Shark Jazz and Blues

  It is an all-Halloween Themed Show today!   Paul James Band – It’s Halloween (4:24) 1895 – Monster Mash (3:15) Louis Armstrong – Heebie Jeebies (2:54) Cab Calloway – The Ghost of Smokey Joe (2:44) Joshua Redman – Ghost (3:39) Shinji – The Guardian Angel (4:42) Art Blakey & the Jazz Crusaders – The Witch Doctor (5:32) David Sanborn – Spooky (3:58) Philly Joe Jones – Blues for Dracula (8:18) Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra – Ghost of Yesterday (2:37) Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett – That Old Black Magic (3:21) Warren Zevon – Werewolves of London (3:21) Stanley Jordan – Autumn Leaves (5:52)   Perhaps 1895’s version of “Monster Mash” is not the best, but it allows me to note that the BBC banned the playing of the original by Bobby “Boris” Pickett in 1962. The censors at the BBC determined that the lyrics of the song, such as “it was a graveyard smash,” was “too morbid” to air. [The ban would be lifted in 1973.] [1] Some more resources for Hallowee

Today’s show is “theme-less.” It is midterms, everyone is stressed, and I would like to hear some good and comforting music. I hope you do too.   Playlist The Heath Brothers – Autumn in New York Arne Domnérus – Limehouse Blues Connie Han – Crime Zone Black Flower – Magma Gregory Hines – Last Chance Blues Blossom Dearie – Love is Here to Stay Lee Dorsey – Someday Ibrahim Maalouf – Maeva In the Wonderland   Notes Connie Han is one of the rising stars in jazz today. Check out piano virtuosity in this video of her in concert playing a Chick Corea song. I am intrigued by the band, Black Flower, which is heavily influenced by Ethiopian Jazz. Here is a live performance of Ankor Wat . If you are interested in learning more about Ethio-Jazz, make sure to check out the music of Mulatu Astatke .  

On today’s show – Thelonious Monk. In honor of what would have been his 106th birthday, we look at all thinks Monk: his performances, songs, and those inspired by him.   Playlist Thelonious Monk – ‘Round Midnight Coleman Hawkins – Ruby, My Dear Ellis Marsalis Quartet – Straight, No Chaser Thelonious Monk – In Walked Bud Michael Franks – Monk’s New Tune Thelonious Monk – Epistophy [Live] Kevin Eubanks – Evidence Miles Davis, featuring John Coltrane – ‘Round Midnight T.S. Monk – Una Mas John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk – Bye-Ya   Notes Want more Monk? Here is a video of his quartet in concert in Scandinavia in 1966. Don't forget: Next week the show will be on hiatus for fall break!  

  On today’s show we focus on jazz from, and about, the Caribbean. The genre, as well as modern music, has been significantly influenced by the rhythms of the islands. We will listen to music from Cuba, Trinidad, Jamaica, and the United States.    Playlist The Triple Play – Blue Rondo a la Turk (Live) Tito Puente – Take Five Afro Cuban Jazz Project – Campina Monty Alexander – Misterioso Orguestra Sublime – Sabroso Como El Guarapo Rupert Clemendore – The Fly Todos Estrellas – Mami Me Gusto John Buddy Williams – Last Night the Landlord Nearly Killed Me Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piñeiro – El Adios De Este Memento The Unseen Guest – Listen My Son