It is a gorgeous morning in Hartford, CT, and no better song expresses that as one by Ray Charles to start off the show. A heavy emphasis on local jazz artists permeate this podcast with new releases from Trio 149, Trombeatz, Dezron Douglas and Matt Dwonszyk. We close out the show with a set spanning Miles great ensembles.

PlaylistArtist ~ Track ~ Album Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra ~ Ray Sings, Basie Swings ~ Oh, What A Beautiful MorningTrio 149 ~ A New Beginning ~ Raise UpKenny Garrett ~ She Waits For the New Sun ~ Song BookTrombeatz ~ M3 ~ A Carribean ThingDezron Douglas ~ SoulIris ~ Black LionMatt Dwonszyk ~ Theocidy (Give and Take) ~ Wonderful WorldMatt Dwonszyk ~ What A Wonderful World ~ Wonderful WorldMarc Cary ~ Free the Spirits (feat. Awah Sangho) ~ Cosmic IndiginousTony Williams ~ Soweto Nights ~ CivilizationTony Williams ~ Allah Be Praised ~ Turn It OverMiles Davis ~ Love For Sale ~ Kind Of Blue 50th AnniversaryMiles Davis ~ Joshua ~ Seven Steps to HeavenMiles Davis ~ Shhh/Peaceful ~ In A Silent Way

This is part two of a broadcast aired on the birth date of the great Jackie McLean. Part one was last week's podcast episode. Jackie is heard in the beginning and end, with music from Joe Farrell, Dave Holland and Andrew Hill in between.

PlaylistArtist ~ Track ~ Album Jackie McLean ~ Right Now ~ Right NowJackie McLean ~ I'll Take Romance ~ Swing Swang Swingin'Joe Farrell ~ Follow Your Heart ~ Joe Farrell QuartetJoe Farrell ~ Great Gorge ~ Moon GermsDave Holland ~ Four Winds ~ Conference of the BirdsDave Holland ~ Conference of the Birds ~ Conference of the BirdsAndrew Hill ~ Spectrum ~ Point of DepartureJackie McLean/Dexter Gordon ~ Rue De La Harpe ~ The Meeting Vol 1

A 2 part podcast broadcast on Jackie McLean's birth date. Lots of JMac interspersed with exceptional new music from Godwin Louis and Matt Dwonszyk. Great guitar work from Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell represented here.

PlaylistArtist ~ Track ~ AlbumJackie McLean ~ The Explorers ~ Rhythm of the EarthEric Reed ~ Cedar Waltzin'-Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing ~ Everybody Gets the BluesGodwin Louis ~ Global Pt I: The Journey ~ GlobalGodwin Louis ~ Global Pt II: The Traveler ~ GlobalJackie McLean ~ Jackie's Ghost ~ Makin' the ChangesMatt Dwonszyk ~ Irene ~ Wonderful WorldMatt Dwonszyk ~ What A Wonderful World ~ Wonderful WorldJackie McLean ~ Greasy ~ New SoilWes Montgomery ~ Willow Weep For Me ~ Smokin' At The Half NoteWes Montgomery ~ Four on Six ~ Incredible Jazz GuitarWes Montgomery Live ~ Impressions ~ Round MidnightKenny Burrell and John Coltrane ~ Freight Trane ~ Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane

This episode has a very Spring-like sound to it, punctuated by Eric Reed's unique slow take of Hubbard's Up Jumped Spring, and Spring by Holographic Principle. Also, more local (Hartford) new releases by Matt Dwonszyk, Trombeatz and Stevie D.

