The Checkout: May 26, 2009

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In this show, the Rodriguez Brothers – pianist Robert and trumpeter Mike – play three original duets.  Charles Tolliver talks about his live big band recording, Emperor March.  Ben Ratliff reviews saxophonist Steve Lehman’s Travail, Transformation and Flow.  Saxophonist John  Ellis and playwright Andy Bragen premiere The Ice Siren, a jazz opera.  WBGO’s Josh Jackson is your host.

Rodriguez Brothers: Conversations

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The Rodriguez Brothers are pianist Robert and trumpeter Mike Rodriguez.  They come together for duet performances in this WBGO studio session.  Recorded May 20, 2009 in New York.

Hosted by Josh Jackson
Recorded by David Tallacksen

Musicians:
Robert Rodriguez – piano
Mike Rodriguez – trumpet

Set List:
Luv Samba (R. Rodriguez)
Rude Awakenings (M. Rodriguez)
Lulu’s Song (R. Rodriguez)

Checkout Interview: Charles Tolliver

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Josh Jackson interviews Charles Tolliver, big band leader and one of the co-founders of Strata-East, a legendary independent label for musicians.  Tolliver talks about Emperor March, his live recording from Half Note Records.

Checkout Interview: The Ice Siren

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Saxophonist and composer John Ellis collaborates with playwright Andy Bragen on a jazz opera – The Ice Siren.  The work premieres as part of the Jazz Gallery Large Ensemble Commission series.

Hear the results recorded at the Jazz Gallery.

The Checkout: May 19, 2009

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Saxophonist Joe Lovano talks about his newest recording, and drummer E.J. Strickland makes his recorded debut.  Ben Ratliff reviews the new Allen Toussaint recording. Hear a playlist of five songs recorded under pseudonyms.

Checkout Playlist: Jazz Pseudonyms

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Hear five famous musicians recording under fake names.
See the Take Five story on NPR Music.

Checkout Interview: Joe Lovano

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WBGO’s Josh Jackson interviews saxophonist Joe Lovano.  Lovano’s new recording for Blue Note, Folk Art, is his twenty-first for the legendary jazz imprint and the first for his latest group, Us Five.

Checkout Interview: E.J. Strickland

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WBGO’s Josh Jackson interviews drummer Enoch Jamal (EJ) Strickland.  The young percussionist – already a seasoned veteran – makes his debut recording, In This Day.

The Checkout: May 12, 2009

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Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane talks about his newest recording, guitarist Marc Ribot revisits his past projects, Catalan music invades the New York jazz scene, and friends remember the late trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.

Checkout Interview: Ravi Coltrane

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The saxophonist who bears the name of jazz royalty joins Josh Jackson to talk about the recent quartet recording, Blending Times.

BONUS: Hear Ravi Coltrane’s debut as a leader at the Village Vanguard.