There's so much good jazz being recorded around the world....a lot of it on small labels....and yet it rarely gets airplay. JAZZ TODAY....in it's own small way....tries to put that right!

JAZZ TODAY is a weekly radio show on Cambridge105 Radio. It is broadcast live in Cambridge UK on 105FM, on DAB digital and at cambridge105.co.uk.

JAZZ TODAY ONLINE is a quarterly cloudcast of some of the best tracks to appear on JAZZ TODAY.


Monday, 31 December 2012

Pete’s Pick of 2012


Jazz is alive and well and thriving all over the globe.  And to prove the point, my ten favourite albums of 2012 emanate from Japan to Scotland, by way of darkest Slovenia! The albums feature upcoming musicians performing with established names, traditional forms mixing with the new, and jazz influenced by classical, rock and folk. Most of my choices appear on small independent labels, which often allows for greater freedom of expression.
As always it was a tough choice, and there is plenty of music I’ve not managed to hear. So, in no particular order......

 

Robert Jukic – Operation Charlie (dit’e nat’)

A jazz album disguised as a soundtrack album, with a sleeve image that could easily be a still from The Sting. And no, not a band from Chicago, but a quintet from Slovenia led by bassist Robert Jukic.

Robert is one of those musicians who fails to recognise musical boundaries and his output is all the better for it. The album has track titles based around a gangster storyline on the sleeve. The cast comprises top Slovenian talent, plus Daniels D’Agaro and Noesig from Italy and Austria respectively.
It’s interesting to have both bass and tuba in a band this size, but it works well, thanks to the agile playing of Robert and Goran Krmac. A new take on traditional forms and great fun.
 
 

Tom Bancroft’s Trio Red – First Hello to Last Goodbye (Interrupto Music) 

Tom is an undersung hero of the Scottish scene, having produced some excellent albums with Trio AAB and Orchestra Interrupto. His new trio features Norwegian bassist Per Zanussi, an established leader in his own right and pianist Tom Cawley, who has been making waves on the UK scene for the past decade. And although this trio only had a short time together before recording, the album comes across as a mature statement, mixing free improvisation with composed pieces.
It’s an album that takes time to reveal its treasures. In fact I think it holds some of Tom Cawley’s best playing on record.
 
 

Friends & Neighbors – No Beat Policy (Ora Fonogram)


Not another soap opera, but a superb free-bop quintet from Norway, featuring Thomas Johansson on trumpet, Andre Roligheten on reeds, Oscar Gronberg on piano, Jon Rune Strom on bass and Tollef Ostvang at the drums.
It’s been a great year for the burgeoning Nordic scene with exciting young bands popping up all over Scandinavia. Friends and Neighbors (yes, that is the spelling) are yet another product of that nursery of jazz talent, Trondheim. The CD was released at the end of last year....but was too late to appear on my 2011 listing.



Leaping Fish Trio - Sankofa (El Gallo Rojo)


An Italian trio with an album that reeks of the blues. Sadly we hear too little from the Italian scene in the UK, but the always inventive El Gallo Rojo is a label well worth keeping an eye (and ear) on.
Sankofa comprises 15 short tracks and features three of the labels key protagonists, Paolo Botti, Enrico Terragnoli and Zeno de Rossi. Between them Paolo and Enrico play a range of stringed instruments, including viola, dobro, banjo and mandolin, whereas Zeno contents himself with drums and percussion. Composition duties are shared, with one track from Franco D’Andrea, plus the Morton/Armstrong composition Wild Man Blues.
As with the Robert Jukic album above, it’s a modern look at the roots of jazz and highly recommended.

 
 

Lochs Balthaus Herskedal - Choices (Berthold)

Another trio now.....but with a somewhat different sound..... akin to a mini brass band with piano. Bert Lochs, Dirk Balthaus and Daniel Herskedal.....on flugelhorn or trumpet, keyboards and tuba respectively.
The liner notes tell of the trio’s fascination with beauty, and that is evident in the tunes on this album, all penned by the threesome. Three of the tracks feature Michael Moore as a guest, and his reed playing complements the trio perfectly.
Choices is their second album and was recorded in Hilversum 18 months ago. I must get hold of their first !
 
 
 

Ted Nash – The Creep (Plastic Sax)

An album with a 12 cent comic book cover, and another sleeve-note storyline to match. There’s nothing cheap about the music though, and it’s good to hear saxophonist Ted Nash in a relatively free setting without piano or guitar. He is given excellent support from the vastly under-rated Ron Horton on trumpet, Paul Sikivie, bass and Ulysses Owens, drums.
Ted has been a key player on the New York scene for many years, most notably as part of the Jazz Composers Collective.  The JCC recently celebrated 20 years in existence with a series of concerts, including one by this line-up. Oh to have been there.
The album can be found on Ted’s own label, Plastic Sax Records. More please.
 
 

Daniel Humair – Sweet & Sour (Laborie)

Daniel Humair is one of the elder statesmen of European jazz, having played with most of the leading names over the past 50 years. He’s a Swiss musician who established his credentials on the French scene, and despite his age he seems to revel in mixing it with younger players. His Baby Boom quintet garnered a great deal of praise, and now we have Sweet and Sour, which I think is also the name of the band.
Their mix of accordion with saxophone, bass and drums creates music that falls somewhere between the cafe and free jazz. Vincent Peirani is no ‘ordinary’ squeezebox player and it’s good to see saxophonist Emile Parisien working outside the confines of his own quartet. Bassist Jerome Regard completes a tight foursome.
 
