Mondo Jazz

Another selection celebrating Dave Holland's extraordinary musical legacy, from intimate explorations to expansive ensemble work and everything in between. The playlist also features John Abercrombie, Jack DeJohnette; Kevin Eubanks; Steve Coleman; Geri Allen; Joe Henderson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/23065442/Mondo-Jazz [from "Back-Woods Song" to "Evolution"] Happy listening!

Celebrating Dave Holland's 80th birthday with music drawn from six decades of creative music making, and the many sides of his voice as bassist, composer, and bandleader. The playlist also features Hank Jones; Sam Rivers; Barry Altschul. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/23065442/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Step To It"] Happy listening!

The third and final part of our celebration of 50 years of Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life"—with more jazz renditions of this timeless masterpiece. The playlist features Gato Barbieri; Brandee Younger; Becca Stevens, Jacob Collier; Cedar Walton; Najee; Bill Ware; and Adam Levy. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/23029358/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Knocks Me Off My Feet"]. Happy listening!

Stevie Wonder's cult classic may not be a jazz album, but its jazz connections run deep—from Herbie Hancock, Dorothy Ashby, George Benson, Glenn Ferris, and Bobby Humphrey involved in its recording to Alice Coltrane, Chick Corea, Quincy Jones, David Sanborn, and Lenny White among the influences acknowledged in the liner notes. No wonder its songs have inspired hundreds of jazz renditions—and here's the second part of our playlist featuring some of the best, following the sequence of the original record. The playlist features Ray Barretto; Blue Mitchell; Monica Shaka; Max Ionata, Dado Moroni; Marcus Miller; Najee. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/23029358/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Knocks Me Off My Feet"]. Happy listening!

Fifty years after Stevie Wonder released "Songs in the Key of Life", we celebrate the anniversary song by song, in the exact sequence of the original double LP and the related "Something's Extra" EP—with one twist: every track is a jazz rendition. The playlist features Jalen Baker; Doug Wamble; Najee; Zoe Rahman; Avishai Cohen, Yonathan Avishai; Stochelo Rosenberg; and Warren Wolf. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/23029358/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Knocks Me Off My Feet"]. Happy listening!

A musical remembrance of Cassandra Wilson and a voice that made even experimental music sound sensual and tangible, and turned old tunes into something modern, when not futuristic. The playlist also features Harriet Tubman; Steve Coleman; Regina Carter; Dave Holland; and Olu Dara. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22994093/Mondo-Jazz [from "Bow Legged Man" onwards].

On one record, Cassandra Wilson could sound like the deepest Mississippi blues singer; on another, she could be immersed in the most advanced rhythmic ideas of M-Base; and then she could walk into an R&B session with Luther Vandross or The Roots and sound completely at home. This playlist only scratches the surface of that extraordinary artistic versatility. The playlist also features DJ Smash, Bob Belden, Dianne Reeves; Joshua Redman; Steve Coleman; Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, Bill Frisell; and David Murray. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22994093/Mondo-Jazz [from "Go to Mexico" to "Prophet of Doom"].

A retrospective built around the adventurous spirit that ran through Cassandra Wilson's music, from her formative years in the M-Base orbit to her later work at the crossroads of jazz, blues, soul, R&B and beyond. The playlist also features Courtney Pine; Terri Lyne Carrington; Steve Coleman; and Wynton Marsalis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22994093/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Lady's Lament"].

Something traditional, something experimental, something live, something in the studio—and plenty of fun in between, for a selection designed to please many palates. The playlist features Espen Berg Trio [pictured]; Zoe Rahman; Misha Mullov-Abbado, James Davison; Erica von Kleist; and Joe Henderson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22925000/Mondo-Jazz [from "Equilibrium suite, pt.2" onward]. Happy listening!

Tributes to Miles Davis, essential reissues, and compelling new releases come together in a set full of sonic adventures, surprises, and soul-searching. The playlist features Nicholas Payton, Butcher Brown; Nduduzo Makhathini, Keenan Ahrends; Ayumi Tanaka [pictured]; Billy Childs; Mick Goodrick. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22925000/Mondo-Jazz [from "So What" to "Summer Band Camp"]. Happy listening! Photo: Erika Habbert

Enjoy another installment in that living, shape-shifting conversation stretching from Brooklyn basements to festivals around the globe—which we like to call jazz. The playlist features Sullivan Fortner; Ben Wolfe; Daniel Garcia; Siril Malmedal Hauge, Kjetil Mulelid [picutred]; Álvaro Torres; Nate Wooley, Columbia Icefield. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22925000/Mondo-Jazz [up to "You Taste"]. Happy listening!

