Mondo Jazz

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;...

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......

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...

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...

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.c...

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...

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...

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....

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 "Th...

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 listeni...

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 listeni...

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 Joh...

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/Mo...

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...

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.c...

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 playli...

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 [p...

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. Detai...

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/1934355...

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 credi...

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,...