John Beasley: A Jazz Renaissance Man

Jazz Renaissance man John Beasley joins Tim to talk about his multifaceted career and life in jazz music. He’s a jazz pianist, a composer, an arranger, a music director and a producer. And chances are you’ve heard some of his work through film, TV or commercials. In this episode, John talks about his a one-of-a-kind music lineage and how he balances his many music loves.

Harold López-Nussa // Straight No Chaser

Harold López-Nussa has been successfully making records that blur the lines between straight-ahead jazz, Latin Jazz and Cuban folk music for years now. His latest release on Mack Avenue, Te Lo Dije (the title roughly translates to "I Told You" pushes those boundries even further.

López-Nussa once again has his favorite musicians working with him: Julio César González (Bass), his brother Ruy Adrían López-Nussa (Drums, Percussion) and Mayquel González (Trumpet). WIth a handful of guests to fill out the sound where needed, most notably accordanist Vincent Peirani, the band moves from traditional forms of Cuban music to sounds from France ("Windmills of Your Mind") and even Reggaeton ("JazzTón").

Harold is is his usual flashy self, able to lay down a lightning run, but able to use his touch to bring across the emotion at the core of his native sounds. This is López-Nussa's third album since signing with Mack Avenue in 2016. I first became aware of his talent when he wrote for, and played on, the 90 Miles project recorded in Cuba by David Sanchez, Stefon Harris and Christian Scott (now Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah) in 2010.

On Podcast 769 we get to talk with Harold about life in Cuba during the pandemic, the making of Te Lo Dije, and why he tries to make new and different music on each album. Musical selections include "Windmills of Your Mind," "Jazzton," and from 90 Miles, his composition "E'cha."

Christian Sands // The Absolute Sound

Pianist Christian Sands came out of the gate with his proverbial wheels screeching. A prodigy who cut his first record at the age of 12, he flashed impressive chops both as a sideman in Christian McBride’s Inside Straight Trio an on his previous three albums as a leader for Mack Avenue. On Be Water, as the Zen-like title might suggest, Sands has learned to relax and let his inherent romanticism come to the fore. That quality is apparent from the outset on “Intro,” an atmospheric prelude to this very ambitious project, and on the restful ballad “Still.” Other tunes like “Sonar” and the lovely waltz-time string quartet piece, “Be Water II,” show a newfound maturity in Sands’ game, revealing a more patient and poetic side. This is not to suggest that Sands keeps his abundance of chops totally in check here. His remarkable facility is showcased on the turbulent burner “Steam,” paced by bassist Yasushi Nakamura’s deep groove and featuring muscular bashing from drummer Clarence Penn, and also on the propulsive “Drive,” with an electrifying guitar solo from Marvin Sewell. An added treat is Sands’ soulful reading of Steve Winwood’s “Can’t Find My Way Home.”

Yellowjackets // “Even Song” JazzEd Premiere

GRAMMY® Award-winning group Yellowjackets’ upcoming Jackets XL celebrates their 40th anniversary of collaboration while joining forces with Germany’s iconic WDR Big Band and re-imagining some of the quartet’s classic tunes.

The newest Yellowjackets single, “Even Song,” was originally recorded for 1993’s Run for Your Life arranged by Vince Mendoza. Here the track has been reimagined and revamped in concert with the WDR Big Band. “Even Song” will be released as a single on October 16th, and will be featured on the upcoming album to be released by Mack Avenue Records on November 6th.

Performances From Our Artists

Live Q&A with Joey DeFrancesco Hosted by Alonzo Bodden

Dan Wilson - DTC Organ Trio Live at AVClub (9/29/20)

Emmet Cohen - Live From Emmet's Place Vol.26 Ft. Godwin Louis

Warren Wolf Reincarnation CD Release Livestream