Playlist for 4-22-2020 Home - Jazzploration

Wonderful 1979 release from George Cables!

As I mention on this week's show, the intended name for my radio program was originally "Jazzploration". To appease both the station manager and the previous host for that time slot, who had held if for something like 15 years, I was convinced to maintain her show name and it's honor: "Jazz Greats", which - not only rang somewhat pedestrian to my ears, but also countered with what I intended to do: play music by both widely known artists as well as the most obscure and forgotten.

My plan was to take the listener to another place, plain and simple; often a happy one, a good-time one, occasionally an outta-this-world one. This week's show is my current idea of what that should be like: a journey. You spend some time on the airport, you board the plane with excitement (or fear), you take off and soar above the earth, you land someplace you've never been before, you explore, you drive a little further out, explore...

Hope you like the show. Thanks for stopping by & listening! - Kendo


Grant Green - "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" - Visions (1971)

His regular trio plus Ray Barretto

Red Garland - "Manteca" - Manteca (1958)

George Cables - "Beyond Forever" - Circles (1979)

Donald Byrd - "Samba Yanta" - The Creeper (1967)

Art Farmer - "Sing Me Softly of the Blues" - Sing Me Softly of the Blues (1965)

Gary Burton Quintet - "Ictus/Syndrome/Wrong Key Donkey" (1975)

With Pat Metheny, Mick Goodrich,
Steve Swalloe, Bob Moses

Gary Burton Quartet - "Como en Vietnam" - Times Square (1978)

Curtis Fuller - "Maze" - Crankin' (1971)

Kurt Elling - "The Fanfold Hawk" - Secrets Are the Best Stories (2020)*

Playlist for 4-14-2020 Home - Shorty Show!

This week we delve into my vinyl collection alphabetically and listen to the shortest track of each album; making for good variety, interesting deep cuts and hitting up overlooked or forgotten albums. You can listen in the audio player above. Hope you enjoy - would love some feedback on this idea, whether I should continue with it! Stay safe - Kendo


John Abercrombie - "Reminiscence" - Gateway II (1977)

The lineup with Victor Felman

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "What Is This Thing Called Love" - At the Lighthouse (1960)

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "Sticks" - Mercy, Mercy Mercy! (1966)

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "Walk Tall (Baby, That's What I Need" - 74 Miles Away (1967)

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "Somewhere" - Swingin' In Seattle (1967)

Nat Adderley Quintet - "The Fifth Labor of Hercules" - Blue Autumns (1983)

Airto and his freaky album covers

Airto - "Ruas do Recifie" - Promises of the Sun (1976)

Mose Allison - "Saturday" - Back Country Suite (1957)

Mose Allison - "Spring Song" - Back Country Suite (1957)

Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt - "Walkin'" - Boss Tenors in Orbit (1962)

Gene Ammons (Howard McGhee and The Blazers) - "Muggin' McGhee" - Heavy Sax (1962)

Roy Ayers - "Don't Hide Your Love" - No Stranger to Love (1979)

And then there's this

Dave Bailey Quintet - "Comin' Home Baby" - Two Feet In the Gutter (1961)

Chet Baker - "What'll I Do" - She Was Too Good To Me (1974) CTI Moment

Chet Baker - "You Can't Go Home Again" - You Can't Go Home Again (1977)

Gary Bartz Ntu Troop - "Africans Unite" - Juju Street Songs (1972)

Count Basie - "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and OUt" - Basie Picks the Winners (1965)

Count Basie - "Help" - Basie's Beatle Bag (1966)

Count Basie - "Hello Young Lovers' - Broadway Basie's... Way (1966)

Not to be outdone... Joe
amps up the freakage game.

Count Basie - "In The Still of The Night" - Hollywood... Basie's Way (1967)

Count Basie - "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" - High Voltage (1970)

Joe Beck - "Cafe Black Rose" - Beck (1972)

Playlist for 4-7-2020 Home - Diversions!

This week we mixed the relaxing, destressing self-isolation jazz with longer, more intricate tracks to help you get your mind off of things for awhile, and we visited the virtual new jazz shelf! Thank you for listening and stay safe! - Kendo


Emanuele Coluccia - "Jazzlito" (Theme Music)

Connie Han - "Iron Starlet" - Iron Starlet (2019)*

A force to be reckoned with - wonderful player!

Jeff Rupert and George Garzone - "Bahia" - The Ripple (2018)*

O Som do Jazz - "Coco" - Go! (2019)*


Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer - "Just an Old Manuscript" - The Power of Positive Swinging (1965)

Snorre Kirk Quartet with Stephen Riley - "Blues Jump" - Tangerine Rhapsody (2019)*

Lee Morgan - "Party Time" - The Procrastinator (1967)

Diana Krall - "Like Someone In Love" - Turn Up the Quiet (2016)

Larry Coryell - "If Miles Were Here" - Barefoot Man: Sanpaku (2016)

A complimentary pairing!

