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
This week, we dive into Kenny Barron’s atmospheric jazz classic Sunset to Dawn from the Muse label. Featuring Barron on piano alongside a stellar ensemble, the album captures a unique blend of soulful grooves, electric textures, and intimate late-night jazz. Tune in as we break down the album, explore Barron’s approach to sound and improvisation, and reveal how we arrived at our overall rating of 8.9/10!
This week, we dive into Brandon Woody’s debut Blue Note release, For The Love Of It All. Joined by his longtime band, Upendo, Woody delivers a deeply personal album rooted in the blues and gospel traditions of his hometown, Baltimore. Tune in as we break down the music, explore its themes and performances, and explain how we arrived at our overall rating of 7.8/10.
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or ...
This week, we dive into Sonny Clark’s hard bop classic Cool Struttin’. Backed by a powerhouse lineup featuring Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Art Farmer on trumpet, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums, Clark delivers one of the most iconic Blue Note sessions of the late 1950s. Tune in as we break down the album, explore its lasting impact on the hard bop tradition, and reveal how we arrived at our ove...
This week, we mix it up with a punk-rock jazz exploration by The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis. This Impulse release is a bit different than any other we've done on the show thus far. Tune in and see how we arrived at our overall rating of 7.3/10!
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
This week Max sits down with jazz pianist Yaron Herman to talk about his musical journey and his latest album "Radio Paradise".
Feel free to reach out to us with any listener questions or album recommendations at thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com
Website: Click here!
Instagram: @thejazzjampodcast
Spotify Playlist: Top 3 Playlist
This week, we dive into Sonny Rollins' triumphant return after a two-year sabbatical with The Bridge. This landmark album showcases a pianoless quartet, featuring the brilliant addition of Jim Hall on guitar. Tune in as we break down the album, discuss its impact, and reveal how we arrived at our overall rating of 9.0/10!
Check out this episode's sponsor Meadowroad Records (@meadowroad_records) for their weekly vinyl auction:
On this week's episode we head back into the world of blossoming jazz star, Samara Joy. Her sophomore Verve release takes a step forward into new territory with daring arrangements of many different standards. 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 recommendations at thejazzj...
On this week's episode we direct our attention to the funk fusion class "Friends And Strangers" by Ronnie Laws. The 1977 release is a fundamental recording in the jazz fusion sphere. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.7/10, 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 thejazzjampodcast@gmail.com&n...
On this week's episode we direct our attention to a deeper cut that was recommended by a listener; Alto Summit by a trio of fantastic alto saxophonists. This album spans a few different generations of the music with Phil Woods being 64 at the time of the session and Vincent Herring and Antonio Hart both being under 35. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we ca...
On this week's episode we explore the hard-bop cornerstone of Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. This album was foundational in the development of the hard-bop style as well as the development of the musicians on the album. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
On this week's episode we dive into Kamasi Washington's latest album "Fearless Movement". This record bring a host of different musicians to the table from funk legend such as George Clinton to bassist Thundercat and many in between. 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 rec...
On this week's episode we take a pit stop in the world of Bill Evans with his album "Portrait In Jazz". This is the first studio album of his trio with Scott LaFaro on bass and features some incredible piano trio playing that has been influential to many. Our overall combined rating for the album is 9.5/10, make sure to take a listen to our thoughts and how we came up with that score!
On this week's episode we get back to Braxton Cook with our review of his 2023 album "Who Are You When No One is Watching?" It was truly an honor to get to review and fully delve into this personal work from Braxton after getting to interview him on the podcast. Our overall combined rating for the album is 8.8/10, 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 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: Cli...
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 ...
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 Th...
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!
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