acoustic creativity, Brazilian influences and fearless imagination.

The playlist also features Collettivo Immaginario, Tommaso Cappellato, Alberto Lincetto, Nicolò Masetto; Jason Moran, Marcus Gilmore BlankFor.ms; Cautious Clay, Ambrose Akinmusire, Immanuel Wilkins; Nils Kugelmann; ThoughtCast; Ryan Keberle; Marcello Gonçalves, Anat Cohen; Doug Richards Orchestra; and David Liebman.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17698766/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Beginning")

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Nina Duncan

The much awaited return of Tood Sickafoose graces our playlist together with other gem ranging from the gorgeous to the adventurous, with a couple of surprising contributions from musicians whose relationship with jazz has been notoriously... ambivalent, Frank Zappa and Stewart Copeland.

The playlist also features Samuel Blaser; Todd Sickafoose [pictured]; Amaury Faye; Rudy Royston; Alexander Hawkins; Mick Rossi, Peter Hess, Matt Moran; John Zorn.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17670100/Mondo-Jazz (starting from ""Lady Rawlinson").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

This week we start with a remembrance of Tony Bennett and Jane Birkin, two artists who had a number of common traits that went well beyond their musicality, from their progressive activism to their multi-disciplinary talents. After that we revert to our weekly exploration of new and upcoming releases, with a special attention to trios and piano-saxophone duos.

The playlist features also Alan Ferber; Naya Bazz; Roberto Negro, Emile Parisien; Nora Stanley, Benny Bock; Pierrick Pedron, Gonzalo Rubalcaba; Francesco Chiapperini; Peter Bruun and Chris Speed.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17670100/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Amos").

Happy listening!

This week's playlist features two recent albums by, and featuring, Donny McCaslin , the new album by German baritonist Kara Linn plus a score of forward looking bass players and leaders, from Meshell Ndegeocello to Linda May Han Oh, Ben Wolfe and Philly natives Christian McBride and Alexander Claffy. 

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17641622/Mondo-Jazz [from "Clear Water" onwards]

Happy listening!

Photo Credit: Dave Stapleton

After a couple of weeks focusing on some of our favorite tunes from the first half of the year here we are back on our night road to some of the most exciting new and upcoming releases, many of them with a cinematic and nocturnal vibe.

The playlist features Erik Truffaz; Hernan Cassibba; The Vampires feat. Chris Abrahams; Rob Mazurek; London Brew; Yussef Dayes, Shabaka Hutchings; Matthieu Donarier, Eve Risser, Karsten Hochapfel, Toma Gouband; Eleonora Strino [pictured], Greg Cohen, Joey Baron; Christina Galisatus; and Jeff Coffin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17641622/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Luminosity"].

Happy listening!

Africana to Americana and beyond in the final installment of our retrospective of some of the most memorable tunes we got to hear during the first half of the year.

The playlist features Bill Laurance, Michael League; Artemis; Ben van Gelder; Ballaké Sissoko [pictured], Vincent Segal, Vincent Peirani, Emile Parisien; Gangbé Brass Band, Kala Jula, Fama Diabaté; Magic Malik; Ethnic Heritage Ensemble; and Stephen Ulrich.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17612249/Mondo-Jazz (from "Round House" onward). 

Happy listening!

Last week we focused our playlist on some of our favorite tracks from the first six months of the year. Evidently two hours were not enough and we could not play them all… so here we are going through the rest of the best.

The playlist features Vicente Archer; Enzo Carniel, Hermon Mehari, Damien Varaillon, Stéphane Adsuar; John Hadfield [pictured], Kinan Azmeh; Vinnie Sperrazza, Ethan Iverson, Michael Formanek; Rachel Eckroth; Darren Johnston; Ralph Alessi; Jacob Young, Mats Eilertsen, Audun Kleive; and Asher Gamedze.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17612249/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Out Stepped Zim"). 

Happy listening!

A retrospective of some of the most compelling tunes we heard in the first half of 2023, distilled for your enjoyment.

The playlist features Michael Blake; Thomas Naïm; Greg Ward; Lucia Cadotsch; Alessia Obino; David Preston; Ella Zirina; Kaisa's Machine; The Peggy Lee Band.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17583788/Mondo-Jazz (from "Little Demons" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Dasha Dare

The first half of the year has brought us plenty of great new albums. Let's look back at some of the tunes and compositions which have left a mark during these six months.

The playlist features Billy Valentine; Larry Goldings, Kaveh Rastegar, Abe Rounds; Greg Joseph; Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, Lauren Henderson [pictured]; Anat Fort; Gaia Wilmer; Magos Herrera; David Virelles; Sam Bardfeld.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17583788/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Refuge").

Happy listening!

Ambition does not have to be an expression of self-centeredness. It may be, and should be, the pursuit of high achievements, and the realization of broad and innovative visions. This playlist is bursting at the seams with music driven by the good kind of ambition...

The playlist features Yilian Cañizares; David Virelles; Ken Stubbs; Darren Johnston; John Hadfield; Camille-Alban Spreng, Benjamin Sauzereau, Marco Giongrandi; The Peggy Lee Band; Wynton Marsalis [pictured]; Johan Lindström & Norrbotten Big Band. 

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17588145/Mondo-Jazz from ("Oxun" onwards).

Happy listening!

This week we focus on a bunch of projects that put in a blender lots of seemingly disparate elements and come up with their own signature sounds, from the edgy to the smooth.

The playlist features Kaisa's Machine; Jacob Young; Kosmos; Sketchbook Quartet; Erik Friedlander's Sentinel; Mowgli; Debora Petrina; Echoes of Zoo; Christine Tobin; and Louis Stewart.

Detailed playlist at (up to "Invitation").

Happy listening!

This week we looking into both the jazz side of Prince, including the unexpressed potentials of his collaboration with Miles Davis, as well as covers of his music by notable jazz players from Nina Simone to Joshua Redman.

The playlist features Nina Simone; Malcolm Braff; Madhouse; Miles Davis; Marcin Wasilewski; Joshua Redman; Julia Hülsmann; Heinz Sauer, Michael Wollny

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17470974/Mondo-Jazz (from "Sign 'O' the Times" onwards).

Happy listening!

Prince who would have turned 65 this year. He may have left us over 7 years ago, but the influence of his music continues unequalled, including on the world of jazz, with which he's often flirted. Here a selection of some of the most interesting examples of "purple jazz", including some extended jamming by Prince himself.

The playlist features Helen Sung; The Volunteered Slaves; T.J. Kirk; Santi Debriano; Steven Bernstein and the Millennial Territory Orchestra; David Helbock; Joachim Kühn; Jacob Young; Eric Vloeimans, Will Holshouser; Prince.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17470974/Mondo-Jazz (up to "West").

Happy listening!

A remembrance of Karl Berger, the stunning new album by Magos Herrera [pictured], and a whole bunch of projects you can find along the Johannesburg-New York-Chicago expressway.

The playlist features also Sam Butler; Kirk Knuffke, Jay Anderson, Matt Wilson; Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke; Magos Herrera; Ken Stubbs; Asher Gamedze; Good Intentions; Scree; Malcolm Jiyane Tree-o & Grandmaster CAP.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17442424/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Surrender Is Easier Said Than Done").

Happy listening!

A tribute to Tina Turner opens a show featuring music characterized by a deliberate desire to blur the lines between jazz and other genres, be it pop, R&B, world music or church music, and to do so with the most wonderful arrangements.

The playlist features Herbie Hancock; Don Braden; Selma Savolainen; Le Cri du Caire, Abdullah Miniawy, Erik Truffaz, Peter Corser; Ben Van Gelder; Matt Ulery; and Rajna Swaminathan.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17442424/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Surrender Is Easier Said Than Done").

Happy listening!

From projects inspired by African traditions to jazz spiked with hard-rock, passing through some fascinating chamber influences, this week's playlist showcases the creativity, breadth and depth of today's international jazz scene.

The playlist features Kala Jula & Gangbé Brass Band [pictured]; Peter Somuah, Stevo Atambire; Samuele Strufaldi; Ze in the Clouds, Paolo Fresu, Uri Caine; Rudy Royston; Sam Bardfeld; Vincent Peirani; Francesco Bearzatti; Brass Against; Ingrid Laubrock; Brandon Seabrook.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17327362/Mondo-Jazz (from "Asro" onward).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Suzy Mazzanisi

This week we focus on two of the most vibrant scenes in Northern Europe, Amsterdam and Berlin. Along the way we hop from Copenhagen to New York with a few more stops on the way. Enjoy some of the freshest jazz projects out there.

The playlist features Lucia Cadotsch, Kurt Rosenwinkel; Petter Eldh, Sun-Mi Hong; Deadeye; Michele Sannelli; Mariasole De Pascali [pictured]; Lukas Traxel; Tilo Weber; Girls in Airports; Carlo Mombelli; Ralph Towner; and Ben Wolfe.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17327362/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Hats Off to Rebay")

Happy listening!

Around the world in a playlist, which features Latin and Caribbean influeces, touches of Indian music, spiritual jazz, Brazilian aromas, microtonal atmospheres, and visceral electro-acoustic outbursts.

