MusicMusic Commentary

In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Ken Laster

From Jazz masters of past and present to emerging new artists performing modern jazz and fusion. No smooth jazz here!

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#558
September 13 · 58 min
Episode September 13 2026
Getting closer to John Coltrane's centenial of his birth, so we will begin with a set dedicated to the master. We will play some Miles as well, as we have been doing frequently these last few months. The show ends with a couple tracks from the late great guitarist Mick Goodrick. Artist ~ Name ~ Album John Coltrane ~ Equinox ~ Coltrane's Sound John Coltrane ~ Dear Lord ~ Transition Miles Davis Quintet ~ If I Were a Bell ~ Relaxin' With the Miles Davis Quintet Miles Davis ~ Nature Boy ~ Blue Moods Mauricio Morales & Adam Hersh ~ Sand From A Broken Hourglass ~ Between Dreams & Twilight Sullivan Fortner ~ Aria II ~ Leave That In There Mick Goodrick ~ Feebles, Fables and Ferns ~ In Pas(s)ing Mick Goodrick & Fred Hersch ~ Soul Eyes ~ Feebles, Fables & Ferns
#557
September 6 · 59 min
Episode September 6 2026
This episode begins with another centenial tribute to John Coltrane with an extended composition for a large brass ensemble, Africa. From there we review new releases from some of jazz's contemporary masters. Playist Artist ~ Name ~ Album John Coltrane Quartet ~ Africa ~ Africa/Brass Sessions Dave Holland ~ Quintet: Easy Did It ~ Quintet: Easy Did It - EP Mauricio Morales & Adam Hersh ~ Where The Olive Trees Wither ~ Between Dreams & Twilight Jeremy Pelt ~ Sandman ~ Our Community Will Not Be Erased Sullivan Fortner ~ Aerobatics Pt. 1 ~ Leave That In There Sullivan Fortner ~ Aerobatics Pt. 2 ~ Leave That In There Stefon Harris & Blackout ~ Echoes of the Lion ~ Legacy Dances Stefon Harris & Blackout ~ What a Wonderful World ~ Legacy Dances
#556
August 30 · 59 min
Miles Jazz Festival
This episode was inspired by a Miles Davis Centenial Jazz Festival hosted by KSDS Radio in San Diego. The three day event had seminars, panel discussions and of course music. This show contains music by the artists that performed, and is kicked off by original music from Miles and Trane. The podcast concludes with recordings by Wayne and Herbie. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Miles Davis ~ New Rhumba ~ Miles Ahead John Coltrane ~ Mr. P.C. ~ Giant Steps Eric Reed ~ Flamenco Sketches ~ From My Heart Ernie Watts ~ Joy Trane ~ Spirit Song Doug Webb ~ A Night in Tunisia ~ Fast Friends Mike Wofford & Holly Hofmann ~ M-Line ~ Turn Signal (feat. Terell Stafford) Wayne Shorter ~ Lilia ~ Native Dancer Wayne Shorter ~ Tarde ~ Native Dancer Herbie Hancock ~ Oliloqui Valley ~ Empyrean Isles
#555
August 23 · 59 min
Episode Aug 23 2026
This show begins with San Diegan pianist with Mexican roots, Irving Flores. His music is grounded in the Latin Jazz tradition. That is followed by the late great George Duke with tunes that show off his diversity of styles with R&B and Brazilian influences. Then some early Weather Report before concluding with a beautiful ballad from Coltrane as we near his centennial birthday. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Irving Flores & Danzon Jazz Trio ~ Abigail ~ American Influence Irving Flores ~ Samba Con Sabor ~ Armando Mi Conga George Duke ~ Capricorn ~ Faces In Reflection George Duke ~ Maria Tres Filhos ~ Faces In Reflection Weather Report ~ Unknown Soldiers ~ I Sing The Body Electric Weather Report ~ Second Sunday In August ~ I Sing The Body Electric Miroslav Vitous ~ I Will Tell Him On You ~ Infinite Search John Coltrane Quartet ~ Dear Lord ~ Transition
#554
August 16 · 1 hr
More Miles and Trane @100
We continue to feature Miles and Trane on the year of their centennial. These giants of jazz are represented with some of the classic recordings that pay homage to their greatness. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album John Coltrane ~ My Favorite Things ~ My Favorite Things John Coltrane ~ A Love Supreme, Pt. 1: Acknowledgement ~ A Love Supreme Miles Davis ~ Dear Old Stockholm ~ Round About Midnight Miles Davis ~ So What ~ Four & More Miles Davis ~ Flamenco Sketches ~ Kind of Blue Ralph Alessi ~ Duck Face ~ A Sun That Never Sets
