The Hot Box

Join Donald Helme on this edition of The Hot Box as he celebrates the life and music of one of jazz’s most influential figures, Miles Davis, marking what would have been the legendary trumpeter’s 100th birthday. From his groundbreaking innovations in bebop, cool jazz, modal jazz and jazz fusion, Miles Davis reshaped the course of modern music and continues to inspire generations of mus...

Whilst enjoying the multitude of styles that compose the repertoire of jazz today, many fans have long decried the disappearance of Bebop in favour of crossover music and other listener-to-listener styles. There is some evidence though that things may be changing, and one piece of that evidence is the emergence of some bands playing music closer to bop or hard bop style. One such is the British qu...

The upcoming visit of Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra to these shores prompts an hour of listening to their diverse music in the Hot Box. Founded in 1988 and under Marsalis’ direction since 1991, it has become an important icon for quality and stability in the world of jazz music. It has played in Ireland before, but since Marsalis announced his upcoming retirement, their con...

All the music in Hot Box 150 is from the flautist/saxophonist Ken Peplowski , who died on 2nd February this year aboard a jazz cruise liner. He was one of the finest musicians of his generation, spanning traditional and modern jazz styles. Track list for The Hot Box #150 – Ken Peplowski Jim Dawgs — from the album Illuminations Vignette — from the album Happy Together The World Is Waiting for...

Welcome to Hot Box 149. We begin with a sparkling new release on Blue Note from the young American pianist Paul Cornish. Hailing from Texas, Cornish was a finalist in the prestigious Herbie Hancock International Piano Competition three years ago, and has already shared the stage with many of the leading figures in jazz today. From there, we move into the distinctive voice of Cécile McLorin Salvant...

Hot Box 148 is going to be both sad and joyful since we now remember the extraordinary drummer Jack DeJohnette who died at the end of October aged 83. He was a native of Chicago and certainly could lay a claim to being the greatest of all jazz drummers. Immensely influential in the overall direction of drumming in jazz and, by any standards, extraordinarily versatile. You only have to rattle off t...

An eclectic selection of music that may reflect the desire of the “music business” to generate some income for musicians over the festive period! Or it may represent a genuine love for all things Christmas – or both! An hour of jazz selected to sit back and enjoy. Track list for The Hot Box #147 – Christmas Box Barbara Dennerlein : Let It Snow The Capital Bones Big Band : Big Bad Drummin’ Du...

The Hot Box 146 is packed with brand new releases, and as ever there is more to play than time to play it. Donald Helme opens the show with music from pianist John Donegan and his new album Interfuse , featuring Richie Buckley . The programme then moves through a wide range of contemporary jazz, including trumpet-led material from Alex Sipiagin , the spacious and lyrical trio work of Fred Hersch ,...

The new edition of the Hot Box consists of all new material from Ireland and the USA. An hour of the very best in jazz. The international talent is represented by tracks from a youthful band the Visions Jazz Ensemble , with music based on US college “fight songs”.  Also music from Joe Lovano with the Martin Wasilewski Trio . Closer to home is the stunning new album from Carole Nelson and her trio...

This episode of The Hot Box has a distinctly retro feel, as we celebrate the lives and talents of two remarkable female jazz singers who recently passed away. We’re remembering the incomparable British singer Dame Cleo Laine , and the lesser-known but deeply respected American vocalist Sheila Jordan . While Sheila was widely admired among jazz musicians and insiders, she remained under the radar f...

Donald Helme takes the lid off the Hot Box once again, and this time he’s digging deep into a special file marked “Jazz in Ireland” . Reaching back across the decades, Donald unearths vintage recordings that showcase both the big names who have defined the Irish jazz landscape and the lesser-known voices who, for one reason or another, seemed to fade into history. Track list for The Hot Box #143 &...

Welcome to the 142nd edition of The Hot Box with Donald Helme. This episode is a real treat, dedicated entirely to the music of the legendary Gil Evans. We’re marking the release of what may be the final volume of unearthed Evans material, lovingly brought to light by arranger and bandleader Ryan Truesdell. Truesdell has spent years digging into the Evans archive, bringing this extraordinary music...

In this slightly different edition of The Hot Box, Donald Helme takes a detour through the timeless melodies of one of jazz’s most enduring composers: George Gershwin. Inspired by the brand new release The Man I Love from British pianist Gabriel Latchin, Track list for The Hot Box #141 – A Gershwin Celebration They All Laughed . Gabriel Latchin Trio from the new album “The Man I Love” Oh Lad...

