Ken Laster Podcasts

The first set is from San Diego cats Hollyday, Castellanos and Borgo. From there, classics by Hubbard, Trane, Kessel and Dizzy. Wrap it up with new music from Artemis and Walter Smith III. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Christopher Hollyday ~ Kiss Me Right ~ Dialogue Gilbert Castellanos ~ Espérame en el Cielo ~ Espérame En El Cielo David Borgo ~ Ye…

The new releases just keep coming. In this episode we start the program with solo harp and three talented vocalists all with new albums. Also new is pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and saxophonist Walter Smith III. The program concludes with the late great Wayne Shorter and Miles. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Brandee Younger ~ If It's Magic ~ Brand Ne…

All of the music from this week's show was from postings on Jazztodon.com (a Mastodon instance). And I forgot to mention it was Jackie McLean's birth date last week, May 17, 1932. New music here by Artemis, Billy Childs, Joe Lovano, Ben Wolfe. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Bobby Watson & Horizon ~ Country Corn Flakes ~ No Question About It Jackie …

This episode is named for the last two tracks you will hear. Both are suites inspired by the border crossing town of Tijuana Mexico. One by Charles Mingus from the Tijuana Moods LP, the other from Carla Bley entitled Tijuana Traffic. Before that, we've queued up new music from Artemis, Isaiah J. Thompson, Jonathan Barber and more. Playlist Artist ~…

Latin Jazz is the spotlight in this week's Cinco de Mayo episode. Latin jazz from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico and other Latin influenced artists represented here. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band ~ Up Jumped Spring ~ Rumba Buhaina Chucho Valdés ~ Solar ~ New Conceptions Poncho Sanchez ~ Tin Tin Deo ~ Do It! Gilbert…

The gem in this podcast is the final track from the late great Ahmad Jamal. Before that we hear from newcomer Lakecia Benjamin in her sophomore release. That is followed by a couple of covers from Billy Childs and San Diego guitarist Peter Sprague. Noah Preminger plays filmaker Otto Preminger and an exciting new single from Indian fusion band Shakt…

A different kind of start for this episode of In The Groove. First up is a R&B Classic from Curtis Mayfield followed by progressive Rock from Santana. That is followed by a vocal set before we close out the show playing tribute to Ahmad Jamal who passed away last week at 92 years old. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Curtis Mayfield ~ Move on Up ~ Ke…

It's Herbie Hancock's birthday celebration podcast episode. We've got him on the first four tracks of this podcast, in different settings. Certainly he is a living legend on the jazz scene today at 83 years of age. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Herbie Hancock ~ Actual Proof ~ Thrust Herbie Hancock ~ One Finger Snap ~ Empyrean Islands Freddie Hubba…

This is the spring edition of In The Groove. It is also the birth date of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. We celebrate both of these with this week's podcast. Also of note is the release of harpist Brandee Younger with a featured track from her album Brand New Life. Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin's latest release Phoenix wraps up this episode. Playlist Ar…

Returning from my New York City trip, I wanted to review some of the shows we saw at some iconic clubs. You will hear Joe Farnsworth (heard at Smalls), Mark Giuliana (Village Vanguard), SF Jazz Collective (Birdland) and Sarah Hanahan (Smalls). In addition, Grammy award winner Samara Joy and more. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Joe Farnsworth ~ New …

Note: This is a repost of last year's episode. Being Women's History Month, we will begin with a set of women jazz artists. Represented are Miki Yamanaka, Helen Sung and Melissa Aldana and the female "supergroup" Artemis. Next up new music from young musicians Mike Casey (sax) and Justin Joyce (drums). Something new from guitarist Peter Sprague cov…

A playlist of new releases, classic jazz with the coming of Spring in mind and other new music from McBride, Childs and Lage. The episode ends with a harp and harp (harmonica) duet. Playlist Artist ~ Name ~ Album Lakecia Benjamin ~ Trane ~ Phoenix Gilbert Castellanos ~ Home is Africa ~ Espérame En El Cielo Charles Lloyd ~ Forest Flower: Sunrise ~ F…