The playlist features Kevin Fingier; Samuel Blaser [pictured]; João Selva; Michael Blake; Clément Janinet; Aka Moon, The Orchestral Constellation; La Marmite Infernale.

Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/16955232 (up to "Viscères électriques").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Alex Troesch 

A special focus on the deep, eclectic and exciting LA scene in this hour of Mondo Jazz, which then concludes with an unearthed gem by Chet Baker from the late 70s.

The playlist features Mark Guiliana [pictured]; Jeff Babko, Tim Lefebvre; Rachel Eckroth; Larry Goldings, Kaveh Rastegar, Abe Rounds; Dorian Holley, Nayanna Holley; Billy Valentine; and Chet Baker.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17298446/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Guinea").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Dave Stapleton

This week we focus on three fascinating releases which celebrate the genius and legacy of Don Cherry, after starting with a tribute to Led Zeppelin, Emma Rawicz's new project, one of the best piano trios I've heard in a long time, lead by a drummer, and new music by Michael Formanek.

The playlist features Francesco Bearzatti; Emma Rawicz; Vinnie Sperrazza, Ethan Iverson, Michael Formanek; Peter Broetzmann, Majid Bekkas, Hamid Drake [pictured]; Kahil El'Zabar, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Dwight Trible, David Ornette Cherry; Jamie Breiwick; and Ken Vandermark.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17298446/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Guinea").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti.

Welcome to an edition of Mondo Jazz under the sign of groove and high energy feelgood releases.

The playlist featured Jakob Manz; Leon Lee Dorsey; Izo FitzRoy; Joel Harrison; Wayne Tucker; Robin Mansanti; Miku Yonezawa [pictured]; The Jazz Avengers; Diego Rivera; Filthy Six; Genevieve Artadi; Yumi Ito; Sarah Elizabeth Charles.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17269003/Mondo-Jazz (from "Soul Tiger" onward).

Happy listening!

Here is our weekly merry-go-round of recent and upcoming albums, which this time will feature great saxophonists, up and coming composers, and various projects showing that jazz is the most inclusive genre out there, welcoming any source of inspiration from Baroque to Brazilian to Flamenco.

The playlist features Walter Smith III; Riccardo Gola; Felipe Salles, Melissa Aldana; Ben Rosenblum; Cyro Baptista [pictured]; Gianluigi Trovesi, Stefano Montanari; Jean-Marie Machado; Yvonnick Prené; Shirley Scott.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17269003/Mondo-Jazz (up to "By The Time I Get to Phoenix").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Makota Ebi

Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ben Wendel and Kurt Rosenwinkel [pictured] are the threads bridging the various parts of this week's show which, in turn, is like a bridge between Europe and the US.

The playlist also features Jacques Schwarz-Bart; Kerkko Koskinen, Linda Fredriksson. UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra; Angel Bat Dawid; Aki Takase; Next.Ape; Jim Snidero; and Tobias Meinhart

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17239727/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Berlin People").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: David Kaufman

Strings, strings and more strings in this episode... from those of Brandee Younger's and Dorothy Ashby's harps, to those of the Ulysses String Quartet; from those of the guitars of Marc Ribot, Mariusz Sobanski and Guillaume Vierset, to those of the basses of Meshell Ndegeocello and Clovis Nicolas.

The playlist features Hot Mustard, Alanna Royale; Brandee Younger; Meshell Ndegeocello, Julius Rodriguez; Dorothy Ashby; Clovis Nicolas; Ulysses String Quartet; Ikiru; Guillaume Vierset; Sobasnki Music Laboratory; John Zorn, Asmodeus.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17239727/Mondo-Jazz (from "The End of Time" onward).

Happy listening!

Experiments, from Chicago and elsewhere, technical mastery offset by sense of humor, jazz as sonic story-telling, and transfiguration of jazz standards are some of the main sources of inspiration for this episode.

The playlist features Greg Spero; John Zorn, Bill Frisell, John Medeski, Brian Marsella, Kenny Wollesen; Camille Bertault; Daniel Bingert; Michael Blake; Yelena Eckemoff; Francesca Han [pictured], Ralph Alessi; Cory Smythe.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17210615/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Emahoy").

Happy listening!

This week we dedicate our show to two artists who--even though very far apart in terms of geographical origins and life trajectories, shared a devotion to beauty, elegance and originality: Ryuichi Sakamoto and Emahoy Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou, who recently passed away.

The playlist features also Cesária Evora, Caetano Veloso; Arto Lindsay; Vinicius Cantuaria; Adam O'Farrill; Rachel Eckroth; Francesca Han; Maya Dunietz; Kansas Smitty’s; David Virelles; Sam Reider

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17210615/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Emahoy").

This week we focus on the emerging musicians that will ensure that the historic South African jazz scene will have a bright future, and on a number of recent releases showcasing the many facets of a living master of the piano, Kenny Barron, featured as an accompanist for a vocalist, as a solo artist on a rare recording date as a leader, as a composer that inspires other contemporary musicians, and as a side-man in a very bop-oriented concert which has been recently unearthed.

The playlist also features Vusi Mahlasela; Thandi Ntuli; Bokani Dyer [pictured]; Linda Sikhakhane; Mthunzi Mvubu; BCUC; Claudia Acuña; Billy Childs; Sonny Stitt.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17181589/Mondo-Jazz (from "Umzala" onward).

Photo credit: Raees Hassan

This week we open with a stunner, Billy Valentine's new album featuring the best of the Los Angeles and New York Scenes (Pino Palladino; Jeff Parker, Theo Crocker; Larry Goldings; Abe Rounds; Immanuel Wilkins; Linda May Ahn) and music that should bring much deserved attention. Then a mix of exciting releases, with a special focus on pianist a few moments that evoke the ghost of Nick Drake.

The playlist also features Jeff Coffin; Salami Rose Joe Louis, Brijean; Dave Stryker; Loïs Le Van, Alban Darche; Bobo Stenson; Magic Malik; Anat Fort; Marie Kruttli; Margherita Fava; Jeff Parker, Matthew Stevens.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17181589/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Alberta").

Happy listening!

Los Angeles and New York are the two poles of this playlist document the vibrancy of these two scenes, and their cross-pollination, including the reissue of the iconic Wattstax Benefit Concert, a dive into new releases by Colorfield Records, a jazz look at the Erykah Badu's and Kendrik Lamar's songbook, and the reimagining of Pharoah Sanders' songs.

The playlist features Ben Zwerin; Rufus Thomas; Ben Wendel; José James, Ebban Dorsey; Sam Gendel; Mark de Clive Lowe, Melanie Charles, Shigeto; Galliano; Brad Allen Williams; Daniel Rotem; Dan Rosenboom; Camilla Battaglia [pictured].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17153495/Mondo-Jazz [from "Strolling" onward]

Happy listening!

The exciting collaboration between Sexmob [pictured] and Scotty Hard and that involving Larry Goldings, Kaveh Rastegar and Abe Rounds open an episode focusing also on soundtracks, beat poetry and poetry of the beat, before closing with a sonic voyage by Tim Berne, Hank Roberts and Aurora Nealand.

The playlist also features Daniel Villarreal; Burt Bacharach; Thomas Newman, John Beasley, Monk'estra; Lalo Schifrin; Paolo Fresu, Dino Rubino, Daniele Di Bonaventura, Marco Bardoscia; and Steve Argüelles.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17153495/Mondo-Jazz [up to "10ntious"]

Happy listening!

Medium-sized and large ensemble shine in all their nuances through the music included on today's playlist. At the end of the set Brazil, France and Norway add their own touch.

The playlist features Anthony Branker; Andy Emler; Vince Mendoza, Metropole Orkest; SFJAZZ Collective; Franco D'Andrea; Chico Pinheiro [pictured], Romero Lubambo; Anat Cohen; Paris/Oslo.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17125620/Mondo-Jazz (from "What Place Can Be for Us?" onwards).

Happy listening!

Countless forms of fusion in this week's show, from fusions of jazz and pop, to fusions of musical traditions. There are enough genetic modifications in just one hour that to prove that jazz's resilience passes any Darwinian evolutionary standards!

The playlist features Roc Flowers, ; Marc Jordan; Leo Sidran, Sol Sidran, Michael Leonhart; Mike Dillon [pictured]; 58 Belvedere; Ludovica Burtone; Mihály Borbély; Christopher Hale; Simon Moullier; Roberto Pistolesi.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17125620/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Latina").

Happy listening!

Six decades separate Latvian guitarist Ella Zirina, who's 25, from Charles Lloyd who just turned 85. But the beauty of music is that obliterates any conventional notion of time and space, so here's a playlist that hops from country to country and from generation to generation in search of a beauty continuum.

The playlist features Emile Parisien, Vincent Peirani, Vincent Segal, Baba Sissoko; Ella Zirina; Tineke Postma; Costanza Alegiani; Enzo Carniel, Hermon Mehari, Damien Varaillon, ‎Stéphane Adsuar; Mario Costa; Rachel Therrien; Julian Lage; Charles Lloyd, Julian Lage, Zakir Hussain.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17096840/Mondo-Jazz (from "Esperanza" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Dave Stapleton

At a time in which the frantic pace of this world is making record executives explore the idea of one--minute songs to satisfy the swipe-crazed Instagram generation, this playlist if full of music that may feel like a welcome act of counter-culture. Extended form songs, elegant songs, strange songs... Enjoy the ride!

