The Hot Box number 47 in which we have wall-to-wall female vocalists………………….

This is the first time Hot Box has gone all-female-vocal, but a really exciting programme results, with several current singers featured both from Ireland and beyond. It seems that there is an explosion of female vocalising today, and it recalls the days when all the big bands had to front with at least one female vocalist – a “canary” as they were pejoratively nicknamed. Most of them fell into obscurity. Nowadays the singer is more likely to have to make a solo career from scratch.Its still a struggle but a different kind of struggle.

The surge in vocal jazz also makes for song selection that encompasses material from the popular to the classic, reaching as it always has, to the world beyond jazz.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11:33 — 65.4MB)

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There are few sounds in jazz more appealing than that of a big fat unit comprising around 17 musicians, well drilled, swinging, and with star solo improvisations on top. The 46th Hot Box celebrates some of those sounds with a mix of familiar and unfamiliar, including The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, whose formerly unpublished pieces from live concert performance are featured here. Also sit back and enjoy two wonderful tracks from Fred Hersch’s brand new album – a significant departure for him – with the WDR Big Band under the direction of the multi-award winning arranger Vince Mendoza.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:48 — 87.7MB)

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Another hour of superb jazz piano from Donald Helme in The Hot Box #045 A to Z of Jazz Piano Part 17 – The Letter R. In this episode you can hear from artists such as Ted Rosenthal, Gene Rodgers, Eric Reed, Renee Rosnes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Michele Rosewoman and many more. There is some really amazing music in this one.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:54 — 94.5MB)

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