Featuring a blazing hot new jam from Brooklyn indie legend Beyondo; a deep groove from rising star and Colorado songstress Willa Emmitt; percussionist extraordinaire Billy Martin with longtime collaborator Marc Ribot; pop/jazz craftsman Jesse Harris; pianist Aaron Parks from his latest Ropeadope release; a lost Ella Fitzgerald recording from 1962; Berkelee clarinetist/composer Ben Goldber’s ongoing plague diary; and the mad, melancholy, creative genius that is Tom Waits.
Episode #254
Featuring epic grooves from the king of ethno-jazz Mulatu Astatke in collaboration with Melbourne’s Black Jesus Experience; a fresh new release from Colorado banjoist/songbird Sydney Clapp; a lion of the trumpet and a film score icon, Terence Blanchard from Spike Lee’s latest joint; Mexican indie crooner Nunca Rodrigo; drummer/composer extraordinaire Ted Poor; France’s lounge electro pop icons Air; and the one and only Earl “Fatha” Hines live from Syracuse, NY in 1972.
Episode #253
Featuring new music from composer/bassist Spencer Zahn; another hot track from legendary soul diva Betty Lavette; a brand new jam from Timothy Brownie feat. the one and only Celia Cruz; percussionist Billy Martin’s excellent 2020 recording GUILTY; pianist Aaron Parks’ thick vibes from his latest Ropeadope record; Mexican songstress Silvana Estrada with the great Charlie Hunter; a cut from celebrated guitarist Nir Felder’s sophomore release; Brooklyn guitar wiz Simon Kafka and the Big Hands Rhythm and Blues Band; and finally Victoria Reed with a message about love and healing.
Episode #252: Free Leonard Peltier!!
A special episode dedicated to the longest-serving political prisoner in the world: Native American Indian activist Leonard Peltier. Inspired by the new podcast Leonard: Political Prisoner and from Erik’s own interest and studies on the subject, this week’s collection of music focuses on artists inspired by traditional and indigenous musics of the Americas. From the north, we’ll go on a journey with activist Lyla June, jazz saxaphone master Jim Pepper, Oscar-winning composer Buffy Sainte-Marie, rock legend Robbie Robertson, and New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian music from the 79ers Gang and the Wild Tchoupitoulas. Heading down to Mexico, we’ll hear Sylvana Estrada— a modern jazz and folk artist with traditional roots; Fuimos Venado—a contemporary band from Tijuana with deep roots in native folklore and healing (produced by Todd Clouser); and finally, the Mexican marimba legend of Chiapas, Zeferino Nandayapa. FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!
Episode #251
Featuring a brand new release from Colorado dubstep/jazz saxophone maestro Dom Lalli; the highly anticipated sophomore release for NYC guitar virtuoso Nir Felder (on Ropeadope records); modern composer/visionary Jacob Cooper’s stunning new work of art featuring Theo Bleckmann and Jodie Landau; drummer extraordinaire Mark Guiliana and BEAT MUSIC; new music on the ECM label from Polish pianist Marcin Wasilewski and his trio (featuring Joe Lovano!); drummer/vocalist Alwyn Robinson from the solo recording ‘Bare’ straight outta Flatbush; and one of the most moving pop/jazz recordings in history, Milton Nasciemento and Lo Borges ‘Cluba de Esquina’.
Episode #250
A special two-hour celebration of our 250th episode featuring highlights from Erik’s discography plus selections from the most influential collaborators spanning his 25-year career including Charlie Hunter, Art Lande, Ron Miles, Fat Mama, Sonya Vallet, Theo Bleckmann, Todd Sickafoose, Scott Amendola, Norah Jones, Jim Campilongo, Shooter Jennings, Leftover Salmon, Spencer Zahn, Citizen Cope, and Victoria Reed.
Episode #249
Featuring a baddass super deep crew and their fresh new releases beginning with NOLA’s indie duo Say Sway; Brooklyn songstress Sasha Dobson’s new EP produced by Don Was; family matters are worked out on brothers Damon and Brendan Smith’s 1st release together; axeman Luca Benedetti backed by one of the finest rhythm sections in the biz: Tony Mason and Tony Scherr; Alwyn Robinson’s slick new drum/vocal solo record; Mike McGinnis’ latest clarinet trio release on his new label Open Stream Music; Aussie songbird Frally Hines’ beautiful NYC-made record; and soul jazz legends Ahmad Jamal and Ike Turner.
Episode #248
Featuring a hot stack of new releases including jazz guitar giant John Scofield w/Steve Swallow, latin piano maestro Arturo O’Farrill, the late-great saxophone ninja Jimmy Heath, and soul diva Betty LaVette; fresh new beats from Copenhagen’s School of X; East Village groovers Avi Bortnick, Jesse Murphy, Aaron Johnson, and co. recorded live at NuBlu 151 in NYC; a brand new ‘lost’ recording from the Thelonious Monk Quartet in Palo Alto in 1968; and one of the grooviest East Bay cats out there, Mr. Raphael Saadiq.
Episode #247
Featuring another collection of seminal Black artists as we at BK&B stand committed to the Black Lives Matter movement and fundamental change and reform in the USA (and worldwide). Kicking things off with the Motown sound of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas; NYC meets Liverpool on The Grey Album from Jay-Z and Danger Mouse; a musical force of nature known as Freddie King; the most underrated American composer, Thelonious Monk (with John Coltrane at his side); other-worldly musical genius Me’Shell Ndegeocello; a different side of a golden-voiced civil rights activist, Sam Cooke; blues songwriting icon Jimmy Reed; a shining light of clarity from Stevie Wonder; and the pride of Strong Island, telling it like it is…. De La Soul.
Episode #246: Black Lives Matter!!
A special 2-hour episode dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement featuring a variety of amazing, influential, and essential black artists: Lonnie Liston Smith, Gang Starr, John Coltrane, BB King, Bobby Womack, Alwyn Robinson, Charles Mingus, Parliament, Alice Smith, Curtis Mayfield, D’Angelo, Rakim, Jimmy Smith, James Booker, Jill Scott, Betty Carter, Ron Miles, Madlib, Ella Fitzgerald, Stew and The Negro Problem, Sharon Jones and the Dap-kings, McCoy Tyner, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Prince, and Black Uhuru. The Sounds of Brooklyn and Beyond supports all black lives and stands for reform and change in the USA!