Jazz Odyssey

#196 – Trombone Shorty

stldrum — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:36:12 +0000

Troy Andrews, New Orleans born trombone player and trumpeter, best known as Trombone Shorty is my latest find and by latest I have to say that I am late to this party. Why did I not know of TS and his incredible music? My Bad for sure – yours if you don’t catch on to this train NOW!!

He has toured as a horn man with Lenny Kravitz, been featured in the “New Orleans Social Club” recording to benefit the region after Katrina, he performed as part of the Sixth Ward All-Star Brass brand with greats like Charles Neville, and with U2 and Green Day as part of Monday Night Footballs’ reopening of the Super Dome.

You will hear the flair of New Orleans in his music of course bu these tunes go deeper still. One of my new favorites, sure to be high on list for a long time!!

This Week’s Playlist:

#195 – Russell Gunn

stldrum — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:26:04 +0000

The first Gunn recording that really grabbed my ears was Russell Gunn Plays Miles, the way he updated these already classic Jazz tunes just blew me away. Then I heard several recordings in the “Ethnomusicology” series and I was hooked on his playing and his compositions. This series of recordings takes you on a musical journey through jazz, hip hop, and weaves world music influences from Africa, Cuba, Brazil and more.

I can’t think of another artist that embodies the sound of “today” in his music while keeping true to the meaning and ideals of Jazz. This is not Contemporay Smooth Jazz – this is full bodied Modern Jazz at home in the concert hall, club, house party or Jam session. This is the real deal and I hope you like it as much as I do!!

This Weeks Playlist:

#194 – MMW Released

stldrum — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:15:40 +0000

One of my favorite groups is Medeski, Martin & Wood and all their various side projects and recordings. Sometimes they sound like jazz, sometimes they sound like rock, sometimes they just sound like the creative process of composition, but they are always good. If you can catch them live – do so – it’s a treat.

Their music gets played more and more but there is an underground that follows the band that grabs and holds onto rare live recordings or studio outakes or just gold ol’ jam sessions. This episode you get to hear that side of MMW, mostly from a fan compilation called Rarities & B-Sides as well as an improv recording the band did themselves that is only available on their website or at live shows called Farmer’s Reserve. Unreleased MMW released unto your ears – Enjoy!!

Medeski, Martin & Wood - Farmer's Reserve

This Weeks Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC #194

#193 – Tord Gustavson

stldrum — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:12:20 +0000

Tord Gustavson, Norwegian pianist and composer provides experimental, ethereal and introspective jazz on the ECM label. You won’t hear the groove infused jazz of most of the Jazz ODC shows but you will hear well composed, environments and melodies that envelop and engage the listener, taking you to a higher level of Jazz consciousness. Wow!! A real treat when we feature ECM artists, and Tord does not disappoint. Enjoy and be transported!

This Weeks Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC #193

#192 – The Monthly Mix

stldrum — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:27:39 +0000

We dive head first into another mix of Modern Jazz, some things known, some unknown. All certainly to please the ears and mind from many different viewpoints. Music from Critters Buggin, Tord Gustavson, Brad Mehldau, Ozric Tentacles, Enders Room, Robby Ameen, Lyle Mays and more.

I have been asked – “Is this Modern Jazz?” Well yes and no. As soon as we label something “Modern” we make it old, used, a has been, we pigeon hole it into something that it might not be, we classify it.. I have always disliked categories and if I had to find the minimalist category for this show it would be simple “Jazz”! Enjoy!

This Weeks Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC #192

#191 – G Is For Galactic

stldrum — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:10:28 +0000

Galactic is what comes to mind when I think about groovy modern funk; modern jazz fusion; creole, down home Nawlins Jazz. This music grooves, makes you move, makes you sing and gets you ready for Cafe au lait and Gumbo.

From one of the funkiest bands in the land comes some of the coolest music you may hear on the show and on the radio. You’ll even hear a bit of classic New Orleans as several historical artists join the band on their latest reording Ya-Ka-May.

This week – “it’s Got to be Funky!!” Enjoy!

This Week’s Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC Playlist #191

#190 – In The Groove

stldrum — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:11:53 +0000

This week sit down, strap in and get ready for the ride of your life, or at least the groove of your life. David Holmes is the featured artist and he knows how to groove. He started in the pubs of Ireland spinning and mixing his own brand of pop, house and jazz and worked his to some very popular soundtracks. You heard and seen the remake of Ocean’s Eleven – the classic Vegas movie well David composed and remixed the soundtrack to it and the 2 sequels – Ocean’s 12 & 13.

Sometimes his music sounds classic, sometimes like rock, sometimes like . . well I don’t know what but it always GROOVES. Enjoy the ride!!

This Week’s Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC #190 Playlist

#189 – Dee Dee Bridgewater – Red Earth

stldrum — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:58:20 +0000

A recording comes around every once in a while that needs to featured on the show. Red Earth: A Malian Journey is one of those recordings. When you first hear Afro Blue in this new African style you can’t help but be excited, impressed and want to hear the next tune and the next and the next.

I rarely feature a single recording and play a lot less of vocal jazz than I should. I hope this recording will make up for it. Along side Dee Dee Bridgewater on this episode you’ll hear music from Pat Metheny, United Future Organization, Aronas, Esperanza Spalding and more. Look to the future for some of these recordings to be featured on the show as well! Enjoy!

This Week’s Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC Playlist # 189

#188 – Future Sounds 2

stldrum — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:26:39 +0000

The future of jazz is bright and wild!! This weeks styles range from acid jazz to remix to downtempo to just about anything. The artists are inventive and extremely creative while providing their own improvisation” on works of the past. I love showcasing the future of jazz as it’s songs that we don’t get to hear very often if at all. Music from Speedometer, Blockhead, Yonderboi, Céu, Kira Neris, Kraak & Smaak and a lot more.

Keep composing, mixing and remixing oh artists of our future and I’ll keep spinning those discs – and hopefully we can all follow each other on this journey through modern jazz!

This Weeks Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey - Jazz ODC Playlist #188

#187 – Erik Truffaz

stldrum — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:48:04 +0000

The music of Swiss-born French trumpeter Erik Truffaz cannot be easily categorized. It’s jazz, prog rock, ambient, hip hop, acid jazz – it’s all these and more.

When you listen through his discography of more than 12 recordings you will hear the many different moods he portrays, the depth of his compositions and the mastery of his instrument. His influences range from Zeppelin to Davis and the addition of Nya, Swiss rapper extraordinaire, puts a hole new hip twist on his recordings.

This is one of those “special” shows – that may need several episodes to do the artist and composer justice! Enjoy!!

This Weeks Playlist:

Jazz Odyssey #187 Playlist