The Jazz Jam
Two seasoned musicians and long-time friends discuss the most prominent classic jazz albums in addition to reviewing new and modern albums and artists. Join KC-based saxophonist Max Levy and Organist Dwain Gunnels as they take a deep dive into jazz albums of all different shapes and sizes.
Episodes
On this week's episode we take a dive into a Blue Note masterpiece in John Coltrane's Blue Train. It was his only Blue Note recording as a leader and is a landmark album in the history of jazz music. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.6/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@...
On this week's episode we get to talk to award winning saxophonist and singer Braxton Cook about his journey as a musician and about his 2023 album "Who Are You When No One Is Watching?". We get lots of insight into his different influences as well as his creative process while creating an album.
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
On this week's episode we go through a listener suggestion Momentum by Joshua Redman Elastic Band. This album brings a lot of funk and some intriguing different covers. Our overall combined rating for the album is 7.1/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
...On this week's episode we take a quick dive into the 2024 Jazz Grammy Nominations. We go through the nominations for Best Jazz Performance, Best Vocal Jazz Album, and Best Instrumental Jazz albums and make our picks for each category to get us ready for the Grammy selections on February 4th. Take a listen to what we thought about each nomination and let us know your thoughts!
On this week's episode we are captivated by one our personal favorite albums Groovin' With Jug by Richard "Groove" Holmes and Gene "Jug" Ammons. This live recording brings so much energy and is heavy-swingin'. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.3/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Check out Max and Dwain playing the tune Morris The Minor from the album live: Morris The Min...
On this week's episode we explore the sophomore album by all female group Artemis entitled "In Real Time". This album features many great compositions and some great musicianship throughout. Our overall combined rating for the album is 7.4/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com...
On this week's episode we venture into the world of Wayne Shorter with his iconic recording Speak No Evil. This album is regarded by many as his crowning jewel. He is joined by Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Elvin Jones for a recording that you won't soon forget. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.4/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
On this week's episode we take a look at Lakecia Benjamin's new album entitled Phoenix. Lakecia levels up on this album which also has many great guest features. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
On this week's episode we're getting back into some classic jazz albums with this listener recommendation of Afternoon in Paris by John Lewis and Sacha Distel. This is an under the radar recording that features some talented French musicians. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.0/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or ...
On this week's episode we're reviewing the award winning album Linger Awhile by Samara Joy. This album just won the Grammy award for Best Vocal Jazz Album and Samara Joy was able to surprise many by winning Best New Artist. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.2/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendatio...
On this week's episode we're culminating our 2023 Grammy lead up with our Jazz Grammy preview episode. We go through the nominations for Best Improvised Solo, Best Vocal Jazz Album, and Best Instrumental Jazz albums and make our picks for each category to get us ready for the Grammy selections on February 5th. Take a listen to what we thought about each nomination and let us know your thoughts!
On this week's episode we're continuing our lead up to the Grammy's with the Yellowjackets latest release Parallel Motion. This fusion group has been on the scene for over 30 years and in many different iterations. Our overall combined rating for the album is 7.0/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at the...
On this week's episode we're starting our lead up to the Grammy's with this nominated album entitled LongGone by Joshua Redman. He is join by an A-List rhythm section for this 2022 studio album. Our overall combined rating for the album is 7.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail...
On this week's episode we're going back to the peak of the Hard Bop era with The Sidewinder from Lee Morgan. An album that was widely popular amongst jazz enthusiasts as well as having more widespread popularity in pop music and culture. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.4/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album...
On this week's episode we're getting down to the soul and spirit of Kenny Garrett and Pharaoh Sanders with the album Sketches of MD: Live at the Iridium. This is a fun and energetic live recording that brings together two jazz saxophone legends. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.0/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions ...
On this week's episode we're bebopping our way through Jazz at Massey Hall with the founding fathers of bebop. Another history-piece of a recording that is plenty deserving of a deep dive. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.3/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
On this week's episode we're jamming along to a jazz fusion super-group led by Chick Corea and John McLaughlin. This album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Album and we get into some of the reasons why! Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.3/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendation...
On this week's episode we get in to one of the all-time great albums Somethin' Else by Cannonball Adderley. A jazz masterpiece front to back with an all star cast that includes the one and only Miles Davis. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.7/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjamp...
On this week's episode we focus on a 2015 release by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah (now Chief Xian) entitled Stretch Music. This album features many young jazz musicians that have become mainstays in the current jazz landscape including Elena Pinderhughes, Braxton Cook, and Corey Fonville. Our overall combined rating for the album is 7.6/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
On this week's episode we listen to a recording by great and under-appreciated saxophonist Ike Quebec entitled Blue and Sentimental. He joins forces with the fantastic Grant Green to create his signature work and they are a match made in heaven. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.9/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions ...
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