The playlist features Brad Mehldau; Valtteri Laurell Pöyhönen; Sara Caswell; The Vampires; Chris Abrahams; The Necks; Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17068033/Mondo-Jazz (from "I Am the Walrus" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Soichiro Suizu.

Rarely has a jazz musician created a body of work in which depth, sophistication and melodies coexist as beautifully as Wayne Shorter did. In this episode we selected interpretations of his compositions by musicians we admire and who chose to follow his soothsaying footprints. 

In loving tribute to Mr. Gone.

The playlist features Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento; Camille Bertault; Yuri Honing, Vince Mendoza, Metropole Orkest; Joni Mitchell; Don Grolnick; Wayne Horvitz; Michael Moore; Jimmie Rowles, Stan Getz; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Raphaël Pannier; Kari Ikonen; Jerry Bergonzi

Detailed playlist at (up to "Fall").

Photo credit Robert Ascroft (Blue Note)

Organ grooves, a take on the Jackson Five opened by the merciless beat of an Ornette Coleman alumnus, a few compelling debut albums, the ongoing collaboration between Aruán Ortiz and James Brandon Lewis, the return of Joshua Abrams meditations for large ensemble and more, make this week's playlist worth your attention...

The playlist features Ari Joshua, Skerik, Delvon Lamarr, Grant Schroff; Michael Blake; Papanosh; Simon Lucaciu; Ferg Quill; James Brandon Lewis; Aruán Ortiz; Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17068033/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Stigmergy").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Il Muro.

As a young adult Burt Bacharach used fake IDs to get into 52nd Street jazz clubs to have his mind blown away by heroes of the bebop revolution like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Those early impressions could not but leave a mark in his sophisticated pop songs, seeds that would later make those very same songs blossom in the hands of jazz players, going full circle. As a composer and songwriter he had a remarkable gift for combining simplicity and complexity, the African roots of jazz R&B and soul with the European classical influences of French impressionism. The result were the unforgettable melodies he was admired for, many of which are featured in this playlist, as interpreted by a wide ranging of progressive musicians.

The playlist features Larry Goldings, Harry Allen; Toots Thielemans; Gabor Szabo; Isaac Hayes; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Charles Lloyd; Bill Frisell; Dionne Farris, Charlie Hunter; Steve Kuhn; Marie Mcauliffe; Benjamin Koppel.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17011710/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Look of Love" onward).

Happy listening!

A celebration of the genius of Bart Bacharach, Mondo-Jazz style, focusing on off-the-beaten path takes on his idiosyncratic repertoire, since Bacharach's music is accessible and appealing for mass appeal and yet complex and sophisticated to intrigue even the most forward looking musicians. 

Romantic songs, political songs, themes for soundtracks, but all--without fail--earworms that stay with you well beyond the last note.

The playlist features Django Bates; Stevie Wonder; Dave Douglas; Oranj Symphonette; Mike Patton; Guy Klucevsek; Fred Pallem & Le Sacre du Tympan; Dwight Trible, Matthew Halsall; David Linx, Magic Malik; Anthony Braxton; Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/17011710/Mondo-Jazz (up to "I Say a Little Prayer").

Happy listening!

Americana-tinged guitarists, cinematic moods, a cast of London-all-stars chasing the electric-Miles-voodoo down, inflections of Jimi Hendrix, and music that may help you with meditation, introspection, or even state alteration... This and more in this week's set!

The playlist features Thomas Naïm; Stephen Ulrich; Rob Mazurek, Exploding Star Orchestra, Jeff Parker; London Brew; Alessia Obino; Phil Ranelin, Wendell Harrison, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad; Jasmine Myra; Oren Ambarchi; Holsen & Cassiers; Brandon Ross.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16982901/Mondo-Jazz (from "Panama Red" onward).

Happy listening!

This week we put together a set which is centered around jazz influenced by Gnawa music, and musicians and bands which know how to develop and envelope, or develop a melody and mood which envelopes the listener.

The playlist features Bill Laurance, Michael League; Club d'Elf; Naïssam Jalal [pictured]; Nguyên Lê; George; Lise Van Dooren; Christoph Irniger; and Emiliano Sampaio.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16982901/Mondo-Jazz (up to "We Have a Dream").

Happy listening!

Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter are back, and they're SuperBoogieng! So are Jim Black and Kit Downes who are on a couple of new albums each. The playlist also features interesting new European projects, and albums that blend jazz with hip hop and music for the dance floor.

The playlist features Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Nate Smith; Federico Nuti; Julie Campiche [pictured]; Cedric Hanriot, Days; Matters Unkown, Miryam Solomon; Jim & The Schrimps; John Zorn, Jim Black; Kuhn Fu; Sebastian Rochford, Kit Downes; Pablo Held, Norma Winstone

Detailed playlist available at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/16955232 (from "Boogie Down" onward).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Gerald Langer

There are different ways to unpack this playlist. One of them is looking at it as a travelogue that will take us to that music incubator that Chicago continues to be; to a scene deserving wider recognition like that of Washington D.C.; to Brazil, France and Italy. And it all starts from Free Form Funk Freqs' 3rd Galaxy.

The playlist also features Greg Ward's Rogue Parade; Art Ensemble of Chicago; Alune Wade; Gaia Wilmer [pictured]; Janel Leppin; Cristiano Calcagnile; Emmanuel Borghi Trio.

Detailed playlist available at (from "Outer Arm" onward).

Happy listening!

The painstaking job of unearthing subtle nuances which were lost in earlier mixes of five of his albums is at the heart of the remastering labor of love that Ben Allison [pictured] has embarked on during the pandemic. During the first part of our show we focus on listening with new ears to some of our old favorites from those album. Then we turn to other musicians that strive to discover new angles and perspectives about old tunes, or to examine how sound, textures, and silence, also play a key role in the process of discovering compelling harmonies and melodies.

The playlist also features Romain Pilon; Jo Lawry, Linda May Han Oh, Allison Miller; Mette Henriette; Joon; Raffaele Casarano.

Detailed playlist available at (up to "Malaspina").

Happy listening!

A playlist built around the work of impressive emerging saxophonists (Lakecia Benjamin, Xhosa Cole, Jason Marshall, and Alex Hitchcock), and guitarists (Ant Law and David Doruzka). Together with a tribute to Kurt Vonnegut, the reissue of an Acid Jazz classic, and much more, this is an hour of music that should keep you happy and speculative.

The playlist also features Mother Earth; Georgia Anne Muldrow; Adriano Adewale, Ian Parmel; J.D.Hive; Jason Yeager; David Doruzka, Piotr Wyleżol, Jeff Ballard; and Zack Lober.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16899336/Mondo-Jazz (from "Stoned Woman" onward).

Happy listening!

Sun Ra may have joined the outer spaceways almost 30 years ago but he continues to inspire our earthly affairs through the musicians that have worked with him. We explore recent releases of the Arkestra and of bassist Tyler Mitchell, both of which revolve around the contribution of Marshall Allen. The other cluster of tracks is centered around the interlinkages among three musicians that have collaborated for a long time Brian Blade, Jon Cowherd, Chris Potter. In between, Santi Debriano with his own Arkestra Bembe.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16899336/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Marshall's Groove").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Andrea Palmucci

An intriguing set of music featuring Americana in its Unitedstatesean and British declinations, three variations on the concept of jazz for large ensembles, John Zorn's take on existentialism, psychoanalysis, and the uncertainty principle, Chad Taylor's interpretation of Andrew Hill's music, and Nelide Bandello's nod to the world of Tim Berne.

The playlist also features JD Allen; Hedvig Mollstead, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra; Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz; Tower Composers Jazz Orchestra; and Binker Golding

The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/16870261 (from "The Battle of Blair Mountain" onward).

Happy listening!

Precious archival recordings featuring unheard music by Charles Stepney, Donald Byrd and Miles Davis open this edition of Mondo Jazz featuring new and upcoming albums. The playlist is completed by the epic live album by Jeff Parker "Mondays at the Enfield Tennis Academy", and the intriguing work of young European players. 

The playlist also features Mané Fernandes and the Duo Hofmaninger/Schwarz.

The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/16870261 (up to "2019-07-08 II").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Michele Yves Puty

The first edition of Mondo Jazz of the new year! Judging by how the year started, it should not be difficult… we open with Jason Moran's latest fascinating project, released just hours after the new year started, dedicated to James Reese Europe. After that many recent compelling releases, from Thandi Ntuli [pictured] to Frank Zappa (newly published archival material from the legendary "Waka Jawaka" and "Grand Wazoo" sessions).

The playlist also features Sarathy Korwar; Soweto Kinch with the London Symphony Orchestra; London Odense Ensemble; Artchipel Orchestra; Ezra Collective; Leland Whitty; and Revelators Sound System

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16847678/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Grieving").

Happy listening and happy new year!