 

Gato Libre – Forever (Libra)

Another quartet with accordion, this time played by Satoko Fujii.
Satoko and Natsuki Tamura have many outlets for their music, and Gato Libre is the most lyrical, incorporating traditional folk elements into the mix. It’s their 5th release, and alongside Satoko on accordion and Natsuki on trumpet are Kazuhiko Tsumura on guitar and Norikatsu Koreyasu on bass.
It’s a hauntingly beautiful album, made even more poignant as Norikatsu died shortly after this recording in Tokyo in September last year. This album is dedicated to him. And a loving tribute it is.
 
 

Dino & Franco Piana Septet – Seven (Alpha Music)

The most mainstream album in my selection. Beautifully arranged and recorded, it features nine (!) top Italian musicians including trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso, pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and drummer Roberto Gatto. Enrico Rava guests on one track.
The band is led by father and son team Dino and Franco Piana, on valve trombone and trumpet respectively. All the compositions and arrangements are by Franco and he shows he is world class talent. One of his compositions is titled Eighty and One, which was the age of his father at the time of recording. I’ll be happy if I can carry a trombone at that age, let alone play it with the energy of Dino!
 
 

TOPP Quartet – Kadmos (Gligg)

TOPP, an appropriate acronym constructed from the musicians surnames. Michel Pilz is a master of the bass clarinet, and he focuses on that instrument alone. His outings on record are few and far between, so this recent release is very welcome. Even more so, as his compatriots in the TOPP Quartet are no slouches either.
Trombonist Christof Thewes is a band leader in his own right, with numerous recordings under his belt, often including bassist Jan Oestreich. Drummer Peter Perfido is American by birth and has played in Michel’s trio and quartet (with Bob Degen). The composed tunes on Kadmos were written by Christof and allow plenty of space for Michel to stretch his wings. There are also two freely improvised pieces.
 

Not Forgetting......

 
As always, picking ten albums is tough. So here is an armful of other recordings that came my way this year that deserve a mention.....
Neon Quartet – Subjekt (Edition); Verneri Pohjola Quartet – Ancient History (ACT); Hans Ludemann – Die Kunst des Trios 1-5 (BMC); Ken Aldcroft’s Convergence Ensemble – Sneaky Pete / Slugs (Trio); Tva For Tommy - Tva For Tommy (Found You Recordings); Hybrid 10tet – On the Move (BBB); Bjurstrom Quartet – Ookpik (Marmouzic); Olaf Lind Quartet – Drift (Jazzhausmusik); Fred Hess Big Band – Speak (Alison); Theo Ceccaldi Trio – Carrousel (Ayler); Peter Vandenberghe & Bart Maris – Glits (self-released); Steven Kamperman’s Carrousel – Mallemolen (Loplop); Trombari – The Devil’s Hopyard (Jazzmaniac); Quarterpounder – Becoming (self-released); Viktor Toth – Popping Bopping (BMC); Benjamin Koppel - Quatre Trois Deux Un (Cowbell); Ola Kvernberg – Liarbird (Jazzland); Rich Halley 4 – Back from Beyond (Pine Eagle); Natsuki Tamura & Satoko Fujii – Muku (Libra); Duck Baker Trio – Amnesia in Trastevere (Les Cousins); Team Hegdal – Vol 2 (Ora Fonogram); Michael Moore Quartet – Easter Sunday (Ramboy)

Sunday, 30 December 2012

Jazz Today Playlist - Dec 30th 2012


Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters Quartet: Flow from Urban Nightingale (Origin)
Eric Revis: Split from Parallax (Clean Feed)
Claudio Filippini Trio: Facing North from Facing North (CAM Jazz)
Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble: Moscow from Songs of the Metropolis (World Village)
Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble: Scarborough from Songs of the Metropolis (World Village)
Oregon: Bibo Babo from Family Tree (CAM Jazz)
Hans Ludemann: Le Peuhl Virtuel from Die Kunst des Trios (BMC)
Living By Lanterns: Forget B from New Myth / Old Science (Cuneiform)
Benjamin Koppel: Quatre 2 from Quatre Trois Deux Un (Cowbell Music)
Igor Gehenot Trio: A Long Distance Call to JC from Road Story (Igloo)
Pixel: Call Me from Reminder (Cuneiform)
Pixel: She Knows from Reminder (Cuneiform)
Mack Goldsbury & The Polish Connection: Salt Miners Blues from Salt Miners Blues (4Tuna Music)
Antoine Herve: Paralleles from PMT Quarktet (RV Production)
Lionel Belmondo Trio: Passionate from Plays European Standards (Discograph / b Flat)
Lionel Belmondo Trio: Elegie from Plays European Standards (Discograph / bFlat)
Marc Riordan Quartet: I’ll Text You from Binoculars (Club Nerodia)

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Jazz Today Playlist - 16th Dec 2012


