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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English

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#566
Sunday · 1 hr
Episode November 8 2026
New releases reviewed in this episode from Yamanaka, Holland, Sprague, E. Cohen and L. Benjamin. Also, we celebrate last week's election in the US with an appropriate tune from Goldings, Bernstein, Stewart. Finally selections from a great Ellington Suite. Playlist Artist ~ Track ~ Album Miki Yamanaka ~ Pre School ~ Breathe Dave Holland ~ Sextet: Step To It ~ Freedom Call: Sextet - Unity Joshua Redman ~ A Message To Unsend ~ Words Fall Short Peter Sprague ~ Captain Bacardi ~ Derradeira Primavera Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart ~ FU Donald ~ Perpetual Pendulum Emmet Cohen ~ Luck Be A Lady ~ Universal Truth Lakecia Benjamin ~ Dream Breaker ~ We Dream Duke Ellington ~ Such Sweet Thunder ~ Such Sweet Thunder Duke Ellington and His Orchestra ~ The Star-Crossed Lovers ~ Such Sweet Thunder
#565
November 1 · 59 min
Episode Nov 1 2026
This week's show reviews new and old releases from Greg Abate, Dave Holland, Miki Yamanaka and Steve Davis along with a classic from Chick's RTF. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Greg Abate ~ Monsters In The Night ~ Monsters In The Night Greg Abate Quartet ~ Into Somewhere ~ In The Moment Dave Holland ~ Prism: Choir ~ Freedom Call: Prism - Freedom Dave Holland Quartet ~ See-Saw ~ Conference of the Birds John Scofield & Dave Holland ~ Memories of Home ~ Memories of Home Miki Yamanaka ~ Indigo ~ Breathe Steve Davis ~ I Could Write a Book ~ Meets Hank Jones, Volume 2 Return To Forever ~ 500 Miles High ~ Light As A Feather
#564
October 25 · 59 min
Episode October 25 2026
This week's episode begins with flautist Lori Bell and her ensembles from Southern California. Then we have a chugga-chugga train theme from Metheny and Moody. Finally some of my favorite new releases that may show up on my best of album list for 2026. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Lori Bell ~ Lower Manhattan ~ Brooklyn Dreaming Lori Bell Quartet ~ Shade of Jade ~ Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson Pat Metheny Group ~ Last Train Home ~ Still Life (Talking) James Moody ~ Last Train From Overbrook ~ Don't Look Away Now! George Garzone ~ Ripty Boom ~ Themes for Good Friends Anthony Fung, Andrew Renfroe & Luca Alemanno ~ This is for Albert ~ Common Language Sullivan Fortner ~ Aria II ~ Leave That In There Gregory Hutchinson ~ Water Babies ~ Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis Dave Holland ~ Quintet: Veil of Tears ~ Freedom Call: Quintet - Synergism
#563
October 18 · 59 min
New Modern Adventurous
Today's episode is mostly new music with a modern, adventurous twist. The first half of the show in particular feature artists like Akinmusire, Fortner, Hutchinson and O'Farrill that have been exploring a more free form, expressive aspect to the jazz idiom. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Ambrose Akinmusire ~ Bloomed ~ honey from a winter stone Sullivan Fortner ~ Sugarcane ~ Leave That In There Gregory Hutchinson ~ Fall ~ Kind of Now - The Pulse of Miles Davis Adam O'Farrill ~ Curves and Convolutions ~ ELEPHANT Doug Webb ~ Watch Your Step ~ Watch Your Step Dave Holland ~ Sextet: Modern Times ~ Freedom Call: Sextet - Unity Danilo Perez & Bohuslän Big Band ~ Suite for the Americas ~ Lumen
#562
October 11 · 59 min
SDTJ Jazz Fest 2026
This episode is inspired by the San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival (SDTJ). This festival, now in its third year, is the creation of jazz impresario Dan Atkinson and is has performances that cross the US/Mexico border. Much of the festival is free to attend, with the main event held in Escondido. We begin this program with an alto sax player Sarah Hanahan who performed at the festival with the Mingus Big Band. That is followed by new music from Emmet Cohen and David Borgo. The SDTJ festival is then highlighted by headliners Danilo Perez, Mingus Dynasty and Brian Bade Fellowship. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Sarah Hanahan ~ Welcome ~ Among Giants Sarah Hanahan ~ NATO ~ Among Giants Emmet Cohen ~ Budo ~ Universal Truth Emmet Cohen ~ Gingerbread Boy ~ Universal Truth David Borgo ~ Flow ~ Panta Rhei Danilo Perez & Bohuslän Big Band ~ Across the Crystal Sea ~ Lumen Mingus Dynasty ~ Goodbye Pork Pie Hat ~ Live At Village Vanguard Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band ~ Kings Highway ~ Kings Highway
#561
October 4 · 59 min
Miles and Trane Covered
This week takes a different spin on the Miles and Trane Centennial. Instead of playing music from the masters themselves, this show features covers of tunes composed or made famous by these iconic artists that defined the jazz genre for years to come. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Roy Hargrove Quintet & Antonio Hart ~ Milestones ~ The Vibe Kenny Garrett ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Pursuance: The Music Of John Coltrane Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio ~ Impressions ~ Smokin' At The Half Note (expanded) Christian McBride ~ Bitches Brew ~ Live At Tonic Cassandra Wilson ~ Run the VooDoo Down ~ Traveling Miles Chick Corea ~ Nefertitti ~ The Song of Singing Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern & George Coleman ~ All Blues ~ 4 Generations of Miles Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker & Roy Hargrove ~ So What / Impressions ~ Directions In Music: Live At Massey Hall
#560
September 27 · 59 min
Episode September 27 2026
Lots of new releases in this week's show. Lovano and Elling are among the more well known artists. Hollenbeck, Clark and Sprague may not be as familiar. And of course, we continue with a Coltrane interpretation of a Gershwin classic for Trane's centennial celebration. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joe Lovano ~ Amsterdam ~ Paramount Quartet John Hollenbeck & Hot Club Jazz Orchestra ~ Feed the Fire ~ Peace and Justice Kurt Elling ~ Pallas’ Palace (Palladium) ~ Play Weather Report: Alive in Europe Peter Sprague ~ Guinnevere ~ Guinnevere Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart ~ Dissipation Blues ~ Rhombus Mike Clark ~ Lungs ~ Kuon Ganjo Linda May Han Oh ~ Living Proof ~ Strange Heavens John Coltrane ~ But Not for Me ~ My Favorite Things
#559
September 20 · 59 min
Coltrane at 100
This week marks the 100th birthdate of John Coltrane, September 23, 1926. I have played so much Trane and Miles over the past several months, that I didn't dedicate the entire show to JC's birthday, but played a set near the end that celebrates Trane's free soloing as well as lush ballads. Prior to that set we feature drummer Jeff Hamilton and Mike Clark, as well as pianists Hampton Hawes and Christian Sands. Finally, the gorgeous arrangements for large ensembles from John Hollenbeck. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Jeff Hamilton Trio ~ In Walked Bud (Live) ~ Live from San Pedro The Jeff Hamilton Trio ~ The Magic of Mr. Wess ~ A New Chapte Hampton Hawes Trio ~ Yesterdays ~ This Is Hampton Hawes, Vol. 2: The Trio Mike Clark ~ Toys ~ Kuon Ganjo Christian Sands ~ Manhã de Carnaval ~ Between Then and Now John Coltrane Quartet ~ Impressions ~ The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings John Coltrane ~ After The Rain ~ Impressions John Hollenbeck & Hot Club Jazz Orchestra ~ Red Shades ~ Peace and Justice
#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

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