Photo credit: Ndumiso Sibanda

One of the things that characterizes the New York jazz ecosystem at this time of the year is the celebrated Winter JazzFest. This year it’s back with in-person performances, and as it was our pre-pandemic tradition, we’d like to preview music by artists who are coming to New York from Europe or other parts of the country to perform at the Festival.

The playlist features Daniel Villarreal; Vincent Peirani; Emile Parisien; Roxana Amed; Abraham Réunion; Yamandu Costa; Yessaï Karapetian; Jeanne Michard; Ishkero; and Carlos Niño, Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercerau.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16847678/Mondo-Jazz (from "Messenger" onward).

Happy listening and happy Winter JazzFest!

Photo credit: Jacek Brun

As this is our last show in 2022, our playlist focus on the songs we’ve loved the most in the last six months of what was an incredibly prolific year for jazz. Here's to a new year that hopefully will bring us much great music as 2022 did!

The playlist features Fred Pallem & Le Sacre du Tympan; Kansas Smitty’s; Oan Kim; Bill Frisell; Iggy Pop [pictured]; Avram Fefer; Maher Beauroy, Sélène Saint-Aimé; Designers; Kristin Berardi; Dan Weiss; Song Yi Jeon, Vinícius Gomes; Donald Byrd; and André Minvielle.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16816136/Mondo-Jazz (from "Goodbye Lougarock" onward).

Happy listening... and a happy new year!

Twelve months have gone by so fast, and so much has happened... At the beginning of the year we were still under various degrees of lockdown or social distancing, now we have a war, weather patterns and a financial situation that are crazier than ever, etc. One positive thread through these months, however, has been the relentless pace at which creative musicians have brought us album after album of gorgeous music, which confirmed once more that musicians may be the last social group that can still be trusted!

Find are some of the favorite songs that we discovered in the second half of the year (to check out those from the first part of the year go to: https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/a-few-of-my-favorite-2022-jazz-things-so-far-part-1-mondo-jazz-2022-1/ and https://www.mixcloud.com/MondoJazz/a-few-of-my-favorite-2022-jazz-things-so-far-part-2-mondo-jazz-2022-2/)

The playlist features The Harlem Gospel Travelers; Kurt Elling; Carmen Staaf, Allison Miller; Ken Stubbs; Billy Drummond & Freedom of Ideas; Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash; Robin Holcomb; Billy Mohler; Oded Tzur; Charles Lloyd [pictured]; Binker Golding; Mali Obomsawin; Jeremy Rose & the Earshift Orchestra, Simon Barker, Chloe Kim; and Tyshawn Sorey.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16816136/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Enchantment").

Happy listening... and a happy new year!

Welcome to the second half of the jazz re-match between Argentina and France that we are hosting this week, inspired by the recent World Cup finals. It is a fantasy game in which the rules are a bit different with the two teams playing jazz, not football, together, rather than against each other.

The playlist features Orchestre National de Jazz; Lucia Boffo; Serge Gainsbourg; Javier Girotto, Natalio Mangalavite, Peppe Servillo; Surnatural Orchestra; Gato Barbieri [pictured]; Edward Perraud; Leo Genovese; Céline Bonacina; Pablo Ablanedo; Jacques Schwarz-Bart; and Escalandrum.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16796316/Mondo-Jazz (from "Vergogna in Blue" onward).

Happy listening!

Welcome to the second half of the jazz re-match between Argentina and France that we are hosting this week, inspired by the recent World Cup finals. It is a fantasy game in which the rules are a bit different with the two teams playing jazz, not football, together, rather than against each other.

In jazz, unlike in sports, there are no winners or losers, and the best things come out when there’s collaboration rather than competition. So this week we host a Franco-Argentinean jazz pas-de-deux celebrating the jazz traditions of the two countries whose national teams made it to the World Cup finals.

The playlist features Richard Galliano; Minino Garay; Médéric Collignon; Camille Bertault [pictured], David Helbock; Roxana Amed; Ibrahim Maalouf; Leïla Martial; Juan Bayon; Papanosh; Avantango; Thomas de Pourquery; Dino Saluzzi; and Manu Codjia.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16796316/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Requiem Pour Un Con/Je T'aime Moi Non Plus").

Happy listening!

The funk of The Bamboos' ambitious symphonic project and The Headhunters' half-a-century pre-celebration together with Sana Nagano's pandemic soundscape bookend an episode showcasing the wide-ranging work by, and collaboration among, Dave Liebman, Adam Rudolph and Tyshawn Sorey.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16768889/Mondo-Jazz (from "Red Triangle" onwards).

Happy listening!

Tributes to Leonard Cohen and Martin Danny, young saxophonone mavericks, unerthed gems and elegant arrangers in this week's edition of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist features the Leonhart Brass Band; Marco Cappelli; Immanuel Wilkins; Oded Tzur; Rebecca Nash [pictured]; Designers; Leila Olivesi; and Elvin Jones.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16768889/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Oleo").

Photo credit: Olivier Burnside.

Happy listening!

This week's edition revolves around tributes to composers, singers, songwriters, cities and... earworms! And a fascinating project by Brooklyn-based Dutch singer Vivienne Aerts celebrating jazz women and female pioneers of the cacao trade. 

The playlist also features Yazz Ahmed [pictured]; Kansas Smitty's; Snarky Puppy; Luigi Viva, Luigi Masciari; Brad Mehldau; Chilly Gonzales; Fabrizio Bosso; Fabrizio Bosso; and Vulfpeck.

The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (from "It for Chick" onwards).

Happy listening!

Bands of great improvisational genius, two takes on early-Bill Frisell compositions, an album revisiting the legacy of First House, two productions by the David Breskin-Ron Saint Germain dream team, and much more in this edition of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist features Billy Mohler [pictured]; Dan Weiss; Patricia Brennan; Ken Stubbs; Unscientific Italians; Bill Frisell; Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle, Vincent Courtois; Micah Thomas; Jeon Lim Yang; Makaya McCraven.

The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (up to "So Ubuji").

Happy listening!

As we are quickly approaching the end of the year, here is another edition focusing on new and upcoming albums featuring some the records will inevitably end on many best of the year lists.

The playlist features Stephanie Lottermoser; Franco Ambrosetti; Monica Nica Agosti; Mali Obomsawin; Tim Berne, Matt Mitchell; Géraud Portal; Jean-Paul Estiévenart, Marcel Ponseele & Il Gardellino; Hilario Durán, David Virelles; Ben LaMar Gay, Tommaso Moretti.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16716001/Mondo-Jazz (from "Choices" onward).

Happy listening!

The spirit of the masters, the roots of each music tradition, are like ghosts that accompany a musician’s creative process, with more or less awareness based on the musician’s disposition, a premise directly explored by Michael Wollny in his latest album, and indirectly explored by every other musician featured on this show, which spotlights Annette Peacock, both a musician ahead of her times and a muse to many.

The playlist features Camilla George; Michael Wollny; Christina Galisatus; Robin Holcomb; Annette Peacock; Paul Bley; Gary Peacock, Franz Koglmann; Nels Cline; Frank Kimbrough; Marilyn Crispell, Paul Motian.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16716001/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Blood").

Happy listening!

Tributes to Abdul Wadud, Paul Motian, Albert Mangelsdorff and Johnny Hodges, the power of post-production, the music meditations of Surya Botofasina and more, in this wide-ranging edition of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist features Tom Skinner; Chelsea Carmichael, Shabaka Hutchings; Petter Eldh, Savannah Harris; Esbjörn Svensson; Jakob Bro, Joe Lovano; Brûlez Les Meubles; Owen Broder; Agnas, Ståhl, Flaten, Texas; More Better; Surya Botofasina.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16663757/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Journey" onward).

Happy listening!

Tons of new releases ahoy... We feature some that bring unbridled energy, with a focus on South Korean and North European artists, and a tribute to the French master of humor, erotism, subversion and wordplay, Serge Gainsbourg.

The playlist features Donny McCaslin; Avram Fefer; Matthew Halsall; Sun-Mi Hong; Marilyn Mazur; Song Yi Jeon, Vinícius Gomes; Mikkel Ploug; Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Camille Bertault.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16663757/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Les Goemons").

Happy listening!

Plato, Mingus and Seinfeld? What could they possibly have in common? Not much; or a lot…; depending on the plasticity of your mind. You'll get the answer if you listen to this edition of Mondo Jazz, digging forward and back with a precious new compilation showcasing the Detroit Artists Workshop.

The playlist features Timothy Norton; Dezron Douglas; Abel Mireles; Nadje Noordhuis; Lyman Woodard; Kirk Lightsey; Charles Lloyd; Dierk Peters.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16634147/Mondo-Jazz (from "More Coffee Please" onwards).

Happy listening!

This week a catchy and eclectic playlist, which straddles across many stylistic lines and influences, opens in the spirit of Zappa and ends with Zappa himself and yet another gem recently uneearthed from his bottomless vault. 

The playlist features Fred Pallem; Flat Earth Society Orchestra; Gaia Mattiuzzi; Wojtek Mazolewski; Yosef Gutman; Jussi Reijonen; Arild Andersen; Ari Joshua, Billy Martin, Jason Fraticelli; Frank Zappa.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16634147/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Black Napkins").

Happy listening!