On one record, Cassandra Wilson could sound like the deepest Mississippi blues singer; on another, she could be immersed in the most advanced rhythmic ideas of M-Base; and then she could walk into an R&B session with Luther Vandross or The Roots and sound completely at home. This playlist only scratches the surface of that extraordinary artistic versatility. The playlist also features DJ Smash, Bob Belden, Dianne Reeves; Joshua Redman; Steve Coleman; Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, Bill Frisell; and David Murray. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22994093/Mondo-Jazz [from "Go to Mexico" to "Prophet of Doom"].

A retrospective built around the adventurous spirit that ran through Cassandra Wilson's music, from her formative years in the M-Base orbit to her later work at the crossroads of jazz, blues, soul, R&B and beyond. The playlist also features Courtney Pine; Terri Lyne Carrington; Steve Coleman; and Wynton Marsalis. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22994093/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Lady's Lament"].

Tributes to Miles Davis, essential reissues, and compelling new releases come together in a set full of sonic adventures, surprises, and soul-searching. The playlist features Nicholas Payton, Butcher Brown; Nduduzo Makhathini, Keenan Ahrends; Ayumi Tanaka [pictured]; Billy Childs; Mick Goodrick. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22925000/Mondo-Jazz [from "So What" to "Summer Band Camp"]. Happy listening! Photo: Erika Habbert

Enjoy another installment in that living, shape-shifting conversation stretching from Brooklyn basements to festivals around the globe—which we like to call jazz. The playlist features Sullivan Fortner; Ben Wolfe; Daniel Garcia; Siril Malmedal Hauge, Kjetil Mulelid [picutred]; Álvaro Torres; Nate Wooley, Columbia Icefield. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22925000/Mondo-Jazz [up to "You Taste"]. Happy listening!

A selection of recent gems where seasoned improvisers and adventurous new voices meet at the crossroads of groove, abstraction and lyrical invention. The playlist features Marc Benham; Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart; Argot Lunaire; Florian Arbenz, Bill Frisell, Greg Osby; Loren Stillman; Antonio Farao, Stephan Belmondo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22891072/Mondo-Jazz [up to "The Hump"]. Happy listening!

A collection of newly released gems in which jazz goes rock and baroque, modern and traditional, political and existential. The playlist features Cindy Blackman Santana; Jacques Schwarz-Bart; Tuva Halse; Bernd Lhotzky; Linda May Han Oh & Melissa Aldana [pictured]; Brad Goode Quintet, Ernie Watts. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22891072/Mondo-Jazz [from "Blue Whale" to "I Miss Missing You"]. Happy listening!

Lineage and traditions as springboards for new ideas, in this playlist of recent releases. The playlist features Neves E Silva; Skinny Hightower [pictured]; Rob Dixon; Jon Madof; Ralph Alessi; Buster Williams. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22891072/Mondo-Jazz [up to "The Hump"]. Happy listening! Photo: Gavin Peters

If jazz still has unexplored corners, here's where you'll find a few of them. The playlist features The Plastic Waste Band; Henriette Eilertsen [pictured]; Yvonne Rogers; Kristijan Krajncan; Mo Van Der Does; Giovanni Mirabassi; and Sharada Shashidhar. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22857766/Mondo-Jazz (from "Nose Prose" onwards). Happy listening! Photo: Jenny Berger Myhre.

