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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents The Geoffrey Dean Quartet Air Date: 5/25/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . This is an impressive modern jazz quartet. When I listen to their treatment of compositions by old masters, or of their original numbers, I can hear their deep love of the music in the playing. It really stands out. As I write this, I'm listening to Sonny Clark's My Conception from their 2024 release, Foundations . The trumpet work of Justin Copeland is delicious. The new CD is titled Conceptions , perhaps taking a cue from that song of last year. Whereas the prior release focused on lesser-known works of bebop composers like Sam Rivers, Duke Pearson, and Elmo Hope, in the new release we have all original tunes. The quartet is comprised of Geoffrey Dean on piano, Harish Raghavan on bass, Eric Binder on drums, and Justin Copeland on trumpet. Promotional material for this release states that the music ...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Reginald Cyntje Air Date: 5/18/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . Growing up in the US Virgin Islands, trombonist Reginald Cyntje was influenced by the the official music of the territory, known as Quelbe . This musical form, like jazz, features improvisation. Forward to today, and you will hear calypso, reggae, and other African influences in his eight CDs released as a leader. His latest release, titled Mosaic , is an album about "creating a mosaic out of life’s ups and downs." Featured along with Mr. Cyntje are Imani-Grace Cooper (voice), Brian Settles (tenor saxophone), Allyn Johnson (piano), Herman Burney (bass), and Lenny Robinson (drums). All songs on the new release are originals. We'll hear Renewal of Love during the 10am hour of the show. This track is a vocal and features Ms. Cooper. Tune in at our new start time 9am ET, and don't miss all the great new ...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Openers Air Date: 5/11/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . So I was watching one of the Rick Beato videos where he talks extensively about Pat Metheny. Well, that got me excited to review our Pat Metheny collection, and when I came upon a couple of really beautiful tunes - perfect for your contemplative morning - I knew I had to use them to open the show. Today's show will open with the complete version of one of those tunes - The Road to You , the title number from Mr. Metheny's 1993 release. After receiving an email asking about this and some other tunes that I use as openers, I decided. Why not do an hour of just openers? These are some of the best songs I know, so it is fitting for us to listen to the entirety of each, rather than sampling the bits that you hear when the show opens.  Almost all of the songs in the first hour are openers and have been used several times. I...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Kandace Springs Air Date: 5/4/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks .   Every time we get a new album from Kandace Springs, I know it will be a good one. Her latest CD, Lady in Satin , is no exception. It features something new for Ms. Springs - strings!   In 1958 Billie Holiday released what many consider to be her last best recording, the original Lady in Satin . Ms. Holiday's release features Ray Ellis and his Orchestra, and it covers 12 songs from the Great American Songbook.       Now, Kandace Springs has re-created this recording, with the Orquestra Clássica de Espinho conducted by Diogo Costa.    As you will hear on this show, the sound is lush, inviting, delicious. Ms. Springs is known for her thoughtful and gentle way with lyrics and piano, so it is fitting to have her sing and play with orchestral backing.    The show opens with a ball...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Cliff Korman Air Date: 4/27/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . Photo by Aloizio Jordão Pianist Cliff Korman has released Urban Tracks with his trio. This album has a delightful mix of classic and modern jazz, Brazilian and straight-ahead jazz. In the first hour you'll hear a beautiful melody written by Brazilian artist Tonino Horta.  In the second hour you'll hear Benny Golson's Whisper Not . In the third and final hour, you'll hear another fine Brazilian number by unsung Brazilian composer Radamés Gnattali. The CD was recorded in Brooklyn New York at Bunker Studio, and Mr. Korman used their 1896 Steinway C Grand Piano.  Harvie S accompanies on bass and Rafael Barata on drums. New Music There's so much new music on my show, it's ridiculous. You've just got to listen to this great jazz, so much of it brand new! Be sure to send me feedback, at marty@wicn.or...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Gustavo Cysne and Ithamara Koorax Air Date: 4/20/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . Gustavo Cysne is a Brazilian singer and composer of bossa nova, and we have his debut solo album, Deep Blue . Mr. Cysne was noticed by producer  Arnaldo DeSouteiro, who has produced material by João Gilberto, Luiz Bonfá, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eumir Deodato, João Donato, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and many others.     You'll hear Mr. Cysne's soothing voice, together with another up-and-coming vocalist, Ithamara Koorax, during the final hour. He reminds me a bit of João Gilberto. His favorites include Antonio Carlos Jobim and Chet Baker. By the way, the CD also features strings. Danae Vlasse This is an interesting artist. When you first hear the music, you might think it is simply a classical piece. Listen closely, however, and you'll hear the jazz in there. But you have to list...