Whether born in the heart of Detroit, captured in the stillness of a London church at night, or inspired by cinematic visions of Norwegian immigration to Minnesota, the music in this playlist invites you into sound worlds that captivate and reward at every turn. The playlist features Dave McMurray; Don Was, The Pan-Detroit Ensemble; Kenny Barron; Trond Kallevåg [pictured]; Bill Laurance; Kenny Burrell; and John O'Gallagher.. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21481826/Mondo-Jazz [from "The Jungaleers" onwards]. Happy listening!

Here is a playlist that gives the drummers some, actually more than some as it focuses exclusively on records released by remarkable modern drummers, and composers/bandleaders like Makaya McCraven, Sam Ospovat, and Jonathan Blake. The playlist features Jonathan Blake; Makaya McCraven [pictured]; and Sam Ospovat. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21481826/Mondo-Jazz [from "Last Breath" to "American Talent"]. Happy listening!

Another episode of Mondo Jazz, another constellation of global musical connections — spanning Morocco to India, Basque to Arabic traditions, and the space where classical and world influences meet. The playlist features Saha Gnawa [pictured], Donny McCaslin; Makiko Hirabayashi; Louis Sclavis; Amir ElSaffar; Roberto Ottaviano. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21481826/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Gabriel's Message"]. Happy listening!

Artists stepping outside their usual terrain, and others that go deep in the one they're familiar with, take center stage in this week’s selection of standout release. The playlist features Boz Scaggs; Daniel Santiago; Camille Bertault [pictured]; Andrea Molinari; David Kikoski; Orchestre National de Jazz, Ensemble Intercontemporain. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21447060/Mondo-Jazz [from "Angel Eyes" onwards]. Happy listening! Photo: Marco Mertens

Cultural roots—and our shared roots on this planet—tie together the projects featured in this playlist of recent and soon-to-land treasures. The playlist features Igor Lumpert; Tarun Balani; Fergus McCreadie; Laura Jurd; Gianni Coscia [pictured]; Robin Fincker, Janick Martin; Vincent Courtois, Colin Vallon. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21447060/Mondo-Jazz [from "Sures" to "Done and Done"]. Happy listening! Photo: Roberto Cifarelli

Welcome back to our weekly dispatch of recent and upcoming releases—where recent and upcoming isn’t a marketing catchphrase but living proof that jazz keeps surpassing expectations, along with our sheer ability to keep up. The playlist features Luca Curcio [pictured]; Alison Shearer; Steiger; David Binney, Tommy Crane; Dave Harrington, Jay Bellerose, Billy Mohler; John Scofield, Dave Holland; and Marcus Gilmore. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21447060/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Journey to the New"]. Happy listening! Photo: Juliane Schütz.

Mike Stern-powered debut albums, pastoral projects, and a J.J. Cale-tinged antidote to worry wmake up a playlist well worth your time. The playlist features Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade; Juan Chiavassa [pictured], Mike Stern, John Patitucci, Leo Genovese, Pedrito Martinez, Federico Gonzalez Peña; Bob Schlesinger; Shuteen Erdenebaatar, Nils Kugelmann; Wakan; Seth Walker. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21377743/Mondo-Jazz [from "Roll" onwards]. Happy listening!

Here is another dispatch of fresh new releases at the intersection of high-octane energy, cinematic vibes and much awaited returns. The playlist features New Cool Collective; Vladimir Kostadinovic; La Tanya Hall [pictured]; Gary Bartz NTU Troop, Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, Nile Rodgers; Johan Lindström; and Zack Lober. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21377743/Mondo-Jazz [from "Ms. Wilson" to "Landscape"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy another playlist where we trade the same-old standards for future ones, which hopefully you’ll be discovering here first. The playlist features Oddjob; Daniel Zimmermann; Hanna Paulsberg [pictured], Elin Rosseland; Federico Calcagno, The Dolphians; Harper Trio; and Simon Chivallon. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21377743/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Les Passantes"]. Happy listening!

Here is a playlist highlighting recent releases by some of the most adventurous players of our time, with a special focus on two pillars of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians—as the AACM marks its 60th anniversary—Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Threadgill. The playlist features Gregg Belisle-Chi; Henry Threadgill; Jakob Bro, Wadada Leo Smith [pictured], Marilyn Crispell, Andrew Cyrille; Marcus Gilmore; Sylvie Courvoisier; Anna Sophia Defant. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21343440/Mondo-Jazz [from "Sorry" onwards]. Happy listening!