Michael Petrovich - "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" - Bella Luna (2012)

Acme Jazz Garage - "Acmefied" - Acme Jazz Garage (20160

Cal Tjader Sextet & Stan Getz - "Big Bear" - Cal Tjader/Stan Getz (1958)

Anita O'Day & Cal Tjader - "Mister Sandman" - Time for Two (1962)

Dan Jordan - "Voce Vai Ver" - Pure Joy (2015)

Weldon Irvine - "Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk" - Cosmic Vortex (Justice Divine) (1974)

Mark Chiriboga - "What Words Can't Say" - Mark Chiriboga (2011)

Retro Review - Johnny Hodges & Wild Bill Davis "Mess of Blues"

Some abstract business for a straight ahead album!

Johnny Hodges & Wild Bill Davis - Mess of Blues (1963)

rating: 6.5/10

This somewhat unusual pairing was a thing for much of the 60's until Hodges died. If you've spent any time listening to Duke Ellington, your aware of Johnny Hodge's alto sound and style. As for Wild Bill Davis - think somewhere between Shirley Scott and the dude outside the Wurlitzer store in the mall. So yeah, if you're a jazz purist or a Jimmy Smith fan, his sound takes getting used to.

This is not a "heavy" album by any means. By all accounts you could consider this a "light" jazz album; something you might put on in say, a pandemic? After a bad day at work?

First off, despite the title, most of the album has a feel-good quality to it. It might seem somewhat obvious to say, but there is something wonderfully Ellington-ian to it. Aside from three compositions of Duke's and his lead alto man, that feeling is there throughout the album: the easy swing feel that still has a deep pocket; the relaxed manner of approach that still has wonderful dynamics, keeping it afloat. Elegance with sophistication.

Then there's the addition of guitarist Kenny Burrell, a huge Ellington admirer. He keeps his solos cool and choice but still impressive and of course, will killer soul. Ed Shaughnessy on drums is all pro as you might expect from a future Tonight Show drummer (with Doc Severinsen); achieving everything that's needed at any given time, and always swingin'.

Side one is solid through and through. Side two has the aptly titled Bill Davis original "Stolen Sweets" which is a bit overly poppy; as is the version of Ellington's "Lost in Meditation" (it's a Verve release, after all). The best cuts on the album are "Jones", "Love You Madly" and Hodges "A & R Blues".

At 30 minutes it ain't gonna hurt ya, and it might even cure what ails ya. - Kendo

Discogs listings

Playlist for 3-31-2020 Home - Staying Home!

For this week it's another Home Edition of the show - and will be until the radio station re-opens. The focus was on more relaxing, soothing jazz but still lively enough to distract us from all the craziness! Also there are two featured albums: "Domino" by Roland Kirk and "Off the Top" from Jimmy Smith. Enjoy and do stay safe! - Kendo

Ways to keep in touch with me:

• Instagram: @jazzploration
• Twitter: @djkendo1
• Discogs: kmackenzie
• Facebook
• Mixcloud
• Patreon
• Youtube

Jimmy Smith - "Off the Top" - Off The Top (1982)

What a band! Excellent album..

Billy Bauer - "Lullaby of the Leaves" - Plectrist (1956)

Hubert Laws - "Pensativa" - Wild Flower (1972)

Donald Fagen - "Planet D'rhonda" - Sunken Condos (2012)

Roland Kirk - "A Stritch in Time" - Domino (1962)

Thom Rotella - "Oddball" - Storyline (2019)

Karrin Allyson - "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" - (2000)

Miles Davis - "Miles" - Milestones (1958)

Jimmy Smith - "Mimosa" - Off the Top (1982)

A creative force... so much to discover on this one!

Roland Kirk - "Get Out of Town" - Domino (1962)

Chet Baker - "Lets Get Lost" - Chet Baker Sings and Plays (1955)

Lynne Arriale - "Here Comes the Sun" - Convergence (2010)

Roland Kirk - "Lament" - Domino (1962)

Chico Hamilton - "Baby, You Know" - The Dealer (1966)

Bill Evans - "Blue In Green" - Portrait In Jazz (1959)

Playlist for 3-24-2020 Home - First Home Edition of Jazz Greats!

Superb Timmons from 1964.