#553
August 9 · 59 min
Expand Your Mind
This episode takes us back to the psychedelic days of the early 70's to modern day fusion starting with this set from Lonnie Liston Smith. It's followed by new music from an LA Trio with excellent guitar work from Andrew Renfroe. The fusion set ends with Metheny's Side Eye III+. We take a more straight ahead direction to conclude the show with new music from Farnsworth, Hanahan and Holland. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes ~ Expansions ~ Expansions Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes ~ Astral Traveling ~ Astral Traveling Anthony Fung, Andrew Renfroe & Luca Alemanno ~ Creepin' ~ Common Language Anthony Fung, Andrew Renfroe & Luca Alemanno ~ This is for Albert ~ Common Language Pat Metheny ~ SE-O ~ Side-Eye III+ Joe Farnsworth ~ All Said and Done ~ The Big Room Sarah Hanahan ~ NATO ~ Among Giants Dave Holland ~ Sextet: Fast Track ~ Sextet: Fast Track - EP
#552
August 2 · 59 min
Episode Aug 3 2026
This episode begins with some of this genre's greatest masters, Herbie, Henderson, Hampton and OP. Following that we have new music from up and coming jazz artists. The show concludes with another jazz master, Charles LLoyd and his latest release from the Indian/Jazz fusion project Sangam. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Herbie Hancock ~ Ostinato (Suite for Angela) ~ Mwandishi Joe Henderson ~ Serenity ~ In 'n Out Lionel Hampton & Oscar Peterson ~ Moonglow ~ The Complete Lionel Hampton Quartets and Quintets with Oscar Peterson on Verve Ralph Alessi ~ A Sun That Never Sets ~ A Sun That Never Sets Joey Alexander ~ Deep Calls To Deep ~ Celestial Keeper Nicole Zuraitis ~ the devil i knew ~ the devil i knew Charles Lloyd ~ Tagore ~ Sangam & Friends
#551
July 26 · 59 min
Episode July 26 2026
Begins with young pianist Joey Alexander who was a young prodigy at age 11, now after a decade of recording and touring is a respected jazz artist for his playing and composing. That is followed by jazz masters Brecker, Jarrett and Dr. L Smith. There is a duo of SoCal artists before the set concludes with the John Coltrane Quartet. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joey Alexander ~ Aversion ~ Celestial Keeper Michael Brecker ~ The Cost of Living ~ Michael Brecker Keith Jarrett ~ Long As You Know You're Living Yours ~ Belonging Dr. Lonnie Smith ~ Too Damn Hot ~ Too Damn Hot Monette Marino Keita ~ Djagbe Foli ~ Séwa Foli - Single Peter Sprague ~ Anti Ai ~ Anti Ai John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent
#550
July 19 · 1 hr
Episode July 19 2026
This show features a heavy dose of Coltrane related tracks from his quartet's collaborator McCoy Tyner, to his composition Naima, and concluding with Trane as a sideman with Miles. In between we have a fusion set from Airto, Flora and McLaughlin. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album McCoy Tyner ~ Passion Dance ~ The Real McCoy McCoy Tyner ~ When Sunny Gets Blue ~ Today and Tomorrow Curtis Taylor ~ Naima ~ Snapshot Airto ~ Tombo In 7/4 ~ Fingers Flora Purim ~ Nothing Will Be As It Was - Nada Sera Sera Como Antes ~ Nothing Will Be As It Was... Tomorrow John McLaughlin ~ Nathaniel Drives to New Jersey ~ Music for Abandoned Heights Mauricio Morales & Adam Hersh ~ Retratos De Vida Interrumpida ~ Between Dreams & Twilight Miles Davis ~ Milestones ~ Milestones
#549
July 12 · 59 min
Episode July 12 2026
This episode begins with the politically charged music of Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra. Other highlights are Rene Rosnes playing Brazilian compositions and a newly single from Charles Lloyd and his Sangam Trio. We end this show with another tribute to Miles and Trane on their centenial. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Charlie Haden, Carla Bley ~ Introduction To People ~ The Ballad of the Fallen Charlie Haden, Carla Bley ~ The People United Will Never Be Defeated ~ The Ballad of the Fallen Renee Rosnes ~ Casa Forte ~ Crossing Paths Peter Erskine ~ Lost Page ~ Dr. Um Charles Lloyd ~ Sam on the Ganges ~ Single Holly Hofmann ~ Soul-Leo ~ Low Life Kenny Burrell ~ Isabella ~ Soulero John Coltrane ~ Spiral ~ Giant Steps Miles Davis ~ Miles Runs the Voodoo Down ~ Bitches Brew
