A tribute to the other-worldly genius of Denver cornetist, composer, bandleader, and educator Ron Miles. He left us last week—he was 58 years old. Ron Miles For Life. RIP.
Episode #305
A very special episode featuring Erik’s new release “La Nuit Blanche”. Featuring his longtime NYC sextet (Tony Mason on drums, Jeff Hill on bass, Avi Bortnick on guitar, Mike Mcginnis on reeds, and Brian Drye on trombone) + special guest Mauro Refosco on percussion, “La Nuit Blanche” is the pianist’s 8th studio album and his 1st release on Ropeadope. Erik’s original compositions evoke his signature fusion of psychedelic soul, classic jazz, sonic exploration, and funky world beat. Kick back and enjoy the ride!
Episode #304
Feat. a fresh new jam from songstress Victoria Reed; two recent releases on the ECM label from trumpeter Avishai Cohen and pianist Kit Downs; guitar wizardry courtesy of Simon Kafka and Dave Harrington (with Jeremy Gustin and Spencer Zahn); one of the most prolific cats alive, Eric Biondo aka Beyondo; and classic joints from The Roots and the purple one… Prince.
Episode #303
Feat. the new title track single from Erik’s upcoming Ropeadope release “La Nuit Blanche”; a slick fresh joint from old pals Sly5thAve and Roberto Verastegui; the latest release from BK piano trio Mostly Other People Do the Killing; drummer/composer Thomas Fujiwara flexes his fresh jams with his killer project Triple Double; the amazing Tuvan fusion of Bady-Dorzhu Ondar and Shodekeh; the beautiful NOW ensemble; and an NYC legend, Norah Jones.
Episode #302
Featuring a fresh slapper from NYC legend Stu Bogie and The Bogie Band feat. Joe Russo; a truly inspired collaboration of Tuvan-fusion between Bady-Dorzhu Ondar and Shodekeh on the EarUp label; a snippet from Jeff Parker’s outstanding offering “Suite for Max Brown”; the musings of pianist Federico Albanese; ambient wizard Spencer Zahn dives deep on “People of the Dawn”; mod-trad-folk from Eamon O’Leary and Jefferson Hamer aka The Murphy Beds; and finally, one the greatest that there ever was, Mr. Oliver Nelson.
Episode #301
Featuring the brand new single from NYC downtown unit COSMO; CDMX piano-playing diva Andrea Acosta; the NOLA all-star collective in tribute to Pops; Brooklyn whiz kids Bridget Kearney and Benjamin Lazar Davis; a jam from the fresh EP from EPCAR; bassist/composing legend Ben Allison; three frenchman that are Three of a Kind; a newly-released live solo concert from bass virtuoso Eberhard Weber; and straight outta Memphis on the Stax label… Albert King.
Episode #300
A special 2-hour milestone episode featuring a retrospectative playlist highlighting fresh and vintage musical reletionships from Erik’s 30-year career… including tracks from Will Bernard, Ches Smith, Victoria Reed, Brad Barr, Devotchka, Gabi Harmann, Simon Kafka, Andrea Acosta, Amendola vs. Blades, Sara Schoenbeck, Sasha Dobson, Art Lande, Liza, and Fat Mama…. plus a little side dish of Rufus Thomas and 10 Foot Ganja Plant. Adelante!!
Episode #299
Featuring the fresh drop from Kinston, NY’s Juka Ren; the spokenword/jazz stylings of UK artist Lisa Marie Simmons; a bilingual offering from saxophonist/vocalist Maria Kim Grand; Brooklyn roots artist Jacksonport feeling the family love; BK string wizard Luca Benedetti from his last trio release; Denver cornet legend Ron Miles; and finally seminal artist Air and Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm rounding out the set.
Episode #298
Featuring the brilliant new music of Brooklyn percussionist Daniel Freedman; a rousing tribute to Louis Armstrong called “A Gift to Pops”; legendary drummer Jorge Rossy takes a turn on the mallets on his new ECM release; Ches Smith and We are Break mold musics of the world into a modern NYC package; a tune from the brilliant HBO series “Lovecraft Country”; Italian legend Enrico Rava and his band live in Antwerp; Swedish electro-pop wizards Little Dragon; and finally, sliding it into the dub zone with NYC’s Blanc du Blanc and Doktor White.
Episode #297
Featuring a groundbreaking new single from visionary chanteuse Melanie Charles; Victoria Reed interprets the late Neal Casal on the tribute “Highway Butterfly”; Jesse Harris serenades us with his “Songs Never Sung”; the exquisite release “Girl Talk” from Brooklyn jazz master Sasha Dobson; Brooklyn bassoonist Sara Schoenbeck explores fresh territory on her current solo release; pianist Federico Albanese gets vibey as hell; a little taste of Elvin Jones’ mastery from the excellent Impulse Records release ‘John Coltrane: Live in Seattle 1965”; and finally, master human Art Lande takes us on a journey into the mesmerizing world of Thelonious Monk.