In this set we focus on Hammond jazz, brass-heavy projects, North-European bands and a series of albums that have John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Wayne Shorter and Terri Lyne Carrington as common threads.

The playlist also features Jupiter; Michael Blake; Trio Grande; Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra; Marco Pacassoni, Antonio Sanchez; Dave Stryker; Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Chris McBride; Leo Genovese, Esperanza Spalding.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16606019/Mondo-Jazz (from "Stratos" onward).

Happy listening!

We are back after a brief hiatus, during which new and upcoming albums have been piling up on our desk, so let's get right to it... We start here with a batch of genre-defying projects focusing in particular on adventurous vocalists that blend acoustic and electronic music, or that bring different music cultures together. We end with two invigorating projects that bring together improvisation and hard hitting experimentation.

The playlist features Shotnez; Francesco Diodati, Leïla Martial, Stefano Tamborrino; Sirintip; Andrea Motis; Louis Cole; José James; Gyedu-Blay Ambolley; Alhaji Waziri Oshomah; Titan to Tachyons; Mats Gustafsson's Nu Ensemble.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16606019/Mondo-Jazz (up to Mats Gustafsson).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Ashira Boonchoo

Inspired by Leo Sidran's latest single, "There Was a Fire", this week we look into various threads of memory--making (or memory--keeping) that can be found in projects that bring together various cultulal traditions (West-African or Cuban, Mitteleuropean or Japanese), bring new light to old repertoires, pay tribute to earlier composers or music-genres.

The playlist features Eve Risser; chuffDRONE; Jamaaladeen Tacuma [pictured]; King Klavé; Shoko Igarashi; Antonio Sanchez, Dave Matthews, Pat Metheny; Leo Sidran; Dave Douglas; David Chevallier, Laurent Blondiau, Sébastien Boisseau, and Christophe Lavergne.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16474585/Mondo-Jazz (from "Gamse" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Žiga Koritnik

Unbridled fun, the long tail of Hal Willner's work, an all-star band that celebrates 40 years of the Jazz sous les pommiers Festival, and jazz inspired by Maurice Ravel, soul, funk, gospel blues and folk are at the heart of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz.

The playlist features The New Mastersounds; The Harlem Gospel Travelers; Doug Wamble; Beth Orton [pictured]; Robin Holcomb; Bill Frisell; Franck Tortiller, Yves Rousseau, Bojan Z, Louis Winsberg, Andy Sheppard, Thomas De Pourquery, Airelle Besson, Anne Paceo, Théo Ceccaldi, Fidel Fourneyron; Dieter Ilg; and Russ Lossing.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16474585/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Grey").

Happy listening!

This is the second part of an edition of Mondo Jazz which explores the repertoire built over the years by countless women composers, which are in part included in "New Standards", the collection of 101 compositions by women composers curated by Terri Lyne Carrington for Berklee Press, and in part we hope they will be included in a near future. For our selection we focus on instrumental tunes by musicians that are alive, and possibly still young.

The playlist features Susie Ibarra; Nubya Garcia; Co Streiff; Airelle Besson; Anke Helfrich; Patricia Zarate Perez; Courtney Bryan [pictured]; Anna Högberg; Kris Davis; and Tomeka Reid.

The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16445708/Mondo-Jazz (from "Azul" onwards).

Happy listening!

In the wake of the recent publication of "New Standards", the collection of 101 compositions by women composers curated by Terri Lyne Carrington for Berklee Press, this week we feature some of the compositions featured in the new book, and a few more that we hope may appear in a future expanded edition.

The playlist features Jaimie Branch [pictured]; Jenny Scheinman; Dinosaur; Bria Skonberg; Rita Marcotulli; Miho Hazama; Simone Baron & Arco Belo; Caroline Davis; Arcoiris Sandoval; Marilyn Crispell; Sylvie Courvoisier, and Mark Feldman.

The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16445708/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Éclats for Ornette").

Happy listening!

A playlist that focuses on fascinating new releases and a preview of great upcoming concerts in New York.

The playlist features Jeff Denson, Brian Blade, Romain Pilon; Patricia Brennan; Hermon Mehari; Eric Vloeimans, Will Holshouser; the Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Sky Creature; Enrico Rava, Fred Hersch; Omar Sosa; Cheick Tidiane Seck [pictured].

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16420871/Mondo-Jazz (from "Daily Jubilee of Dancing Herbie D." onward).

Happy listening!

Music by, or inspired by, Brazil, Charles Mingus, Mal Waldron, Humanity... and the Convulsionaries... To know more... click on the embedded player and happy listening!

The playlist features also Anat Cohen [pictured]; Roberto Ottaviano, Alexander Hawkins; Cristina Mazza, Sean Bergin Daniele D'Agaro Bruno Marini Jean-Jacques Avenel Sangoma Everett; Angelica Sanchez; Matt Ulery, Zach Brock; Jasper Høiby; Trevor Dunn; Julian Lage; Jeff Parker, Eric Revis, and Nasheet Waits.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16420871/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Wait").

September offers an opportunity to refocus on our inner energies and start a new cycle with renewed awareness and intentions – basically back to school and beyond… This segment of the show features more songs inspired by this month, with a special focus on five masterpieces that were recorded during a magical couple of weeks in September 1962.

The playlist features Johnnie Taylor; Dakota Staton; Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays; Mats Eilertsen; Coleman Hawkins; Quincy Jones; Duke Ellington; Chico Hamilton; John Coltrane; Gerald Wilson.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16393563/Mondo-Jazz (from "It's September" onward).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Chuck Stewart

September is a rather auspicious month musically, as you will hear through a playlist of songs inspired by September... or by things associated with the month of September... or featuring musicians born in September.

The playlist features James Brown; Freda Payne; Itai Kriss; Earth, Wind & Fire; Chris Pattishall; Don Grolnick; Les McCann, Eddie Harris; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten; Fiona Apple; and Dave Douglas.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16393563/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Sapphire Sky Blue").

Happy listening!

It’s hard to believe but August is already over, and just like the months keep getting by at the speed of light so do new CDs and LPs… And this is why we are here with another edition of Mondo Jazz for which we have cherry-picked some of the best new albums and singles out there.

The playlist features Stéphane Kerecki; Tom Harrell; Clemens Kuratle; Ernesto Jodos; John Escreet; Kristin Berardi [pictured]; Run Logan Run, Annie Gardiner; Mysteries of the Revolution; Yussef Dayes Experience.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16366777/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Booster" onward).

Happy listening!

Tributes to Miles and Mingus, Camille Bertault, Theo Croker, and the German label ACT Music are some of the threads of this playlist, which also features one of the most surprising albums of the year... but you have to listen to find out what that is...

The playlist also features Chris Dave; Mitglieder der Berliner Philharmoniker, Magnus Lindgren; Ethan Philion; David Helbock; Oan Kim; Erik Friedlander; Tigran Hamasyan; Trio Xolo.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16366777/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Obsidian Eucalyptus").

Happy listening!

One of the traits that we love most in jazz is its ability to promote encounters and mixtures… and mixtures is what this set is all about.

The playlist features Leyla McCalla [pictured]; Lyle Lovett; Antares Flare; Elvin Bironien; Marco Bardoscia, Paolo Fresu, Dino Rubino, Daniele di Bonaventura; Samuel Mösching, Isaiah Collier; Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Darek Oles; Alan Broadbent; Roberta Piket, Harvie S, Billy Mintz.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16340214/Mondo-Jazz (from "Nan Fon Bwa" onward).

Happy listening!

Here we go again, finding a path of beauty through countless new and upcoming albums, and sharing the most memorable moments of this journey with you. As usual, we like the path less travelled, and so we hope that you’ll enjoy the surprises that we find along the way...

The playlist features Flash Pig; Jeremy Rose [pictured], The Earshift Orchestra; CKRAFT; Caleb Wheeler Curtis; Steven Bernstein; Kalí Rodríguez-Peña; Laufey; Radka Toneff, Steve Dobrogosz; and Flavio Perrella.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16340214/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Soli abbagli").

Happy listening!

Another set dedicated to new and upcoming releases, with a special focus on recent Hammond Organ Trios and Quartets; jazz from, or inspired by, Africa and the Antilles; a tribute to 40 years of the French festival Jazz à Vienne; plus the savory “free-range sonic stew" served by Jessica Pavone [pictured], Lukas Koenig, Matt Mottel.

The playlist also features Jack McDuff; Matthieu Marthouret; Wil Blades, Charlie Hunter, George Sluppick; Nduduzo Makhathini; Aldo Romano, Louis Sclavis, Henry Texier; Maher Beauroy, Sélène Saint-Aimé; McCoy Tyner; Abraham Réunion.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16314803/Mondo-Jazz (from "Walkin’ the Dog" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Yuan Liu.

Going through hundreds of new jazz albums is a trying job. But somebody’s got do it. And we do it so you don’t have to. So please sit back, relax and enjoy some the most delicious bites of the gargantuan meal that artists and labels have been cooking out...

The playlist features Laura Jurd; Quentin Ghomari; Jon Irabagon [pictured]; Miguel Zenón; Gustavo Cortiñas; Spanish Harlem Orchestra; Seamus Blake; Emanuele Filippi

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16314803/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Points of a Star").

