MODERN JAZZ TODAY – EPISODE #498 WEEK OF 8-25-2025
Episode #498 of Modern Jazz Today moves through a dynamic mix of established masters and fresh innovators. Hour #1 balances the percussive fire of Steve Smith and Vital Information with the lyrical touch of Zurhub, before giving space to Randy Napoleon’s rich guitar tones and Birdland Big Band’s sweeping arrangements.
Canadian voices shine with The Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quartet, Eric St-Laurent, and Chris Monson, while Jesse Fischer and Melbreeze add modern grooves and global flavors. Hour #2 opens with the vibrant piano of Canadian artist Teri Parker, followed by Miho Hazama’s ambitious suite and Claudia Villela’s Brazilian lyricism. From Troy Roberts’ high-energy funk to Karl Silveira’s thoughtful Canadian contribution and Daymé Arocena’s Afro-Cuban intensity, the set closes with Barbra Lica’s intimate storytelling—another powerful reminder of jazz’s evolving, international voice.
Hour #1
| Artist/Group Name | Song Title | Album | Record Label | Track Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith and Vital Information | Bugalulu | Heart of the City | BFM Records | 4:56 |
| Zurhub | Forget About It | Countryside Motorways | Origin Records | 4:14 |
| Randy Napoleon | Boom Boom | Waking Dream: The Music of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon | OA2 Records | 5:43 |
| Birdland Big Band | Water Lily | Storybook: The Music of Mark Miller | Birdland Records | 6:54 |
| Silvano Monasterios | Dance on the Wire | The River | Self-Released | 7:32 |
| Rob Clearfield | When We Were Kings | Voice in the Wilderness | Jazz & People | 3:35 |
| The Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quartet* | Impact | Impact | Self-Released | 5:17 |
| Eric St-Laurent* | El Choclo | El Choclo | Kazenmuzik | 3:40 |
| Jesse Fischer | The Intrepid Fox | Flipped II | Self-Released | 6:18 |
| Chris Monson* | Where the Leaf Has Been | Seldom in the Well | Self-Released | 4:16 |
| Melbreeze | Mas Que Nada | Animazonia | Blue Canoe Records | 4:14 |
Hour #2
| Artist/Group Name | Song Title | Album | Record Label | Track Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teri Parker* | Segment | Shaping the Invisible | Self-Released | 4:39 |
| Miho Hazama – m_unit | Exoplanet Suite III. Planet Nine | Beyond Orbits | Edition Records | 10:11 |
| Claudia Villela | Chorinho Pra Elas | Cartas ao Vento | Taina Music | 3:08 |
| Troy Roberts | Funkafarian | NU-Jive Nations United | Toy Robot Music | 8:47 |
| Rafael Greco | African Boy | Dice Que Vive Signs of Life | Blue Canoe Records | 6:36 |
| Karl Silveira* | Perimeter | A Porta Aperta | Self-Released | 5:41 |
| Bogue Chitto | Bogue Chitto | Red Lounge | Just For The Records | 3:14 |
| Tristan | Moontune | Live In Concert | Isolde Records | 7:20 |
| Daymé Arocena | Eleggua | Cubafonia | Brownswood Recordings | 3:07 |
| Barbra Lica | Nashville | I’m Still Learning | Justin Time Records | 4:58 |
*Indicates Canadian Content
Jeff Williams – Modern Jazz Today™
A Modish Creative Group™ Production
www.modernjazztoday.com
modernjazztoday@gmail.com
mixcloud.com/modernjazztoday
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