Philippe Le Baraillec: Choose Choosin’ from Involved (Out Note)
Ryan Truesdell: Punjab from Centennial – Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans (Artist Share)
Ryan Truesdell: Smoking My Sad Cigarette from Centennial – Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans (Artist Share)
Quarterpounder: Another Boring Day at the Institute from Becoming (self-released)
Johanna Borchert: Til Petter Og Anton from Orchestre Ideal (Whyplayjazz)
Petter Wettre Next Generation: Hard Blues from The Social Media Tapes (Household)
Stephane Kerecki Trio + Tony Malaby & Bojan Z: Fandango from Sound Architects (Out Note)
Thomas Champagne: Coffeeman from Charon’s Boat (Igloo)
The Respect Sextet: A Spotless Rose from Respect in Yule (Mode Avant)
Alexander Hawkins & Louis Moholo-Moholo: Hear Our Hearts from Keep Your Heart Straight (Ogun)
Ken Vandermark: Looking Back from Mark in the Water (Not Two)
Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Can’t Tell Shipp from Shohola from Slippery Rock (Hot Cup)
Arrigo Cappelletti – Giulio Martino Quartet: Asimmetrie from Mysterious (Leo)
Benoit Delbecq & Francois Houle: The Mystery Song from Because She Hoped (Songlines)
Empty Cage Quartet: Oblige the Obvious from Empty Cage Quartet (Prefecture Music)
Kira: Flower of the Evening from Memories of Days Gone By (Stunt)
Stephane Kerecki Trio + Tony Malaby & Bojan Z: La Source from Sound Architects (Out Note)

Sunday, 2 December 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: Dec 2nd 2012


Yaron Herman: Mojo from Alter Ego (ACT)
Daniel Humair: Oppression from Sweet & Sour (Laborie)
Pandelis Karayorgis Quintet: Elastic from System of Five (Hatology)
Tomas Sauter & Daniel Schlappi: Old School from First Day in Spring (Catwalk)
Andrew McCormack Trio: Junket from Live in London (Edition)
Heliocentric Counterblast: Do To Voodoo from A Tribute to Sun Ra (Enja Yellowbird)
Satie’s Fraktion: Dear Old Stockholm from Nails (TCB)
Satie’s Fraktion: More of Dear Old Stockholm from Nails (TCB)
Antoine Herve: Les Pensionnaires from Inside (Nocturne)
Ken Aldcroft’s Convergence Ensemble: Slugs’: Suite for Sun Ra, Sections I-III from Sneaky Pete – Slugs’ (Trio)
Andre Nendza: Nightly from Rooms Restored (Jazzsick)
David Eyges: Wire from Wood (Midlantic)
Nautilus: Boites from Nautilus (Marmouzic)
Andrew McCormack Trio: Bye Bye Blackbird from Live in London (Edition)
Kvintetten Som Sprangdes: Hagaindianema from Jarnet (Found You Recordings)
Jeff Holmes Quartet: Poinciana from Of One’s Own (Miles High)
David Eyges: Letter to Mary from Wood (Midlantic)
The Respect Sextet: Hypochristmutreefuzz from Respect in Yule (Avant Mode)

Sunday, 18 November 2012

Jazz Today Playlist - Nov 18th 2012


Maciej Fortuna Trio: Resume from Solar Ring (self-released)
Franz von Chossy Quintet: Along the River from When the World Comes Home (Jazzsick)
Jasper Van’t Hof: Dulcinea from Oeuvre (Q-rious)
Pasborg’s Odessa X-Tra Large: Black Dog from Live (Stunt)
Pasborg’s Odessa X-Tra Large: Boogie Stop Shuffle from Live (Stunt)
Issie Barratt & the Meinrad Iten Quartet: The Man with the Gun He Tangos from Meinrad Iten Suite (Fuzzy Moon)
Mikio Ishida Trio: Turkish Mambo from Turkish Mambo (Five Stars)
Neon Quartet: Busters New Tail from Subjekt (Edition)
Aki Takase: So Long Knut from All Blues (Enja Yellowbird)
Lina Allemano Four: Middle Finger from Live at the Tranzac (Lumo)
Ken Vandermark: White Lemon from Mark in the Water (Not Two)
Platform 1: Stations from Takes Off (Clean Feed)
Paul Giallorenzo’s Gitgo: The Swinger from Emergent (Leo)
Paul Giallorenzo’s Gitgo: Obelaskism from Emergent (Leo)
Johanna Borchert: Lillies from Orchestre Ideal (WhyPlayJazz)
Rob Mazurek Pulsar Quintet: Folk Song Neptune from Stellar Pulsations (Delmark)
Dino & Franco Piana Septet: Eighty and One from Seven (Alpha Music)

Sunday, 4 November 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 4th Nov 2012