#548
July 5 · 1 hr
Chick Three Ways
This week's episode features a Chick Corea set with three tunes in very different settings. First we feature two young jazz artists with debut albums and a pair of Miles & Trane tunes in honor of their centennial birthdays. We complete this show honoring David Clayton Thomas from BS&T who passed on last week. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Caelan Cardello ~ Music for the People ~ Chapter One Matt Hall ~ Charlie's Harley ~ I Hope to My Never John Coltrane ~ Like Sonny ~ Coltrane Jazz Miles Davis ~ Black Comedy ~ Miles In the Sky Chick Corea ~ Matrix ~ Now He Sings, Now He Sobs Chick Corea ~ Armando's Rhumba ~ My Spanish Heart Chick Corea And Gary Burton ~ No Mystery ~ Native Sense - The New Duets Blood, Sweat & Tears ~ Spinning Wheel ~ Blood, Sweat & Tears
#547
June 28 · 59 min
Episode June 28 2026
Another eclectic set featuring fusion, hard-bop, and protest. Beginning with piano master Hancock and up-and-coming phenom Cardello, and ending with fusion guitarists supreme McLaughlin and Stern. Then a little protest music in between. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Herbie Hancock ~ Actual Proof ~ Thrust Caelan Cardello ~ Steppin' Up ~ Chapter One Les McCann & Eddie Harris ~ Compared to What ~ Swiss Movement Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart ~ FU Donald ~ Perpetual Pendulum Pat Metheny Group ~ When We Were Free ~ Quartet Bill Cunliffe & Holly Hofmann ~ Chucho ~ Just Duet, Vol. 2 John McLaughlin ~ Elijah in DC ~ Music for Abandoned Heights Łukasz Pawlik & Mike Stern ~ Eastern Winds ~ Single
#546
June 21 · 59 min
Trane, Brecker, Potter
This episode begins with a Coltrane inspired track from Emmet Cohen's latest album. We follow that with saxophone giants Potter and Brecker. The set concludes with a great arrangement of a Coltrane classic from Hancock and then an extended piece from Trane himself. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Emmet Cohen ~ Blue Train ~ Universal Truth Chris Potter ~ Sister Annie ~ Alive With Ghosts Today Michael Brecker ~ Nothing Personal ~ Michael Brecker Michael Brecker ~ African Skies ~ Tales from the Hudson Hancock, Brecker & Hargrove ~ So What / Impressions ~ Directions In Music: Live At Massey Hall John Coltrane Quartet ~ Transition ~ Transition
#545
June 14 · 59 min
Episode June 14 2026
This episode begins with a Joe Henderson tribute after attending a show by flautist Lori Bell of Henderson arrangements. Other tracks of note are Emmet Cohen's latest release, a Miles' classic, and the fusion feature from RTF. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Lori Bell Quartet ~ Black Narcissus ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson Joe Henderson ~ Isotope ~ Inner Urge Larry Young ~ Zoltan ~ Unity Emmet Cohen ~ I. Eternal Glimpse ~ Universal Truth Miles Davis ~ Sid's Ahead ~ Milestones Return to Forever ~ The Romantic Warrior ~ Romantic Warrior
#544
June 7 · 59 min
More Sonny and Miles
The last two episodes have been dedicated to Miles and Sonny, but there were a few more tracks I wanted to get into, so we review those at the top of the show. That is followed by some new music including a recent release by Emmet C and Joe F. Finally, we review some early Weather Report and late Joe Zawinul. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Sonny Rollins ~ Way Out West ~ Way Out West Thelonious Monk ~ Bemsha Swing ~ Brilliant Corners Miles Davis ~ Honky Tonk ~ Get Up With It Joe Farnsworth ~ You Already Know ~ The Big Room Emmet Cohen ~ Gingerbread Boy ~ Universal Truth Emmet Cohen ~ III. Universal Truth ~ Universal Truth Weather Report ~ Orange Lady ~ Weather Report Joe Zawinul ~ Black Market ~ Brown Street
#543
May 31 · 1 hr 1 min
Sonny RIP
