You'll Hear It

A lively roundup of March 2026 jazz releases, spotlighting Flea's trumpet-rooted project and its eclectic covers. Deep dives into new recordings from Walter Smith III, Mark Turner and Ben Wendel. Live sets and debut albums from rising artists including Ella Grace and Emmanuel Wilkins are highlighted. The show closes with a nod to Bill Frisell's latest atmospheric work.

A lively dive into Monk interpreting Duke Ellington's repertoire. They spotlight Monk’s trio rearrangements, Oscar Pettiford’s melodic bass work, and Kenny Clarke’s innovative drumming. The conversation traces Monk’s early career, Riverside’s strategy to broaden his audience, and standout track comparisons that reveal how familiar tunes were reinvented.

A deep-dive into how a 1995 record sounded unlike its era, blending 70s church soul with modern grooves. Track-by-track musical detective work spots jazz chords, gospel vocal stacking, and Rhodes textures. Studio craft is unpacked, from Bob Power’s engineering to drum programming and guitar color. Live Jazz Café performances and a J Dilla remix show alternate lives for the songs.

A deep dive into Ornette Coleman’s radical 1959 record and the uproar it caused in jazz circles. Short tracks and the quartet’s interplay are broken down track by track. The hosts explain harmolodics, the album’s melodic focus, and how it rippled through jazz history. Tension between technique and vision and memorable reactions from jazz legends are highlighted.

A deep track-by-track listen to Stevie Wonder's Music of My Mind, exploring the one-ton TONTO synthesizer and its sonic breakthroughs. They unpack Stevie playing nearly every instrument and inventive mixing techniques. Detailed takes on standout songs, harmonic surprises, and how sequencing shapes the record's emotional arc.

A romp through February 2026’s standout jazz releases, from Pat Metheny’s new trio project to spiritual, otherworldly tracks by Gina (Kareem Riggins & Liv). Highlights include tributes to Kenny Wheeler, Melissa Aldana’s romantic ballad vibes, a rare mezzo-soprano sax duo, and genre-bending works from Tamika Reid, Noah Stoneman, and the Ragini Trio.

A deep dive into why Charlie Parker wanted strings and how classical tastes shaped his bebop vision. Short musical moments like "Just Friends" and "Summertime" are used as listening lessons. Conversation covers session details, orchestral colors, and the recording politics behind the 1949–50 dates. Players, practice habits, and standout tracks are highlighted in lively musical analysis.

Two jazz pianists trace Gaucho’s two-year studio obsession, from pristine Rhodes tones to Bernard Purdie’s perfected shuffle. They unpack the $150,000 drum machine story, a lawsuit over a melodic resemblance, and the obsessive take-and-edit culture that shaped tracks like Babylon Sisters and Hey Nineteen. The conversation weighs dazzling precision against whether perfection sacrifices soul.

They dig into Michael Jackson's Bad, from its pressure-filled follow-up status after Thriller to Quincy Jones's smaller role. Musical breakdowns highlight synth programming, Jimmy Smith's organ surprise, and the craft behind 'Smooth Criminal' and 'Man in the Mirror'. Conversations cover mid-album dips, Stevie Wonder's cameo, rock-leaning tracks like 'Dirty Diana', and why side two soars.

They unpack why Tapestry feels cozy and deceptively simple. The conversation traces Carole King's Brill Building origins and her shift from songwriter to performer. They analyze her piano playing, harmonic pivots, and the live-in-room production. Highlights include deep dives on 'It's Too Late', 'You've Got a Friend', gospel and blues influences, and the album's cultural impact.