Well, I'm glad I got last week's show in before the station closed for the safety of the dj's! This week and the for time being, the show will be recorded at home, to maintain a sense of regularity for both the listeners and myself. This week it's jazz selected to help us stay calm amidst all the horrible news we're hearing and seeing, simple as that. Stay safe, stay home, and enjoy the show in the player above! Much love - Kendo

instagram: @jazzploration

Theme Music - "Jazzlito"- Emanuele Coluccia

Bobby Timmons - "I Could Have Danced All Night" - Chung King (1964)

Coleman Hawkins - "I'll Never Be the Same" - The Hawk Relaxes (1961)

Ella Fitzgerald - "Solitude" - Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)

Antonio Carlos Jobim - "Antigua" - Wave (1967)

If you're looking for chill... look no further.

Sonny Rollins - "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" - Plus Four (1956)

Art Tatum - "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'" - Solo Masterpieces Vol. One (1955)

Gonzalo Rubalcaba - "Perfidia" - Suite 4 y 20 (1992)

Bobby Timmons - "O Grande Amor" - Chung King (1964)

Grant Green - "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - I Want To Hold Your Hand (1965)

Bill Evans Trio - "Spring Is Here" - Portrait In Jazz (1959)

A mixed bag... but interesting as always!

Brother Jack McDuff - "Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring" - Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring (1970)

Bobby Timmons - "Little One" - A Little Barefoot Soul (1963)

Bobby Hutcherson - "Maiden Voyage" - Happenings (1966)

Playlist for 3-17-2020 WFCF - St Patricks Day!

Photo by  Djalma Paiva Armelin

Today we are celebrating St. Patricks Day listening to jazz by artists with Irish last names: McDuff, McGriff, McLean, McPartland, McPherson, McBride, McFarland... you get the idea. Should be fun! Tune in at 88.5 FM in and around St. Augustine, or listen on iHeart here. See you there! - Kendo

ps: audio of the broadcast of the show below!
instagram: @jazzploration



Hour One:

Marian McPartland's Hickory House Trio - "September Song" -

Gary McFarland - "Paris Original" - The Jazz Version: How To Succeed... (1961)

Gary McFarland - "Love From a Heart of Gold" - The Jazz Version: How To Succeed... (1961)

            3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Carmen McRae - "Like A Lover" - I Am Music (1975)

Hal McKusick - "A Touch of Spring" - Triple Exposure (1957)

Jack McDuff - "Elmo Tucker" - The Heatin' System (1972)

Roger Kellaway - "Night and Day" - The Many Open Minds of Roger Kellaway (2010)*

Gina Kronstadt - "A Simple Man" - October Comes Too Soon (2019)*



Hour Two:

Les McCann & Eddie Harris - "Cold Duck Time" - Swiss Movement (1969)

Jimmy McGriff - "The Worm" - The Worm (1968)

John McLaughlin - "New York On My Mind" - Electric Guitarist ()

Bob McChesney - "You May Have It Wrong" - Chez Sez (2015)

Christian McBride - "Wayne's World" - A Family Affair (1998)

Lara Driscoll - "Autumn In New York" - Woven Dreams (2019)

Jackie McLean - "Lost" - A Fickle Sonance (1962)

Jimmy McGriff - "Space Cadet" - Red Beans (1976)



Hour Three:

Brother Jack McDuff - "Sancitified Samba" - Live! (1963) - The Ride Home!

Brother Jack McDuff - "Whistle While You Work" - Live

Hal McKusick - "Blues Half-Smiling" - Triple Exposure (1957)

Carmen McRae - "Man That Was A Dream" - Carmen Sings Monk (1988)

Nellie McKay - "Where Or Where" - Sister Orchid (2018)

Fraser MacPherson - "Happy Man" - Jazz Prose (1984)

Charles McPherson - "Get Happy" - Come Play With Me (1995)

Carmen McRae - "Still We Dream" - Carmen Sings Monk (1988)

Benny Green - "My Girl Bill" - Kaleidoscope (1996) request

Jackie McLean - "Nursery Blues" - Tippin' The Scales (1962)

Hour Four:

Marian McPartland - "A Fine Romance" - A Fine Romance (1976)

Tim McCormick - "Funertia" - Earth Signs (2004)

Carmen McRae - "Miss Brown to You" - Billie Holiday Revisited ()

Brother Jack McDuff - "Theme from Electric Surfboard" - Down Home Style (1969)

Kat Edmonson - "All I Do Is Dream of You" - Dreamers Do (2019)*

Gary McFarland - "I Don't Need the Rain to See Rainbows - "Scorpio and Other Signs" (1968)

Brother Jack McDuff - "Down in the Valley" - A Change Is Gonna Come ()

John McLaughlin - & The 4th Dimension - "Miles Beyond" - Live at Ronnie Scott's (2017)

Miles Davis - "Moon Dreams" - Birth of the Cool (1949)*

Brother Jack McDuff - "Oblighetto" - Moon Rappin' (1969)

John McLaughlin - "Peace One" - My Goals Beyond (1970)