Blogs

Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is a group of Los Angeles musicians who combine American jazz with the traditional format and sound of European orchestras. The group is heavily involved in the Los Angeles community, playing at auditoriums around the LA basin and investing lots of resources into teaching music in underfunded LA County schools. 

Davis, CA, does not have any Brazilian steakhouses, but Davis does have Kevin Welch. Kevin is the vocalist, guitarist, and composer for the Brazilian space-funk music of Boca do Rio. Kevin will join us in the studio this Friday.

This album shows Stelth Ulvang at his best. It's quite a departure from his role in The Lumineers, showing us Stelth has a lot to offer. "And, As Always" is a delightful mix of original tunes that are personal and insightful, and a commentary on life. From the onset, the album keeps the listener engaged, using a very simplistic approach to a full band/symphony on a variety of songs. Stelth clearly demonstrates his ability to master multiple instruments and his skills as the producer for this CD. This is the real deal--the sound quality and Seth's abilities just shine through on each track. 

Cool jazz tonight! Peggy Lee & Harold Mooney * Nat King Cole * Leo Wright * Johnny Hodges * Illinois Jacquet * Yusef Lateef * Stan Getz * Art Pepper with Chet Baker * Chet Baker with Paul Desmond * Art Pepper * Ella Fitzgerald with The Count Basie Orchestra * Milt Jackson * Swing de Gitanes
* Replays Thursday 11 pm * Friday at midnight * Saturday 9 pm

Ever since winning the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition in 2010, Cecile McLorin Salvant has been one of the rising stars in jazz. For One to Love is a fine showcase for her fantastic voice. Her range in both pitch and emotions is remarkable, as she sings both high and low, innocently and angrily. This album mixes originals and covers in a soft, classic style, using only uses three instruments (piano, drums, bass) in a minimalist and simple fashion, allowing Salvant's voice to take centerstage, where it shines. Her voice, combined with romantic lyrics, convey powerful emotion throughout, especially on tracks "Look at Me" and "Monday." The album also has a lighter side, as demonstrated by tracks "Growlin' Dan" and the whimsical "The Trolley Song." For One to Love is a solid third album for Salvant and a worthwile listen for fans of Salvant and classic jazz.

From the many programmers and all those behind the scene, all of us at KDRT wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

For the 250th episode of Jazz After Dark I’m serving up an hour of mainstream jazz from the 30’s and 40’s. Swing with Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Earl Hines, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington.  

Live broadcast Tuesday at 8 pm.

Replays Thursday at 11 pm, Friday at midnight, and Saturday at 9 pm.

Check out the archives at kdrt.org, and look for us on iTunes!

Mariachi El Bronx is the third self-titled LP by Mariachi El Bronx, the alter ego of LA punk group The Bronx, which formed in 2002. In contrast with their hardcore punk, Mariachi El Bronx plays acoustic instruments in classic Latin style. On their latest album, the group does use some synthesizers and electronic elements but largely stays true to the Latin sound they brought to their first two albums. The singer, Matt Caughthran, is quite good, carrying many of the songs with his smooth voice and vague, thoughtful lyrics. While some of the quieter, low-tempo songs are relaxing and soothing, such as the melancholy "Nothing's Changed," the album is at its best when there is a quick beat and the trumpets blare loud and proud, on songs such as "Wildfire" and the infectious "Raise the Dead." While Mariachi El Bronx isn't for everybody, it is a very fun Mariachi El Bronx album that expands their sound while staying true to their Latin roots.

This weeks show features music from an older generation of songwriters to be performed by Dan Dressen. As a teen in the 1960’s Dan Dressen enjoyed music on the radio.  He started playing guitar around the time when folk music was popular.  But in the 1970’s Dan started to hear singer/song writers who were just starting their music careers and who performed at small local venues, like coffee houses and the like.  It was these lesser known musicians, at that time, that influenced Dan the most, artists such as John Hiatt, Guy Clark, Robin and Linda Williams, Tom Paxton, John Prine, Joni Mitchell, Tom Russell and others.Over the years Dan played guitar mostly for his own enjoyment.  His fans say he does “talking songs” or plays ballads but Dan just likes to play songs that tell stories.In 2011 he started to play for others and now plays at the  “The Local Open Mic Circuit.”   This includes the open mics at RootStock and Steady Eddy’s in Winters and occasionally Sophia’s and Village Homes Performers Circle in Davis.  Not being a song writer himself, he plays covers of songs that he fir

This week, DJ Justin, takes us down memory lane, and a great lane this one is. Paul Simon is the second solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon as a solo artist. It was released in January 1972, nearly two years after he split up with longtime musical partner Art Garfunkel. The album represented the definitive announcement of the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel. Originally released on Columbia Records, it was then issued under the Warner Bros. label and is now back with Columbia through Sony. It was ranked No. 266 on the list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. His first solo album had been recorded in England in 1965 and (except for a brief period in 1969) remained unreleased in the U.S. until 1981, when it appeared in the 5-LP Collected Works boxed set.