Bridging the Gap August 9, 2023

*The Andrews Sisters: "Rum And Coca-Cola" (Single 1944) Swing and boogie woogie singers sisters LaVerne, Maxene & Patty were active from 1925-1967. This song helped introduce calypso to US audiences.

*Ella Fitzgerald: "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" (Complete Decca Singles Vol. 1 '35-'39) Am. Jazz singer known as 'Queen of Jazz' also known for impeccable diction, tone and improvisation, esp. scatting.

*Billie Holiday: "Ain't Nobody's Business. If I Do" (Greatest Hits) Real name: Eleanora Fagen she was known for unique phrasing, tempo and impovisational skills. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by Lester Young

*Chris Joss: "Little Nature" (Sticks 2009) French multi-inst. producer suffered from tinnitus and misophonia from childhood. Plays funk, jazz, acid jazz, electronic & lounge.

*Bebo Best & The Super Lounge Orchestra: "Bolliwood Ghost Dance" (Sitar & Bossa 2007) Italian Bebo Baldan plays nu jazz, lounge & world music. Trained in contemporary classic music.

*The Fort Knox Five: "Bhangra Paanch" (The New Gold Standard 2009) Wash. DC based recording act feat. Steve Raskin, Jon Horvath, Sid Barcelona & Rob Myers play funk, hip hop, reggae, electronic & world music on their own Fort Knox Recordngs record label.

*The Souljazz Orchestra: "One Life To Live" (Inner Fire 2014) Canadian afro/jazz/funk band. Pierre Chretien composes, plays vintage keys, percussion and sings; says the band is creating their own flavor of Afro-punk.

*Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra: "Acai" (Last Odyssey 2012) French percussionist, composer, producer and leader Masta Conga (Lionel Berton) describes the music as "a space of creation all around of various revolving musicians according to projects."

*Antibalas: "N.E.S.T.A. 75" (Talkatif 2002) Brooklyn based collective led by multi-inst. producer Martin Perna. Antibalas means 'bulletproof' or 'anti-bullet' in Spanish and they expand on the afrobeat sound of Fela Kuti.

*De-Phazz: "Jeunesse Doree" (Death By Chocolate 2001) German/Austrian downtempo jazz ensemble led by producer & sound painter Pit Baumgartner with a rotating cast of vocalists and collaborators. Vocalist and lyricist Pat Appleton is featured on this cut.

*Club Des Belugas & Antoine Villoutreaux: "Oh My Girl (French Version)" (Strange Things Beyond The Sunny Side 2019) Led by Maxim Illion, (Martin Kratzenstein) keys, bass, perc. & Kitty The Bill keys. Play nu jazz, electronic, swing & soul.

*South Froggies: "Paris Bords De Marne" (Nu Jazz Universe 2010) Jean-Luc Prosperi aka DJ Rubio founded South Froggies to explore electronic nu jazz in 2000. Formerly of Cormano Y El Grupo a Latin underground band.

*Lemongrass: "Cafe De Paris" (Pour L'Amor 2008) German music project from Producer/DJ Roland Voss playing lounge, nu jazz, hip hop, electronic world music and more.

HOUR 2

*Ursula 1000: "Hip Length" (The Now Sound Of Ursula 1000 1998) NY producer/multi-inst. Alex Gimeno calls his sound "retro/future" which includes jazz, funk, disco & electronic music.

*Lemon: "Won't You Join Me For A Drink?" (Single 2002) Nick Hollywood, UK based artist & DJ is behind the Club Montepulciano Night Club in London & Club M record label.

*Sun Ra: "Plutonian Nights" (The Nubians of Plutonia 1969) Am. composer, pianist & bandleader. Innovator of free improvisation & modal jazz. Early pioneer of electronic keyboards & synthesizers.

*The Temptations: "Cloud Nine" (Cloud Nine 1969) Motown vocal group known for harmonies, choreography & flashy wardrobe. Highly influential in '60s & '70s evolution of soul & r&b.

*Stevie Wonder: "Big Brother" (Talking Book 1972) Am. multi-inst. composer, singer, humanitarian & social activist.  Blind since shortly after birth. Born Stevland Morris signed with Motown at age 11.

*Marvin Gaye: "What's Going On" (What's Going On 1971) Am. soul singer/songwriter with 3 octave vocal range. Was a member of The Moonglows and went solo in 1960. Shot by his father M. Gaye Sr. Apr. 1 1987.

*Stanton Moore: "Launcho Diablo" (Flyin' The Koop 2001) Am. drummer/bandleader born raised in Louisiana plays funk, jazz, rock & world. Founding member of Galactic, played in Garage A Trois & Bonerams

*Galactic: "Witch Doctor" (Crazyhorse Mongoose 1998) N.O. jam band feat. S. Moore on drums played rock, funk, blues, jazz, hip hop, electronic & world music.

*Garage A Trois: "Needles" (Outre Mer 2005) Am. jazz/funk quartet feat. S. Moore, drums, Skerik, sax, vibe/perc. Mike Dillon & Marco Benevento on keys. Also features jazz, rock, fusion gutiarist Charlie Hunter on guitar.

*My Trippin' Mojo: "Make 'Em Pass" (Edda's Garden 2016) Funk/soul band from Leipzig, Germany using analog equipment to get that raw 60s & 70s sound. Singer/songwriter Sabrina Bornmann fronts the band.

*Gemma & The Travellers: "I'm Not Perfect" (True Love 2019) Lead singer & founder of The Travellers Gemma Marchi left the south of Italy and met Anglo/Swedish guitarist Robert P. They ended up settling in France in a more creative environment by the sea in Northern Brittany after some time in England.

*Nicole Willis & UMO Jazz Orchestra: "Haunted By The Devil" (My Name Is Nicole Willis 2017) Am. singer & artist now living in Finland. Was married to Jimi Tenor from '99-2016. They still collaborate.

*El Michels Affair: "Life Of Pablo" (Adult Themes 2020) NYC based funk/soul instrumental band founded by multi-inst, composer & bandleader Leon Michaels