Since 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.
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some of those sounds with a mix of familiar and unfamiliar, including The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, whose formerly unpublished pieces from live concert performance are featured here.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.
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.
There are so many new and exciting releases that have come up recently that we have decided to postpone the piano files for a spell otherwise this incredible list of tracks in Hot Box 44 wouldn’t be new releases anymore.
You can hear tracks from artists such as Polly Gibbons, Herlin Riley, Randy Brecker, Cyrille Aimée, Carol Sudhalter, John Donegan, Tommy Halferty & Norma Winstone plus more.
The Hot Box 43 aims to set the scene for a major presentation of the pieces from Miles Davis’ extraordinary recording “Kind of Blue” in an orchestral setting at The National Concert Hall at the end of May. This concert will feature the RTE Concert Orchestra, as well as featured soloists all under the direction of Guy Barker one of the leading trumpet players in the world. Whet your appetite over the next hour in the run up to this much anticipated concert.
The Hot Box 42 is overflowing with amazing music. This time around in the A – Z of Jazz Piano we cover the letter P which is one of those files full of historical importance. You can hear from artists such as Bud Powel, one of the founders of modern jazz as well as Oscar Peterson who was a huge presence in jazz for 50 years or so. Then you can hear from the remarkable Michelle Petruciianni and some exciting contemporary players like Aaron Parks and Tommaso Perazzo.
The Hot Box 41 is very much so a vocal affair with truly exceptional quality singing over the hour with artists from America, Paris and Ireland. This Hot Box contains all new releases form the last few months. You can hear from artists such as Liv Monaghan, Carmel McCreagh, Cecile Mclorin Salvant, Connie Han, Tony Bennet and Aleka to name a few.
The Hot Box 40 is full of fun and great quality jazz pianists under the letter O in our journey of the A – Z of Jazz Piano. Some lesser known pianists in this episode with some honky-tonk and big band jazz from artists such as Makoto Ozone, Professor Peter O’Brien, Arturo O’Farrill, Colm O’Brien, Fintan O’Neill and Bill O’Connell.
The Hot Box
