In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

This episode begins with a Joe Henderson tribute after attending a show by flautist Lori Bell of Henderson arrangements. Other tracks of note are Emmet Cohen's latest release, a Miles' classic, and the fusion feature from RTF. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Lori Bell Quartet ~ Black Narcissus ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson Joe Henderson ~ Isotope ~ Inner Urge Larry Young ~ Zoltan ~ Unity Emmet Cohen ~ I. Eternal Glimpse ~ Universal Truth Miles Davis ~ Sid's Ahead ~ Milestones Return to Forever ~ The Romantic Warrior ~ Romantic Warrior

The last two episodes have been dedicated to Miles and Sonny, but there were a few more tracks I wanted to get into, so we review those at the top of the show. That is followed by some new music including a recent release by Emmet C and Joe F. Finally, we review some early Weather Report and late Joe Zawinul.  Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Sonny Rollins ~ Way Out West ~ Way Out West Thelonious Monk ~ Bemsha Swing ~ Brilliant Corners Miles Davis ~ Honky Tonk ~ Get Up With It Joe Farnsworth ~ You Already Know ~ The Big Room Emmet Cohen ~ Gingerbread Boy ~ Universal Truth Emmet Cohen ~ III. Universal Truth ~ Universal Truth Weather Report ~ Orange Lady ~ Weather Report Joe Zawinul ~ Black Market ~ Brown Street

One of the greatest players in the jazz legacy, Sonny Rollins passed away last week on May 25 at 95 years of age. On this episode, we look back on his career which spanned 7 decades. Here are some of my favorite "Newk" recordings from his most creative years. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Sonny Rollins ~ Strode Rode ~ Saxophone Colossus Sonny Rollins ~ Wonderful! Wonderful! ~ Newk's Time Sonny Rollins ~ Alone Together ~ Sonny Rollins and the Contempory Leaders Sonny Rollins ~ God Bless the Child ~ The Bridge Sonny Rollins ~ Alfie's Theme ~ Alfie (Original Music From The Score) Sonny Rollins ~ The Freedom Suite ~ Freedom Suite

For this week's episode, we celebrate Miles Davis on the Centennial of his birth, May 26 1926. Miles is one of the most influential of jazz artist, having set new directions for jazz time and time again. Here we represent music from his first and second great quintets along with his explorations in electronics and rock rhythms that led to the jazz-rock fusion of the 70's and beyond. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Miles Davis ~ Milestones ~ Milestones Miles Davis ~ So What ~ Kind of Blue Miles Davis ~ Joshua ~ Seven Steps To Heaven Miles Davis ~ Footprints ~ Miles Smiles Miles Davis ~ Spanish Key (alternate take) ~ Bitches Brew (Legacy Edition) Gregory Hutchinson ~ Water Babies ~ Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis Peter Sprague ~ Flamenco Sketches ~ Blue Kind of Miles

This episode features brand new music from some of the best jazz artists of today. From Potter to Metheny to Marsalis and more we have new album releases for your listening pleasure. They don't dissapoint. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chris Potter ~ Sister Annie ~ Alive With Ghosts Today Steve Wilson ~ Quiet Girl ~ Enduring Sonance Billy Childs ~ Lazy Afternoon ~ Triumvirate Gregory Hutchinson ~ Bitches Brew ~ Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis Pat Metheny ~ Make a New World ~ Side-Eye III+ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis ~ Let Freedom Swing (Eleanor Roosevelt) ~ Let Freedom Swing Brian Lynch ~ Blue n' boogie ~ Torch Bearers

In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on my recent trip to New York City, focusing on the jazz clubs and concerts I explored. We visited some of the iconic spots that have been standing the test of time, like Smalls, Mezzrow, and Smoke, and also discovered some fresh new places, such as Jazz Cultural and Close Up. Plus, we went to the Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz @ Lincoln Center to see the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory perform and snag an Honorable Mention Award. You can listen to the audio from the stream in this podcast. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Caelan Cardello ~ Gone Fishin’ ~ Chapter One Sarah Hanahan ~ We Bop! ~ Among Giants Jacobs Jazz Orchestra (YLJC) ~ Star Crossed Lovers ~ Essentially Ellington Competition Steve Wilson ~ Helen's Song ~ Enduring Sonance Sean Jones ~ How High the Moon ~ Im·pro·vise Never Before Seen John Di Martino ~ Isfahan ~ Passion Flower Scott Robinson ~ Tenor Eleven ~ Scott Robinson: Tenormore Sullivan Fortner ~ In a Sentimental Mood ~ Moments Preserved Steve Davis ~ Club 880 ~ Images

