In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

This show features some of my favorite releases in 2025. We also pay tribute to the jazz artists that passed during last year. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joe Farnsworth ~ All Said and Done ~ The Big Room ARTEMIS ~ What The World Needs Now Is Love ~ ARBORESQUE Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ ‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours ~ Belonging Brandee Younger ~ BBL ~ Gadabout Season Roberta Flack ~ Compared to What ~ First Take Mike Wofford ~ Cole Porter ~ Synergy Al Foster ~ E.S.P. ~ Live at Smoke Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane & Matt Garrison ~ Two Jimmys ~ In Movement

This post-holiday episode is taken from the Replay 2025 list of most recordings that I played most frequently throughout the year. It is, perhaps a reflection of my current musical tastes that I would like to share with you at the years end. Hope you enjoy. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Out Of/Into ~ Ofafrii ~ Motion I ARTEMIS ~ Komorebi ~ ARBORESQUE Noah Preminger ~ Carry Me Ohio ~ Ballads Charles Lloyd ~ Cape to Cairo ~ The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ The Windup ~ Belonging Emmet Cohen ~ Surrey With the Fringe on Top ~ Vibe Provider Mike Wofford ~ J.P.'s Afternoon ~ Synergy Ahmad Jamal ~ Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child ~ Marseille

I usually don't do Christmas specials, but there are a few holiday tunes that seem to make it into my playlist each year. There is a San Diego jazz set following, and we throw in Hubbard and Cobham to round out this show. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chris Potter ~ O Come All Ye Faithful ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas 2 Marian McPartland ~ God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas Miles Davis ~ Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern) ~ Jingle Bell Jazz Holly Hofmann ~ Minor Miracle ~ Minor Miracle James Moody ~ Cherokee ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note James Moody ~ Moody's Mood For Love / The Television Rap ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note Gilbert Castellanos ~ New Delhi ~ Espérame En El Cielo Freddie Hubbard ~ Crisis ~ Ready for Freddie Billy Cobham ~ Heather ~ Crosswinds

The core of this episode has some of the best tenor sax players from today and yesteryear. I'm speaking of Potter, Kirk, Rollins and Trane. They are bookended by a new release from Out Of/Into and Zawinul's In A Silent Way. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Out Of/Into ~ Nacho Supreme ~ Motion II Chris Potter ~ The Mind's Eye (For Michael Becker and Joe Lovano) ~ Gratitude Roland Kirk ~ Alfie (Live at the Penthouse in Seattle September 1967) ~ Single Sonny Rollins ~ Alfie's Theme ~ Alfie John Coltrane ~ Moment's Notice ~ Blue Train Herbie Hancock ~ Watermelon Man ~ Head Hunters Weather Report ~ In a Silent Way ~ 8:30 (Live) Miles Davis ~ In a Silent Way (Rehearsal) ~ The Complete in a Silent Way Sessions

S Wonder, one of the greatest artists in popular music, is known for his popular hits, vocals, and multi-instrumental playing. However, his compositions extend far beyond the mainstream, incorporating jazz sensibilities that have inspired jazz artists to cover his work. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joe Farrell ~ Too High ~ Penny Arcade Herbie Hancock ~ You've Got It Bad Girl ~ The New Standard SFJAZZ Collective ~ My Cherie Amour ~ Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions Stevie Wonder ~ As ~ Songs in the Key of Life Mike Stern ~ Echoes ~ Echoes and Other Songs Michael Brecker ~ Nothing Personal ~ Michael Brecker

After giving thanks, post Thanksgiving Day we get into a guitar set featuring both jazz masters (Kessel, Wess, Forman) and a talented young artist Tony Davis. Also featured are a new release from pianist George Colligan and a modern sound from Ahmad Jamal. We dance our way out with a funky Weather Report. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Jimmy Greene ~ Give Thanks ~ Mission Statement Bruce Forman ~ Rope-a-Dope ~ Reunion! Barney Kessel ~ On Green Dolphin Street ~ The Poll Winners Tony Davis ~ Sphere Of Blues ~ Jessamine Wes Montgomery ~ Bumpin' On Sunset ~ Tequila George Colligan ~ If the Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn't Climb It ~ Live at the Jazz Standard Ahmad Jamal ~ Marseille ~ Marseille Weather Report ~ 125th Street Congress ~ Sweetnighter

We begin this week's show with a celebration of this Fall season and Thanksgiving from Jamal and Monk. Also of note in Hutcherson's vibes and Trane's lament. New music from Hartford's guitarist Tony Davis and maestro Kenny Barron. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Ahmad Jamal ~ Autumn Leaves ~ Marseille Thelonious Monk ~ Stuffy Turkey ~ It's Monk's Time Bobby Hutcherson ~ Little B's Poem ~ Components John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent Tony Davis ~ Viridian ~ Jessamine Kenny Barron & Kurt Elling ~ In The Slow Lane ~ Songbook Marquis Hill ~ Joseph Beat ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox Marquis Hill ~ Libra ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox

