Jazz Bastard Podcast

Four live records turn up on the boys' plates - of which do they happily partake?  The sessions range in recording dates from the late sixties to the 2010's, but three of the four came out in the last few months...

We don't pen up or force-feed our co-host.  This podcast is proud to say we use only free-range Mike.  And when Mike's in the driver's seat, you never know what odd alleyways you might go down.  Today's 'cast looks at two generations of Cherry's, the third appearance on this show of Kemet's best-loved offspring . . . and an album-length cover of Abbey Road?   Brace yourselves, partners...

After what seems like donkey's years the bastards have a new guest to interview, and we couldn't be happier than to spend an hour with saxophonist, composer, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk booster Dave Mullen.  Dave talks about his new album, Solace, the personal and musical inspirations behind it, his love of multi-saxophonist and blind visionary Rahsaan Kirk, and a host of other topics...

Like musicians in every genre, jazzers can't resist the lure of making Christmas and/or holiday themed albums from time to time.  Some of the efforts turn into timeless classics.  But let's be real - most of 'em don't.  We talk about two recent efforts, an oddity from the 'ninties, and one of Capitol records many repackaging of their back catalog for holiday commerce.  Straps yourselves in, elves...

For our first podcast of 2022 we take a deep dive into the work of recently departed guitarist Pat Martino.   From a live burner to an introspective duet to a fusion foray and an all-star showcase, Pat's recordings always delivered quality and kept his unique personality to the fore whatever the context.  Pat Martino:  LIVE!, JOYOUS LAKE, WE'LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN, BOTH SIDES NOW.  Mike brings a bonanza to pop matters but Pat has only one little Nightmare.

Time to look at some of the best and brightest from 2021 - and the recent past.  But, lo!  Is that a controversy brewing off in the distance?  Sounds like the bastards once again are skeptical of generally received wisdom, whether about funky puppies or critics' darlings.  Snarky Puppy – CULCHA VULCHA; Eric Revis - SLIPKNOTS THROUGH A LOOKING GLASS; Pharoah Sanders / Floating Points – PROMISES;  Henry Threadgill – POOF.

We've made it nine years - four years more than Ziggy Stardust promised us, thank you very much - and to celebrate we're once again discussing ensembles the numerical size of which matches our anniversary.   That means, my friends, nonets, and of course we'll start with the most famous jazz nonet of all, that one that birthed a hundred West-Coast groups.  Miles Davis – BIRTH OF THE COOL; Lee Konitz – NONET; Andrew Hill – PASSING SHIPS; Rabih Abou-Khalil – THE SULTAN’S PICNIC...