In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

In this episode, we pay tribute to the spirit of Minneapolis as the city resists a heavy-handed federal ICE presence. We honor the memories of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, whose lives were taken during protests against these federal actions. This playlist features jazz artists with roots in the Twin Cities, ranging from local talents to national acts.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
The Bad Plus ~ Long Distance Runaround ~ For All I Care
The Bad Plus ~ Smells Like Teen Spirit ~ These Are The Vistas
José James ~ Lovely Day ~ Lean On Me
Bobby McFerrin ~ Joshua ~ SpiritYouAll
Craig Taborn ~ When Kabuya Dances ~ Dream Archives
Society of Chemists ~ transactional kindness by candlelight - Single
Zacc Harris ~ This Land Is Your Land ~ American Reverie
Atlantis Quartet ~ You Are Here ~ Live at Berlin
Connie Evingson ~ Lullaby of the Leaves ~ Gypsy In My Soul
Russ Kaplan ~ Leopard Frog ~ Lake Songs
Jennifer Grimm ~ Minneapolis & St. Paul ~ After Noon

Jazz artists have a history of making political statements. Mingus, Max, Rollins and Nina are among those. Recently there have been several jazz artists that have made a statement to this administration for the taking over the respected Kennedy Center for the Arts. We honor them here. Chuck Redd, The Cookers and Bela Fleck have cancelled their scheduled appearances at the Center in protest.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Chuck Redd ~ A Groove for Gail ~ Groove City
Chuck Redd ~ Lonely Woman ~ Groove City
The Cookers ~ Capra Black ~ Warriors
Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez ~ Touch and Go ~ BEATrio
Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart ~ FU Donald ~ Perpetual Pendulum
Charlie Haden ~ This Is Not America ~ Not In Our Name
Les McCann & Eddie Harris ~ Compared to What ~ Swiss Movement
John Coltrane ~ Alabama ~ Live At Birdland

At the center of this episode is music from alumni of the Jackie McLean Institute for Jazz, University of Hartford where this show is broadcast. Also music from jazz greats Rollins, Pepper and Miles.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension ~ Lock Down Blues ~ Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2022
Tony Davis ~ Trinkets From Mars ~ Jessamine
Brandee Younger ~ End Means ~ Gadabout Season
Sarah Hanahan ~ NATO ~ Among Giants
Al Foster ~ Pent-Up House ~ Live at Smoke
Sonny Rollins ~ How High the Moon ~ Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders
Art Pepper ~ You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To ~ Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section
Miles Davis ~ Joshua ~ Seven Steps To Heaven

We continue with a 2025 album release review. This week we are concentrating on recordings from local jazz scenes that I have a connection with, Hartford and San Diego. I also include Detroit after attending their great jazz festival.

Playlist
Artist ~ Name ~ Album
Irving Flores ~ With Amanda in Favignana ~ Armando Mi Conga
Victor Baker Quartet ~ As the Crow Flies ~ As the Crow Flies
David Borgo ~ The Lick ~ Uplift
Tony Davis ~ Unrequited ~ Jessamine
Alex Tremblay & Vanisha Gould ~ Scenic Route ~ People and Places
Louis Jones III ~ Stuck ~ Motions
Chuck Mangione ~ Children of Sanchez ~ Children of Sanchez

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