Jeff Holmes Quartet: One for C.J. from Of One’s Own (Miles High)
Bert Joris & the Brussels Jazz Orchestra: Magone from Signs & Signatures (De Werf)
Benjamin Herman: Chin Chins at Tin Tin’s from Heterogeneity (A Records)
Neon Quartet: Maison Musique from Subjekt (Edition)
Heliocentric Counterblast: Watusa from A Tribute to Sun Ra (Enja Yellowbird)
Pierrick Pedron: Ugly Beauty from Kubic’s Monk (ACT)
Pierrick Pedron: Who Knows from Kubic’s Monk (ACT)
Aki Takase: New Blues from New Blues (Enja Yellowbird)
Bjurstrom / Rocher: Alice from Bjurstrom / Rocher (Marmouzic)
The Cloudmakers Trio with Ralph Alessi: Passwords from Live at the Pizza Express (Whirlwind Recordings)
Sylvain Kassap Quartet: Palindrome(s) from Strophes (Evidence)
Sylvain Kassap Quartet: Palimpseste from Strophes (Evidence)
Quarterpounder: D’isms from Becoming (Gateway)
Daniel Humair: 7A3 from Sweet & Sour (Laborie)
Bojan Z: Sweet Shelter of Mine from Soul Shelter (Emarcy)
Fred Lonberg-Holm’s Fast Citizens: It’s a Tough Grid from Gather (Delmark)
Carlos Bica & Azul: Things About from Things About (Clean Feed)
Michael Formanek: Small Places from Small Places (ECM)

Friday, 19 October 2012

Jazz Today Online - Autumn 2012


The Autumn edition of Jazz Today Online is now available. Click the green button to listen!
 
Viktor Toth: Hong Kong from Popping Bopping (BMC). Viktor Toth, alto sax; Bart Maris, trumpet; Matyas Szandai, bass; Robert Mehmet Ikiz, drums.
 
Theo Ceccaldi Trio: Excusez-moi from Carrousel (Ayler). Theo Ceccaldi, violin; Valentin Ceccaldi, cello; Guillaume Aknine, guitar.

Tom Bancroft’s Trio Red: Boy meets Boy meets Girl meets Girl from First Hello to Last Goodbye (Interrupto). Tom Cawley, piano; Per Zanussi, bass; Tom Bancroft, drums.

Sean Bergin & M.O.B.: Beach Balls from Kids Mysteries (Nimbus). Sean Bergin, Michael Moore and Jan Willem Van Der Ham, reeds; Wolter Weirbos, trombone; Eric Boeren, trumpet; Ernst Reiseger and Tristan Honsinger, cellos; Alex Maguire, piano; Ernst Glerum, bass; Han Bennink, drums.

Carlos Bica & Azul: Say a Wish from Things About (Clean Feed). Frank Mobus, guitar; Carlos Bica, bass; Jim Black, drums.

Philipp Gropper’s Philm: Licht from Licht (Whyplayjazz). Philipp Gropper, tenor sax; Havard Wiik, piano; Andreas Lang, bass; Oliver Steidle, drums.

Gato Libre: Moor from Forever (Libra). Natsuki Tamura, trumpet; Satoko Fujii, accordion; Kazuhiko Tsumura, guitar; Norikatsu Koreyasu, bass.

Tyson Naylor Trio: Book It from Kosmonauten (Songlines). Tyson Naylor, piano; Russell Sholberg, bass; Skye Brooks, drums.

Sunday, 7 October 2012

Jazz Today Playlist - 7th October 2012


Verneri Pohjola Quartet: Thunderous Thoughts from Ancient History (ACT)
Henri Texier: Leila from Remparts D’Argile (Label Bleu)
Philipp Gropper’s Philm: Licht from Licht (Whyplayjazz)
Tyson Naylor Trio: See It Through from Kosmonauten (Songlines)
Tyson Naylor Trio: Book It from Kosmonauten (Songlines)
Norma Winstone: Distance from Distances (ECM)
Fred Hess Big Band: Blues for Bonnie Belle from Speak (Alison)
Ken Aldcroft & Dave Clark: Little Rootie Tootie from Hat & Beard (Trio)
Australian Art Orchestra: Spectre of a Rose from Ringing the Bell Backwards (Origin)
Philipp Gropper’s Philm: Epilog from Licht (Whyplayjazz)
Eric Legnini: Rhythm Sphere from Rhythm Sphere (Igloo Jazz Classics)
Emilia Martensson & Barry Green: Dienda from And So It Goes (Babel)
Walabix: Les Yeux de Natalie from Nus (Tricollection)
Quentin Collins / Brandon Allen Quartet: No Way Jose from What’s It Gonna Be? (Sunlightsquare)
Sebastian Gramss Underkarl: Bar Ballade from Homo Ludens (Rent-a-Dog)
Sebastian Gramss Underkarl: Prospect Park from Homo Ludens (Rent-a-Dog)
Fred Hess Big Band: How ‘Bout Now from Speak (Alison)

Sunday, 23 September 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 23rd September 2012


