The Friday Riff

This show will feature two very special guests: Professor of Ethnomusicology and director of the UCSB Middle East Ensemble, Scott Marcus, and saxophonist and fellow KCSB programmer, Colter Frazier. Prof. Marcus will discuss the complex role of music in Islam, and discuss issues featured in his recent book, Music in Egypt (Oxford U. Press, 2007). Mr. Frazier will report on his recent residency in Cairo and his musical experiences there. Music selections include jazz and Arab music from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Colter’s projects in Egypt, and more!

In honor of the Santa Barbara Film Festival, today’s show features jazz from various film scores. Includes music by Miles Davis, Sun Ra, academy award-winning composer Ennio Morricone (as interpreted by John Zorn), and others. (Errata: John Tchicai is Afro-Danish, not Afro-Dutch).

Even though the recent Ken Burns documentary on jazz generally dismisses hip hop as a musical genre, one of the clips featured in episode 10 (used to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of jazz) shows bassist Ron Carter performing with French rapper MC Solaar. We’ll play you the Carter/MC Solaar collaboration, as well as more music resulting from the historical connections between hip hop and jazz. From the calypsonians like Mighty Sparrow, to Gil-Scott Heron, to Herbie Hancock‘s classic track “Rockit” (featuring DJ Grand Mixer DXT on turntables), listen here to jazz and hip hop droppin’ science. Bryan does the worm in the studio while Rob finds a word that rhymes with “orange.”

Rob and Bryan remember jazz legend Alice Coltrane, who passed away one week ago today. Featuring music spanning the range of her career, including her early work with vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, her tenure with the John Coltrane quartet/quintet, and her most recent recording “Translinear Light.”

In honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Rob and Bryan discuss jazz and its connections to the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as global struggles for justice and peace. Featured music includes selections from The Chicago Underground Duo, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ernest Ranglin, Nina Simone, Winston “Mankuku” Ngozi, and others.

This show investigates the long relationship between the spoken and written word and jazz music. Musical selections include jazz and poetry from Don Byron and Sadiq, Charles Mingus and Jean Sheppard, Steve Coleman and the Mystic Rhythm Society, Tom Waits, Babs Gonzalez, and more. Also featured: beatnik language instruction from Del Close and John Brent. Dig it!

“Improvisation is a muddy ditch; it’s where things can grow.” –Derek Bailey

In memoriam of the late Derek Bailey, who passed away on December 25, 2005, we explore his music and his contribution to the jazz genre. This show was also replayed on December 29, 2006. Includes selections from a wide range of Bailey’s projects, from the Joseph Holbrooke Trio, to duets with Susie Ibarra, to his “Guitar, Drums n’ Bass” album, and more!

Part of our continuing listening in to the connections between Indian music and jazz. Musical selections include Indian/Jazz fusion and Indian-influenced jazz from Natraj, Miles Davis, Joe Harriot, Ravi Shankar, Charles Lloyd, and Zakir Hussain (and yes, that is Jan Garbarek on SOPRANO saxophone, despite what Rob says. Never ask a drummer about music).

Drawing on the title of the upcoming UCSB Jazz Ensemble’s Fall concert on Sunday Dec. 3rd, this show features the music of Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus. Rob interviews director of the UCSB Jazz Program, Professor Jon Nathan, about the upcoming concert.

On this post-Thanksgiving show we give thanks for improvisation! Drawing on the continuing debates regarding the definition of “jazz,” and in a broader sense, the definition of music itself, Rob and Bryan explore the origins and influences of the genres known as free jazz and free improvisation. We also look at the connections between the American Civil Rights Movement and free-dom music (such as Max Roach’s “Freedom Now! Suite”). Musical selections include Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Parker, Jimmy Giuffre, Lennie Tristano, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, and Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln. Includes readings from Derek Bailey’s book on improvisation.