#5031, L.A. Cool

Listen to music where the Los Angeles new music and jazz and ambient scenes overlap. There’s music from percussionist Carlos Niño, from some of his many collaborations. Also, hear Kamasi Washington, Canadian composer Laurie Torres with LA-based harpist & composer Nailah Hunter, the trio of Gregory Uhlmann (guitar), Josh Johnson (sax), Sam Wilkes (bass), and more.

Hear music from the collective comprised of guitarist and producer Nate Mercereau, saxophonist Josh Johnson, and percussionist Carlos Niño, called Openness Trio. The three musicians have collaborated with the likes of André 3000, Meshell Ndegeocello, Kamasi Washington, Shabaka, Jeff Parker, Makaya McCraven, and many more and this record is the result of sessions recorded around Los Angeles. Then, from a collaborative record by Carlos Niño with the New York-based producer Photay, listen to an album-length collaboration where water is the spiritual center. Plus, listen to some of an improvised set built from a collaboration by Carlos Niño (multidimensional and catalytic producer, arranger, percussionist and DJ ) and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist ) which came about in Chicago, revolving around the Makaya McCraven Universal Beings live shows.

Listen to work by Canadian musician and composer Laurie Torres in collaboration with the LA-based harpist and composer Nailah Hunter, who counts  Ryuichi Sakamoto, Imogen Heap, and Joe Hisaishi (the composer responsible for most Studio Ghibli films) among her influences, (NPR Music). There's also music from Kamasi Washington with Andre 3000, and collaborative work from L.A's Sam Gendel on sax and Sam Wilkes on bass, with both contributing electronics from a session that they recorded live to tape. That, and more. - Caryn Havlik

Program #5031, LA Cool (First aired 7/21/25)

ARTIST: Nate Mercereau, Josh Johnson, Carlos Niño
WORK: Hawk Dreams [1:00]
RECORDING: Openness Trio
SOURCE: Blue Note Records
INFO: https://store.bluenote.com/products/nate-mercereau-josh-johnson-carlos-nino-openness-trio

ARTIST: Kamasi Washington, Andre 3000
WORK: Dream State [8:40]
RECORDING: Fearless Movement
SOURCE:  Young
INFO: https://kamasiwashington.bandcamp.com/track/dream-state

ARTIST: Nate Mercereau, Josh Johnson, Carlos Niño
WORK: Hawk Dreams [9:35]
RECORDING: Openness Trio
SOURCE: Blue Note Records
INFO: https://store.bluenote.com/products/nate-mercereau-josh-johnson-carlos-nino-openness-trio

ARTIST:  Laurie Torres
WORK: Correspondances II (feat. Nailah Hunter) [5:23]
RECORDING: Correspondances II
SOURCE: Tonal Union
INFO: https://laurietorres.bandcamp.com/track/correspondances-ii

ARTIST: Photay with Carlos Niño
WORK: C U R R E N T [5:03]
RECORDING: An Offering
SOURCE: International Anthem
INFO: https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/an-offering

ARTIST:  Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, Sam Wilkes
WORK: The Beatles: The Fool on the Hill [7:37]
RECORDING: Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes
SOURCE: International Anthem
INFO: https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/uhlmann-johnson-wilkes

ARTIST: Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes
WORK: The Beach Boys: CAROLINE, NO [5:08]
RECORDING: Music for Saxofone and Bass Guitar More Songs
SOURCE: Leaving Records
INFO: https://samgendelsamwilkes.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-saxofone-and-bass-guitar-more-songs

ARTIST: Carlos Niño & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
WORK: V-VIII (continuous) [7:06]
RECORDING: Chicago Waves
SOURCE: International Anthem
INFO: https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/chicago-waves