In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

Ken Laster
  • 4.7 (374)
  • 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. 3D AGO

    2025 Review Part 2

    We continue with a 2025 album release review. This week we are concentrating on recordings from local jazz scenes that I have a connection with, Hartford and San Diego. I also include Detroit after attending their great jazz festival. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Irving Flores ~ With Amanda in Favignana ~ Armando Mi Conga Victor Baker Quartet ~ As the Crow Flies ~ As the Crow Flies David Borgo ~ The Lick ~ Uplift Tony Davis ~ Unrequited ~ Jessamine Alex Tremblay & Vanisha Gould ~ Scenic Route ~ People and Places Louis Jones III ~ Stuck ~ Motions Chuck Mangione ~ Children of Sanchez ~ Children of Sanchez

    1 hr

  2. JAN 4

    2025 In Review

    This show features some of my favorite releases in 2025. We also pay tribute to the jazz artists that passed during last year. Playlist  Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joe Farnsworth ~ All Said and Done ~ The Big Room ARTEMIS ~ What The World Needs Now Is Love ~ ARBORESQUE Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ ‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours ~ Belonging Brandee Younger ~ BBL ~ Gadabout Season Roberta Flack ~ Compared to What ~ First Take Mike Wofford ~ Cole Porter ~ Synergy Al Foster ~ E.S.P. ~ Live at Smoke Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane & Matt Garrison ~ Two Jimmys ~ In Movement

    59 min

  3. 12/28/2025

    KL Replay 2025

    This post-holiday episode is taken from the Replay 2025 list of most recordings that I played most frequently throughout the year. It is, perhaps a reflection of my current musical tastes that I would like to share with you at the years end. Hope you enjoy. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Out Of/Into ~ Ofafrii ~ Motion I ARTEMIS ~ Komorebi ~ ARBORESQUE Noah Preminger ~ Carry Me Ohio ~ Ballads Charles Lloyd ~ Cape to Cairo ~ The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow Branford Marsalis Quartet ~ The Windup ~ Belonging Emmet Cohen ~ Surrey With the Fringe on Top ~ Vibe Provider Mike Wofford ~ J.P.'s Afternoon ~ Synergy Ahmad Jamal ~ Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child ~ Marseille

    1 hr

  4. 12/21/2025

    A Few Christmas Tunes

    I usually don't do Christmas specials, but there are a few holiday tunes that seem to make it into my playlist each year. There is a San Diego jazz set following, and we throw in Hubbard and Cobham to round out this show. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Chris Potter ~ O Come All Ye Faithful ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas 2 Marian McPartland ~ God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen ~ A Concord Jazz Christmas Miles Davis ~ Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern) ~ Jingle Bell Jazz Holly Hofmann ~ Minor Miracle ~ Minor Miracle James Moody ~ Cherokee ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note James Moody ~ Moody's Mood For Love / The Television Rap ~ 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note Gilbert Castellanos ~ New Delhi ~ Espérame En El Cielo Freddie Hubbard ~ Crisis ~ Ready for Freddie Billy Cobham ~ Heather ~ Crosswinds

    59 min

  5. 12/14/2025

    Episode Dec 14 2025

    The core of this episode has some of the best tenor sax players from today and yesteryear. I'm speaking of Potter, Kirk, Rollins and Trane. They are bookended by a new release from Out Of/Into and Zawinul's In A Silent Way. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Out Of/Into ~ Nacho Supreme ~ Motion II Chris Potter ~ The Mind's Eye (For Michael Becker and Joe Lovano) ~ Gratitude Roland Kirk ~ Alfie (Live at the Penthouse in Seattle September 1967) ~ Single Sonny Rollins ~ Alfie's Theme ~ Alfie John Coltrane ~ Moment's Notice ~ Blue Train Herbie Hancock ~ Watermelon Man ~ Head Hunters Weather Report ~ In a Silent Way ~ 8:30 (Live) Miles Davis ~ In a Silent Way (Rehearsal) ~ The Complete in a Silent Way Sessions

    1 hr

  6. 12/07/2025

    Wonder Jazz

    S Wonder, one of the greatest artists in popular music, is known for his popular hits, vocals, and multi-instrumental playing. However, his compositions extend far beyond the mainstream, incorporating jazz sensibilities that have inspired jazz artists to cover his work. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joe Farrell ~ Too High ~ Penny Arcade Herbie Hancock ~ You've Got It Bad Girl ~ The New Standard SFJAZZ Collective ~ My Cherie Amour ~ Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions Stevie Wonder ~ As ~ Songs in the Key of Life Mike Stern ~ Echoes ~ Echoes and Other Songs Michael Brecker ~ Nothing Personal ~ Michael Brecker

    1 hr

  7. 11/30/2025

    Post Thanksgiving 2025

    After giving thanks, post Thanksgiving Day we get into a guitar set featuring both jazz masters (Kessel, Wess, Forman) and a talented young artist Tony Davis. Also featured are a new release from pianist George Colligan and a modern sound from Ahmad Jamal. We dance our way out with a funky Weather Report. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Jimmy Greene ~ Give Thanks ~ Mission Statement Bruce Forman ~ Rope-a-Dope ~ Reunion! Barney Kessel ~ On Green Dolphin Street ~ The Poll Winners Tony Davis ~ Sphere Of Blues ~ Jessamine Wes Montgomery ~ Bumpin' On Sunset ~ Tequila George Colligan ~ If the Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn't Climb It ~ Live at the Jazz Standard Ahmad Jamal ~ Marseille ~ Marseille Weather Report ~ 125th Street Congress ~ Sweetnighter

    58 min

  8. 11/23/2025

    Autumn and Thanksgiving

    We begin this week's show with a celebration of this Fall season and Thanksgiving from Jamal and Monk. Also of note in Hutcherson's vibes and Trane's lament. New music from Hartford's guitarist Tony Davis and maestro Kenny Barron. Playlist  Artist ~ Name ~ Album Ahmad Jamal ~ Autumn Leaves ~ Marseille Thelonious Monk ~ Stuffy Turkey ~ It's Monk's Time Bobby Hutcherson ~ Little B's Poem ~ Components John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent Tony Davis ~ Viridian ~ Jessamine Kenny Barron & Kurt Elling ~ In The Slow Lane ~ Songbook Marquis Hill ~ Joseph Beat ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox Marquis Hill ~ Libra ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox

    59 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
374 Ratings

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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2022 Ken Laster. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

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