Episode 280 - Johannes Wallman

Johannes Wallmann, the new director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, put together a of world class ensemble to play his beautiful original compositions.  We teamed up with the Madison Music Collective to put on this memorable show.

The Band:

Johannes Wallmann on piano 

David Cooper on trumpet

Darren Sterud on trombone

John Christensen on bass

Devin Drobka on drums

Marty Erickson on tuba

http://www.johanneswallmann.com/

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Episode 277 - Richie Cole

Arguably the greatest living keeper of the bebop flame, alto saxophonist Richie Cole returns to Madison in this season kickoff program for Madison Music Collective’s “Jazz on a Sunday” series hosted by Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines of Mad Toast Live.  Richie will be joined by a rhythm section led by our celebrated local pianist Dave Stoler.

http://www.richiecole.com/Richie_Cole/HOME.html

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Episode 274 - Micah Olsan & the OCD Big Band

Micah Olsan & the OCD Big Band is an indie folk ensemble that likes to explore as much musical territory as possible. You'll hear bits of jazz and funk and world music interwoven through any given set.

http://www.reverbnation.com/micaholsan

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Episode 270 - New Breed Quartet with Rob Dz

(part two)

Jazz meets hip hop as Madison’s most celebrated spoken word poet, Rob Dz, joins forces with the New Breed Quartet, one of Madison’s top jazz bands.  Like a jazz artist, Mr. Dz composes spontaneously using words instead of music, and his latest collaboration with the New Breed will create original material that draws on contemporary characteristics of each genre while allowing generous space for improvisation.

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Episode 269 - New Breed Quartet with Rob Dz

Jazz meets hip hop as Madison’s most celebrated spoken word poet, Rob Dz, joins forces with the New Breed Quartet, one of Madison’s top jazz bands.  Like a jazz artist, Mr. Dz composes spontaneously using words instead of music, and his latest collaboration with the New Breed will create original material that draws on contemporary characteristics of each genre while allowing generous space for improvisation.

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Episode 264 - Luke Polipnick

Part Two

Guitarist-composer-producer Luke Polipnick returns to Madison with a special group of top improvisers from New York City (drummer Mike Pride) and the Twin Cities (saxophonist Brandon Wozniak and bassist Adam Linz) to kick off a Fall Midwestern tour. Luke and his band-mates exemplify the eclectic approach that many of our younger creative musicians are taking today, moving with great skill and confidence as they cross and integrate musical genres, while infusing their music with the improvisational spirit and masterful technique so central to good jazz. For "Jazz on a Sunday," Luke's group will be performing new music that he composed for the group's Fall tour. He describes it as featuring "thematic material from folksy to rocking but rooted in jazz, appealing to fans of "post rock," folk, reggae, free improvisation and mainstream jazz."

http://www.lukepolipnick.com/

Episode 263 - Luke Polipnick

Part One

Guitarist-composer-producer Luke Polipnick returns to Madison with a special group of top improvisers from New York City (drummer Mike Pride) and the Twin Cities (saxophonist Brandon Wozniak and bassist Adam Linz) to kick off a Fall Midwestern tour. Luke and his band-mates exemplify the eclectic approach that many of our younger creative musicians are taking today, moving with great skill and confidence as they cross and integrate musical genres, while infusing their music with the improvisational spirit and masterful technique so central to good jazz. For "Jazz on a Sunday," Luke's group will be performing new music that he composed for the group's Fall tour. He describes it as featuring "thematic material from folksy to rocking but rooted in jazz, appealing to fans of "post rock," folk, reggae, free improvisation and mainstream jazz."

http://www.lukepolipnick.com/

Episode 257 - Sizzlers

These iconic musicians recently ended a 17-year stint at the Avenue Bar playing their  brand of Dixieland Jazz.  Now they can be found at festivals and other venues all over!

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Episode 256 - Laura Caviani

Twin Cities-based Laura Caviani (piano) and Pete Whitman (tenor saxophone) and Madison’s John Schaffer (bass) and Rand Moore (drums) explore themes by famous classical composers using improvisation in a straight–ahead jazz format.

http://www.lauracaviani.com/

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Episode 251 - Safety Last

Safety Last! is a 4-piece acoustic ensemble, performing "Sophisticated Western Swing & Old-School Jazz."

http://www.reverbnation.com/safetylast

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Episode 242 - Marilyn Crispell

The New York Times says that “hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz.” Ms. Crispell returns to Madison to perform solo and with a trio that includes Chicago-based “free jazz” stalwarts Harrison Bankhead and Avreeayl Ra and Madison-based multi-instrumentalist JoAnne Pow!ers.

http://marilyncrispell.com/

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Episode 239 - Laurence Hobgood

Pianist Laurence Hobgood, long-time musical director and arranger for celebrated jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, will perform solo and with Madison-based vocalist Sally deBroux, bassist Laurie Lang, and percussionist John Becker.

http://www.laurencehobgood.com/

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Episode 234 - Randy Sabien’s String Jazz Quartet (+2)

Violinist Randy Sabien and his String Jazz Quartet consisting of Mike Dowling, Jeff Eckels, Matt Turner and hosts, Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines joining on violin and cello.  The Brink Lounge was packed for one of the greatest  Mad Toast Live shows to date.

http://www.randysabien.com/

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Episode 224 - Jack Grassel & the Super Guitar Trio

Joined by Kirk Tatnall on guitar and drummer Dane Richeson , this free-wheeling romp through some interesting and thought-provoking material will challenge the listener from start to finish. The two guitarists will be performing on the Superax, an instrument that was invented by Grassel. It enables the players to play bass and guitar strings on the same neck. This allows a trade off between bass lines and guitar parts, eliminating the need for a separate bass instrument.

jackgrassel.com

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Episode 223 - Jack Grassel & the Super Guitar Trio

Joined by Kirk Tatnall on guitar and drummer Dane Richeson , this free-wheeling romp through some interesting and thought-provoking material will challenge the listener from start to finish. The two guitarists will be performing on the Superax, an instrument that was invented by Grassel. It enables the players to play bass and guitar strings on the same neck. This allows a trade off between bass lines and guitar parts, eliminating the need for a separate bass instrument.

jackgrassel.com

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Episode 215 - Frank Catalano Quartet

Frank claims 3 Grammy winning recordings and 11 Grammy nomination recordings with such artists as Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child and John Legend. He is also "the only known saxman to have performed with Miles Davis, Randy Brecker, Charles Earland, Elvin Jones, Stan Getz, Betty Carter, Von Freeman, Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, Les Claypool and Louis Bellson while still in high school!"

catalanomusic.com

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