Episodes

A nudge from a listener in Scotland prompts Donald Helme to put right an omission: marking the centenary of the great Oscar Peterson. This episode opens with Norman Granz introducing the Oscar Peterson Trio at Zurich’s Kongresshaus on 8 April 1960. Sharing the bill that evening were the Stan Getz Quartet and the Miles Davis Quintet—an extraordinary gathering of jazz talent. From the swinging “Jordu” and “Cubano Chant” to solo interpretations of “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Bye Bye Blackbird...

It’s something of a home game on this edition of The Hot Box, with Donald Helme spending most of the hour in the company of Irish musicians, drawing on recordings both new and from the archives. Among the newer music is Stella Bass with her latest single Time to Fly, while a look back into Irish jazz history brings us John Wadham’s Drums and Friends, recently remastered and reissued by Livia Records, from which we hear Wayne Shorter’s Footprints. There’s also music from Linley Hamilton, Don Bak...

As the new movie Everybody Digs Bill Evans launches in cinemas around Ireland, The Hot Box grabs the opportunity to immerse you in Evans’ music. Whilst an hour can only provide a snapshot of the considerable output from one of jazz’s truly great innovators, it enables us to evaluate his contribution to jazz during his too-short life. Track list for The Hot Box #156 – Everybody Digs Bill Evans Walk with Debbie Someday My Prince Will Come When I Fall in Love Blue in Green (Miles Davis Quintet...

Join Donald Helme on this edition of The Hot Box as he celebrates the life and music of one of jazz’s most influential figures, Miles Davis, marking what would have been the legendary trumpeter’s 100th birthday. From his groundbreaking innovations in bebop, cool jazz, modal jazz and jazz fusion, Miles Davis reshaped the course of modern music and continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike. Donald reflects on the enduring legacy of Davis and introduces a carefully curated ...

Whilst enjoying the multitude of styles that compose the repertoire of jazz today, many fans have long decried the disappearance of Bebop in favour of crossover music and other listener-to-listener styles. There is some evidence though that things may be changing, and one piece of that evidence is the emergence of some bands playing music closer to bop or hard bop style. One such is the British quintet Five Way Split, and Hot Box 152 samples tracks from their new album, Modus Operandi, alongsid...

The upcoming visit of Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra to these shores prompts an hour of listening to their diverse music in the Hot Box. Founded in 1988 and under Marsalis’ direction since 1991, it has become an important icon for quality and stability in the world of jazz music. It has played in Ireland before, but since Marsalis announced his upcoming retirement, their concerts in Ireland develop even more significance. Enjoy an hour taken from their huge catalogue of ...

All the music in Hot Box 150 is from the flautist/saxophonist Ken Peplowski, who died on 2nd February this year aboard a jazz cruise liner. He was one of the finest musicians of his generation, spanning traditional and modern jazz styles. Track list for The Hot Box #150 – Ken Peplowski Jim Dawgs — from the album Illuminations Vignette — from the album Happy Together The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise — from the album Happy Together I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face — from the album Easy to R...

Welcome to Hot Box 149. We begin with a sparkling new release on Blue Note from the young American pianist Paul Cornish. Hailing from Texas, Cornish was a finalist in the prestigious Herbie Hancock International Piano Competition three years ago, and has already shared the stage with many of the leading figures in jazz today. From there, we move into the distinctive voice of Cécile McLorin Salvant, with two selections from her Oh Snap album, before turning to the richly textured harp work of Br...

Hot Box 148 is going to be both sad and joyful since we now remember the extraordinary drummer Jack DeJohnette who died at the end of October aged 83. He was a native of Chicago and certainly could lay a claim to being the greatest of all jazz drummers. Immensely influential in the overall direction of drumming in jazz and, by any standards, extraordinarily versatile. You only have to rattle off the names of the musicians he worked with to emphasise that point, take Miles Davis for example, the...

An eclectic selection of music that may reflect the desire of the “music business” to generate some income for musicians over the festive period! Or it may represent a genuine love for all things Christmas – or both! An hour of jazz selected to sit back and enjoy. Track list for The Hot Box #147 – Christmas Box Barbara Dennerlein: Let It Snow The Capital Bones Big Band: Big Bad Drummin’ Dude Eddie Higgins: Sleigh Ride Nigel Mooney: Good Morning Blues Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass Band: White ...

The Hot Box 146 is packed with brand new releases, and as ever there is more to play than time to play it. Donald Helme opens the show with music from pianist John Donegan and his new album Interfuse, featuring Richie Buckley. The programme then moves through a wide range of contemporary jazz, including trumpet-led material from Alex Sipiagin, the spacious and lyrical trio work of Fred Hersch, and the driving ensemble sound of Visions Jazz Ensemble. Larger-scale writing also features orchestral...

The new edition of the Hot Box consists of all new material from Ireland and the USA. An hour of the very best in jazz. The international talent is represented by tracks from a youthful band the Visions Jazz Ensemble, with music based on US college “fight songs”. Also music from Joe Lovano with the Martin Wasilewski Trio. Closer to home is the stunning new album from Carole Nelson and her trio “Through the Storm” and a remastered re-release of the Louis Stewart/Brian Dunning album “Alone Togeth...

This episode of The Hot Box has a distinctly retro feel, as we celebrate the lives and talents of two remarkable female jazz singers who recently passed away. We’re remembering the incomparable British singer Dame Cleo Laine, and the lesser-known but deeply respected American vocalist Sheila Jordan. While Sheila was widely admired among jazz musicians and insiders, she remained under the radar for many casual listeners — though she did, in fact, perform in Ireland once. Track list for The Hot ...

