Home » Jazz Articles » Radio & Podcasts » Basketball and Jazz: The Art of Improvisation, Part 2

Basketball and Jazz: The Art of Improvisation, Part 2

By Ludovico Granvassu | Mondo Jazz
June 19, 2024
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As continue exploring the connections between jazz and basketball, in this set we focus on compositions inspired by iconic athletes like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Michael Jordan, George Gervin, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. At the top of the set a collaboration between

Quincy Jones

arranger
1933 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Quincy Jones and Shaquille O'Neal.

Happy listening!

Playlist

Ben Allison

bass, acoustic
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Allison "Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00

Quincy Jones feat. Shaquille O'Neal "Stomp" Q's Jook Joint (Qwest) 0:16

Host talks 6:29

Mads Tolling

violin
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Mads Tolling "The Risktaker (for LeBron James)" The Playmaker (ESC) 9:29

Jack McKinney talks (excerpt from The Winning Time, Season 1, Episode 4) 15:07

Leonhart Brass Band "Jabbar" [Unreleased] 16:09

Host talks 18:43

Tobias Meinhart

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tobias Meinhart "The Last Dance" The Painter (Sunnyside) 20:59

Steve Coleman

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Coleman & Five Elements "Ice Moves" Rhythm People (The Resurrection of Creative Black Civilization) (RCA) 28:02

Max Graef, Glen Astro "Magic Johnson" Magic Johnson—Single (Ninja Tune) 34:29

Host talks 39:33

Robert Glasper

piano
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Robert Glasper "Be Corageous" Kobe Bryant Theme Song 40:41

Photo credit: Stephen Bondio

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