Jazztimes Spins & Riffs

Lee and guest co-host Gerald Veasley preview some funky jazz cuts from new albums by Marcus Miller and Steve Gadd.  They riff on jazz and music in South Africa. Episode sponsored by the Newport Jazz Festival.

In this live edition of JazzTimes Spins & Riffs taped at the Exit 0 International Jazz Festival in Cape May, New Jersey, Lee and Rene spin cuts from three recent albums featuring very different vocalists: Allison Krauss (on Billy Childs' Laura Nyro project), Jamie Cullum and Freddy Cole.  Rene and Lee riff on Rene's SLAM workshop for singers and what she has learned from her students.  They also talk about the difference between singers and instrumentalists. Sponsored by ECM Reords.

With guest co-host Russ Davis of MOJA radio, Lee spins two new albums with a New Orleans focus, including Henry Butler & Steven Bernstein's "Viper's Drag" and Dr. John's "Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch."  Russ & Lee then riff on the art of interviewing. This episode is sponsored by the Tucson Jazz Festival.

Taped on location at the 2014 Detroit Intl. Jazz Festival, Lee and guest co-host Russ Davis of MOJA Radio spin cuts from two recent Chick Corea albums. Later they riff on what is special about jazz festivals and on some of their favorites.  This episode is sponsored by the Tucson Jazz Festival.

In this episode taped on-location on The Jazz Cruise somewhere in the Caribbean, Lee spins a cut from singer Catherine Russell's "Bring It Back" album and he and co-host Ken Peplowski riff on the unique aspects of The Jazz Cruise, including the sometimes nutty fanaticism of the audience and the special camaraderie amongst the musicians. Ken recommends a very long book about the Beatles and Lee talks about a biography of Nat Hentoff. This episode sponsored by Scullers Jazz in Boston. 

In this episode taped on The Jazz Cruise, clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski riffs with Lee on how a band, even one with Thelonious Monk, can speed up against its collective will and on why Duke Ellington is not the procastinating sponge as portrayed in a recent biography and on why donkeys should be fed very carefully.  This episode sponsored by Scullers Jazz in Boston.

Lee spins two recent holiday music albums - Tim Warfield's Jazzy Christmas and Nnenna Freelon's Christmas.  Lee explains his annual ritual of compiling a holiday music sampler for friends and family in lieu of a humbly boasting holiday letter.  Lee and Rene talk about their favorite holiday songs and they discuss the virtues of caroling.  During the Riff, Rene turns the tables and grills Lee on the upcoming Jazz Connect Conference at APAP|NYC in January.  And Lee in turn interviews Rene about her one woman play - Slut Energy Theory - which premiered earlier this year in NYC.  This episode sponsored by Berks Jazz Festival.

Previews of new albums from pianists Marc Cary and Helen Sung.  Rene and Lee riff on taking an unpopular stand, whether political or social. Rene talks about Esperanza Spalding who recently did a protest song about the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. This episode sponsored by PDXJazz. 

New albums from great jazz (and beyond) singers Gregory Porter and Dianne Reeves get spun by Lee and Rene.  Rene riffs on celebrities who annoy her, including even Kevin Hart (!), at least for his ubiquity.  This episode is sponsored by Motema Music. 

The marvelous Eartha Kitt is the subject of this podcast in which Rene and Lee go long on Rene's new album - I Wanna Be Evil - dedicated to the life and music of Ms. Kitt. They listen to Eartha's version of "Oh, John" and compare it to Rene's version.  They also talk about Eartha's very unique persona.  This episode is sponsored by Scullers Jazz Club in Boston.

New CDs by pianists Marc Cary and John Medeski are previewed by Lee and Rene. Then Rene & Lee riff on the power and the pain of social media.  Rene is particularly feeling the pain part and is looking for help in that department.  This episode sponsored by Scullers Jazz in Boston.

Spinning Joshua Redman and Keith Jarrett new releases, Lee & Rene talk about lyricism, phrasing and the power of a beautiful melody, including a certain one that was the soundtrack for a marriage.  Rene & Lee riff on jazz on cartoons from the Flintstones to the Simpsons. This episode sponsored by Insight Cuba.

Lee spins new albums from George Benson and Bob James & David Sanborn, contemporary jazz artists who step away from the "smooth" to deliver homages to more traditional jazz greats of the past. Benson salutes Nat King Cole and James & Sanborn pay tribute to the legacy of Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond. Rene and Lee riff on what makes an interview, whether for print or radio, good or bad.  This episode sponsored by Scullers Jazz in Boston

Lee & Rene spin new albums from vocal jazz innovators Bobby McFerrin and Cecile McLorin Salvant, two singers at very different stages of their career.  Lee admits to not liking the McFerrin at first because it didn't conform to his expecations of what gospel music should sound like. Which leads to Rene's riff on how expectations or pre-conceived notions can wreak havoc with an artist's creativity.  This episode sponsored by the Newport Jazz Festival.

Lee and Rene preview new albums from singer Barbara Morrison and drummer Ray Appleton, two underappreciated artists who have not received a lot of media or public attention in recent years.  Rene and Lee riff on "shit I'm scared to do."  NOTE: Rene is afraid of snakes, her basement and truly speaking her mind, while Lee is afraid of writing a bad book.  However, Lee is not afraid of sharks.  Rene explains the creative power of fear.

New albums by Aaron Diehl and Gerald Clayton are previewed.  Rene and Lee also riff on pianist Mulgrew Miller, who died recently. This episode is sponsored by DC Jazz Festival.

With Rene touring on the West Coast, bassist Gerald Veasley sits in as guest co-host for a show about bass and the Sound of Philadelphia. In this episode taped on location at the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pa., Lee & Gerald preview new albums from bassists Charnett Moffett and Christian McBride. The two Philly natives then riff on the music of Gamble & Huff, Thom Bell, Grover Washington, Jr and many of their jazz heroes from that city. This episode sponsored by Insight Cuba.

JT editor Evan Haga sits in for Rene Marie, who is in NYC recording her new album. Evan previews new albums from Marc Ribot & Ceramic Dog and Colin Stetson, both of which owe as much to rock as jazz.  Lee riffs on how the alt-rock community seems indifferent to jazz and improvisational music.  This episode sponsored by DC Jazz Festival.

New York Voices album previewed. Rene and Lee talk about longevity and the challenges of keeping a group together for a long time. They talk about the vocalese tradition and the popularity of vocal groups in college music programs. Rene riffs on the stories behind the songs, including "Nature Boy," "Blue in Green," and "Strange Fruit."

Kevin Eubanks' new album "The Messenger" gets previewed. Lee & Rene talk about the conundrum of a musician being famous on TV for one thing when he may be something different entirely. They talk about the tradition of the sidekick on TV talk shows and Rene confesses that she would take the gig and do her best to laugh at the host's jokes. Just for the money. She says she could do it for a year. Lee thinks a week or two, tops. Rene riffs on fame vs. artistic authenticity.