The Hot BoxSince the demise of RTE Lyric’s Jazz Alley, which broadcast every week from the first weekend of the station’s existence until it was axed at the end of 2015, there has been no regular national programme devoted to jazz. The Hot Box aims to fill that gap with former Jazz Alley presenter Donald Helme.
The Hot Box sets the best of Irish recorded jazz in the wider context of the universal language that is jazz worldwide. It tries to emphasise accessability and sheer enjoyment, and is building an audience well beyond the shores of its home country.
This special episode pays tribute to the remarkable life and music of the late Benny Golson — a saxophonist, composer, and arranger whose profound influence on jazz endures through both his compositions and recordings. Golson’s legacy is woven into jazz history, known for iconic pieces that have become standards in the jazz repertoire.
In this episode of The Hot Box, we revisit a theme from episode #128 where we took a deep dive into the piano files, looking for the slightly less obviously famous musicians but still among the very best in the world.
(Note HB 129 is in production but has not been posted yet so will follow 130)
In this special episode of The Hot Box, we pay tribute to the remarkable Russell Malone, a virtuoso guitarist known for his versatility, impeccable swing, and soulful sound. Throughout his distinguished career, Malone collaborated with legends like Diana Krall and Ron Carter, while also shining as a solo artist.
Episode 128 of the Hot Box is packed with marvellous music where we take a deep dive into the piano, looking for the slightly less obviously famous works. You can hear some current music and some that is quite historical.
Starting with Benny Green you can also hear tracks from Joe Bushkin, Fred Hersch, Roland Hanna, Sammy Price and more.
Welcome to the 127th edition of The Hot Box! In the last two episodes, we celebrated Irish albums from start to finish. If you missed them, I highly recommend catching up—those shows were packed with fantastic music.
This time, we're diving into longer, more immersive tracks designed to help you unwind and savor the beauty of the music. Expect to hear works from the likes of Andy Sheppard, Bill Evans, and selections from the upcoming release of The Dublin Concert, featuring Louis Stewart and Jim Hall, brought to you by Livia Records.
In the Hot Box #126 Donald briefly explores the relationship between Irish Traditional music and Irish jazz before getting into some more great Irish Jazz Artists. You can hear racks from artists such as Brian Dunning, Grainne Brookfield, Brendan Doyle, Cormac Kenevey, Richie Buckley, Ciaran Wilde and John Donegan.
Join us for a special all-Irish edition of The Hot Box, where we bring you the finest in Irish jazz. This episode features stellar tracks from the likes of Cian Boylan, Hugh Buckley, and Damian Evans (Boylan, Buckley & Evans), as well as performances by John Wadham with Louis Stewart & Frank Hess, Scott Flannigan, Emilie Conway, Tommy Halferty and John Donegan. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ireland's jazz scene with this exceptional lineup.
