Mondo Jazz

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)...

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...

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;...

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 Pasbo...

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...

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 Mi...

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...

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 thing...

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 McGarr...

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 w...

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;...

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...

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...

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 o...

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...

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/p...

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/...

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 Dirk...

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 Fre...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

Modern takes on old and new standards, fascinating singers, compelling pianists and much more in this set. The playlist features Cecil L. Recchia; Samara Joy; David Binney; Charlie Peacock; Gary Brunton; Marc Buronfosse; Kate McGarry + Keith Ganz Ensemble; Masabumi Kikuchi; Lina Nyberg, Daniel Karlsson; Céline Bonacina; Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RF...