In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

This podcast is the first half of my November 3 radio broadcast. The featured set is in tribute to the late Muhal Richard Abrams who passed away last week. Other notable music is from Steve Davis, Noah Preminger, Chick Corea and much more.

Two autumn classics to start the show. Joe Lovano and Hank Jones play Autumn in NY. Next is one of the most beloved jazz standards, this time by Bill Evans, Autumn Leaves. Next up are Chico Freeman and Buster William who recently performed in Connecticut's premier jazz club, The Side Door. Then Eric Alexander who will be in Hartford next week. Finally, a saxophonist that often plays in Boston clubs, Jerry Bergonzi from his new album.

This special podcast features a conversation with some of Hartfords great artists, musicians and educators. In the WWUH studio I was joined by artist Andres Chaparro, musician and creative voice Mixashawn, and jazz musician and educators Nat Reeves and Eric McPherson.  Learn more about these great artists here: Andres Chaparro - http://chaparroart.com/ Nat Reeves - http://natreeves.com/ Eric McPherson - https://www.hartford.edu/hartt/about-us/faculty/music/jmi-jazz/eric-mcpherson.aspx Mixashawn - http://www.mixashawn.com/  

We begin with a celebration of Art Blakey's birthday, then a Cyrus Chestnut cover of a Roberta Flack classic. That takes us to a sweet set of great women vocalists. We complete the show with Monk inspired tunes from Joey Alexander and Helen Sung.

  The heart of this podcast is from Lee Morgan and Thelonious Monk. Monk's set is a celebration of his centenial birthday. But first, this podcast begins with classic Chick Corea and Return to Forever. That is followed by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, new music from Vijay Iyer. Wayne Shorter's takes us on a trip to the jungles of Brazil with wild version of Jobim's Dindi. We are brought down to earth with Hartford's own Ed Fast before we take off with the Monk, Morgan set. Playlist Artist ~ Track ~ Album Chick Corea ~ Armando's Rhumba ~ My Spanish Heart Return to Forever ~ Sorceress ~ Romantic Warrior Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Theme For the Eulipions ~ The Return of the 5000 Pound Man Vijay Iyer Sextet ~ Down To the Wire ~ Far From Over Wayne Shorter ~ Dindi ~ Supernova Ed Fast and Conga Bop ~ Nature Boy ~ Do or Die Ed Fast and Conga Bop ~ Insight ~ Do or Die Lee Morgan ~ Tom Cat ~ Tom Cat Lee Morgan ~ Riggarmortes ~ Tom Cat Thelonious Monk ~ Green Chimneys ~ Straight No Chaser Thelonious Monk ~ Pannonica ~ Bright Corners Thelonious Monk ~ Blue Monk ~ Greatest Hits

We begin with classic Metheny, young Mike Casey, jazz master Art Farmer and Benny Golson, something new from Weiskopf. Then comes the heart of this podcast with early electric Miles. We conclude with a set of music inspired by Bob Dylan's protest songs also featuring Hendrix, Hudson, Sachal Ensemble and Preminger. Playlist Artist ~ Track ~ Album  Pat Metheny Group ~ First Circle ~ First Circle Mike Casey ~ Norwegian Wood ~ Single - Live from Sofar Sounds NYC Art Farmer and Benny Golson ~ Autumn Leaves ~ The Jazztet - Real Time Walt Weiskopf ~ Heads in the Clouds ~ Fountain of Youth Miles Davis ~ In A Silent Way/It's About Time ~ In A Silent Way Bob Dylan ~ The Times They Are A Changin' ~ The Times They Are A Changin' The Jimi Hendrix Experience ~ All Along the Watchtower ~ Electric Ladyland Hudson ~ A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall ~ Hudson The Sachal Ensemble ~ Shelter from the storm ~ Song of Lahore Noah Preminger ~ Only a Pawn in Their Game ~ Meditations on Freedom Broadcast on WWUH Sep 29 2017