And a musical bon appétit!

The life affirming power of the human voice, from the modern spirituality of Jimetta Rose & Voices of Creation to the irreverence crazy eclecticism of André Minvielle [pictured], or the haunting elegance of Piers Faccini with Simone Prattico, opens a wide ranging set which is then closed with another tribute to Frank Kimbrough.

The playlist also features Babx, Thomas De Pourqueray; Papanosh; Basher; Or Bareket; The Supreme Court; Curtis Fowlkes; Billy Drummond; Micah Thomas.

The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16303620/Mondo-Jazz (from "Spirits Up Above" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Caroline Pottier

We are back with another set-list chockful of exciting new and upcoming albums, from the cinematic atmospheres of the James Taylor Quartet and the mysterious Louis Fontane, to the explorations of Sam Gendel or Hailey Naiswanger's and Mia Garcia's OHMA; from the physchedelic journeys of Wax Machine and Kalaha, to the sounds of London's Total Refreshment Center courtesy of the Neue Grafik Ensemble and Chelsea Carmichael.

The playlist also features Michael Benedikt; Hilal Kaya, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra; Marquis Hill; Makaya McCraven; Takuya Kuroda; Jeremy Cunningham, Dustin Laurenzi, Paul Bryan.

The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16303620/Mondo-Jazz (up to "New Dust").

Happy listening!

A few of the many accents through which today’s Lingua Franca, jazz, is spoken around the world.

The playlist features Snarky Puppy; SNACKTIME; Black Jesus Experience; James Brandon Lewis feat. The Messthetics; Julia Hülsmann; Frank Kimbrough; Kansas Smitty’s; Jonathan Pinson.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16263414/Mondo-Jazz (from "Bet" onwards).

Happy listening!

This week we feature some great examples of how tradition continues to fuel modern jazz projects, and the many ways in which jazz incorporates elements from other musical traditions (from Korea to Spain) and genres (from the blues to rave music).

The playlist features Bobby Previte, Charlie Hunter; Bobby Previte; J.D. Allen; Angles; Koma Saxo, Sofia Jernberg; Roxana Amed; The Comet Is Coming; Baum Sae; Potsa Lotsa Xl, Youjin Sung; James Taylor; Charles Lloyd.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16263414/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Dorotea's Studio").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Michael DiDonna.

You know how scientists say that, statistically, every person has roughly six look-alikes around the world? Well the same seems to be true in the music world, where one can find quite a few songs that appear to be sound-alikes of other compositions we’re familiar with… This does not have to be necessarily the result of plagiarism but can often be the outcome of the fact that certain melodies can enter a musician’s brain and come back out later in their own compositions, almost involuntarily, completely metabolized.

The playlist features Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Henderson, Robben Ford; Enrico Rava; Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden; Dean Martin; Steely Dan; Keith Jarrett; Bruce Hornsby; Bob James; CeeLo Green; Peggy Lee; Tony Coe.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16238325/Mondo-Jazz (from "Dat Dere" onwards).

Happy listening!

Music geekery is at the heart of this week's edition. Over the years, time and time again I have come across songs that left me thinking… "Wait… there’s a melody in this chorus or this solo that really reminds me of another song… but I can’t quite put my finger on it…" And every time I’d play that song the same question would pop in my head at that same chorus or solo! I’m sure you’re all familiar with that feeling. Here's a playlist featuring pairs of songs, usually a jazz and pop or rock song, which, to my delight, I was able to connect because of what seem to be short and random similarities… at least to my ears!

The playlist features Jovanotti; Sarah Tandy; The Rolling Stones; Kevin Eubanks, Orrin Evans; Duke Ellington; Paolo Conte; Charles Mingus; Sting; Dionne Warwick; Lee Ritenour.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16238325/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Isn't She Lovely").

Happy listening!

A mystery project bearing the DNA of the late Hal Willner and Sun Ra, a project inspired by the poetry of that same Herman Poole Blount, tributes to Carla Bley and Lars Gullin, saxophonists on the rise, and a teenage sensation.

The playlist features Meditations on Crime, King Khan, Sun Ra Arkestra; Miles Okazaki; Kurt Elling; Owl Trio; Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash; Jeanne Michard; Chet Doxas; Randal Despommier, Ben Monder; Maggie Jean Martin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16213009/Mondo-Jazz (from "We the People of the Myths" onward).

Happy listening!

It’s been another hot sweaty week… and so we decided to open today’s edition with some hot sweaty genre-defying music courtesy of Moon Hooch, Too Many Zooz and Meute, then we keep the simmer pretty steady, deep and beautiful. 

The playlist features Moon Zooz; Too Many Zooz; MEUTE; Gunther Sommer, Lucaciu 3; Claire Michael; Sam Reider; Vadim Neselovskyi; Gard Nilssen; Elsa Nilsson; Sachal Vasandani, Romain Collin.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16213009/Mondo-Jazz (up to "No More Tears").

Happy listening!

From Africa to Brooklyn, and a few stops in between, a playlist replete with a diverse range of new and upcoming albums.

The playlist features Kamil Piotrowicz; Sasha Berliner; Omri Ziegele; Camilla George; Tumi Mogorosi feat. Andile Yenana; Stan Killian; Theon Cross, Emre Ramazanoglu; Fussyduck; Subconscious Trio; Carmen Staaf, Allison Miller; Bennie Maupin, Adam Rudolph; Kirk Knuffke; John Yao.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16185792/Mondo-Jazz (from "TFE" onward).

Happy listening!

Last week we took a look back at some of our favorite songs that were released in the first six months of the year. This week we’re back to our uncontrollably growing pile of beautiful new and upcoming albums.

The playlist features Fred Pallem; OJKOS; Makaya McCraven; JoVia Armstrong; Moor Mother, Orion Sun, Jason Moran; Pablo Ablanedo; Shabaka; Francesco Bigoni, Mark Solborg, Emanuele Maniscalco; Philippe Côté, Marc Copland.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16185792/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Circadia").

Happy listening!

Here are some of the tunes that we have loved the most during these first six months of the year. Surely there are tens more of equal value, but this is not a scientific exercise… Rather–since jazz is all about living in the moment–we made our selections based on the strong, and lasting, impression that those tunes elicited when we first listened to them.

The playlist features David Krakauer; Kahil El'Zabar; Steven Bernstein; Benjamin Koppel; David Virelles, Julio Barreto; Laufey, Dodie; Pipe Dream; Byard Lancaster; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; Joona Toivanen.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16162274/Mondo-Jazz (from "North Country Square Dance" onward).

Happy listening!

Since 2022 has been barreling down at breakneck speed… it’s July already, which is actually the perfect moment to take stock of what the first half of the year had to offer to jazz fans. Please enjoy some of the tunes that have brought us most delight during the first six months of the year!

The playlist features Pernille Bévort; Michael Leonhart; Daniel Villarreal; Benny Bock; Louis Matute; Jun Miyake; Anthony Fung; Bill O'Connell; Johannes Wallmann; and I AM (feat. Isaiah Collier & Michael Shekwoaga Ode).Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16162274/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Vessel Speaks").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Carolina Sanchez

It’s just early July and there’s no denying that we’re already feeling the effects of climate change, with unusually high temperatures and extreme events like floods or severe thuderstorms. When it comes to music, however the downpour of new releases is a very welcome development… especially when they sound so delicious!

The playlist features Mamud Band; Amanda Whiting; Marco Mezquida; David Virelles, Julio Barreto; Lisbeth Quartett; Trish Clowes; Will Bernard; Ches Smith.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16104145/Mondo-Jazz (from "Equalization" onwards).

Happy listening!

Oscillating between the funky good times of yesterday (Oneness of Juju; Milt Ward) and today's grooves (Snacktime, Kneebody, Ray Anderson's Pocket Brass Band) this week's playlist confirms that good music is timeless, and quirky to boot (Amanda Ekery, Esthesis Quartet).

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16104145/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Yo Cats").

Happy listening!

This week we focus on new and upcoming albums featuring emerging guitarists like Reinier Baas and Gilad Hekselman, electro-acoustic projects and more... 

The playlist also features Johannes Wallmann; Bill O'Connell; Roxy Coss; Deadeye; Eric Harland; Antoine Berjeaut; Freakson; Mark Turner, Jason Palmer, Joe Martin, Jonathan Pinson.

The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16060706/Mondo-Jazz (from "Precarious Towers" onward).

Happy listening!

An Hammond B-3onanza! Ronnie Foster is back, with a reissue of "Two-Headed Freap" and the first new album in almost four decades, "Reboot", and so is the Gentle Giant of Danish jazz drummer-turned-Hammond player Kresten Osgood. A compare and contrast between Gerald Clayton and Melissa Stylianou, Gene Bartoncini and Ike Sturm, as well the new gems by Ghost Horse and Liquid Saloon complete a playlist that is all killer, no filler!

The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16060706/Mondo-Jazz (up to "London Pride").

Happy listening!

Bookended between the many sides of Larry Goldings [pictured] and Ingrid Laubrock the playlist features two new releases by drummer Zeno De Rossi, the sophomore release of Zoh Amba and the compelling new albums by Espen Berg and Jacob Garchik.