From Indian classical music and Mediterranean roots to European improvisation, deep grooves, live vibes, electronic experimentation, and beyond. Enjoy another playlist featuring projects where tradition gets lovingly bent out of shape. The playlist features Club d'Elf; Ragini Trio; Phoenix Trio [pictured]; Tito Mangialajo Rantzer; Benoit Delbecq, Francesco Diodati, Francesco Bigoni, Steve Argüelles; Francesco Bigoni, Almut Kuhne, Mark Solborg; Tellkujira. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22857766/Mondo-Jazz (from "Loon and Thrush" to "Tarantella"). Happy listening! Photo: Jimmy Katz

Enjoy another playlist featuring projects where tradition gets lovingly bent, twisted, and reshaped. The playlist features The Olympians; La La Lars; Ernst Reijseger; Ingeborg Gravem Sollid [pictured]; Kris Tiner, Cathlene Pineda; Petite Lucette; Nils Petter Molvær, Marilyn Mazur. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22857766/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Copenhagen"). Happy listening! Photo: Thor Egil Leirtrø

Countless ways to celebrate the electric era of Miles Davis. The playlist features Paolo Fresu; Flat Earth Society; Miles Davis; Tony Williams; The Big Tusk; Edward Perraud, Pascal Schumacher, Sebastian Studnitzky. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22691398/Mondo-Jazz [from "Orange" onward]. Happy listening!

Two ways to pay tribute to Eddie Harris, and other discoveries from the new releases vault. The playlist features Seamus Blake; Slow Poke; Dorota Piotrowska [pictured]; Christian Dillingham; Elsa Nilsson; The Pentland / Bergonzi Quartet. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22691398/Mondo-Jazz [from "Mean Greens" to "Wanderlust"]. Happy listening!

From spiritual and Ethio-jazz to a fireside jazz conversation among friends, here's a cosmopolitan tasting menu of recent releases featuring bands keen to build bridges and break down walls. The playlist features Al Doum & The Faryds; Fairfield Ethio-Jazz Project; Atlantis Jazz Ensemble; The Vampires [pictured]; People in Orbit; and Steve Swallow. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22691398/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Two"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy a journey through the lush sonic world of recent large-ensemble recordings. The playlist features Fred Pallem [pictured], Le Sacre du Tympan; Reis Demuth Wiltgen, Luxembourg Philarmonic, Vince Mendoza, Joshua Redman; John Taylor, Stan Sulzmann, NDR Big Band; Bignami Veltri Jazz Ensemble; Julia Keefe. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22658120/Mondo-Jazz [from "Avron Evrard" onwards]. Happy listening!

From soul to contemporary classical, with plenty in between, this playlist explores a wide range of brand-new releases. The playlist features Alicia Waller [pictured]; Tal Mashiach; Haroldo Bontempo; Jamie Peet, Joel Ross; Little North; Soojin Suh; Ahn Trio. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22658120/Mondo-Jazz [from "The Climb / Job Blues" to "Almost Never Was"]. Happy listening!

Here's a playlist curated with one ear in New York and the other wandering somewhere between Amsterdam, Seoul, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Milan, London and Stockholm. The playlist features Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet; Giovanni Falzone; Alden Hellmuth; Miles Okazaki; Anggie Obin [pictured]; James Brandon Lewis; Elina Duni, Rob Luft. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22658120/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Magnolia"]. Happy listening! Photo: Marta Villardell

These past two weeks have been an opportunity to leaf back through six months of listening and rediscover the tracks that turned out to have the longest shelf life—music that still feels as fresh and compelling now as when we first heard it. Here's the last installment. We'll get back to this in six months! Stay tuned. The playlist features André Fernandes; Jason Moran; María Grand; Youn Sun Nah; Nils Berg, Norrbotten Big Band; Carla Bley [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22622439/Mondo-Jazz [from "Dragon'S Blood Red" onward]. Happy listening! Photo: Frans Schellekens

As we continue this mid-year retrospective, we keep focusing on the tunes that somehow refused to stay confined to the week they were released. The playlist features Chris Potter; Jasper Høiby; The Breaks; Dida Pelled; Immanuel Wilkins; Harry Skoler, Bill Frisell; Zeno De Rossi Trio [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22622439/Mondo-Jazz [from "Osawatomie Brown" to "Kathelin Gray"]. Happy listening!

We have pressed pause on our usual pursuit of the latest arrivals and instead revisited some of the sounds that made the first half of 2026 such a rewarding stretch for curious ears. The playlist features Seu Jorge; Ryan Blotnick; Michael Formanek; Ilaria Capalbo; Rosa Brunello; The Messthetics, James Brandon Lewis; Ben Wendel [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22622439/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Lonely One"]. Happy listening!