The Fred Hersch Group: Frevo from Forward Motion (Chesky)
Nils Wogram Septet: Complete Soul from Complete Soul (NWOG)
Tom Bancroft’s Trio Red: Boy meets Boy meets Girl meets Girl from First Hello to Last Goodbye (Interrupto)
Sean Bergin & M.O.B.: Beach Balls from Kids Mysteries (Nimbus)
Sean Bergin & M.O.B.: Plastic Bag from Live at the Bimhuis (BVHaast)
Stevko Busch & Paul van Kemenade: Resolution from Contemplation (self-released)
Hertenstein / Heberer / Badenhorst / Niggenkemper: One Ocean at a Time from Polylemma (Red Toucan)
Enrico Rava and the Parco della Musica Jazz Lab: Speechless from Rava on the Dance Floor (ECM)
Christofer Bjurstrom: Un Monde a Leur Image from Piano Solo (Marmouzic)
Nautilus: Mouvement Insoluble from Nautilus (Marmouzic)
Bjurstrom Quartet: Le Pas de L’Ecureuil from Ookpik (Marmouzic)
Tom Bancroft’s Trio Red: Don’t Break Your Heart (Like Rickie L.J.) from First Hello to Last Goodbye (Interrupto)
Jure Pukl: Random Logic from Abstract Society (Storyville)
Carlos Bica & Azul: Say a Wish from Things About (Clean Feed)
Emilia Martensson & Barry Green: If You Go Away from And So It Goes (Babel)
Fabulous Fable Quartet: Kraissler 1.3 from Ein Bericht (Unit)
Samech: Di Turkishe Khasene from Quachatta (Tzadik)
Samech: Quachatta from Quachatta (Tzadik)
Nils Wogram Septet: Song for Ahmed from Complete Soul (NWOG)

Sunday, 9 September 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 9th September 2012


Lars Moller & The Orchestra: Folksong No.1 from Episodes (Calibrated Music)
Viktor Toth: a Ballad for White Flowers from Popping Bopping (BMC)
Kira: Am I Mad from Memories of Days Gone By (Stunt)
Bertrand Blessing & Pitched Battle: Petit-Lancy from Geneve (Unit)
Bertrand Blessing & Pitched Battle: Cologny from Geneve (Unit)
Michael Feinberg: Three Card Molly from The Elvin Jones Project (Sunnyside)
Jurgen Friedrich: Loops from Monosuite (Pirouet)
Trio Infernal: Anna Lena from Kilombo (self-released)
Walabix: Un Os Dans Le Bas Du Cou from Nus (Tricollection)
Josh Berman & His Gang: Sugar from There Now (Delmark)
Josh Berman & His Gang: One Train May Hide Another from There Now (Delmark)
Gato Libre: Court from Forever (Libra)
Mike Hobart’s Urban Jazz Collective: Fathead from The Third Fish (Another World Music)
Stefan Klaus: Diffuses Light from Klangmodul (Shalom Salon)
Fee Stracke & Vertriebung aus dem Paradies: Unterwasserkarussell from New Tunes (Jazzhausmusik)
Viktor Toth: Hong Kong from Popping Bopping (BMC)

Sunday, 26 August 2012

Jazz Today Playlist - 26th August 2012


Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio: Isorhythm #4 from Live! (Basho)
Maxime Bender 4tet: Awake from Follow the Eye (Jazzsick)
Theo Ceccaldi Trio: Excusez-moi from Carrousel (Ayler)
Natalie Cressman & Secret Garden: Honeysuckle Rose from Unfolding (self-released)
Todd Bishop Group: Enfant from Little Played Little Bird (Origin)
Gunhild Seim & Time Jungle with Marilyn Crispell: Elephant in the Room from Elephant Wings (Drollehala)
Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio: New Waltz for Nina from Live! (Basho)
Trio Bravo: Quatrieme Monde from Quatrieme Monde (Igloo)
Balzalorsky Drasler 3o: Slon from Wu-Wei (Radio Student)
Aram Shelton Quartet: Anticipation from Everything for Somebody (Singlespeed Music)
Chris McGregor: Ududu Nombambula from In His Good Time (Ogun)
Collapse: The Rain from Collapse (Igloo)
Gato Libre: Moor from Forever (Libra)
Natsuki Tamura & Satoko Fujii: Muku from Muku (Libra)
Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up: Double Lake, Defined from The Air is Different (482 Music)
Theo Ceccaldi Trio: Tiding Ting from Carrousel (Ayler)
Stefan Orins Trio: Trappan from Stot (Circum Disc)
Gerry Hemingway Quintet: Backabacka from Riptide (Clean Feed)

Sunday, 5 August 2012

Jazz Today Online: Summer Edition



The Summer 2012 Edition of Jazz Today Online is now available for your listening pleasure!

Click on the green arrow to the left. Here is the full playlist:

Vasko Atanasovski Visions Ensemble: Midnight Summer Concert 3 from Bohemia (self-released). Vasko Atanasovski, saxophone; Simone Zanchini, accordion; Zoltan Lantos and Xu Fengxia, strings; Michel Godard, tuba; Ziga Golob, bass; Krunoslav Levacic, drums.

Tva For Tommy: Baby Boom Boom from Tva For Tommy (Found You Recordings). Fredrik Ljungkvist, clarinet; Mattias Stahl, vibes; Patric Thorman, bass.

Lochs Balthaus Herskedal: Zany from Choices (Berthold). Bert Lochs, trumpet; Dirk Balthaus, piano; Daniel Herskedal, tuba.

Nicolai Munch-Hansen: My Man from Chronicles (Stunt). Kira Skov, vocals; Ned Ferm, saxophone; Mads Hyne, trombone; Jakob Bro, guitar; Soren Kjaergaard, piano; Nicolai Munch-Hansen, bass; Jakob Hoyer, drums.