Lots of new music in this week's episode. But first we begin with some funky 80's fusion from Steps Ahead with great tenor work from Michael Brecker. Perhaps two of the greatest jazz artists currently touring and making new music are on the playlist from Potter and Metheny. Also new music from today's modern creative forces Wilkins, Preminger and Turner. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Steps Ahead ~ Radio-Active ~ Modern Times Chris Potter ~ Into Africa ~ Alive With Ghosts Today Pat Metheny ~ Urban and Western ~ Side-Eye III+ Immanuel Wilkins ~ THE BIG COUNTRY ~ Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 2 Noah Preminger & Max Light ~ Smoke Gets In Your Eyes ~ Stitching Life Mark Turner ~ It Very Well May Be ~ Patternmaster

This is an eclectic set for sure! It features a vocal track, modern jazz, 70's fusion and a jazz suite with chamber orchestra. The latter is selections from the Zodiac Suite composed by Mary Lou Williams and arranged for strings, brass and woodwinds.  Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Nicole Zuraitis ~ won't make it out alive ~ the devil i knew Immanuel Wilkins ~ COMPOSITION II ~ Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 1 Mahavishnu Orchestra ~ Meeting Of The Spirits ~ The Inner Mounting Flame Weather Report ~ Gibraltar ~ Black Market Weather Report ~ Orange Lady ~ Weather Report Helen Sung ~ I Can't Help Falling In Love ~ Everybody's Waltz Umlaut Chamber Orchestra ~ Virgo ~ Zodiac Suite - Mary Lou Williams Umlaut Chamber Orchestra ~ Capricorn ~ Zodiac Suite - Mary Lou Williams Umlaut Chamber Orchestra ~ Aquarius ~ Zodiac Suite - Mary Lou Williams

This episode was inspired by recent live performances to commemorate Miles/Coltrane centennial. These concerts featured some of modern jazz's finest artists including Emmet Cohen, Joe Lovano, Terrance Blanchard and others represented here. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Emmet Cohen ~ Well You Needn't ~ Universal Truth Joe Lovano ~ Lady Day ~ Paramount Quartet  Joe Lovano ~ Solid Steps ~ Solid Steps Melissa Aldana ~ La Sentencia ~ Filin Terence Blanchard ~ Footprints ~ Bounce Ravi Coltrane ~ Marilyn & Tammy ~ Spirit Fiction Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane & Matt Garrison ~ Alabama ~ In Movement Matt Dwonszyk ~ Mode For Rene ~ Live at the Side Door

This podcast episode features Chick Corea as a sideman on other artists recordings. All except the final track are Corea compositions. His contributions to these albums are significant. These tunes span a timeframe from the 1960's through the 1990's. Chick's influence on the jazz lexicon cannot be overstated.  Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Stan Getz ~ Five Hundred Miles High ~ Captain Marvel Joe Farrell ~ Circle in the Square ~ Joe Farrell Quartet Bobby Hutcherson ~ Matrix ~ Total Eclipse Blue Mitchell ~ Chick's Tune ~ The Thing to Do Joe Henderson ~ Crimson Lake ~ Relaxin' At Camarillo Gary Burton ~ Straight Up and Down ~ Like Minds Chaka Khan ~ I Love You Porgy ~ Echoes of an Era