This edition of The Hot Box features a major re-issue, a remixed and remastered release of Louis Stewart’s quartet album with John Taylor, Sam Jones and Billy Higgins from Livia Records. Originally recorded in 1977, and released in 1980 with some edits and overdubs, this impeccable version restores the original London recording and adds two extra tracks. The results are possibly the best Louis Ste...

This edition has both a tilt towards new material and a tilt towards jazz guitar, with material from the French guitarist Romain Pilon’s new album Open Roads, and from the archive, tracks from Tommy Halferty’s extensive back catalogue. Track list for The Hot Box #139 – New Material Giant Steps : Oz Noy Blackbird : Tommy Halferty with Mike Nielsen Ralph’s New Blues : Tommy Halferty Trio Long...

The Hot Box #138 celebrates the music of another recently departed musician, “Roy Ayres.” Originally known as a jazz vibraphone player, he rapidly expanded his status and became, some would say, one of the major creators of jazz funk. Track list for The Hot Box  #138 – Roy Ayres Compared to What – Roberta Flack The Ringer – Roy Ayers Searching – Roy Ayers Memphis Undergroun...

A selection of some wonderful music from albums released in recent weeks, from concert performances in the 1990s to brand new compositions and recordings both Irish and American. Track list for The Hot Box #137 – New Releases There Will Never Be Another You : Oscar Peterson Quartet from the album “City Lights”recorded in 1994 Strange Taste : Michael Buckley from the album Ebb And Flow record...

He was born in 1926 and lived to be just 98 years old, having played in public well into his 80s. Donaldson was an alto saxophonist who began his career as a disciple of Charlie Parker, with whom he played, but, as part of the group of young players recruited to Blue Note Records in the 1950s he developed a more soulful sound. In the hour-long tribute to his music, we sample that great era of jazz...

The Hot Box 134 is devoted to the memory of the great drummer Roy Haynes. Haynes died, at the age of 99 in November last year, secure in his place as one of the greatest drummers of all time. His career spanned the whole of the era of modern jazz, his first big job being with Charlie Parker in then1940s. Track list for The Hot Box #134 – Roy Haynes Red Rose: Roy Haynes/Henri Renaud: Vogue Re...

Welcome to the first Hot Box of 2025. Regular listeners will know that we had a rush of obituary type shows at the back end of last year but we start 2025 with some new material as well as a quick nod in the obituary section again, I’m sorry to say, to remember the great saxophone player Lou Donaldson. Track list for The Hot Box #135 – Some New Stuff Musicians: Yonathon Avishai: Shapes &...

(The Ghost of Christmas Past) Celebrating Christmas and also celebrating the 90th anniversary of the campaign to ban jazz in Ireland, which seems to have failed. Track list for The Christmas Box 2024 Gin for Christmas: Lionel Hampton Swingin’ Them Jingle Bells: Fats Waller Jingle Bells: Benny Carter When Winter Comes: Artie Shaw Christmas Night in Harlem: Paul Whiteman Santa’s Secret: Johnny Guarn...

The celebrated composer, orchestrator and arranger, and sometime trumpet player, Quincy Jones, died November 3rd aged 91. The Hot Box looks at the jazz contribution he made in the latter part of the 20th century, with tracks from Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole and the man himself. Track list for The Hot Box #133 – Remembering Quincy Jones Rat Race: Count Basie Orche...

The Hot Box #132 , an hour-long exploration of fresh and exciting sounds in jazz. This episode dives into new material from remarkable artists, blending the vibrancy of contemporary jazz with the timeless artistry of legends. Featuring tracks from John Donegan’s Irish Sextet, Shuteen Erdenebaatar, and the Jihye Lee Orchestra, the episode showcases dynamic compositions and inventive storytell...

This special episode pays tribute to the remarkable life and music of the late Benny Golson — a saxophonist, composer, and arranger whose profound influence on jazz endures through both his compositions and recordings. Golson’s legacy is woven into jazz history, known for iconic pieces that have become standards in the jazz repertoire. In today’s episode, we’ll hear selections from Golson’s esteem...

In this episode of The Hot Box, we revisit a theme from episode #128 where we took a deep dive into the piano files, looking for the slightly less obviously famous musicians but still among the very best in the world. The Hot Box #129 Track Listing 1. Blues in Baxters Pad: Gene Harris Quartet (from the album “At Ste. Chapelle Winery”) 2. Japanese Brunch: David Budway (from the album “A New Kiss”)...