The playlist features also John Scofield; Peter Bernstein; Bill Stewart; Pipe Dream; Andy Milne; Brandon López; and Tom Rainey.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16035786/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Shiner" onwards).

Happy Listening!

Amazing debut albums by Daniel Villarreal and Anna Butterss [pictured], reissues or unearthed gems from masters of the past like Sun Ra or Byard Lancaster, homages to Pharaoh Sanders, the fascinating sonic explorations of JOYFULTALK and Flock are just some of our favorite things... and that's why we feature them in this week's show. We hope you like them too!

The playlist also features Rosa Brunello; Salah Ragab; Mark de Clive Lowe; and Boris Kozlov.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16035786/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Second Line Sally").

Happy listening!

Piano trios that show that, in the right hand, this formula has still a lot to say, musicians that walk down the trail blazed by Carla Bley and Paul Bley, chamber jazz and much more in this set.

The playlist features Olga Reznichenko; Joona Toivanen; Louis Sclavis; Billy Drummond; Florian Arbenz, Tineke Postma, Joao Barradas; Lucian Ban; Álvaro Torres; Adam Larson; Chase Elodia.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15983642/Mondo-Jazz (From "Restless Stone Stops Motion" onward).

Happy listening!

David Binney's everywhere! Or so it seems judging by the amount of recent and upcoming release he's on. We sample three this week, together with the new concept album by Samora Pinderhughes and a few examples of how music and social commentary can bring about awesome albums, in a playlist that is at the East-Coast West-Coast junction.

And, by the way, this week we celebrate episode 200! Thanks for your listening and support.

The playlist features also Anthony Fung; Dan Schnelle; Randal Fisher; AHL6; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; The Gathering; Bouvier.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15983642/Mondo-Jazz (Up to "Holla!").

Happy listening!

Here's a set dedicated to the proposition that when you leave it to jazz musicians, cultural differences bring people together, not apart, as you'll be able to appreciate with projects that mix the cultural traditions, or the music-making understandings, to generate a certain "folklore without borders". 

The playlist features Louis Matute; Tony Mora; Diego Rivera; Manel Fortia [pictured]; Hans Lüdemann TransEuropeExpress Ensemble, Majid Bekkas; Marco Cappelli; Charming Hostess; Jon Balke Siwan; and José Lencastre.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15949821/Mondo-Jazz (from "Renaissance" onwards).

Happy listening!

This week we'll be test driving some of the most happening jazz rides we’ve found in our favorite dealerships, from the return of Flora Purim [pictured], to Steven Bernstein's heartfelt tribute to the late Henry Butler, and a special focus on pianists, like Yelena Eckemoff, Enrico Pieranunzi, Lynne Arriale and John Taylor.

The playlist features also Chance Hayden; Josiel Konrad; Whatitdo Archive Group.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15949821/Mondo-Jazz (up to "500 Miles High").

Happy listening!

The spotlight on emerging trombonist Kalia Vandever [pictured], Binker Golding midwestern fantasies, a version of "Bitches Brew" (the song) from before "Bitches Brew" (the album), and much more in this set.

The playlist also features Ghost Funk Orchestra, Ben Pirani; Dr. John; Binker Golding; Alex Sipiagin; Joel Ross; Makiko Hirabayashi; Myra Melford; Miles Davis

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15927214/Mondo-Jazz (from "Can't Get Out Your Own Way" onwards)

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Chris Longyne

In this episode Guadelupe meets Nigeria; Japan & Italy meet Brazil; Germany meets South Korea; and many more transnational encounters from the Global Jazz Village.

The playlist features Magic Malik; Michael Blake; Kansas Smitty's; David Murray, Brad Jones, Hamid Drake; Jun Miyake; Potsa Lotsa Xl, Youjin Sung; Yu Nishiyama; Tommaso Moretti, Ben Lamar Gay; Chiara Izzi, Andrea Rea.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15927214/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Samba in Preludio")

Happy listening!

In this segment we feature several projects of the restless Swedish bassist Petter Eldh, solo projects by guitar masters and a young piano virtuoso, interesting meeting points for forward looking jazz and strings, & more.

The playlist features Koma Saxo, Sofja Jernberg; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; Punkt.Vrt.Plastik; John Scofield; Biréli Lagrène; Elias Stemseder; Dave Meder, Miguel Zenon; Caroline Davis; Mary Halvorson, Mivos Quartet; Henry Cole; Red Kite.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15900727/Mondo-Jazz (from "Lo Ve Ko Ma" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Andrea Rotili

Modern piano rooted in the tradition, timeless playful tongue-in cheek elegance, and two tributes to the great Herbie Nichols in this set.

The playlist features Mathis Picard, Savannah Harris; Deanna Witkowski; Isaiah J. Thompson; Cécile McLorin Salvant; Aki Takase, Daniel Erdmann; Dandy Dandie; Anna Webber; Ben Allison; Duck Baker, Roswell Rudd.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15900727/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Happenings").

Happy listening!

The Mingus centennial, of course. But first and foremost a celebration of living musicians while they're alive-and-kicking and engaged in their latest projects.

The playlist also features Rémi Panossian; Billy Bang; Brian Jackson; Harvest Group; Rosa Brunello; Erik Friedlander; Billy Mohler; and Harry Skoler.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15869423/Mondo-Jazz (from "BBQ" onward).

Happy listening!

Music from garages, cyberspace and outer space, tributes and collaborations, and all around good energy in this set...

The playlist features Wolcott Curran Collective; Kahil El'Zabar; Kyoto Jazz Sextet, Takeo Moriyama; Kevin Eubanks, Orrin Evans; Peter Somuah; C'mon Tigre, Colin Stetson; Francesca Remigi; Agnas Bros; Fabian Willmann.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15869423/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Last Song").

Happy listening!

Photo Credit: Sandro Miller

In the second part of this week's exploration of jazz inspired by classical music, we focus on projects in tribute to the works of three composers that have influenced scores of jazz musicians, Maurice Ravel, Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy.

The playlist features Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle, Vincent Courtois, Jeff Ballard; René Marie; Nikolaj Hess; Camille Bertault; Jason Moran; Oscar Peterson; Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jean-Paul Brodbeck; Kamasi Washington.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/15810763 (from "Ostinato (Prelude)" onwards).

Happy listening!

Spurred by a number of recent albums, this week's edition of Mondo Jazz focuses on projects that blur the arbitrary distinction between jazz music and classical music. This segment's playlist features inspired and open interpretations of works by Igor Stravinsky, Erik Satie, Henry Purcell as well as recent jazz compositions that are rooted in the classical canon.

The playlist features Stefan Pasborg; Jim McNeely, Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Chris Potter; Dairo Miyamoto; Anais Drago; Guy Klucevsek, Phillip Johnston; Pierrejean Gaucher; Dave Douglas; Vincent Peirani; Anders Koppel, Benjamin Koppel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade, Odense Symphony Orchestra; Frank Zappa.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/15810763 (up to "King Kong / Igor's Boogie").

Photo credit: Stephen Freiheit.

Happy listening!

Welcome to the second half of our weekly perusal of new and upcoming albums. In this segment, a special focus on pianists and emerging European artists.

The playlist features Emma Rawicz; Mário Laginha; Iiro Rantala; Jean-Marc Foltz, Stephan Oliva; Gerald Clayton, Charles Lloyd; Stefanie Kunckler; Clément Janinet; Vincent Courtois, Bill Carrothers.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15700835/Mondo-Jazz (from "Voodoo" onward).

Happy listening!

Welcome back to our weekly tasting menu of the best new jazz delicacies the international scene has to offer. This week a special focus on two releases that draw attention to historic developments with stellar rosters of contributing artists, "Music for Ukraine" and "Black Lives - from Generation to Generation", and on the brand new album by the Michael Leonhart Orchestra.

The playlist features Michael Leonhart; Yul, Stephanie McKay; Immanuel Wilkins, Marvin Sewell; Designers; Alexander Hawkins; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; Ryan Keberle, Frank Woeste, Vincent Courtois; Luca Weege; Timo Lassy.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15700835/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Better Together").

Happy listening!

Somi's tribute to Miriam Makeba and a previously unreleased wild live recording by Hermeto Pascoal [pictured] bookend an episode replete with beautiful new albums, with a special focus on Latin America, Caribbean and European artists.

The playlist also features Omar Sosa, Seckou Keita; Yilian Cañizares, Michael League; Leo Genovese; Tome Iliev; Julieta Eugenio; Melissa Aldana; Olivia Trummer; Lou Tavano.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15644513/Mondo-Jazz (from "House of the Rising Sun" onward).

Happy listening!

The beautiful debut album of an emerging artist like Zoh Amba [pictured], previously unreleased tracks from the legendary Village Vanguard concerts by Geri Allen, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, the edgy new project by Vincent Peirani and the guitar saxophone interactions of Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens, Dave Gisler & David Murray, and Tony Malaby & Ben Monder are just some of our favorite things of this month. 

We hope you enjoy them too.

The playlist features also Kinan Azmeh; David Krakauer; Hugo Carvalhais; Lara Rosseel; Chris Dingman.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15644513/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Light Your Way").