Highlights from this week's In The Groove include early fusion from Weather Report, lush vocals from San Diego's Steph Johnson and a set of Indian fusion from Shakti and Anoush Shankar to conclude the show... and more Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Weather Report ~ Between the Thighs ~ Tale Spinnin' Wayne Shorter ~ Second Genesis ~ Second Genesis Noah Preminger & Max Light ~ Blooming Coldblood ~ Stitching Life Steph Johnson ~ Here's to Life ~ So in Love Steph Johnson ~ Case of You ~ So in Love Shai Maestro ~ The Time Bender ~ The Guesthouse Shakti ~ Get Down and Sruti ~ Natural Elements Anoushka Shankar & Norah Jones ~ Traces Of You ~ Traces Of You Anoushka Shankar ~ River Pulse ~ Traces Of You

Celebrating Baseballs Opening Day 2026 with this week's episode. Really the only track that relates to baseball is the first one by B3 organist Joey D. The balance of the show is music I have been listening to this week. We wrap up the show with the archival release of a 1964 Duke Ellington concert. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joey DeFrancesco ~ Take Me out to the Ballgame ~ Joey D! Weather Report ~ A Remark You Made ~ Heavy Weather ARTEMIS ~ Sights Unseen ~ ARBORESQUE Noah Preminger & Max Light ~ Everything Means Nothing To Me ~  Single Shai Maestro ~ GG's Metamorphosis ~ The Guesthouse Matt Dwonszyk ~ Mode For Rene ~ Matt Dwonszyk Live at the Side Door Duke Ellington ~ Isfahan ~ Copenhagen 1964 Duke Ellington ~ Medley: Black and Tan Fantasy, The Mooche & Creole Love Call ~ Copenhagen 1964

Classic jazz albums bookend new artists from both coasts. Plus there are some interesting covers of Metheny tunes from guitarist Peter Sprague and vocalist Leonard Patton. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Lee Morgan ~ Mr. Kenyatta ~ Search for the New Land Matt Dwonszyk ~ Stage Dive ~ Matt Dwonszyk Live at the Side Door Ian Harland ~ Four-Flat Blues ~ Behind Bars Shai Maestro ~ Moon of Knives ~ The Guesthouse Shai Maestro ~ Gloria ~ The Guesthouse Peter Sprague ~ Life Loves Lone Jack ~ Peter Sprague Plays Pat Metheny, Vol. 1 Peter Sprague ~ Going with Me ~ Peter Sprague Plays Pat Metheny, Vol. 2 Alice Coltrane ~ Journey in Satchidananda ~ Journey in Satchidananda

More new music in this week's show. The first half are established artists with national/international touring bands. The second have are young jazz cats, some with a local following that are making a name for themselves with creative new sounds and music. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joshua Redman ~ Icarus ~ Words Fall Short Chris Potter ~ Osawatomie Brown ~ Alive With Ghosts Today Noah Preminger ~ Hummus ~ Dark Days  Pat Metheny ~ Make a New World ~ Side-Eye III+ Dolphin Hyperspace ~ The Life of a Bee ~ ECHOLOCATION Shai Maestro ~ Nature Boy ~ The Guesthouse Justin Joyce ~ Dos Hermanos ~ Almost Familiar Carsten Dahl Experience ~ You Stepped Out of a Dream ~ Into the Storm

Perhaps the heart and soul of this episode is the collaboration of Joe Henderson and Alice Coltrane from the album The Elements. The other recording that deserves attention is the release of guitarist Pat Metheny' Side-Eye III+. Not only did Pat's album drop this week, but he has begun a tour of the US and Europe. I'm looking forward to seeing Metheny in May as I already have my tickets. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Clarke, Rushen & Chancler ~ Take Five ~ Standards Joe Henderson & Alice Coltrane ~ Fire ~ The Elements Joe Henderson ~ Black Narcissus ~ Power To The People Pat Metheny ~ SE-O ~ Side-Eye III+ Nicole McCabe ~ Twister ~ Color Theory Dave Holland, Norma Winstone ~ Not Waving But Drowning ~ Vital Spark McCoy Tyner ~ Fly With The Wind ~ Fly With The Wind