Donald Helme takes the lid off the Hot Box once again, and this time he’s digging deep into a special file marked “Jazz in Ireland”. Reaching back across the decades, Donald unearths vintage recordings that showcase both the big names who have defined the Irish jazz landscape and the lesser-known voices who, for one reason or another, seemed to fade into history. Track list for The Hot Box #143 – Jazz in Ireland Feels So Good – Chuck Mangione Taylor Made – Linley Hamilton Coded Remorse – Jus...

Welcome to the 142nd edition of The Hot Box with Donald Helme. This episode is a real treat, dedicated entirely to the music of the legendary Gil Evans. We’re marking the release of what may be the final volume of unearthed Evans material, lovingly brought to light by arranger and bandleader Ryan Truesdell. Truesdell has spent years digging into the Evans archive, bringing this extraordinary music to life through his acclaimed ensemble, The Gil Evans Project. Alongside selections from the lates...

In this slightly different edition of The Hot Box, Donald Helme takes a detour through the timeless melodies of one of jazz’s most enduring composers: George Gershwin. Inspired by the brand new release The Man I Love from British pianist Gabriel Latchin, Track list for The Hot Box #141 – A Gershwin Celebration They All Laughed. Gabriel Latchin Trio from the new album “The Man I Love” Oh Lady Be Good. Fabrizio Bosso and Renato Solani. Embraceable You. Cleo Laine Oh Lady Be Good. Benny Goodma...

This edition of The Hot Box features a major re-issue, a remixed and remastered release of Louis Stewart’s quartet album with John Taylor, Sam Jones and Billy Higgins from Livia Records. Originally recorded in 1977, and released in 1980 with some edits and overdubs, this impeccable version restores the original London recording and adds two extra tracks. The results are possibly the best Louis Stewart studio recording, with top level accompaniment from the brilliant supporting trio. Track lis...

This edition has both a tilt towards new material and a tilt towards jazz guitar, with material from the French guitarist Romain Pilon’s new album Open Roads, and from the archive, tracks from Tommy Halferty’s extensive back catalogue. Track list for The Hot Box #139 – New Material Giant Steps: Oz Noy Blackbird: Tommy Halferty with Mike Nielsen Ralph’s New Blues: Tommy Halferty Trio Long Story Short: Romain Pilon Golden Rod: Michael Buckley At Swing Two Birds: Ronan Guilfoyle Ready for C...

The Hot Box #138 celebrates the music of another recently departed musician, “Roy Ayres.” Originally known as a jazz vibraphone player, he rapidly expanded his status and became, some would say, one of the major creators of jazz funk. Track list for The Hot Box #138 – Roy Ayres Compared to What – Roberta Flack The Ringer – Roy Ayers Searching – Roy Ayers Memphis Underground – Herbie Mann Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty – Herbie Mann Virgo Vibes – Roy Ayers Tune In: Live Broadcast: Every two ...

A selection of some wonderful music from albums released in recent weeks, from concert performances in the 1990s to brand new compositions and recordings both Irish and American. Track list for The Hot Box #137 – New Releases There Will Never Be Another You: Oscar Peterson Quartet from the album “City Lights”recorded in 1994 Strange Taste: Michael Buckley from the album Ebb And Flow recorded in 2024 Fun One: Oz Noy from the album Fun One recorded in 2024 Milestones: Oz Noy from the same albu...

He was born in 1926 and lived to be just 98 years old, having played in public well into his 80s. Donaldson was an alto saxophonist who began his career as a disciple of Charlie Parker, with whom he played, but, as part of the group of young players recruited to Blue Note Records in the 1950s he developed a more soulful sound. In the hour-long tribute to his music, we sample that great era of jazz, “Hard Bop” in which Donaldson was so important. Track list for The Hot Box #136 – In Memory of Lo...

The Hot Box 134 is devoted to the memory of the great drummer Roy Haynes. Haynes died, at the age of 99 in November last year, secure in his place as one of the greatest drummers of all time. His career spanned the whole of the era of modern jazz, his first big job being with Charlie Parker in then1940s. Track list for The Hot Box #134 – Roy Haynes Red Rose: Roy Haynes/Henri Renaud: Vogue Records Moose the Mooch: Roy Haynes: Dreyfus Jazz Ah Leu Cha: Roy Haynes: Dreyfus Jazz Hoe Down: Oliver ...

Welcome to the first Hot Box of 2025. Regular listeners will know that we had a rush of obituary type shows at the back end of last year but we start 2025 with some new material as well as a quick nod in the obituary section again, I’m sorry to say, to remember the great saxophone player Lou Donaldson. Track list for The Hot Box #135 – Some New Stuff Musicians: Yonathon Avishai: Shapes & Sounds; Jazz & People JPCD824005 The Signalman: Sue Rynhart: Say Pluto; mrsuesue records Here ’Tis: Lou D...

(The Ghost of Christmas Past) Celebrating Christmas and also celebrating the 90th anniversary of the campaign to ban jazz in Ireland, which seems to have failed. Track list for The Christmas Box 2024 Gin for Christmas: Lionel Hampton Swingin’ Them Jingle Bells: Fats Waller Jingle Bells: Benny Carter When Winter Comes: Artie Shaw Christmas Night in Harlem: Paul Whiteman Santa’s Secret: Johnny Guarneri & Slam Stewart Bounce of the Sugar Plum Fairy: John Kirby Wild Party 1934: Fletcher He...