Jazz on the Beach 237: David Sánchez, Dida Peled, Roland Haynes, Barney Wilen, Knats, Jackie McLean, Bob James, New Jazz Underground, Bobby Broom, John Klemmer
Listen to more jazz music this summer!
On this week’s Jazz on the Beach there’s a terrific track from the new album by the outstanding Afro-Caribbean tenor saxophonist David Sánchez. Benkos y Los Cimarrones comes from Tambó (Ropeadope, 15th May), and features exceptional playing from Sánchez, pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Ricky Rodriguez, drummer Tony Escapa and percussionists Jhan Lee Aponte, Camilo Molino and Franklin Tejedor.
Here’s Benkos y Los Cimarrones filmed at Samurai Hotel Recording Studio in New York.
I’m really enjoying Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter’s ReAmped version of the Manhattan Transfer song Sassy (Big Shoulders Records, 23rd April), which originally appeared on SuperBlue in 2021. Alongside vocalist Elling and Hunter on hybrid guitar are Butcher Brown alumni DJ Harrison on keyboards and drummer Corey Fonville, plus the Huntertones: trumpeter Jon Lampley, tenor saxophonist Dan White and trombonist Chris Ott.
Dutch guitarist Linus Eppinger and British alto saxophonist Sam Braysher join forces on their new album A Sinner Kissed an Angel (Fresh Sound New Talent, 15th May 2026). Here’s their version of Horace Silver’s Room 608 with the highly experienced and deeply swinging double bassist Darryl Hall and drummer Eric Ineke.
Another track this week from Knats’ A Great Day in Newcastle (Gearbox Records/Fontana, 6th March), with Never Gonna Be a Boxer, featuring bassist Stanley Elvis Woodward, drummer King David Ike-Elechi, trumpeter Ferg Kilsby, keyboard player Sandro Shargarodsky, tenor saxophonist George Johnson, alto saxophonist Otto Kampa and guitarist Tom Ford. Sting is a big fan of the band, but don’t let that put you off(!)
And more too from Your Brother’s Keeper’s collaboration with alto saxophonist Gary Bartz on Ground Loop from Where Rivers Meet (Brownswood, 19th June). YBK are led by drummer Jake Long, with keyboard player Ali MacSween, trumpeter Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, tenor saxophonist Chelsea Carmichael, double bassist Twm Dylan and percussionist Tim Doyle.
New York-based Miamians New Jazz Underground’s Hoodies has finally been released (Artwork Records, 29th May), and here’s double bassist Sebastian Rios’ composition Sidetracked with drummer TJ Reddick and Abdias Armenteros playing soprano saxophone. Another wonderful track from their debut album.
Guitarist Dida Pelled plays the blues on Mary Lou Williams and Larry Gales’ Rosa Mae from her I Wish You Would (La Reserve, 1st May), with pianist Sullivan Fortner, double bassist Tony Scherr and drummer Kenny Wollesen.
And there’s another track from guitarist Bobby Broom’s excellent tribute to his mentor Sonny Rollins with Doxy from Notes of Thanks (Steele Records, 1st May), featuring double bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins.
On this week’s show are five tracks from the 1970s that have only improved over time, starting with tenor saxophonist John Klemmer’s Tone Row Weaver from Touch (ABC, 1975), with pianist Dave Grusin, acoustic guitarist Mitch Holder, bassist Chuck Domanico, drummer John Guerin, vocalist David Batteau and Joe Porcaro, drummer and father of Jeff Porcaro, playing percussion.
Next is Tom Grant’s intense, Fender Rhodes driven Caribbean Firedance from Mystified (Timeless Records, 1978), was recorded in Holland with former Mahavishnu Orchestra bassist Rick Laird and Grant’s former Emanon band member, drummer Ron Steen. The album was produced by Joe Henderson who plays on some tracks, but not this one.
There’s the Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri’s Fireflies from Caliente! (A&M, 1976), with keyboard players Eddy Martinez and Don Grolnick, bassist Gary King, drummer Lenny White, guitarists David Spinozza, Eric Gale and Joe Beck, percussionists Cachete Maldonado, Mtume and Ralph MacDonald and a striking string arrangement by Jay Chattaway.
Surely one of the most recognisable TV themes is Bob James’ Angela (Theme From Taxi) from Touchdown (Tappan Zee/Columbia, 1978), featuring James on Fender Rhodes and synths, George Marge playing the recorder melody, guitarist Eric Gale, bassist Gary King, drummer Idris Muhammad and percussionist Ralph MacDonald, augmented by some deftly arranged woodwinds.
There’s pianist Roland Haynes’ extraordinary title track from Second Wave (Black Jazz, 1975), with both Haynes and Kirk Lightsey flying on electric pianos over a lightning funk groove from double bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Carl Burnett.
We’re hard boppin’ in style with alto saxophonist Jackie McLean’s Condition Blue from Capuchin Swing (Blue Note, 1960), featuring trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., double bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor.
And trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s For Spee’s Sake from Hub-Tones (Blue Note, 1963), with alto saxophonist James (Spee) Spaulding, pianist Herbie Hancock, double bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Clifford Jarvis.
My thanks to the London Jazz Collector for reintroducing me to Yussef Lateef’s Jazz Mood (Savoy, 1957) reissued by Craft last year. Here’s the appropriately titled Morning with Lateef playing tenor saxophone alongside trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Hugh Lawson, double bassist and rabat player Ernie Farrow, drummer Louis Hayes and percussionist Doug Watkins.
And finally, tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen’s arrangement of Gordon Jenkins’ Goodbye from La Note Bleu (IDA Records, 1987), with pianist Alain Jean-Marie, guitarist Philippe Petit, double bassist Ricardo Del Fra and drummer Sangoma Everett. A great tune and a moving performance, to these ears it’s the epitome of the perfect jazz ballad.
To listen to this week’s Jazz on the Beach, click below:
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Jazz on the Beach #237 3rd June 2026
Tom Grant - Caribbean Firedance
Gato Barbieri - Fireflies
Bobby Broom - Doxy
Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter - Sassy feat Huntertones (ReAmped)
David Sánchez - Benkos y Los Cimarrones
New Jazz Underground - Sidetracked
Knats - Never Gonna Be a Boxer
Linus Eppinger & Sam Braysher - Room 608
Bob James - Angela (Theme From Taxi)
Jackie McLean - Condition Blue
Dida Pelled - Rosa Mae
Roland Haynes - Second Wave
Yussef Lateef - Morning
John Klemmer - Tone Row Weaver
Freddie Hubbard - For Spee’s Sake
Your Brother’s Keeper & Gary Bartz - Ground Loop
Barney Wilen - Goodbye
Count Basie - Taxi War Dance
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Jazz on the Beach broadcasts every Wednesday evening from 10:00 PM to midnight (UK time), repeating on Monday morning from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM (UK time).
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