Another eclectic mix. From a 1957 recording from alto sax player Art Pepper to brand new releases from tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger, and other iconic jazz artists in between. Enjoy this musically diverse set list. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Art Pepper ~ You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To ~ Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section Ian Harland ~ Blues For Bobbie ~ Behind Bars Lyle Mays ~ Slink ~ Lyle Mays Pat Metheny Group ~ James ~ Offramp Pat Metheny Group ~ Last Train Home ~ Still Life (Talking) Noah Preminger & Max Light ~ Blooming Coldblood ~ Blooming Coldblood - Single Noah Preminger ~ Mopti ~ Dark Days Kurt Elling & WDR Big Band ~ Steppin' Out ~ In The Brass Palace

An eclectic mix of music this week with no real theme. We have new releases, bebop from the 60's and jazz rock fusion. Open your mind and enjoy the full breadth of what jazz music can be. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Kurt Elling & WDR Big Band ~ They Speak No Evil ~ In The Brass Palace Vi Redd ~ If I Should Lose You ~ Bird Call Vi Redd ~ Now's the Time ~ Bird Call Phil Woods ~ The Last Page ~ Musique du bois Brandon Sanders ~ 8/4 Beat ~ Lasting Impression Andrew Renfroe ~ BIG COUNTRY ~ POP LOGIC Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin & Paco de Lucía ~ Meeting of the Spirits ~ Saturday Night in San Francisco

This episode kicks off with the iconic Valentine's day tune My Funny Valentine with a unique interpretation by vocalist extraordinaire Dianne Reeves. The rest of the playlist is vibraphone heavy with contributions from San Diego's Ian Harland as well as several tracks that include Joel Ross as both a leader and sideman. Also featured is Hartford's hard working bassist Matt Dwonszyk.  Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Dianne Reeves ~ My Funny Valentine ~ The Palo Alto Sessions 1981-1985 Ian Harland ~ Hitchcock ~ Behind Bars Ian Harland ~ Four-Flat Blues ~ Behind Bars Joe Farnsworth ~ You Already Know ~ The Big Room Matt Dwonszyk ~ Peaceful World ~ A Year and a Day Matt Dwonszyk ~ Morning Dreams ~ Morning Dreams - Single Anthony Fung ~ Duid Deed ~ Duid Deed - Single Julian Lage ~ Havens ~ Scenes From Above Joel Ross ~ The Shadowlands ~ Gospel Music

All selections in this episode are from recent releases. Some of these you may never had heard of, like Brandon Sanders or Justin Joyce. Some like Joel Ross, Julian Lage or artists in Out Of/Into are young players with active touring bands. Then we have the jazz masters like Metheny, Scofield and Holland. Jazz is here to stay as a creative force in music. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Brandon Sanders ~ Tales of Mississippi ~ Lasting Impression Joel Ross ~ Hostile ~ Gospel Music Out Of/Into ~ Brothers In Arms ~ Motion II Justin Joyce ~ That Was Never ~ Almost Familiar Pat Metheny ~ Don't Look Down ~ Don't Look Down - EP Julian Lage ~ Talking Drum ~ Scenes From Above John Scofield & Dave Holland ~ Mine Are Blues ~ Memories of Home Sam Yahel ~ Strum It ~ Quiet Flow

In this episode, we pay tribute to the spirit of Minneapolis as the city resists a heavy-handed federal ICE presence. We honor the memories of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, whose lives were taken during protests against these federal actions. This playlist features jazz artists with roots in the Twin Cities, ranging from local talents to national acts. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album The Bad Plus ~ Long Distance Runaround ~ For All I Care The Bad Plus ~ Smells Like Teen Spirit ~ These Are The Vistas José James ~ Lovely Day ~ Lean On Me Bobby McFerrin ~ Joshua ~ SpiritYouAll Craig Taborn ~ When Kabuya Dances ~ Dream Archives Society of Chemists ~ transactional kindness by candlelight - Single Zacc Harris ~ This Land Is Your Land ~ American Reverie Atlantis Quartet ~ You Are Here ~ Live at Berlin Connie Evingson ~ Lullaby of the Leaves ~ Gypsy In My Soul Russ Kaplan ~ Leopard Frog ~ Lake Songs Jennifer Grimm ~ Minneapolis & St. Paul ~ After Noon