Isabel Zacharias

KMHD host Isabel Zacharias talks with contemporary trumpet visionary Theo Croker about the creation of his new album, the circumstances around it and how it will impact the world around us.

“Who cares what it is?” New sci-fi release from Portland creatives blurs lines between music video and short film, waking and sleeping.

Shot partially at the historic Rudy Van Gelder studio, the newest music video from jazz producer and Pacific Northwest native Kassa Overall is playful, self-aware, referential and sophisticated ― just like most everything he makes.

Portland scene veteran Barra Brown, as much a creative beat-maker as an acoustic jazz improviser, leans into his musical ambidextrousness on his first full-length solo release.

The up-and-coming Portland saxophonist enlists the talents of like-minded Pacific Northwest producers on upcoming remix collection of his single “Season’s Change,” set for release Feb. 12.

In a year characterized by big changes, some of the best “new” music released wasn’t new at all. Read on for a list of 2020 jazz reissues that brought KMHD staff & listeners a sense of familiarity and re-discovery in unstable times.

It’s no secret that 2020 has been challenging, but sometimes falling in love with a piece of music — even just one song — can make all the difference. In no particular order, here are the jazz singles KMHD couldn’t stop spinning this year.

One bright side of this year? All the music that was made, against great odds. Here’s the KMHD staff’s hand-picked list of favorite jazz LPs from 2020.

The Portland-based trumpeter and improviser is set to release his debut record as a leader, “Live at the Marigny Opera House,” Oct. 23.

If you've heard any '70s-era Motown record, you've probably heard Mel Brown's drumming. But if you happen to live in Portland, it's much more likely that you've seen him play live jazz.