Donat Fisch Quartett: Desmond from Lappland (Unit). Donat Fisch and Andy Scherrer, saxophones; Banz Oester, bass; Norbert Pfammatter, drums.

The Leaping Fish Trio: Finger Prints from Sankofa (El Gallo Rojo). Enrico Terragnoli, banjo; Paulo Botti, viola; Zeno De Rossi, drums.

K Trio: Du Ba De from Recavidur (Dimma). Kristjan Martinsson, piano; Petur Sigurdsson, bass; Magnus Trygvason Eliassen, drums.

Robert Jukic: Charlie from Operation Charlie (dit’ e nat’). Daniele D’Agaro, reeds; David Jahr, trumpet; Goran Krmac, tuba; Robert Jukic, bass; Wolfi Rainer, drums.

Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet: Paper Bag from True (Challenge). Yuri Honing, saxophone; Wolfert Brederode, piano; Ruben Samara, bass; Joost Lijbaart, drums.

Ted Nash: Plastic Sax Rumble from The Creep (Plastic Sax). Ted Nash, saxophone; Ron Horton, trumpet; Paul Sikivie, bass; Ulysses Owens, drums.

Sunday, 29 July 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 29th July 2012


TromBari: Bug Bears from The Devil’s Hopyard (Jazzmaniac)
Georg Breinschmid: Suite 7 from Fire (Preiser)
Georg Breinschmid: Spring from Fire (Preiser)
Erik Johannessen: Gramercy Riffs from Inkblots (Gigafon)
Chris McGregor: Green Hymn from In His Good Time (Ogun)
Daniel Herskedal & Marius Neset: Lutra Lutra from Neck of the Woods (Edition)
Daniel Herskedal & Marius Neset: The Wedding from Neck of the Woods (Edition)
Christophe Schweizer’s Moonsun: Rise, Rise, Rise! from Opus (Unit)
Andrea Keller: Footprints from Footprints (ABC)
Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet: True from True (Challenge)
EMJO: The Shagg’s Principle from Live in Coimbra (Clean Feed)
Robert Jukic: Icarus from Radio (Sanje)
Robert Jukic: Zadnja Kava Za Dva from Radio (Sanje)
Maya Dunietz, John Edwards & Steve Noble: Number Five from Cousin It (Hopscotch)
TromBari: At Peace With My Demons from The Devil’s Hopyard (Jazzmaniac)
Atipico Trio: Xhosa from Eqqueqqua’!!! (Leo)
Tom Harrell: Journey to the Stars from Number Five (HighNote)

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 15th July 2012


Joe Alterman: Biscuits from Give Me the Simple Life (Miles High)
Ted Nash: Plastic Sax Rumble from The Creep (Plastic Sax)
Greg Lamy & Paul Simoes: Tout Simplement from Jazz Guitar Duo (self-released)
Ohne 4 Gespielt Drei: Husarenritt from Time Trial (Green Deer Music)
Unidentified Flying Orchestra: Trillerpfeife from UFO (Green Deer Music)
Nicolai Munch-Hansen: My Man from Chronicles (Stunt)
Franco D’Andrea: Old Time Blues from Traditions and Clusters (El Gallo Rojo)
Rich Halley 4: Spuds from Back from Beyond (Pine Eagle)
Laurent Rochelle: Passages from Les Amours Invisibles (Linoleum)
Laurent Rochelle: Mon Coeur Minotaure from Les Amours Invisibles (Linoleum)
Joel Harrison 7: Whipping Post from Search (Sunnyside)
Lochs Balthaus Herskedal: Choices from Choices (Berthold)
Troyka: Chaplin from Moxxy (Edition)
Manuel Hermia, Manolo Cabras & Joao Lobo: The Story of a Caress from Long Tales and Short Stories (Igloo)
Kaleidoscope String Quartet: Groovy from Magenta (Unit)
Ted Nash: Plastic Sax Lullaby from The Creep (Plastic Sax)
Duo Bjurstrom-Rocher: Huit from On a Marche Sous la Pluie... (Marmouzic)
Duo Bjurstrom-Rocher: Victor from On a Marche Sous la Pluie... (Marmouzic)
Joris Posthumus Quartet feat. Tom Beek: Of a Different Kind from The Abyss (Challenge)

Sunday, 1 July 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 1st July 2012


Vasko Atanasovski Visions Ensemble: Midnight Summer Concert 3 from Bohemia (self-released)
Christophe Marguet Quartet Resistance Poetique: Two Hands for Eternity from Buscando la Luz (Le Chant du Monde / Abalone)
Szilard Mezei Wind Quartet: Innen from Innen (Ayler)
Bleu: Ha! from Strong Relation (Jazz ‘n’ Arts)
K Trio: Du Ba De from Recavidur (Dimma)
Donat Fisch Quartett: Desmond from Lappland (Unit)
Livio Minafra 4tet: Passi from Surprise!!! (Egea)
Johnathan Blake: Of Things to Come from The Eleventh Hour (Sunnyside)
Tom Harrell: Blue ‘n’ Boogie from Number 5 (HighNote)
Albatrosh: Major Little from Yonkers (Rune Grammofon)
Olaf Lind Quartet: The Hedgehog from Drift (Jazzhausmusik)
K Trio: Ons from Recavidur (Dimma)
Steven Kamperman’s Carrousel: Dans la Foule et la Folie from Mallemolen (Loplop)
Greg Diamond: Inertia from Conduit (Dot Time)
Matthew Bourne: Smile from Montauk Variations (Leaf)
Matthew Bourne: Within from Montauk Variations (Leaf)
Reginfirra: Pump from Reginfirra (Firra)
Eric Erhardt: A Better Fate from A Better Fate (Tapestry)