One of the greatest players in the jazz legacy, Sonny Rollins passed away last week on May 25 at 95 years of age. On this episode, we look back on his career which spanned 7 decades. Here are some of my favorite "Newk" recordings from his most creative years. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Sonny Rollins ~ Strode Rode ~ Saxophone Colossus Sonny Rollins ~ Wonderful! Wonderful! ~ Newk's Time Sonny Rollins ~ Alone Together ~ Sonny Rollins and the Contempory Leaders Sonny Rollins ~ God Bless the Child ~ The Bridge Sonny Rollins ~ Alfie's Theme ~ Alfie (Original Music From The Score) Sonny Rollins ~ The Freedom Suite ~ Freedom Suite
#542
May 24 · 59 min
Miles Centennial Celebration
For this week's episode, we celebrate Miles Davis on the Centennial of his birth, May 26 1926. Miles is one of the most influential of jazz artist, having set new directions for jazz time and time again. Here we represent music from his first and second great quintets along with his explorations in electronics and rock rhythms that led to the jazz-rock fusion of the 70's and beyond. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Miles Davis ~ Milestones ~ Milestones Miles Davis ~ So What ~ Kind of Blue Miles Davis ~ Joshua ~ Seven Steps To Heaven Miles Davis ~ Footprints ~ Miles Smiles Miles Davis ~ Spanish Key (alternate take) ~ Bitches Brew (Legacy Edition) Gregory Hutchinson ~ Water Babies ~ Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis Peter Sprague ~ Flamenco Sketches ~ Blue Kind of Miles
#541
May 17 · 59 min
Latest from the Greatest
This episode features brand new music from some of the best jazz artists of today. From Potter to Metheny to Marsalis and more we have new album releases for your listening pleasure. They don't dissapoint. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chris Potter ~ Sister Annie ~ Alive With Ghosts Today Steve Wilson ~ Quiet Girl ~ Enduring Sonance Billy Childs ~ Lazy Afternoon ~ Triumvirate Gregory Hutchinson ~ Bitches Brew ~ Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis Pat Metheny ~ Make a New World ~ Side-Eye III+ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis ~ Let Freedom Swing (Eleanor Roosevelt) ~ Let Freedom Swing Brian Lynch ~ Blue n' boogie ~ Torch Bearers
#540
May 10 · 1 hr
A New York City Groove
In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on my recent trip to New York City, focusing on the jazz clubs and concerts I explored. We visited some of the iconic spots that have been standing the test of time, like Smalls, Mezzrow, and Smoke, and also discovered some fresh new places, such as Jazz Cultural and Close Up. Plus, we went to the Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz @ Lincoln Center to see the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory perform and snag an Honorable Mention Award. You can listen to the audio from the stream in this podcast. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Caelan Cardello ~ Gone Fishin’ ~ Chapter One Sarah Hanahan ~ We Bop! ~ Among Giants Jacobs Jazz Orchestra (YLJC) ~ Star Crossed Lovers ~ Essentially Ellington Competition Steve Wilson ~ Helen's Song ~ Enduring Sonance Sean Jones ~ How High the Moon ~ Im·pro·vise Never Before Seen John Di Martino ~ Isfahan ~ Passion Flower Scott Robinson ~ Tenor Eleven ~ Scott Robinson: Tenormore Sullivan Fortner ~ In a Sentimental Mood ~ Moments Preserved Steve Davis ~ Club 880 ~ Images
#539
May 3 · 59 min
Episode May 3 2026
Lots of new music in this week's episode. But first we begin with some funky 80's fusion from Steps Ahead with great tenor work from Michael Brecker. Perhaps two of the greatest jazz artists currently touring and making new music are on the playlist from Potter and Metheny. Also new music from today's modern creative forces Wilkins, Preminger and Turner. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Steps Ahead ~ Radio-Active ~ Modern Times Chris Potter ~ Into Africa ~ Alive With Ghosts Today Pat Metheny ~ Urban and Western ~ Side-Eye III+ Immanuel Wilkins ~ THE BIG COUNTRY ~ Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 2 Noah Preminger & Max Light ~ Smoke Gets In Your Eyes ~ Stitching Life Mark Turner ~ It Very Well May Be ~ Patternmaster

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