Halfway through 2026, Mondo Jazz pauses to celebrate some of the recordings that have brought the most pleasure, surprise and inspiration over the past six month. The playlist features Dominique Fils-Aimé; Craig Taborn; Meg Okura; Roberto Fonseca, Vincent Segal; Gary Versace; Ingrid Jensen [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22585987/Mondo-Jazz [from "The River" onwards] Happy listening! Photo credit: Mariana-Meraz

Which songs stayed with us after months of listening, reviewing and sharing new releases? Here's another batch for your sonic delight. The playlist features Lucy Mellenfield; Reverso, Ryan Keberle, Frank Woeste, Vincent Courtois; Luca Falomi, Anais Drago, Fausto Beccalossi; James Brandon Lewis [pictured]; and Dave Douglas. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22585987/Mondo-Jazz [from "Breathing Sideways" to "Sandhog"] Happy listening!

As summer gets underway, Mondo Jazz looks back at some of the music that made the first half of 2026 so memorable. The playlist features Adam O'Farrill; Ben Rosenblum; Marco Mezquida; Joel Lyssarides; Airelle Besson, Lionel Suarez; Brandon Seabrook; Elan Mehler; Billy Mohler [pictured]; Virginia MacDonald. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22585987/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Last Call at Dimitri's"] Happy listening! Photo credit: Roberto Cifarelli

A playlist about musical kinship: artists supporting, inspiring, and challenging one another as they bring their distinct voices to a web of interconnected projects. The playlist features New Jazz Underground [pictured]; Open Thread, Peggy Lee, Julien Wilson, Theo Carbo, Dylan van der Schyff; Kalia Vandever; Micah Thomas; Immanuel Wilkins. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22557269/Mondo-Jazz [from "Oney Ones One" onward]. Happy listening!

Engaging, socially engaged, and globally minded: a playlist of new releases from four - or more - corners of the world. The playlist features Zela Margossian [pictured]; David Ambrosio, Donny McCaslin, Ingrid Jensen, Bruce Barth, Victor Lewis; Rosa Brunello; Goran Kajfes, Avin Omar; Michel Petrucciani. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22557269/Mondo-Jazz [from "In Flight" to "Morning Blues"]. Happy listening!

Seven projects, even lessons in creative transformation—from reimagined genres, traditions and freshly taped recording sessions to the spontaneous reinvention that unfolds whenever musicians meet in the moment. The playlist features The Breaks, Robert Walter, Eddie Roberts, Stanton Moore; Levi Harvey Trio; Ilaria Capalbo [pictured]; Steven Bernstein, Scotty Hard; Johanna Summer, Claire Huangci; Mick Goodrick, Fred Hersch. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22557269/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Falling Grance"]. Happy listening!

A cross-generational and cross-genre journey from raw soul and classic jazz storytelling to contemporary experimentation, tracing unexpected connections across today's global jazz landscape. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22523732/Mondo-Jazz [from "Up For Soul" to "Ahiahi"]. Happy listening! Photo: Jimmy Katz.

Enjoy the fragrant aromas, vivid textures and evocative soundscapes of a handful of remarkable new albums that illustrate the richness of today's transnational jazz scene. The playlist features Shai Maestro; Nils Berg [pictured], Norrbotten Big Band; Michael Blake Chroma Nova; Mahan Mirarab; Luca Falomi, Anais Drago, Fausto Beccalossi; Julián Muro. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22523732/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Libra"]. Happy listening! Photo: Valter Nilsson

From intimate reflection to expansive improvisation, here is a string of new albums connecting Jobim to Bartz, Olatunjii to Roach, Paris to London, through artists who balance compositional craft, exploratory spirit, and a commitment to jazz as a living art form. The playlist features Tyshawn Sorey, Ola Tunji, Fred Pasqua, Pierre de Bethmann, Your Brother's Keeper, Gary Bartz. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22523732/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Libra"]. Happy listening! Photo: Sharif Hamza.