PlaylistArtist ~ Track ~ Album McCoy Tyner ~ Passion Dance ~ The Real McCoyMcCoy Tyner ~ Contemplation ~ The Real McCoyDafnis Prieto Big Band ~ Song for Chico ~ Back to the SunsetTrombeatz ~ Something New ~ A Caribbean ThingMatt Dwonszyk ~ Theocidy (Give and Take) ~ Wonderful WorldEric Reed ~ Up Jumped Spring ~ Everybody Gets The BluesJoni Mitchell ~ Goodbye Pork Pie Hat ~ MingusJoe Henderson ~ Inner Urge ~ The Standard JoeHolographic Principle - Ronnie Burrage ~ Spring ~ Dance of the Great SpriitHolographic Principle - Ronnie Burrage ~ Chanda ~ Dance of the Great SpriitSteve Davis ~ Can't Complain ~ Correlations

It the middle of this episode, a treasure trove of new releases by Hartford based musicians. Congrats to Steve Davis on achieving the top spot on the jazz charts with his new album. Bassist Matt Dwonszyk premiers his new album, and Bisantz & Nakhimovsky debut their album, Love's Tango. We have other tunes from the likes of Milt Jackson, Kenny Garrett, Wayne Shorter and more.

PlaylistArtist ~ Track ~ Album Milt Jackson ~ Sunflower ~ SunflowerKenny Garrett ~ Brother Hubbard ~ SongbookSteve Davis ~ Think on Me ~ CorrellationsSteve Davis ~ Song For My Love ~ CorrellationsMatt Dwonszyk ~ Cuban Breeze ~ Wonderful WorldMatt Dwonszyk ~ What A Wonderful World ~ Wonderful WorldJune Bisantz & Alex Nakhimovsky ~ Ocean Dreams ~ Love's TangoWayne Shorter ~ Lost and Orbits Medley ~ EmanonWayne Shorter ~ Lilia ~ Native DancerAnat Cohen ~ In The Spirit of Baden (feat. Romero Lubamba) ~ LuminosaChristian McBride ~ Pier One Import ~ New Jawn

To my daughter Rachel and Maddie, her new baby girl. The opening set has special meaning, with Metheny, McFerrin and Getz. Following are two of the brightest young bassists to come out of the Hartford area; Matt Dwonszyk and Dezron Douglas, with new albums showing their stuff. We've also got music from veteran alto sax players Garrett and Abate.

A mix of music, mostly new and much with Hartford roots. The second half features two from recently departed Roy Hargrove, and a trio of selections from K Jarrett's various ensembles.

PlaylistArtist ~ Track ~ Album Steve Davis ~ Inner Glimpse ~ CorrelationsBennie Wallace ~ Mystic Bridge ~ Mystic BridgeJim Snidero ~ Visions (feat. Jeremy Pelt) ~ Waves of CalmDezron Douglas ~ Negroidius Maximus ~ Black LionCorcoran Holt ~ Smile ~ The MeccaRoy Hargrove ~ when we were young ~ The Tenors of Our TimeRoy Hargrove ~ Shade of Jade ~ Tenors of our TimeKris Allen ~ Star Eyes ~ Circle HouseKieth Jarrett ~ The Journey Home ~ My SongKieth Jarrett Trio ~ The Way You Look Tonight ~ Standards LiveKeith Jarrett ~ De Drums ~ Fort Yahwuh

A broad range of jazz music that I aired a couple of weeks ago. No particular theme here, just music that represents many facets of Jazz from hard-bop (Toots, Byrd, Burrell), early fusion (Miles, Herbie) to new music with its own fresh sounds (Godwin Louis, Joey Alexander).

Following last weeks funky podcast, we will mix it up with funk, soul, R&B and we won't leave out straight ahead jazz. We'll even throw in hard rocker Jimi Hendrix playing a jazzy tune. This is the second half of last week's broadcast radio show.

The title says it all. This episode is full of funky jazz tunes. Funk takes many forms and we will explore some examples. Beginning with Les McCann's timeless expression of outrage. Then from Jazz/Rock fusion of the 70"s to new music that continues the tradition of blending jazz artistry with electronics and funk beats. Finally Dave Liebman pays homage to the man that innovated fusion.