Mondo Jazz

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!

Here is music born in a remote cottage in the Outer Hebrides, or rethinking how the Hammond organ fits within a large, adventurous ensemble; music that celebrates Corsica, or brings long-standing collaborations to new heights. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22245088/Mondo-Jazz [from "Ford the River" onwards]. Happy listening! Photo: Tore Sætre.

And here we go again—another edition of Mondo Jazz, dedicated to recent and upcoming releases from across the jazz globe, where you can travel from Tokyo to New York in less than half an hour. The playlist features Benjamin Herman; Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns; María Grand [pictured]; Daniel Sky; Emmeluth's Amoeba; Marilyn Crispell, Anders Jormin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22245088/Mondo-Jazz [from "Tokyo Moon" to "Contemplation in D"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy a playlist that ranges from the jazz infused power-folk of Annahstasia to the neo-cool of Walter Smith III passing through, chamber, cinematic and classical influences. The playlist features Annahstasia [pictured]; Ryan Blotnick; Lars Danielsson; Reverso; Vincent Courtois; Walter Smith III, Branford Marsalis, Ron Carter. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22245088/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Casual–Lee"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy a playlist bringing together three compelling genre-defying bands, and two previously unreleased recordings that offer a posthumous opportunity to remember the enduring artistry of Jack DeJohnette. The playlist features Shake Stew; Shalosh [pictured]; Triple Blind; Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette; and Steve Khan. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22209545/Mondo-Jazz [from "Intro / Wood" onwards]. Happy listening!

Here is new music that doesn’t shout for attention but leaves a lasting mark once you hear it. The playlist features Elan Mehler; Corcoran Holt; Ji Dru; Dave Adewumi [pictured]; Siphonoforo; Edward Simon.. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22209545/Mondo-Jazz [from "Shmoon" to "Anhelante"]. Happy listening! Photo: Jimmy Katz.

From Cape Town to L.A., New York to Brussels, Rome to the Bay Area—with a stopover in Wyoming—hop on an around-the-world tour in eight songs. The playlist features Asher Gamedze; Daggerboard, The Skipper and Mike Clark; Stefano Bollani; Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas, Ted Nash; Daniel Rotem [pictured]; Holly Palmer; Caroline Davis; Joseph Branciforte, Jozef Dumoulin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22209545/Mondo-Jazz [up to "07"]. Happy listening!

No matter its origins—European or American, live or recorded in the studio, from the ’30s or today—this playlist brings together music that is not only recent or upcoming, but destined to stay with you. The playlist features Ingrid Jensen; Gary Versace; Lea Maria Fries [pictured]; Dave Stapleton; Amalie Dahl; Filippo Sala; David Chevallier; and Dave Gisler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22140685/Mondo-Jazz [from "Many Homes, Many Places" onwards]. Happy listening!

Enjoy a playlist featuring music inspired by Abbey Lincoln, New Orleans, Kurt Vonnegut, loss and hope. Enjoy another Mondo Jazz dispatch, and an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and discover music that doesn’t chase trends, because it doesn’t need to... The playlist features John Ellis; Marion Rampal; Willy Rodriguez; Daan Kluwer; Jasper Høiby [pictured], Xavi Torres, Naíma Acuña; and John Taylor. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22140685/Mondo-Jazz [from "Fireball" to "Fifteen"]. Happy listening!

Enjoy another Mondo Jazz dispatch, and an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and discover music that doesn’t chase trends, because it doesn’t need to... The playlist features China Moses [pictured]; Peter Somuah; Ben Rosenblum; Lilly Hertzman; Sylvie Courvoisier; and Jacopo Fagioli. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22140685/Mondo-Jazz [up to "Greenwashing"]. Happy listening!

Here is another edition of Mondo Jazz, celebrating today’s creative music and musicians, and musicians celebrating the musicians that inspired them, from Joe Henderson to Lyle Mays. The playlist features Bévort 3; Joe Henderson; Noé Huchard; Aubrey Johnson [pictured]; and Björn Meyer. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/22103632/Mondo-Jazz [from "Speak Up" onward]. Happy listening!