In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

This episode starts with a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as this show will air on MLK Day weekend. Following are some great tracks, most notably from Tommy Flanagan and Jackie McLean. The show ends with two versions of Mercy Street from the original Gabriel recording followed by Hancocks great cover. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Herbie Hancock ~ I Have a Dream ~ The Prisoner Tommy Flanagan ~ Raincheck ~ Jazz Poet Joe Gordon ~ Terra Firma Irma ~ Lookin' Good! Christopher Hollyday ~

We start this show (first of 2024) with a tribute to Les McCann. New music from Mike DiRubbo and fellow Hartford cat Matt Dwonszyk. Another Matt, Matt Hall brings us to the close with SFJazz Collective. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Les McCann & Eddie Harris ~ Cold Duck Time ~ Swiss Movement Les McCann ~ Poo Pye McGoochie (And His Friends) ~ Invitation to Openness Roberta Flack ~ Compared to What ~ First Take Mike DiRubbo ~ The Muse ~ Inner Light Matt Dwonszyk ~ Afro Blue ~ A Year and a

Wishing you all a jazzy Happy New Year as we begin this episode with an aptly titled tune from Joshua Redman. As I look at this playlist, it is dominated by great guitarists including Bernstein, Scofield, McLaughlin and newcomer Andrew Renfroe... and more Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joshua Redman ~ New Year ~ Still Dreaming Mike DiRubbo ~ Inner Light ~ Inner Light Andrew Renfroe ~ SPRINGS ~ Single John Scofield ~ Mr. Tambourine Man ~ Uncle John's Band John McLaughlin ~ Peace One ~ My Goals

This holiday episode of In The Groove begins with a few Christmas classics. Then we continue with some of my favorite 2023 releases, including ones from San Diego. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chris Potter ~ O Come All Ye Faithful ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas Marian McPartland ~ God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas Samara Joy ~ The Christmas Song ~ A Joyful Holiday Darcy James Argue's Secret Society ~ Ferromagnetic ~ Dynamic Maximum Tension Andrew Renfroe ~ FLUFFY ~

Continuing from last week's episode, we review some of my favorite releases from 2023. Besides long time favorites like Chris Potter and Billy Childs, there are newcomers on the scene producing great music. Tina Raymond, Miki Yamanaka, Lakecia Benjamin and Isaiah Thompson are represented here. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chris Potter ~ Got the Keys to the Kingdom ~ Got the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at the Village Vanguard Tina Raymond ~ The Emperor ~ Divinations Billy Childs ~ Master of the Game

With so much music being released, it is nearly impossible to come up with a "Best Of" list for 2023. So here are some of my favorite recordings and other picks from Jazztodon.com. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album ARTEMIS ~ Lights Away from Home ~ In Real Time Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band ~ Look to the Hills ~ Kings Highway Eddie Henderson ~ Freedom Jazz Dance ~ Witness to History Todd Sickafoose ~ Boom Bust Startup Ruin ~ Bear Proof Jaimie Branch ~ Aurora Rising ~ Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly