In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

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