In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Ken Laster
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  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Chill Out

    This episode is my Chill Playlist. Starting with Miles & Trane is a fine way to begin.  While it is laid back on the surface, many of the tunes start chill, but gain in intensity. Branford's Hope is a great example of this. I especially dig Joe Henderson's take on Lazy Afternoon. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Miles Davis ~ Footprints ~ Miles Smiles John Coltrane ~ Equinox ~ Coltrane's Sound Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Hope ~ Braggtown Joe Henderson ~ Lazy Afternoon ~ Power to the People Pat Metheny ~ Minuano ~ Still Life (Talking) Emmet Cohen ~ Everlasting ~ Vibe Provider David Borgo ~ InFormation ~ Uplift

    59 min

  2. 7 SEPT

    Jazz in the Motor City

    Returning from the Detroit Jazz Fest, I wanted to highlight some of the remarkable artists who graced the stage, both local jazz talents and national acts. The episode concludes with the release of new music from pianist Christian Sands (New Haven) and saxophonist David Borgo (San Diego). Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Louis Jones III ~ Alternative Facts ~ Motions Marion Hayden ~ Buhaina ~ Visions Herlin Riley ~ Wang Dang Doodle ~ Perpetual Optimism Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ Spiral Dance ~ Belonging Walter Smith III ~ Cézanne ~ three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not Jackie McLean ~ Appointment In Ghana ~ Jackie's Bag Christian Sands ~ Divergent Journeys ~ Embracing Dawn David Borgo ~ Fluctuating Friends ~ Uplift

    1 hr

  3. 31 AUG

    That 70s Sound

    This playlist is a retrospective of recordings on CTI albums released in the 1970. They have that quality production and slick arrangement that make these albums so recognizable. These are some of my favorite examples. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Airto ~ Return to Forever ~ Free Deodato ~ Also Sprach Zarathustra ~ Prelude Milt Jackson ~ Sunflower ~ Sunflower Stanley Turrentine ~ Sugar ~ Sugar Joe Farrell ~ Follow Your Heart ~ Joe Farrell Quartet George Benson ~ So What? ~ Beyond the Blue Horizon

    59 min

  4. 24 AUG

    Episode Aug 24 2025

    We begin with a couple big band tunes arranged by Gerald Wilson followed by guitar greats Benson and Wes. This show concludes with an extended cover of one of Chick's great tunes, by a quartet of modern jazz top tier players. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Gerald Wilson Big Band ~ Milestones ~ Moment Of Truth Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra ~ California Soul ~ California Soul George Benson ~ Affirmation ~ Breezin' Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio ~ Impressions ~ Smokin' At The Half Note Weather Report ~ Brown Street ~ 8:30 (Live) Michael Brecker ~ Midnight Voyage ~ Tales from the Hudson Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland & Chris Potter ~ 500 Miles High ~ First Meeting (Live at Dizzy's Club)

    59 min

  5. 17 AUG

    Episode Aug 16 2025

    An eclectic show. We begin with a couple tunes from Brubecks 'Time Out' with a twist. Then a set with jazz masters Jamal, Tyner and Davis. The set ends with new music including Indian Fusion from Shakti. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album George Benson ~ Take Five ~ Bad Benson Dave Brubeck Quartet ~ Blue Rondo A La Turk ~ Time Out Ahmad Jamal ~ Arabesque ~ It's Magic McCoy Tyner ~ Man From Tanganyika ~ Tender Moments Miles Davis ~ Oleo ~ Bags' Groove  Shakti ~ 5 In The Morning, 6 In The Afternoon ~ Mind Explosion Brandee Younger ~ Breaking Point ~ Gadabout Season Irving Flores ~ Armando Mi Conga  ~ (Single)

    1 hr

  6. 10 AUG

    Back to Hardbop

    Recent episodes have centered around jazz/rock fusion and new releases. This week we go back to Hard-Bop. Blakey, Miles, Trane, Freddie, Mobley to name a few. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers ~ One By One  ~ Ugetsu Miles Davis ~ Milestones ~ Milestones John Coltrane ~ Moment's Notice ~ Blue Train Freddie Hubbard ~ Arietis ~ Ready For Freddie Donald Byrd ~ Off To The Races ~ Off To The Races Joe Henderson ~ Black ~ Mode For Joe  Hank Mobley ~ Up Over and Out ~ Reach Out!  Jackie McLean ~ Appointment In Ghana ~ Jackie's Bag

    1 hr

  7. 3 AUG

    Episode Aug 3 2025

    This episode begins with Michael Brecker in some interesting situations with Paul Simon and James Taylor. We follow that up with new music from another tenor sax player, Jimmy Greene from his newest release. Playlist  Artist ~ Name ~ Album Michael Brecker ~ African Skies ~ Tales from the Hudson Paul Simon ~ Under African Skies ~ Graceland Michael Brecker ~ The Nearness of You ~ Nearness of You: The Ballad Book Jimmy Greene ~ Praises ~ As We Are Now Jimmy Greene ~ Speak Low ~ As We Are Now Sam Rivers ~ Beatrice ~ Fuchsia Swing Song Chick Corea ~ Friends ~ Friends Herbie Hancock ~ Maiden Voyage ~ Maiden Voyage

    59 min

  8. 27 JUL

    Mangione and More

    This show begins by paying tribute to Chuck Mangione who passed away last week. Best known for his hit 'Feel So Good', Mangione is one of a few musicians that bridged jazz and popular music audiences. Also notable in this show we play new releases from modern jazz artists you may not yet have heard. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chuck Mangione ~ Land of Make Believe ~ Land of Make Believe  Chuck Mangione ~ Give It All You Got ~ Fun and Games Kenny Burrell ~ Midnight Blue ~ Midnight Blue Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio ~ Impressions ~ Smokin' At The Half Note Nicole McCabe ~ A Change In Scenery ~ A Song To Sing Jimmy Greene ~ As We Are Now ~ As We Are Now Andrew Renfroe ~ DREAMER ~ POP LOGIC Linda May Han Oh ~ The Sweetest Water  ~ Strange Heavens  Dexter Gordon ~ Soy Califa ~ The Swingin' Affair

    1h 1m
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Hosts & Guests

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Laster
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2025
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2022 Ken Laster. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

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