Enjoy a playlist that celebrates the "art of the impromptu" — live performance, spur-of-the-moment recording sessions, concerts released at lightning speed, and the joy of creating in the moment. The playlist features Rabbath Electric Orchestra; Kurt Elling, Christian Sands, Marquis Hill; Rico Jones [pictured]; John Taylor, Marc Johnson, Joey Baron; Liv Andrea Hauge; Tommy Smith, Gwilym Simcock. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21343440/Mondo-Jazz [from "66 Grand Street" to "Weathered"]. Happy listening!

Jazz-inflected renditions of pop songs, Hammond B-3 romps, and magmatic textures make up a playlist which proves that great music rarely happens on major labels—or emerges from algorithms. The playlist features The 8-Bit Big Band; Tino Tracanna; Rin Seo [pictured]; Webber/Morris Big Band; Yuhan Su; and The Circling Sun. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21343440/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Erzulie"]. Happy listening!

This time we’ll dive into adventurous large and mid-size ensembles rewriting the rules of how size can matter, then close with a burst of spiritual fire from New Zealand. The playlist features The 8-Bit Big Band; Tino Tracanna; Rin Seo [pictured]; the Webber/Morris Big Band; Yuhan Su; and The Circling Sun. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21308615/Mondo-Jazz [from "Waluigi Pinball" onwards]. Happy listening!

Psychedelic boogaloo jams, games of fantasy jazz, progressive funk influences and downtown vibes, are the main ingredients of this fun playlist! The playlist features Ari Joshua, Skerik, Delvon Lamarr, Grant Schroff; Funkwrench Blues, Nduduzo Makhathini, Lenny White, David Boyce, David DR Robbins, Frank Swart; Revolutionary Snake Ensemble [pictured]; The Naked Boys; Dave Douglas; and HackOut! Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21308615/Mondo-Jazz [from "Scared of Eric" to "El gran cabron"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy another playlist that tries to prove that great music does not usually happen on a major label, or in a Spotify bunker somewhere, especially when it's music as ecletic and creative as this one. The playlist features Petter Eldh, Richard Spaven; Cécile McLorin Salvant; Agnas Bros.; Mulatu Astatke [pictured]; Tom Skinner; and Ned Rothenberg. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21308615/Mondo-Jazz [up to "BellKeyBell"] Happy listening!

Enjoy another playlist that shines a light on recent and upcoming releases and tries to bridge the gap between mainstream and progressive audiences. The playlist features Jon Irabagon; Josh Lawrence; Ben LaMar Gay [pictured]; Witold; Harald Lassen; Ventilateur. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21274558/Mondo-Jazz [from "Buggin' the Mud" onwards]. Happy listening! Photo credit: Erik Luyten

Here a few more memorable finds from our weekly listening so you can go straight to the heart of today’s vibrant West Coast, East Coast and European jazz scenes. The playlist features Vincent Peirani; Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Emile Parisien; Carmen Staaf [pictured]; SML; Rachel Eckroth; Olivier Van Niekerk. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21274558/Mondo-Jazz [from "Time Reflections: Clessidra" to "Strange Meeting"]. Happy listening!

Here is another week worth of sifting through the flood of new music to bring you the gems you’d never find on shuffle. The playlist features Zé Ibarra [pictured]; Charlie Rouse; Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren; Timo Vollbrecht; Robin Holcomb, Peggy Lee. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21274558/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Waltz"]. Happy listening!

Chad Taylor is so busy as leader, co-leader and special guest on countless new albums in 2025, that he--literally--seems to be here, and there, and everywhere (pretty much like Ted Lasso's Roy Kent!). Here is a quick guide to enjoy his ubiquitousness! The playlist also features Chicago Underground Duo; David Lord; Mats Gustaffson, Ken Vandermark, Tomeka Reid; Sylvain Kassap, Steve Swell, Benjamin Duboc. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21241959/Mondo-Jazz (from "Broken Horse" onwards). Happy listening!

Enjoy an installment of Mondo Jazz spotlighting fresh releases that balance fire and subtlety, urgency and reflection. A great reminder that jazz is never just one thing—it’s restless, searching and multi-faceted. The playlist features Donny McCaslin; Trio of Bloom, Nels Cline, Craig Taborn, Marcus Gilmore; Jaleel Shaw; Loke Risberg; Théo Girard, Mobke; Theon Cross [pictured]. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/21241959/Mondo-Jazz (from "Solace" to "Candace of Meroe"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Kristie Kahns