First day of Autumn, and John Coltrane; Two of my favorite things. Playlist Artist ~ Track ~ Album The Bobby Timmons Trio ~ Autumn Leaves ~ In Person John Coltrane ~ Acknowledgement/Resolution ~ A Love Supreme John Coltrane ~ Africa ~ Africa/Brass Duke Ellington and John Coltrane ~ The Feeling of Jazz ~ Duke Ellington and John Coltrane John Coltrane ~ Equinox ~ Coltrane Sound John Coltrane ~ Dear Lord ~ The Gentle Side of John Coltrane John Coltrane ~ Mr. PC ~ Giant Steps John Coltrane ~ Naima ~ Giant Steps Miles Davis ~ Love For Sale (Bonus Track) ~ Kind Of Blue 50th Anniversary Edition

We celebrate the birth date of Cannonball Adderley, but first new music from John McLaughlin and Joey DeFrancesco. Harrold Mabern plays the Wes classic Road Song. A vocal set with Melissa Morgan and something new from Cecile McLorrin Salvant. Then we kick off the Cannonball tribute with his collaboration with Nancy Wilson.

As I put this podcast together I am watching the Hurricane hit the Florida coast. Our thoughts and concerns are with those affected, and hope for the safety of all. We start with two versions of Work Song for this past labor day, then a couple of Steely Dan tracks in memory of Walter Becker, before a set of music inspired by hurricanes. Then some great guitar work by Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and Dave Stryker. Finally, something new by Brian Charrette. Playlist Artist ~ Track ~ Album Oscar Brown Jr. ~ Work Song ~ In A New Mood Cannonball Adderley ~ Work Song ~ Phenix Steely Dan ~ Aja ~ Aja Steely Dan ~ Home At Last ~ Aja Joe Farrell ~ Hurricane Jane ~ Penny Arcade Trombone Shorty ~ Hurricane Season ~ Backatown Herbie Hancock ~ The Eye of the Hurricane ~ Maiden Voyage Kenny Burell ~ Chitlens Con Carne ~ Midnight Blue Wes Montgomery ~ Four on Six ~ Incredible Jazz Guitar Dave Stryker ~ Trouble Man ~ Eight Track II Brian Charrette ~ Doll Fin ~ Kurrent

Here is your jazzy soundtrack for this Labor Day festivities. We begin with some Miles' covers, then some funky fusion and finish with Hartford's own Stevie D.

We celebrate the music of Wayne Shorter for most of this podcast. It's Shorter's 84th birthday, and we pay homage to his creative saxophone work and intrigueing compositions. First we honor the guitarist John Ambercrombie upon his recent passing. Then a taste of a new release from fusion pioneer John McLaughlin.

Continuation of last week's show.

My annual post Newport Jazz Festival review. This podcast highlights only a few of the many great performances we experienced at this year's festival. You will hear jazz artists we have heard for decades lake One For All, Sean Jones, Joey D and new artists on the scene George Burton and Theo Croker.

This is part 2 of my Newport Jazz Festival preview. It starts with vocalists Cecile McLorin Salvant and Cyrille Aimee. We conclude the Newport preview with saxophonists Jimmy Greene and Branford Marsalis. The rest of the show features a variety of jazz styles from piano trios (Valera, Hartley) to fusion (Coryell) to free (Stanko) and more.

This is my annual Newport Jazz Festival preview show (part 2 to be published mid-week). We begin with newly annointed NEA Jazz Master, Joanne Brackeen. Christian McBride is the new curator of music at Newport and will also lead his Big Band at the festival. Other artists featured here are One For All (with Hartford's Steve Davis), Christian Sands, Antonio Sanchez and an all-star band Hudson. Playlist Artist ~ Track ~ Album Joanne Brackeen ~ Fi-Fi Goes to Heaven ~ Fi-Fi Goes to Heaven Joanne Brackeen ~ Nature Boy ~ Popsicle Illusion Christian McBride Big Band ~ Broadway ~ The Good Feeling Christian McBride Big Band ~ Brother Mister ~ The Good Feeling One for All ~ Hey, Stevie D ~ The Third Decade One for All ~ Buddy's ~ The Third Decade Christian Sands ~ Reaching for the Sun ~ Reach Antonio Sanchez ~ Uprisings and Revolutions ~ New Life Hudson ~ El Swing ~ Hudson (feat. Jack Dejohnette, Larry Grenedier, John Medeski, John Scofield) Hudson ~ Woodstock ~ Hudson (feat. Jack Dejohnette, Larry Grenedier, John Medeski, John Scofield)