The Hot Box

Donald Helme

The Hot Box covers the best in Irish recorded jazz, set it in the wider context of the international language that is jazz.

  1. 15/12/2025

    The Hot Box #146 – New Releases

    The Hot Box 146 is packed with brand new releases, and as ever there is more to play than time to play it. Donald Helme opens the show with music from pianist John Donegan and his new album Interfuse, featuring Richie Buckley. The programme then moves through a wide range of contemporary jazz, including trumpet-led material from Alex Sipiagin, the spacious and lyrical trio work of Fred Hersch, and the driving ensemble sound of Visions Jazz Ensemble. Larger-scale writing also features orchestral pieces from the Jihye Lee Orchestra and their album Infinite Connections. Track list for The Hot Box #146 – New Releases Five to One. John DoneganTrio + Richie Buckley: from the album Interfuse: JayDee Records Sufa Tham. Alex Sipiagin from the album Reverberations Fred Hersch Trio from the album The Surrounding Green The Surrounding Green: Fred Hersch Trio Rocky Top: Visions Jazz Ensemble. Fight Songs album Surrender: Jihye Lee Orchestra album “Infinite Connections”: Motema Born in 1935. Jihye Lee Orchestra Interfuse: John Donegan Trio plus Richie Buckley. Tune In: Live Broadcast: Every two weeks on Jazz Radio Eire. Listen Live Listen Back: Catch past episodes on The Hot Box Jazz and Jazz Ireland. Subscribe to The Hot Box: Via Android: Subscribe on Android By Email: Subscribe by Email Spread the Word: Help us grow our jazz community by sharing The Hot Box with your friends and on social media. Your support keeps us going!

    1h 3m
  2. 20/11/2025

    The Hot Box #145 – New Material from Ireland and USA

    The new edition of the Hot Box consists of all new material from Ireland and the USA. An hour of the very best in jazz. The international talent is represented by tracks from a youthful band the Visions Jazz Ensemble, with music based on US college “fight songs”.  Also music from Joe Lovano with the Martin Wasilewski Trio. Closer to home is the stunning new album from Carole Nelson and her trio “Through the Storm” and a remastered re-release of the Louis Stewart/Brian Dunning album “Alone Together”, both on the Livia Records label. Plus a glimpse of the new single from Emilie Conway! All that and more in the Hot Box! Track list for The Hot Box #145 – New Material from Ireland and USA Anchors Aweigh – Visions Jazz Ensemble Busy Work – Organ Freeman We Begin Here – Carole Nelson Trio Lift Off – Carole Nelson Trio West Coast Blues – Louis Stewart, Brian Dunning Glory Glory – Visions Jazz Ensemble Homage – Homage (Joe Lovano) In Walked Piet – Emilie Conway If I had You – Charlie Moon Sings & Plays Hot Time in The Old Town Tonight – Visions Jazz Ensemble Victory March – Visions Jazz Ensemble Tune In: Live Broadcast: Every two weeks on Jazz Radio Eire. Listen Live Listen Back: Catch past episodes on The Hot Box Jazz and Jazz Ireland. Subscribe to The Hot Box: Via Android: Subscribe on Android By Email: Subscribe by Email Spread the Word: Help us grow our jazz community by sharing The Hot Box with your friends and on social media. Your support keeps us going!

    1h 4m
  3. 08/08/2025

    The Hot Box #142 – Ryan Truesdell and Gil Evans

    Welcome to the 142nd edition of The Hot Box with Donald Helme. This episode is a real treat, dedicated entirely to the music of the legendary Gil Evans. We’re marking the release of what may be the final volume of unearthed Evans material, lovingly brought to light by arranger and bandleader Ryan Truesdell. Truesdell has spent years digging into the Evans archive, bringing this extraordinary music to life through his acclaimed ensemble, The Gil Evans Project. Alongside selections from the latest release, we’ll also revisit highlights from the earlier albums. And we’ll hear about the live sessions that once brought this music to the stage at New York’s much-missed Jazz Standard, where it was performed annually in all its glory. The first track of the show is introduced with a snippet from the liner notes written by Ryan Truesdell. Track list for The Hot Box #142 – Ryan Truesdell and Gil Evans Spoonful: The Gil Evans Project from the album Shades of Sound How About You: the Gil Evans Project from the album Centennial Dancing on a Great Big Rainbow from the album Centennial Ballad of the Sad Young Men from the album Shades of Sound Concorde from the album Lines of Colour Gypsy Jump from the album Lines of Colour Laughing at Life from the album Shades of Colour Nettie’s Blues from the album Shades of Colour Orgone from the album Live at Umbria Jazz Vol 1 Tune In: Live Broadcast: Every two weeks on Jazz Radio Eire. Listen Live Listen Back: Catch past episodes on The Hot Box Jazz and Jazz Ireland. Subscribe to The Hot Box: Via Android: Subscribe on Android By Email: Subscribe by Email Spread the Word: Help us grow our jazz community by sharing The Hot Box with your friends and on social media. Your support keeps us going!

    1h 8m

About

The Hot Box covers the best in Irish recorded jazz, set it in the wider context of the international language that is jazz.