In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

All music is the culmination of generations of influences. This holds great importance in jazz. This podcast illustrates the influences on these artists. Miguel Zenon's album played here is based on traditional songs his mother sang in Puerto Rico, that shaped his musical style. George Cables' latest album pays homage to some great jazz composers that influenced his playing. Matt DeChamplain shows the stride style from early jazz pianists that had a strong influence on his art.Featured Album Icons and Influences - George Cables in iTunes Track ~ Artist ~ Album Perdon ~ Miguel Zenon ~ Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook Jugette~ Miguel Zenon ~ Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook Happiness ~ George Cables ~ Icons and Influences Farewell Mulgrew ~ George Cables ~ Icons and Influences The Duke ~ George Cables ~ Icons and Influences Honky Tonk Train Blues ~ Matt DeChamplain ~Stride-Bop Minor League ~ Ralph Peterson ~ Alive at Firehouse 12

The varied sounds of modern jazz are represented in this playlist. From the hard driving Chris Potter, swinging rhythm of Matt Wilson, depth of Metheny's composition and the groove of Snarky Puppy. You will hear many facets of what is considered Jazz music.

The Fender Rhodes has been making a big comeback recently. We probably have Herbie Hancock to thank for fusing the Rhodes and electronics into jazz music. On this podcast we explore Herbie’s great Fender Rhodes playing from the early days with Miles to the glory days of Jazz-Rock Fusion.

Drummer Ben Bilello joins me for a conversation about jazz and drums this week. We begin with a classic Jackie McLean composition before hearing from Ben with guitarist Rich Goldstein. Then we put Ben through the Blindfold Test and talk about Max, Philly Joe, Tony, Motian and more. Hear from Lawrence Hobgood, Harry Connick, Atla DeChamplain and Ahmad Jamal on this podcast episode.

This podcast marks the return of Jazz and Beyond to prime time on WHUS FM from 5-7PM. The show starts with a couple covers of John Coltrane classics by Hubert Laws, and Branford Marsalis. We continue with a vocal set featuring Kurt Elling, grammy winner Gregory Porter and Chet Baker. Matt Wilson has a new CD and you can hear a couple tracks here. Craig Hartley wraps up this podcast with Books on Tape.

This show is based on a "shuffled" list from Claire's iPod while on an hour long drive to a jazz club one night. We often questions if a shuffled list is really random. The choice of tunes and the flow of the music made me wonder. Enjoy tracks from Miguel Zenon, Keith Jarrett, Joey Calderazzo and more. I think the Michael Brecker track here is brilliant.

This show pays tribute to the latest Jazz Masters as bestowed by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). We hear from Anthony Braxton (sax), Richard Davis (bass) and Keith Jarrett (piano). Also on this podcast are new releases by violinist Jason Anick and drummer Matt Wilson. We bring on the funk to close out this podcast with Actual Proof from Herbie Hancock.

A birthday tribute to guitarist John McLauglin and a set of British jazz musicians comprise this weeks show. Mahavishnu Orchestra was my first introduction to jazz, so John McLaughlin's birthday has a special meaning for me. We hear his Mahavishnu and Shakti projects before going back to his English roots. Then we hear from some great jazz artists from across the big pond in Sam Spillett and Gary Reader. We finish the podcast with Greg Abate who frequently tours England as well.

This is Part 2 of the jazz album releases for 2013. I don't want to call this a Best Of list because even though I listen to a lot of music, there were so many albums that I have not yet heard from last year. That being said, we will hear from bassist and band leader Dezron Douglas, hailing from Hartford, to start this show. Gregory Porter put out his second album, and its a good one. Gary Smulyan is heard playing some Italian classics. Rudresh continues with his fusion sounds. Russ Kaplan weaves the story of Homer's Odyssey, and Lovano put out another with his Us Five group. Wayne Shorter's much anticipated album was released with rave reviews. We play the highlight of that album, an extended piece with a wind ensemble accompanying Shorter's great quartet.

There were many great albums released in 2013, and here are but a few of them. I'll continue to feature more in the next few weeks. Tom Harrell, Kenny Garrett, Noah Preminger, Gary Burton, Dave Holland and Chick Corea are but some of those represented here.

A Christmas jazz show to get you in the spirit for the holiday season. Lots of Christmas standards and some you probably haven't heard. Midway through the podcast we hear from Curtis Fuller and George Cable, than back to more Christmas songs. Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland, Curtis Brothers, Dane Scazzari and more, will warm you by the fire. Gregory Porter and Sonny Rollins finish the set with the real meaning of this season.

This podcast is about hope. On the anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, we dedicate this show to those that lost their lives and to their families. We hope to change America's obsession for guns and gun violence that has led to these tragedies. We begin with Jimmy Greene's Anthem of Hope followed by Wayne Escofery's Hopes and Dreams. Branford Marsalis' Hope, is one of the most moving and intense ballads I have ever heard. Remembrance from Vijay Iyer completes this tribute set. This podcast also pays tribute to jazz master and guitarist, Jim Hall who passed away this week, and is heard here with Sonny Rollins and Bill Evans. Other's included in this podcast are John Coltrane, Nicole Zuraitis, Noah Baerman and Jen Allen.

This show is dedicated to the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who ended apartheid and fought against oppression in South Africa and around the world. The show opens with "Mandela" a musical tribute by guitarist Russell Mallone. Next we here from Ralph Peterson Jr., who was mentored by Art Blakey and who's music reflects the rhythmic influence of the master jazz drummer. Helen Sung swings with her version of the standard In Walked Bud. Joshua Redman and Noah Preminger bring it on with their tenor saxophones demonstrating the modern sound of jazz.The show concludes with Dan Tepfer playing his unique concept and form with his jazz trio.

This show was broadcast on the weekend following Thanksgiving. As such, we start with a set for Giving Thanks. Jimmy Greene's composition Give Thanks is a musical statement to start things off, followed by a Thanksgiving prayer from Miguel Zenon. And what would thanksgiving be without plates filled with Soul Food from Cyrus Chestnut. Tom Harrell has a new album out from which we will hear a couple of tracks. See the playlist below for more great tunes on In The Groove.

Much of this program features some very talented musicians with roots in the Hartford area. We begin with Professor Nat Reeves (bass) and his inaugural album State of Emergency. Alto player Lummie Span and Bassist Dezron Douglas team up to lead the New Jazz Workshop. Great Hartford jazz cats Josh Evans (tr), Josh Bruneau (tr) and Jonathan Barber (dr) are featured on these tracks. Dezron Douglas also anchors the Cyrus Chestnut Quartet here. After new music from Eldar, Jose James and singer Cecile McLorin Salvant, we close out the show with another Hartford native, singer Dana Lauren.