In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Chick Corea that is! On the week of Chick's birthday we celebrate with this special podcast. From his early years through the Return to Forever era, and his collaborations with Gary Burton and others. Chick has been a creative force for many decades.

After rocking out in last week's 70's podcast, we will stick to modern jazz artists this week. Starting with the Cohen family, new music by Louis Hayes, Kenny Garrett, Linda Oh and Rudy Royston. the last set is Mingus inspired, including Joni Mitchell and The Mingus Big Band.

This podcast will take you back to the heady days of 70s Jazz/Rock Fusion as well as some of the progressive rock that is inspired by jazz. It all starts with a classic Santana track and the funk of TOP. Herbie Hancock took that funk sound and added his jazzy keyboard chops on the Fender Rhodes. Larry Coryell shows how fusion is done with guitar jams. Chick took that latin bossa beat and electrified it on his standard, Spain. The rock group War fused funk, R&B and jazz. Weather Report recorded some landmark albums with their own unique electronic sound. The set ends with two great guitarists of that era, John McLaughlin and George Benson, with different approaches to their axe.

Monday is not only Memorial Day but Miles Davis' Birthday. A perfect excuse for a podcast based on this incomparable jazz innovator and trumpeter. We will hear from both of his classic ensembles from the late 50's through the 60's, and touch on some of his explorations into Jazz/Rock fusion of his later years. We throw in some Archie Shepp as it is his birthday as well. While we are at it lets bring in Trane to the mix too.

A celebration of Jackie McLeans birthday, featuring this jazz master that had such a profound influence on music and the arts in Hartford CT, where this show emanates. After a set of Jackie's music we will hear from some of the artists that were mentored by Jackie at the Artists Collective and UofH. Steve Davis, Jimmy Greene, Mike DiRubbo, Kris Allen, The Curtis Brothers, Dezron Douglas and Lummie Span are represented here.

Some of today's innovators as well as the jazz masters that influenced their art are combined to make this week's podcast. Let's start with the great alto player Jackie McLean then leap to the present with guitarist Tom Guarna and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. Then we return to some classic jazz from John Coltrane and Oliver Nelson. Then back to the future with Trane inspired George Garzone's The Fringe.

A nod to International Jazz day, we start the show with the modern jazz sound of Manuel Valera and the New Cuban Express. Next a middle eastern influence of Rez Abbasi's acoustic quartet. Linda Oh, from Australia and Asian roots shows us her electric bass chops. We round out the show with Nick Roseboro on trumpet and finally the straight ahead sound of Louis Hayes on drums.

The second half of last week's radio show continues the celebration of Spring. We begin with excerpts from The Bad Plus' latest effort, Stravinski's Rite of Spring. Rez Abbasi's acoustic band is next up from their album Natural Selection. We complete this podcast with a brand new release from Rudy Royston named for his home Area Code, 303.Featured Album The Rite of Spring - The Bad Plus on iTunes Track ~ Artist ~ Album The Augers of Spring ~ The Bad Plus ~ The Rite of Spring The Sage/Dance of the Earth ~ The Bad Plus ~ The Rite of Spring Mystic Circle of the Young Girls ~ The Bad Plus ~ The Rite of Spring Evocation of the Ancestors ~ The Bad Plus ~ The Rite of Spring Lament ~ Rez Abbasi ~ Natural Selection Punjab ~ Rez Abbasi ~ Natural Selection Play On Words ~ Rudy Royston ~ 303 Miles To Go (Sunset Road) ~ Rudy Royston ~ 303 303 ~ Rudy Royston ~ 303

Spring inspired music begins our show this week. Trane, Freddie and Jimmy Greene interpret their meaning of this season. Chris Potter, Gil Evans, Manuel Valera and Oscar Peñas round out this week's podcast. Celebrate the return of nice weather and the renewal of life that Spring brings to us with jazz music.

Another podcast of mostly new music. The first three tracks feature guitarist and composer Tom Guarna. The first number has Tom accompanying Manuel Valera's New Cuban Express, followed by two numbers off of Guarna's new release Rush. Dig the cool album cover art as well. We follow up with new music from Earl MacDonald's Creative Opportunity Workshop, and Noah Baerman's album of music with a message, Ripples. We finish the program with an older release of Baerman's and a classic from another great pianist, Wynton Kelly.

We get our groove on in this weeks show, with some funky stuff from Scofield, Redman, Weather Report and more. I dare you not to tap your feet to this podcast. Besides the aforementioned, Garaj Mahal adds some fancy changes, John McLaughlin cools it down some and Antonio Sanchez rocks it out.

A playlist from artists that have recently performed in Connecticut. We are fortunate to have these great musicians pass through our home town. They represent a wide range of sounds and cultures. Many have their roots in Connecticut, while others represent an International community of jazz. Hear Latin Jazz artist Mitch Frohman, Spanish guitarist Oscar Peñas, German pianist Alan Broadbent. From here in New England, Noah Baerman, Steve Davis and Greg Abate show us their jazz chops. Featured AlbumFrom Daddy With Love - Mitch Frohman on iTunes Track ~ Artist ~ Album Mambo Nice ~ Mitch Frohman ~ From Daddy with Love Etude No. 1 ~ Oscar Peñas ~ Music of Departures and Returns Rain ~ Oscar Peñas ~ Music of Departures and Returns Second Sunrise ~ Noah Baerman ~ Bliss Daylight ~ Steve Davis ~ For Real Contemplation ~ Greg Abate ~ The Greg Abate Quintet Sonata for Swee' Pea ~ Alan Broadbendt and the NDR Big Band ~ America the Beautiful

Noah Baerman joins our program to celebrate the release of his new CD Ripples. Noah and I discuss not only the music on this fine recording, but the interaction of music with activism to strive for a better, kinder world.

This podcast features some fine new albums to come across my desk. We begin with a vocal set with Lauren Kinhan of NY Voices fame. Noah Baerman is next up with his inspiring release Ripples. Also featured are the latest releases from Helen Sung and Hartford's favorite son Steve Davis. The podcast concludes with a trio set from Stranahan, Zaleski and Rosato.

In the Groove interviews Noah Preminger prior to some gigs in Connecticut and New York City. We speak of expanding the jazz audience, various influences that shaped Noah’s playing, and a process for finding ones own playing style. There are even a couple of unreleased gems that you will only hear on our show.