From less-is-more to more-is-more—and all the shades of creativity in between—this playlist unfolds under the approving eye of Geri Allen, whose enduring legacy continues to resonate on both sides of the Atlantic. The playlist features Youn Sun Nah; Robinson Khoury; Hannah Marks; Evi Filippou [pictured], Robert Lucaciu; Fuchsthone Orchestra; Adam Schatz; Charles Kieny CrozPhonics.. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22489897/Mondo-Jazz [from "WTH Is Love!" onwards]. Happy listening! Photo: Markus Lachinger

Striking debuts, new chapters in established careers, and yet more surprises from relentlessly curious artists—this is a playlist designed to keep your ears on high alert. The playlist features David Sánchez; Virginia MacDonald (pictured); Biréli Lagrène; Alexander Hawkins; Marta Sánchez; Rachele Amore. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22489897/Mondo-Jazz [from "Lumbalú" to "Climbing Chains"]. Happy listening!

Here's a little more music for curious ears, restless spirits, and anyone who finds algorithms far too predictable. The playlist features Simon Moullier [pictured]; Felice Clemente; Alexis Cuadrado; André Fernandes; Flea; Eleonora Strino; and Ocean Fanfare. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22489897/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Kritisk Stadie"]. Happy listening!

Here's another weekly dispatch of compelling recent releases from across the ever-expanding jazz spectrum. The playlist features Chris Potter; Luke Norris; Tyrone Allen II; Alexis Marcelo [pictured]; Adam Rudolph, Kaoru Watanabe; and Nite Bjuti. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22456129/Mondo-Jazz [from "Sister Annie" onwards]. Happy listening!

A playlist full of delightful surprises, offering music lovers a welcome counterweight to the darker surprises the news keeps delivering. The playlist features Oan Kim; Guillaume Hazebrouck, James Noël; Felsenmeer; Gegè Telesforo; Matthew Stevens; Gabrielle Cavassa; and Jeff Parker [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22456129/Mondo-Jazz [from "Habanera" to "Like Swimwear"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy a playlist dedicated to musicians who keep redrawing the musical map one surprising album at a time. The playlist features Seu Jorge [pictured], Maria Rita; Jamile, Vinicius Gomes, Joe Martin; Joe Lovano; Hilary Geddes; Matt Gold, Dustin Laurenzi; and Bobby Previte. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22456129/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Glide"]. Happy listening!

Paris–Bogotá; New York–Rome; São Paulo–Basel; Bern–New York; New York–São Paulo… this playlist feels like a masterclass in transatlantic cross-pollination, where ideas, rhythms, and musical identities travel as freely as the artists themselves. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22421891/Mondo-Jazz [from "La Llave Maestra" onwards]. Happy listening! Photo: Yaroslav Monchak

Jump into a time-traveling playlist that brings a spectacular 1984 recording by Carla Bley back to the future, at the end of a generations-bridging ride where emerging artists modernize tradition and elder statesmen pay homage to their heroes, or join forces with younger voices. The playlist features Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22421891/Mondo-Jazz [from "Everything's Cool, Everything's Cool!" to "Nu Derection"]. Happy listening!

Two remarkable emerging singers, Selma Savolainen and Sonia Spinello, bookend a playlist of recent and upcoming releases which range from the adventurous to the spiritual. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22421891/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Eterea"]. Happy listening!

Here is a playlist featuring artists working outside the spotlight, often ahead of the curve, across continents, across scenes. The playlist features Peter Erskine; Christoph Irniger, Marc Perrenoud; Dave Douglas; Angelika Niescier [pictured]; Vuyo Sotashe, Chris Pattishall; čnaq̓ǐy̓m̓i (lone eagle) & The Forest. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22280800/Mondo-Jazz [from "Gumbo time" onwards]. Happy listening!

The European and US jazz scenes in a dialogue full of elegance and surprises. The playlist features Louis Matute; Jens Düppe; Jon Irabagon; Hélène Duret [pictured]; Joel Lyssarides. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22280800/Mondo-Jazz [up to "In the Rice Fields at Dawn"]. Happy listening!

Recent and new releases in a playlist that crosses borders—whether cultural or musical—with a special focus on jazz renditions of popular music (from Dylan to Radiohead to Pavement). The playlist features Florian Pellissier; Javon Jackson [pictured]; Luciano Biondini, Michel Godard, Lucas Niggli; James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Reginald Veal, Ali Jackson; Shawn Lovato; and Naïssam Jalal. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22280800/Mondo-Jazz [up to "In the Rice Fields at Dawn"]. Happy listening!