This episode pays tribute to the late Jack DeJohnette who passed away a couple weeks ago. We feature Jack as a leader and side man on some of my favorite recordings. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Jack DeJohnette ~ Jack In ~ Parallel Realities Joe Farrell ~ Follow Your Heart ~ Joe Farrell Quartet Miroslav Vitous ~ Bamboo Forest ~ Universal Syncopations Keith Jarrett Standards Trio ~ The Old Country ~ Standards Live Hudson ~ Woodstock ~ Hudson Michael Brecker ~ Midnight Voyage ~ Tales from the Hudson Joe Henderson ~ Isotope ~ Power to the People Charles Lloyd Quartet ~ Sombrero Sam ~ Soundtrack

We begin with a trio led by pianist George Colligan along with Linda Oh (b) and Jack DeJohnette (dr). Mr. DeJohnette passed away last week and was an important figure in modern jazz. Also, new music by guitarist Mike Stern and a live recording of Weather Reports famous tune Birdland. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album George Colligan ~ Song for the Tarahumera ~ Live at the Jazz Standard Lenny White ~ L's Bop ~ The Griffith Park Collection Mike Stern ~ Stuff Happens ~ Echoes and Other Songs Mike Stern ~ Gospel Song ~ Echoes and Other Songs John Opferkuch ~ Amerique ~ The Kennedy Files Peter Sprague ~ Norwegian Wood ~ All You Need Is Love: Peter Sprague Plays the Beatles Weather Report ~ Birdland (Live) ~ 8:30 (Live)

Mostly jazz/rock fusion on this week's show, featuring some of my favorite bands from the 70's and beyond. This music sparked my interest in jazz music during my college years, and eventually branching out into more traditional forms. But this is the music that started it all for me and many others of my generation. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Herbie Hancock ~ Heartbeat ~ Man-Child Chick Corea ~ Shadow of Lo ~ Where Have I Known You Before Frank Zappa ~ Waka/Jawaka ~ Waka / Jawaka Shunzo Ohno ~ Runner ~ Runner - EP Miles Davis ~ Right Off - take 10 ~ Complete Jack Johnson Sessions Shakti with John McLaughlin ~ La Danse Du Bonheur ~ A Handful of Beauty Joshua Redman ~ Jazz Crimes ~ Elastic

This show has a number of notable albums including two posthumous releases from Chick Corea. Also an alternative take of a Joni Mitchell composition. Other tracks feature Japanese trumpet player Ohno, Miles and San Diego Latin Jazz pianist Irving Flores. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chick Corea Elektric Band & Chick Corea ~ Trance Dance ~ The Future Is Now Chick Corea ~ Armando's Rhumba ~ Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance Joni Mitchell ~ The Wolf That Lives in Lindsey ~ Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4 Shunzo Ohno ~ Musashi ~ Dreamer Miles Davis ~ Paraphernalia ~ Miles In the Sky Irving Flores ~ Dana Point ~ Armando Mi Conga

Much of this playlist is from artists that performed at the fundraiser for Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC.org) founded by trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. Also featured is music from Shunzo Ohno a trumpet player originally from Japan who has played with Buster Williams, Hancock, Shorter and more. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Gilbert Castellanos ~ New Delhi ~ Espérame En El Cielo Helen Sung ~ Time Loops ~ Quartet + (with Harlem Quartet) Charles McPherson ~ Surge ~ Reverence Shunzo Ohno ~ Go On ~ Dreamer Buster Williams ~ Decepticon ~ Something More Emmet Cohen ~ Henei Ma Tov ~ Vibe Provider Lee Morgan ~ Party Time ~ The Procrastinator Hank Mobley ~ No Room for Squares ~ No Room for Squares

The first set of this podcast reviews some of the music represented at the 2nd annual San Diego-Tijuana (SDTJ) International Jazz Festival. This unique festival features artists from both sides of the US Mexico boarder. We begin with a tribute to the late James Moody, a resident of San Diego, celebrating his 100th Centennial of his birth. Also featured is a young singer from Veracruz Mx, Lucia and pianist-composer Irving Flores with his brand new album. We keep to the Latin jazz theme with a reading of Tres Palabras from Charlie Haden. More music concludes with an extended selection from Dexter's homecoming concert. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album James Moody ~ Darben, the Redd Foxx ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note Lucía ~ Veracruz ~ Lucía Irving Flores ~ With Amanda in Favignana ~ Armando Mi Conga Charlie Haden ~ Tres Palabras ~ Nocturne Tony Davis ~ Trinkets From Mars ~ Jessamine Les McCann ~ Poo Pye McGoochie (And His Friends) ~ Invitation to Openness Dexter Gordon ~ In Case You Haven't Heard ~ Homecoming - Live At the Village Vanguard