Sunday, 17 June 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 17th June 2012




Gabor Bolla: Hot Shrimps from Find Your Way (ACT)
Greg Lamy & Paulo Simoes: Absturz from Jazz Guitar Duo (self-released)
Paul Van Kemenade: Mex from Kaisei Nari (KEMO)
Scott DuBois: Prairie Suite from Landscape Scripture (Sunnyside)
Cesare Picco: Runaway from Piano Calling (Sensible)
Atomic: Boom, Boom from Boom, Boom (Jazzland)
Tva For Tommy: Baby Boom Boom from Tva For Tommy (Found You Recordings)
Anders Jormin: Quibus from Ad Lucem (ECM)
Rembrandt Frerichs: Boemel from Continental (Challenge)
Fredator: In and Out from Rebirth of the Bad (Soumen Musiikki)
Jussi Fredriksson: Ylletroja from Tidewaters (Fredriksson Musik)
Robert Jukic: Monk Art from Jazz for Masses (Goga Musica)
Susanna Ridler & [koe:r]: Wayfaring Stranger from Susystems (Electroland)
Gabor Bolla: East Broadway Rundown from Find Your Way (ACT)
Rich Halley 4: Opacity from Back From Beyond (Pine Eagle)
Tva For Tommy: Runt, Runt, Runt from Tva For Tommy (Found You Recordings)
Bleu: Muscat Bleu from Strong Relation (Jazz’n’Arts)
Curtis Fuller: Nu Groove from Down Home (Capri)

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 20th May 2012


The Leaping Fish Trio: Finger Prints from Sankofa (El Gallo Rojo)
Peter Vandenberghe & Bart Maris: Petit Faucheaux from Glits (self-released)
Vincent Gagnon: Apres L’Une from Bleu Cendre (Effendi)
Ken Aldcroft & Dave Clark: Nutty from Hat & Beard (Trio)
Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet: Paper Bag from True (Challenge)
Kaleidoscope String Quartet: Silly Dance from Magenta (Unit)
Dino & Franco Piana Septet: Open Dialogues Movimento 1 from Seven (AlfaMusic)
Dino & Franco Piana Septet: Open Dialogues Movimento 2 from Seven (AlfaMusic)
Troyka: Rest from Moxxy (Edition)
Hans Ludemann: Steine from Die Kunst des Trios 1-5 (BMC)
Hans Ludemann: Uhren from Die Kunst des Trios 1-5 (BMC)
The Leaping Fish Trio: Notte from Sankofa (El Gallo Rojo)
Lochs Balthaus Herskedal: Zany from Choices (Berthold)
Ratko Zjaka & Simone Zanchini: Pippo from The Way We Talk (In + Out)
Dialogues Trio with Julian Siegel: Waltz for Rossie from Twinkle Twinkle (Babel)
Robert Jukic: Mr. You-Can-Count-On-Me from Operation Charlie (dit’ e nat’)
1982: 2 from Pintura (Hubro)
Steve Lehman Trio: Jeannine from Dialect Fluorescent (Pi)
Mike Mainieri / Marnix Busstra Quartet: Three Years, Three Months, Three Weeks, Three Days from Trinary Motion (NYC / Buzz)

Sunday, 6 May 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 6th May 2012


.....featuring artists attending the 2012 Jazzahead! Festival.


Edmar Castaneda Trio: Entre Cuerdas from Entre Cuerdas (Arpa y Voz)
Omer Klein: Espana from Rockets on the Balcony (Tzadik)
Paul van Kemenade: Close Enough from Close Enough (KEMO)
Trondheim Jazz Orchestra & Maria Kannegaard Trio: Keep on Track from Live in Oslo (MNJ)
Too Noisy Fish: Amen Yourself / Ultratonic from Fast Easy Sick (RAT)
Solveig Slettahjell Slow Motion Quintet: Don’t Look Back from Good Rain (ACT)
Sebastien Gille: You Won’t Forget Me from Anthem (Pirouet)
Oran Etkin: Nina from Kelenia (Motema)
Francois Corneloup: La Nui est un Son from Noir Lumiere (Innacor)
Flat Earth Society: Rearm, Get that Char! from Cheer Me, Perverts (Crammed Discs)
Stevko Busch & Paul van Kemenade: Plotiju Usnuv (part one) from Contemplation (self-released)
Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio: Ujamma from The 11th Gate (Motema)
Just East: Mbira Mbump from House of Leaves (Just East of Jazz)
Kepera Trio & Yoram Lachish: Zuckerkandl from Levantasy (Kepera)
Emile Parisien Quartet: Chocolat-Citron from Chien Guepe (Laborie)
Alborada: Buleria por Solea from Jazzahead! 2012 (Jazzahead! compilation)

Sunday, 22 April 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 22nd April 2012


