The Late Set

WRTI
  • 5.0 (33)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
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The Late Set

Jazz is a conversation — and that’s what The Late Set is all about. Originated by critic Nate Chinen and broadcaster Greg Bryant, the show now convenes Chinen and Josh Jackson twice a month for perceptive variations on a theme, and their related interview with a special guest. Just like a hang at the end of the gig, in the back of the club, it’s direct, unfiltered and illuminating, revealing the music and its culture in a deeper light.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    New Year’s Resolutions (with the McLendons)

    For our first episode of 2025, Nate and Josh Jackson talk through a few fresh New Year’s resolutions related to listening. And we’re sharing one of our favorite interviews in recent memory: a sit-down with Samara Joy, her father and her grandfather at Mother Bethel AME Church. Touching on deep gospel roots, strong family bonds and a spirit of service, it’s a special conversation that summons the energy we want to bring into the year. Our intro and interstitial music comes from The Savettes.  More to explore:  Watch our video Joy & Praise: The McLendon Legacy Listen to our episode with Samara Joy and Gregory Porter Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 3m
  2. Year in Review with Immanuel Wilkins

    12/24/2024

    Year in Review with Immanuel Wilkins

    We heard so many great albums in 2024, none more imaginative or compelling than Blues Blood, by alto saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins. This episode features an illuminating conversation that Immanuel had at REC Philly with Josh Jackson, as part of the Jazz Philadelphia Summit. We’re also taking a look back at the stories, themes and other highlights from a jam-packed year. And on a bittersweet note, this is Greg’s last episode on The Late Set, as he bids a fond farewell to Philly and WRTI. You don’t want to miss it. Our intro music comes from pianist Jacob Mann: https://www.instagram.com/jacobmannmusic/ Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 15m
  3. Beyond the Mayo with Michael Mayo

    12/10/2024

    Beyond the Mayo with Michael Mayo

    The jazz vocal tradition is always an evolving proposition, but rarely does that notion feel truer or more affirming than in the output of Michael Mayo. Fly, his sterling second album, captures the forces of energy and creativity that he brings to the art form, on reimagined standards as well as smart original songs. Michael stopped into WRTI during a recent swing through town, straight from the airport. We talked about his upbringing as the child of two busy backing musicians, and how he pursues a band ideal even as he’s shining out front. He also reflects on the state of jazz singing, and considers how a vocalist can sneak musical complexities into the mainstream. And he divulges some secret intel about a cult-favorite side project, Shrek is Love. Follow WRTI: https://www.instagram.com/wrtimusic https://www.facebook.com/WRTImusic https://www.youtube.com/WRTImusic  Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  4. Thanksgiving Mailbag Special

    11/26/2024

    Thanksgiving Mailbag Special

    As Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s a good time to ask: what are we grateful for? Here at The Late Set, our first answer is you, our listener. So we decided to spend this holiday episode answering your questions. In the process, you’ll hear Greg and Nate shout out scenes both near and far, admit to a few blind spots, and compare pet peeves. It’s a high-spirited Q&A session that gets right to the heart of the matter, which is genuine conversation around the music and its message. For that, we’ll always be thankful. Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  5. Adjust Brightness with Bilal

    11/12/2024

    Adjust Brightness with Bilal

    “I’m a jazz musician first, I feel,” says Bilal. Maybe this comes as news to the many admirers who know him as an ethereal singer with a shape-shifting R&B profile, or as one of the original catalysts for neo-soul. On a compelling new album, Adjust Brightness — his first studio release in almost a decade — Bilal explores a galactic sweep of sound, making genre distinctions feel all the more irrelevant to any conversation. But we had plenty to talk about during a spirited interview backstage at World Cafe Live, before Bilal’s homecoming album-release show. “I grew up with my heroes being Miles Davis, or Jimi Hendrix, or Sun Ra,” he attests, aligning himself with a legacy of Afrofuturist improvisers. We put him there too, and this episode explains why. Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  6. Forces of Nature with Jack DeJohnette

    10/29/2024

    Forces of Nature with Jack DeJohnette

    “Dreams do come true.” That’s how Greg sums up this episode, as he and Nate talk with master drummer Jack DeJohnette about an incredible recording made in the spring of 1966. Featuring a ferocious quartet co-led by pianist McCoy Tyner and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, it captures each of those giants at a turning point in his career. Blue Note Records will release this album, Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs’, on Nov. 22. (Nate contributed the main liner notes.) In our far-reaching conversation, Jack reflects on what makes this recording special; the dynamics between the musicians in the band, including bassist Henry Grimes; and the secret to keeping one’s composure in the midst of a musical storm. Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  7. Nine Lives with Chris Coles and Sean Jones

    10/16/2024

    Nine Lives with Chris Coles and Sean Jones

    WRTI’s Josh Jackson subs in for Greg, talking with Nate about their rich experience at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. Their guests are saxophonist Chris Coles and trumpeter Sean Jones, who had just performed a powerful suite titled Nine Lives. Coles composed the suite in response to a 2015 church shooting in Charleston. This conversation touches on the power of grace, the call to forgiveness — and a quietly thriving jazz scene in Akron, Ohio. Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
  8. Catch Fire with Isaiah Collier

    09/24/2024

    Catch Fire with Isaiah Collier

    Urgency is a currency for Isaiah Collier, an ambitious young saxophonist from the South Side of Chicago. We recently caught up with him at Solar Myth in Philly, where he played music from two new albums — The Almighty and The World is On Fire — that showcase his powerful working band, the Chosen Few. As much a dynamo in conversation as he is with his horn, Collier talked about stirring emotions, honoring elders, channeling energies, and his problem with the term “spiritual jazz.” Also see: NYT: Isaiah Collier Funnels a ‘Very Radical Time’ into a Vivid New Album Support WRTI: https://bit.ly/2yAkaJs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
See All (23)

5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Jazz is a conversation — and that’s what The Late Set is all about. Originated by critic Nate Chinen and broadcaster Greg Bryant, the show now convenes Chinen and Josh Jackson twice a month for perceptive variations on a theme, and their related interview with a special guest. Just like a hang at the end of the gig, in the back of the club, it’s direct, unfiltered and illuminating, revealing the music and its culture in a deeper light.

Information

  • Creator
    WRTI
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Copyright (c) 2022 by WRTI
  • Show Website
    The Late Set

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