Mark Guiliana, Randy Weston, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Kamasi Washington are the artists featured in this retrospective podcast celebrating the top Jazz Night In America and The Checkout productions over the years.

Angel Bat Dawid leads a fearless expedition to 'Afro Town' at Winter Jazzfest

Feb 3rd, 2022 50m 47s

Winter Jazzfest artist-in-residence Angel Bat Dawid premieres 'Afro-Town Topics: A Mythological Afrofuturist Revue,' and talks about it on The Checkout with Simon Rentner.

Vijay Iyer shares lessons in stillness for our turbulent time

Jan 26th, 2022 40m 5s

As his trio settles in for a week at The Village Vanguard, pianist and composer Vijay Iyer stops by The Checkout to share insights, and a glimmer of hope.

Cory Henry walks back the timeline to his 'First Steps,' with a new concert recording

Jan 21st, 2022 1h 4m

On The Checkout, keyboardist Cory Henry pinpoints the album that marks his rite of passage as an artist.

Michael Bourne in his element at the Montreal Jazz Festival, with Diana Krall and more

Jan 5th, 2022 26m 57s

Michael Bourne interviews Diana Krall and tells stories of Charlie Haden, Dave Brubeck, and Tony Bennett at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

When Booker T. Jones met Robert Randolph, at a session hosted by Michael Bourne

Dec 22nd, 2021 36m 15s

In 2003, legendary organist Booker T. Jones and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph met for the first time at WBGO. That studio performance comes to light again as we celebrate the retirement of our own legendary jazz jock, Michael Bourne.

From Rat Pack to J Dilla: José James Serves a Holiday Vibe

Dec 16th, 2021 48m 37s

On The Checkout, José James explains why it's finally time for him to release a holiday recording, featuring his takes on Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Donny Hathaway.

Dave Douglas and Joe Lovano aim for the stratosphere on Sound Prints' 'Other Worlds'

Nov 30th, 2021 44m 3s

Jazz United host Nate Chinen talks with the members of Sound Prints, including its co-leaders trumpeter Dave Douglas and saxophonist Joe Lovano, for a lively conversation about their latest recording, Other Worlds.

Rachel Eckroth, a most mysterious pianist and singer

Nov 18th, 2021 40m 10s

Pianist and singer/songwriter Rachel Eckroth is a musical shapeshifter of the highest order. She speaks with The Checkout's Simon Rentner about her latest recording, 'The Garden.'

Everybody Should 'Really Care' About Melanie Charles

Nov 9th, 2021 42m 1s

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Melanie Charles joins The Checkout to talk about 'Y'all Don't Really Care About Black Women,' her major-label debut.

Nate Smith flips an awkward youth into a skyward path on 'Kinfolk 2: See the Birds'

Oct 29th, 2021 49m 27s

Drummer and composer Nate Smith taps into his unique autobiography on his latest album, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds. On this episode of The Checkout, he talks about growing up in Chesapeake, Va., with an unorthodox taste for hard rock.

BADBADNOTGOOD, a band beloved in hip-hop circles, rediscovers its jazz voice

Oct 23rd, 2021 33m 42s

'Talk Memory' is BadBadNotGood's first album in five years. Bassist Chester Hansen and saxophonist Leland Whitty join The Checkout's Simon Rentner to talk about it.

Switch on your senses: Steph Richards sniffs out the possibilities

Oct 13th, 2021 48m 5s

The Checkout catches up with trumpeter and composer Steph Richards, who unleashes our sense of sound and smell on her latest recordings Supersense and Zephyr.

Hiromi finds the bright side, with fast fingers, on 'Silver Lining Suite'

Oct 7th, 2021 28m 30s

While the music industry was mostly dormant, Hiromi was busy collaborating with a string quartet, writing new music for her Silver Lining Suite, and performing at the Tokyo Olympics.

Checkout Sesh (Almost Lost): Knower's Genevieve Artadi & Nay Flutist Faris Ishaq

Sep 23rd, 2021 49m 17s

Genevieve Artadi talks about her creative partnership with Louis Cole and Faris Ishaq proclaims he's the world's first Nay flute jazz artist.

Mndsgn's 'Rare Pleasure' Dials Up a '70s Fusion Vibe

Sep 1st, 2021 34m 24s

The electronic artist Mndsgn draws from crossover jazz of the 1970s and '80s on his latest album, 'Rare Pleasure.'

9 Horses: A Chamber Trio Scales Up with 'Omegah'

Aug 19th, 2021 49m 12s

Joe Brent (mandolin) and Sara Caswell (violin) unleash the full potential of their chamber jazz group 9 Horses on their new recording, 'Omegah'

Staunchly Original: Marking 20 Years of Pi Recordings

Aug 5th, 2021 50m 12s

For the last 20 years, Pi Recordings has been a home and haven to the avant-garde, including first-wave members of the AACM. The Checkout catches up with label co-founders Seth Rosner and Yulun Wang, who say the mission is ongoing.

Honoring Frank Kimbrough with a Sprawling Tribute

Jul 23rd, 2021 41m 43s

The Checkout discusses 'KIMBROUGH,' an extravagant tribute to an underrated artist, who left us at the end of 2020.

Hiatus Kaiyote Is Back With A Grand Howl (and Crooning Bats) on The Checkout

Jul 14th, 2021 37m 46s

Bassist Paul Bender and keyboardist Simon Mavin speak with Simon Rentner on The Checkout about Hiatus Kaiyote's new album, 'Mood Valiant.'

Michael Mayo Opens Up About 'Bones,' a Sterling Debut and a Radiant Song of Himself

Jun 29th, 2021 52m 43s

As we come to the end of Pride Month, The Checkout checks in with Michael Mayo, who talks about embracing his bisexual identity and expressing himself fully on 'Bones,' his Mack Avenue debut.

Watch A "Telematics" Concert Live: Mark Dresser, Michael Dessen and Myra Melford

Jun 3rd, 2021 31m 49s

Watch three improvising masters — Mark Dresser (double bass), Michael Dessen (trombone) and Myra Melford (piano) — perform a telematic concert on The Checkout Live.

With 'Zero Grasses,' Jen Shyu Forges Grief into Revelation

May 30th, 2021 1h

On The Checkout, singer and composer Jen Shyu discusses her creative process, her family heritage, and how a personal loss informed Zero Grasses: Ritual for the Losses.

Jazz Enters the Crypto Market: The Checkout Explores NFTs

May 25th, 2021 52m 40s

The Checkout documents jazz's first NFT drop, and poses some pressing questions about cryptocurrency in the arts space — with Greg Spero, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Oran Etkin and others.