This episode begins as a continuation of last week's tribute to the late pianist Mike Wofford with a solo rendition of a Jackie McLean composition Little Melonae. Also featured is another San Diego pianist Irving Flores with his latest album release. Herbie, McLaughlin and Maupin round out the show. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Mike Wofford ~ Little Melonae ~ It's Personal Irving Flores ~ Tramonto a Massa Lubrense ~ Armando Mi Conga Herbie Hancock ~ Oliloqui Valley ~ Empyrean Isles Herbie Hancock ~ Ostinato (Suite for Angela) ~ Mwandishi John McLaughlin ~ Peace One ~ My Goals Beyond Bennie Maupin ~ The Jewel In the Lotus ~ The Jewel In the Lotus

We pay homage to pianist Mike Wofford in this episode's first set. Mike passed away last week at age 87. He was a giant in the Socal jazz scene, playing with the great West Coast artists of the 60's, accompanist to Sarah and Ella in the 80's, as well as scores for Hollywood and TV. Mike will be missed by the jazz community in San Diego and beyond. His wife Holly Hofmann (flute) is represented here as well. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Mike Wofford ~ Take the "A" Train ~ Time Cafe Rob Thorsen Quartet ~ Beatrice ~ First Impression Mike Wofford & Holly Hofmann ~ Karita ~ Turn Signal Joe Henderson ~ Black Narcissus ~ Power To The People Joe Farnsworth ~ Continuance ~ The Big Room Wes Montgomery ~ West Coast Blues ~ Incredible Jazz Guitar John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent

This week's jazz podcast starts with an old standard from 1928, Makin' Whoopee. Classics from Brubeck, Wes and Trane (on his birth anniversary), and new music from Barron and McLaughlin, and more. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Branford Marsalis ~ Makin' Whoopee ~ Trio Jeepy The Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ Three to Get Ready ~ Time Out Dave Holland Quartet ~ Four Winds ~ Conference of the Birds Wes Montgomery ~ Bumpin' On Sunset ~ Tequila John Coltrane ~ Dear Old Stockholm ~ Dear Old Stockholm Irving Flores ~ Samba Con Sabor ~ Armando Mi Conga Kenny Barron ~ The Nearness of You ~ Beyond This Place John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension ~ New Blues Old Bruise ~ Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2022

This episode is my Chill Playlist. Starting with Miles & Trane is a fine way to begin. While it is laid back on the surface, many of the tunes start chill, but gain in intensity. Branford's Hope is a great example of this. I especially dig Joe Henderson's take on Lazy Afternoon. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Miles Davis ~ Footprints ~ Miles Smiles John Coltrane ~ Equinox ~ Coltrane's Sound Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Hope ~ Braggtown Joe Henderson ~ Lazy Afternoon ~ Power to the People Pat Metheny ~ Minuano ~ Still Life (Talking) Emmet Cohen ~ Everlasting ~ Vibe Provider David Borgo ~ InFormation ~ Uplift

Returning from the Detroit Jazz Fest, I wanted to highlight some of the remarkable artists who graced the stage, both local jazz talents and national acts. The episode concludes with the release of new music from pianist Christian Sands (New Haven) and saxophonist David Borgo (San Diego). Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Louis Jones III ~ Alternative Facts ~ Motions Marion Hayden ~ Buhaina ~ Visions Herlin Riley ~ Wang Dang Doodle ~ Perpetual Optimism Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Spiral Dance ~ Belonging Walter Smith III ~ Cézanne ~ three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not Jackie McLean ~ Appointment In Ghana ~ Jackie's Bag Christian Sands ~ Divergent Journeys ~ Embracing Dawn David Borgo ~ Fluctuating Friends ~ Uplift

This playlist is a retrospective of recordings on CTI albums released in the 1970. They have that quality production and slick arrangement that make these albums so recognizable. These are some of my favorite examples. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Airto ~ Return to Forever ~ Free Deodato ~ Also Sprach Zarathustra ~ Prelude Milt Jackson ~ Sunflower ~ Sunflower Stanley Turrentine ~ Sugar ~ Sugar Joe Farrell ~ Follow Your Heart ~ Joe Farrell Quartet George Benson ~ So What? ~ Beyond the Blue Horizon

We begin with a couple big band tunes arranged by Gerald Wilson followed by guitar greats Benson and Wes. This show concludes with an extended cover of one of Chick's great tunes, by a quartet of modern jazz top tier players. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Gerald Wilson Big Band ~ Milestones ~ Moment Of Truth Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra ~ California Soul ~ California Soul George Benson ~ Affirmation ~ Breezin' Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio ~ Impressions ~ Smokin' At The Half Note Weather Report ~ Brown Street ~ 8:30 (Live) Michael Brecker ~ Midnight Voyage ~ Tales from the Hudson Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland & Chris Potter ~ 500 Miles High ~ First Meeting (Live at Dizzy's Club)