Jazz On The Beach 126: Inspiration and Influences, Blues Beach 46, Substack Jazz Writers
How a playlist comes together
The weekly playlist for this and every Jazz On The Beach show somehow manages to pull itself together from all sorts of different places. I generally get ideas walking along the seafront here in Deal, which this week led to choosing pianist Aki Takase Trio’s title track from the album Song For Hope (Enja, but about to be reissued by BBE),flautist Dadisi Komolafe’s beautiful interpretation of Wayne Shorter’s Speak No Evil from Hassan’s Walk (Nimbus West), trumpeter Roy Hargrove Quintet’s funky homage to Paris neighbourhood Strasbourg/St. Denis from Earfood (EmArcy) and a trio of classic Blue Notes - alto saxophonist Jackie McLean’s Hootman from Action Action Action, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin’s title track from The Congregation and especially, pianist Herbie Hancock’s majestic Maiden Voyage after seeing a sailing ship out between the shore and the Goodwin Sands.
More inspiration comes from some of our excellent Substack writers. I chose keyboardist Jason Miles’ Butter Pecan from Kind Of New Live/Miles To Miles (Ropeadope, 2023) after watching his video chat with Bret Primack on Syncopated Justice. I picked up on Ghost Funk Orchestra’s Opening/Eyes Of Love from A Trip To The Moon (Colemine, Feb 2024) from DJ Tina Edwards, discovered drummer Reggie Quinerley’s Folk Song from The Thousandth Scholar (self-released, Jan 2024) from Jazz Sketches, and after reading Nate Chinen’s The Gig I chose alto saxophonist Gary Bartz NTU Troop’s Jujuman from I’ve Known Rivers And Other Bodies (Prestige, 1973). Outside the Substack bubble, London Jazz Collector wrote about Sun Ra and his Arkestra’s Jet Flight (Savoy, 1962).
While we’re talking about writers, always essential reading are Ethan Iverson’s Transitional Technology, Playback with Lewis Porter, Phil Freeman’s Burning Ambulance, Ted Gioia’s The Honest Broker, Syd Schwartz’s Jazz and Coffee, Brian McCrory’s Jazz Of Japan, Vinnie Sperrazza’s Chronicles and Hank Shteamer’s Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches. And not forgetting Stephen Graham’s always first to post Marlbank and my more leisurely colleagues at London Jazz News. Thanks to all of you all for entertaining and informative work as well as your excellent musical taste.
I receive news about new and upcoming releases directly from the record companies or their publicists, and this week added remarkable new music from saxophonist and multi instrumentalist Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few’s Perspective (Peace And Love) from The Almighty (Division 81, April 26th), tenor saxophonist Willie Morris’ The Imitation Game from Attentive Listening (Posi-Tone, March 1st), Chicago quartet Mxmrys’ Dark Prism from their Black Void Theory EP (self released, March 8th), and guitarist Bill Frisell’s Throughout with the Brussels Philharmonic from Orchestras (Blue Note, May 15th).
There are often a few listeners’ requests to add, this week they were guitarist Matteo Mancuso’s Blues For John from The Journey (Mascot, 2023) and tenor saxophonist Tim Garland’s Winds Of Hope from Moment Of Departure (Ubuntu, May 3rd).
And that’s about it, another playlist and another radio show! If you listen live (the details are below) it’s always good to have your company, but here’s the Mixcloud link for whenever you choose. As always, thanks for listening!
The Blues Beach playlist always seems to come together very quickly, I’ve been thinking about and playing this music for a long time. But I’m always learning, and many thanks to Jas Obrecht for unearthing some serious tracks recently on his excellent Talking Guitar on Substack. So if your bag is a mix of blues, Southern soul and gospel, take a listen here.
You can listen live to Jazz On The Beach every Wednesday evening from 10.00pm - midnight and to Blues Beach every other Thursday from 6.00pm - 7.00pm on DealRadio.co.uk or via the TuneIn Radio app.
Or you can ask your smart device to ‘Play Deal Radio’.
Both shows are broadcast live from the Deal Radio Studio at 69a High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6EH, a stone’s throw from the beach.
Jazz On the Beach and Blues Beach radio shows are sponsored by our good friends at Wellingtons with two fine locations: Park Avenue at Welly’s Coffeehouse and Bar, 6 Park Avenue, Deal and Wellingtons Coffeehouse and Bistro, 9 High Street, Dover.
I'm flattered to be name-checked among so many other excellent writers. Thank you!