Mike Reed’s People, Places & Things: Sharon from Clean on the Corner (482 Music)
TOPP Quartet: Balance from Kadmos (Gligg)
RGG: Around Again from One (self-released)
Vincent Mondy Quartet: SDF from Ethnocentric (Laborie)
Co Streiff-Russ Johnson Quartet: Short Outbreak from In Circles (Intakt)
Ola Kvernberg: Liarbird from Liarbird (Jazzland)
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet: October is a Long Time Too from Fran Och Med Herr Jonas Kullhammar (Moserobie)
Devin Gray: Talking with Hands from Dirigo Rataplan (Skirl)
Partikel: Oojimaflip from Partikel (self-released)
RGG: Spring Walk from One (self-released)
Maciej Obara Quartet: Hidden from Equilibrium (self-released)
Toufic Farroukh: The Last Scene from Cinema Beyrouth (Enja)
Atomic: Panama from Here Comes Everybody (Jazzland)
Mike Reed’s People, Places & Things: Where the Story Ends from Clean on the Corner (482 Music)
Ozone: Poinciana from This is C’Est La Vie (BMC)

Thursday, 12 April 2012

Jazz Today Online Playlist: Spring 2012


IEP 4tet: Gascons Laveurs from Behin Bat Zen... (self-released). Sebastien ‘Iep’ Arruti, trombone; Alain Coyral, baritone saxophone; Timo Metzemakers, bass; Didier Ottaviani, drums.

Hybrid 10tet: Cuba, North Rhine Westphalia from On the Move (BBB). Michiel Braam, piano; Carl Ludwig Hubsch, tuba; Nils Wogram, trombone; Taylor Ho Bynum, cornet; Pieter Douma, bass guitar; Dirk-Peter Kolsch, drums; Maria-Paula Majoor and Daniel Torrico Menacho, violins; Karsten Kliejer, viola; Arno van der Vuurst, cello.

Friends & Neighbors: Sounds from Above from No Beat Policy (Ora Fonogram). Thomas Johansson, trumpet; Andre Roligheten, tenor saxophone; Oscar Gronberg, piano; Jon Rune Strom, bass; Tollef Ostvang, drums.

Duck Baker Trio: Opening the Eyes of Love from Amnesia in Trastevere (Les Cousins). Duck Baker, guitar; Alex Ward, clarinet; Joe Williamson, bass.

Tania Gill: Magpie from Bolger Station (Barnyard). Tania Gill, piano; Lina Allemano, trumpet; Clinton Ryder, bass; Jean Martin, drums.

Simone Guiducci: Lentament Mademoiselle from Django New Directions (TRJ). Simone Guiducci, guitar; Emanuele Parrini, violin; Achille Succi, clarinet; Mauro ‘Otto’ Ottolini, trombone; Danilo Gallo, bass; Zeno De Rossi, drums.

Joel Forrester / Phillip Johnston: Bunny Boy from Live at the Hillside Club (Asynchronous). Joel Forrester, piano; Phillip Johnston, soprano saxophone.

Maciej Fortuna Quartet: Lost Keys from Lost Keys (self-released). Maciej Fortuna, trumpet; Przemyslaw Raminiak, piano; Frank Parker, bass; Andrzei Swies, drums.

Suga Dairo: Pure Rain from No Shozo II (Pony Canyon). Tony Chanty, vocals; Suga Dairo, piano; Hikaru Toho, bass; ‘unknown’ drums.

TOPP Quartet: For Ornette from Kadmos (Gligg). Christof Thewes, trombone; Michel Pilz, bass clarinet; Jan Oestreich, bass; Peter Perfido, drums.

Sunday, 8 April 2012

Jazz Today Playlist: 8th April 2012


Simcock / Garland / Sirkis: Space Junk from Lighthouse (ACT)
Stylus Q: Bounce from Stylus Q (Abeat)
Ulrich Drechsler Trio: Hidden Persuasion from Beyond Words (Enja Yellowbird)
Steve Lehman Trio: Moment’s Notice from Dialect Fluorescent (Pi)
Dave Stapleton: Unity from Flight (Edition)
Aerophone: Five Characters (in search of an exit) from Aerophone (Fresh Sound New Talent)
Misja Fitzgerald-Michel: Fruit Tree from Time of No Reply (NoFormat)
Simcock / Garland / Sirkis: Above the Sun from Lighthouse (ACT)
Jeremy Pelt: What’s Wrong is Right from Soul (HighNote)
Tobias Preisig: Waldspaziergang from Flowing Mood (Obliqsound)
Trichotomy: Chase from The Gentle War (Naim)
Devin Gray: Downtime from Dirigo Rataplan (Skirl)
Nils Wogram’s Nostalgia: Friday the 13th from Sturm & Drang (NWOG)
Hayden Powell: Jasper from The Attic (Inner Ear)
Marty Ehrlich’s Rites Quartet: The Gravedigger’s Respite from Frog Leg Logic (Clean Feed)
Dave Stapleton: Henryk Part II from Flight (Edition)
Duck Baker Trio: Waltz with Mary’s Smile from The Waltz Lesson (Les Cousins)
TOPP Quartet: For Ornette from Kadmos (Gligg)