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Mark Grandfield Air Date: 4/13/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . New Jersey native Mark Grandfield grew up in the '60s, moved to NYC in the '80s, and began singing blues and soul. He also did voice overs and sang jingles on numerous television commercials.  About his early years growing up in New Jersey, Mr. Grandfield says " My mother loved music and always encouraged me, and my older sister listened to the British Invasion, Stax and Motown. We also had a bin full of Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, Nat Cole, and Bing Crosby records.” In the first hour of the show, we'll hear Mr. Grandfield's cover of Cole Porter's Every Time We Say Goodbye.  We'll hear it again by John Coltrane, playing the soprano sax - the first version I recall hearing of this beautiful song.  The second hour will feature a song made popular by the great Tony Bennett - I Wanna Be Around . ...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Eugenie Jones Air Date: 4/6/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . This week on the Sunday Jazz Brunch we'll hear two songs from vocalist Eugenie Jones' new self-titled CD. Ms. Jones kicked off her recording career in 2013 with the release of Black Lace, Blue Tears . This is her fifth album release, and it includes covers of songs written or made famous by Carole King, Nina Simone, and Marvin Gaye. In addition, the CD features several original numbers.   About her music career and making the CD, Ms. Jones has this to say:    "I didn't study music in school; I graduated with an MBA and initially worked in corporate marketing. It wasn't until later that I realized my natural musical abilities, which I believe I inherited from my mother. Even without a formal music education, I feel fortunate to create songs that resonate with listeners, entertain them, and uplift their...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Sunday's Playlist Air Date: 3/30/2025 on 90.5 WICN 8am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks .   Featured this week: songs written by Antonio Carlos Jobim (photo). Also, we revisit a Musician's Corner with Joanie Pallatto.  HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning Dizzy & Fay\Hooked 2023\Never Mind Joe Locascio\November The Music of Phil Gurlik 2023\Winter Again Buster Williams\Unalome 2023\In The Middle of a Rainbow Peter Smith\Dollar Dreams 2023\Prayer for Jay Dave Stryker\As We Are 2021\As We Were Bill Cunliffe Trio\Border Widow's Lament 2023\Interiors Joanie Pallatto\My Original Plan 2021\Rest Joe Magnarelli-My Old Flame-09 McChesney Park 2010 Pierre Chambers\Shining Moments 2023\The Nearness of You Michael Morreale\Stories of Recent Vintage 2023\Bill Must Have Played This Ed Cherry\Are We There Yet 2023\Spring is Here Samara Joy\Linger Awhile 2022\Round Midnight HOUR TWO: New For You Chris Keefe\Op...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Support Public Radio Air Date: 3/23/2025 on 90.5 WICN 8am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks .   Photo by Mitch Bleier We at WICN hope that you enjoy the great music we bring you, and that you'll see your way to supporting the station during our Spring into WICN fund drive.   Please call in or donate online during Sunday's show. We are grateful for your support!   I kind of like what I wrote for the last fund drive. So, let's replay. Here's what you get every Sunday morning on WICN 90.5: Hour 1 - Your Contemplative Hour Take it slow in the morning. Some say that ballads are the most difficult jazz to play, but perhaps the easiest to listen to and feel. But ballads are only the beginning. On the Sunday Jazz Brunch you'll hear plenty of piano trios, one of the formats particularly well-liked by our early risers. Also favored are the sounds of beautiful string arrangements. For those ...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Sunday's Playlist Air Date: 3/16/2025 on 90.5 WICN 8am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks .   HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning Eric Reed\Black Brown and Blue 2023\Cheryl Ann Nicholas Payton\Couch Sessions 2023 - Christina Lucy Wijnands & John Di Martino-Call Me Irresponsible 2022-09 Only The Lonely Gregory Porter-All Rise-09 Modern Day Apprentice-2020 Ben Wolfe-Unjust 2022-09 Sparkling Red Ed Cherry\Are We There Yet 2023\Lawns Steve Million\What I Meant to Say 2021\What I Meant to Say John Lee\The Artist 2023\004 - Life Is A Beautiful Thing Tim Ray-Excursions And Adventures-06 Unconditional Love-2020 Pierre Chambers\Shining Moments 2023\The Nearness of You HOUR TWO: New For You Nick Green\Green on the Scene 2023\008  A Tear And A Smile Mike Melito\To Swing is The Thing 2023\Blue Key Samara Joy-Linger Awhile 2022-01 Can't Get Out Of This Mood Tim Fitzgerald\Full House 2022\Far Wes MUSICIAN'S C...
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The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents Sunday's Playlist Air Date: 3/9/2025 on 90.5 WICN 8am-12pm ET If you miss the air date: click here for the archi ves for up to two weeks . Photo - cover of Richard Bona's Reverence CD HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning Jeff Johnson\My Heart 2023\My Heart Dizzy & Fay\Hooked 2023\006 There You Are (In My Heart) Ken Fowser\Resolution 2023\Vanishing City Bill Cunliffe Trio\Border Widow's Lament 2023\Little Bird Mike Melito\To Swing is The Thing 2023\Ruby My Dear Buster Williams\Unalome 2023\Here's To Life feat voc Jean Baylor Joe Locascio\November The Music of Phil Gurlik 2023\Winter Again Pierre Chambers\Shining Moments 2023\Lonely Girl Trio Work feat Susan Krebs-Dancing in the Dark 2023-11 PEACE Eric Reed\Black Brown and Blue 2023\003 - I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good) HOUR TWO: New For You Mike Melito\To Swing is The Thing 2023\\Blue Key Pierre Chambers\Shining Moments 2023\My Shining Hour Buster Williams\Unalome 2023\42nd Street fe...
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