Jazztimes Spins & Riffs

Albums by Charles Lloyd/Jason Moran and Ben Wendel/Dan Tepfer are spun. Rene and Lee talk about duets and what makes them challenging. Rene gets on her soapbox to riff and rail about music in schools or the lack thereof.

Hollenbeck and Schneider albums are spun. Rene and Lee talk large ensembles, voices and why Queen is cool. Rene riffs on competition among musicians, though Lee believes that Rene may just be a little lonely.

Actress Molly Ringwald’s debut album on Concord Jazz gets spun. Rene and Lee discuss the merits of actors and pop stars doing jazz recordings.  Eventually Rene confesses to enjoying Diana Ross doing Billie Holiday back in the day.  Episode sponsored by Insight Cuba.

Lee previews Kendrick Scott Oracle’s new album “Conviction.” Rene and Lee talk about jazz and spoken word, and about drummers as leaders. Rene and Lee riff on stereotypes associated with various jazz instrumentalists.  And they listen to a cut from “Money Jungle” from  Terri Lyne Carrington, Christian McBride and Gerald Clayton.  Episode sponsored by Motema Music.

Miles Davis! JT publisher Lee Mergner and singer Rene Marie preview new music from the box set Miles Davis Quintet Live in Europe 1969 on Sony/Legacy, featuring the "lost quintet" of Miles, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.  Rene and Lee talk about how the Bitches Brew album changed their lives and they also riff on Miles' legacy - from music to fashion and beyond.

Lee spins Marian McPartland for Rene and they talk about her biography and legacy. Rene and Lee riff on playing with or meeting your idols. Rene confesses her unrequited love for Bonnie Raitt.

Lee spins Hiromi album “Move” for Rene, who also talks about the late Dave Brubeck. Rene riffs on Treme, the HBO series.

Lee spins 2 cuts from Wayne Shorter Quartet’s Without a Net album.  Rene and Lee riff on the Grammies, as Rene wonders how projects are nominated.  Episode sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival.

In debut episode, Lee spins cuts from Eliane Elias/Marc Johnson album Swept Away on ECM and makes Rene cry. Rene riffs on “guilty pleasures” and confesses to a secret love for bluegrass and klezmer music. Rene convinces Lee that he has a thing for New Age music.  Episode sponsored by Insight Cuba.