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Peter Gannushkin

Celebrated for his distinctive voice on trumpet and cornet, elegant and timeless, Ron Miles was equally at ease with classical music, jazz tradition as well as with more out there experimentations. Here we feature a wide range of projects he lead, co-lead or guested on.

The playlist features also DJ Logic; Ginger Baker; Max Bessesen; Wayne Horvitz; Ben Goldberg; Matt Wilson; Joe Henry; Kate McGarry; Myriam Alter; Harriet Tubman.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (from "Ron's House" onwards).

Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

Ron Miles was a jazz hypnotist who would lure his listeners into his music world, taking them to another dimension and gently dropping them back on earth at the end of his concerts, or albums, leaving them wondering… ‘what did just happen…? And how did I get here’? 

A few days back he passed away at 58, something that for most came as completely unexpected and very hard to make sense of. So this week we do the only thing that may help process this event, take a look back at decades of music that he wrote and played, either as leader or sideman but always as a custodian of beauty.

The playlist also features Jason Moran, Bill Frisell, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Jenny Scheinman, Ben Goldberg, and Myra Melford.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (up to "Promised Land").

Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

Welcome on board, fasten your seat belts as you're about to take off for a rewarding journey around the jazz world which will take you to Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, France, Austria, Switzerland, Norway and the UK, from the mesmerizing sounds of Alune Wade to the post-Bitches-Brew-stew of Ayumi Ishito and a lot more in-between.

The playlist features Alune Wade; Heiri Känzig; Nicolas Folmer; Shake Stew; Sylvain Rifflet; John Hadfield; Jonathan Blake; Ayumi Ishito; Smith Komma John; Mark Lockheart; Aufmessers Schneide.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15514461/Mondo-Jazz (from "Saba's Journey").

Happy listening!

May the fun be with you, and the Funk of the Ezra Collective, the Speaking Tango of Minino Garay, the Strata records vault-digging of Jazzanova and much more!

The playlist features Ezra Collective; Jazzanova; Minino Garay; Janko Nilovic, The Soul Surfers; Fred Pallem; Helge Lien Trio; Hegge; Darren Johnston; Aske Jacoby.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15514461/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Impromptu #1").

Happy listening!

Photo Credit: Julie Caine

This time we’ll let music do all the talking because it’s hard to find words that can channel what’s going on. If anything it’s in times like this that we are reminded about the power of music. If anything it’s in times like these that we are reminded about the power of music. And jazz, in particular, has a long history of being inspired by challenging events and human struggles, distilling beauty out of the harshest circumstances.

The playlist features Bill Evans; Dave Douglas; Charles Lloyd; Shai Maestro; Marianne Faithfull, Chris Spedding; Ivano Fossati; Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; Tino Tracanna, Giovanni Falzone, Paolino Dalla Porta, Vittorio Marinoni; Don Cherry; Duck Baker; Ernst Reijseger; Misha Alperin, Arkady Shilkloper, Anja Lechner.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15450990/Mondo-Jazz (from "Peace Piece" onwards).

Photo credit: Brian McMillen

Today it felt quite inappropriate to be upbeat and excited about all the beautiful new albums that keep coming out. After an aggressive virus has brought the world to a near halt for almost two years, we are now facing another life-threatening turn of events, this time entirely man-made. The playlist features music inspired by the eternal struggle between war and peace, from Charles Mingus’ fear of the atomic Bomb--by way of Alexis Korner--to John Coltrane’s sonic prayer for peace on earth during the tour that took him where that bomb had been dropped, Nagasaki.

The playlist features Sade; Conjure; Alexis Korner; Geri Allen; Emile Parisien; Grant Green; John Coltrane.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15450990/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Peace on Earth").

Great new albums by adventurous saxophonists, and two extended live ECM recordings that take us places.

The playlist features Pernille Bévort; Trish Clowes; Charlotte Greve; Kika Sprangers; Mark Turner; Enrico Rava; Craig Taborn.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15390270/Mondo-Jazz (from "Minor Clues" onwards).

Happy listening!

A playlist featuring Brazilian--and Brazil inspired--Argentinean and Venezuelan artist, as well some compelling long-form explorations led by bassists Ben Allison and Stephan Crump.

The playlist features Jaques Morelenbaum [pictured]; Ryan Keberle; Gabi Hartmann; Cosmo; Lucia Boffo; Miriam Elhajli; Ben Allison; Borderlands Trio.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15390270/Mondo-Jazz (up to "An Invitation to Disappear").

Happy listening!

Another treasure-throve of brand new releases with a special focus, in the second half of the set, on bass players as leaders and composers.

The playlist features Delvon Lamarr; Brandee Younger; Ilmiliekki Quartet; Christiane Karam; Sigurd Hole; Alex "Apolo" Ayala; Sélène Saint-Aimé; Henri Texier; Ilaria Capalbo; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten; Théo Girard.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15349707/Mondo-Jazz (from "Keep on Keepin' on" onward).

Happy listening!

Good vibes, genre-bending projects, charismatic singers and creative use of electronics are the defining features of this set of recent and upcoming albums.

The playlist features Steven Bernstein; Catherine Russell; Youn Sun Nah; Airelle Besson; Wobjie; Thomas de Pourquery; Umberto Petrin; Michael Leonhart; Rachel Eckroth; Anais Drago; Mike Pride.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15349707/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Dick for Brains").

Happy listening!

Duos galore in this set and an inter-generational array of artists, ranging from young up and comers in their early 20s to revered octuagenarians delving into their vaults... or making their debut! And much more...

Nathalie Cressman, Ian Faquini; Laufey, Dodie; Charlie Gabriel; Sonny Boy Williamson, Brian Auger & The Trinity feat. Jimmy Page & Joe Harriot; Edouard Ferlet; Erkin Cavus, Reentko Dirks; Tom Bourgeois, Fil Caporali; Tim Berne, Greg Belisle-Chi; Fishblot; Luca Perciballi; Gabriel Akhmad Marin; Ches Smith.

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Caity Krone

It’s Cold. The Winter Olympics are well under way, we’ve not yet reached mid-February and there are already so many new and upcoming releases in 2022 that we can almost fill the whole show with them… Starting and ending with two Orchestras: Michael Leonhart's mighty ensemble and their upcoming stunner, "The Normyn Suites", and Paul Wacrenier's Healing Orchestra, a band with a mission: bringing Free Jazz to the People!

The playlist features Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Mostly Other People Do the Killing; Marta Sanchez; Emile Parisien; Sylvain Rifflet; Kokoroko; Alabaster Deplume; Carate Urio Orchestra; Federico Calcagno, Stefano Grosso, Filippo Rinaldo; Onze Heures Onze Orchestra; Ståhls Trio; Healing Orchestra.

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Shervin Lame

If you need certainties to anchor your life in these confusing times, get yourself the latest album by David Krakauer and you'll find out that there are a few things that never fail to bring joy. The same goes for the heart-warming, and leg warming, old school soul and funk that is featured on this playlist, and the compelling projects by a number of international bands which guarantee a rewarding listening experience. Wrapping things up, the latest by Kamasi Washington.

The playlist features David Krakauer; Diane Ward & The Kevin Fingier Collective; The Greyboy Allstars; Aldorande; Juan Bayon; Maximilian Hering; Julie Sassoon; Marquis Hill; Kamasi Washington.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15240609/Mondo-Jazz (from David Krakauer onward).

Happy listening!

This week we have built our playlist in celebration of the Year of the Tiger, the Water Tiger to be precise, and the 24th Winter Olympics, selecting compositions that directly or indirectly relate to winter sports, Olympic games and the elements which are essential to all Winter Olympics: Mountains, Snow and Ice…

The playlist features Fred Ho; Michael Leonhart; Cory Wong; Chuck Mangione; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Médéric Collignon; Miho Hazama; Ralph Sutton; Martin Sather; Jane Ira Bloom; Dave Douglas; Quintorigo.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15240609/Mondo-Jazz (up to Quintorigo).

Happy listening and Happy Lunar New Year!

The Beatles meet James Bond? Video game music as a source of new jazz? Baden Powell meets Bill Frisell? The harp as a tool for lockdown survival? Find out for yourself listening to this set of beautiful music!

The playlist also features Pago Libre & Sooon; Matt Ridley; Rudresh Mahanthappa; Alison Shearer; Gui Duvignau; Ayesha Brooks, Wayne Horvitz, Ha-Yang Kim; Jacqueline Kerrod; Gabriels; Joachim Caffonnette; Hermon Mehari, Alessandro Lanzoni; Giovanni Falzone, Glauco Venier.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15181398/Mondo-Jazz (from "Hey Bulldog / Where's James?" onwards).

Happy listening!

Photo credit: Drew Bordeaux

From the irresistible Afro dancefloor life-affirming music of Nubyian Twist to two tributes to Wayne Shorter's contribution to the Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet, and a whole lot of other jazz declinations in this set.

The playlist also features Guillaume Vierset; MonoNeon; Luke Stewart [pictured]; John Hebert; Gwen Cahue; Revival Room; Dinamitri Open Combo; Taru Alexander; Pablo Held.

Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15181398/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Nefertiti").

Happy listening!