Best Simon Rentner Podcasts (2026)

1
The Checkout x Jazz Night in America: Top 5 Collabs 1:09:30

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4y ago1:09:30

1:09:30

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.By Simon Rentner

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Angel Bat Dawid leads a fearless expedition to 'Afro Town' at Winter Jazzfest 50:47

4y ago50:47

50:47

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.By Simon Rentner

1
Vijay Iyer shares lessons in stillness for our turbulent time 40:05

4y ago40:05

40:05

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.By Simon Rentner

1
Cory Henry walks back the timeline to his 'First Steps,' with a new concert recording 1:04:46

4y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

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

1
Michael Bourne in his element at the Montreal Jazz Festival, with Diana Krall and more 26:57

4y ago26:57

26:57

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

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When Booker T. Jones met Robert Randolph, at a session hosted by Michael Bourne 36:15

4y ago36:15

36:15

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.By Simon Rentner

1
From Rat Pack to J Dilla: José James Serves a Holiday Vibe 48:37

4y ago48:37

48:37

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.By Simon Rentner

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Dave Douglas and Joe Lovano aim for the stratosphere on Sound Prints' 'Other Worlds' 44:03

4y ago44:03

44:03

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.By Simon Rentner, Nate Chinen

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Rachel Eckroth, a most mysterious pianist and singer 40:10

4y ago40:10

40:10

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.'By Simon Rentner

1
Everybody Should 'Really Care' About Melanie Charles 42:01

4y ago42:01

42:01

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.By Simon Rentner

1
Nate Smith flips an awkward youth into a skyward path on 'Kinfolk 2: See the Birds' 49:27

4y ago49:27

49:27

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.By Simon Rentner

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BADBADNOTGOOD, a band beloved in hip-hop circles, rediscovers its jazz voice 33:42

4y ago33:42

33:42

'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.By Simon Rentner

1
Switch on your senses: Steph Richards sniffs out the possibilities 48:05

4y ago48:05

48:05

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.By Simon Rentner

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Hiromi finds the bright side, with fast fingers, on 'Silver Lining Suite' 28:30

4+ y ago28:30

28:30

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.By Simon Rentner

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Checkout Sesh (Almost Lost): Knower's Genevieve Artadi & Nay Flutist Faris Ishaq 49:17

4+ y ago49:17

49:17

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

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Mndsgn's 'Rare Pleasure' Dials Up a '70s Fusion Vibe 34:24

4+ y ago34:24

34:24

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

1
9 Horses: A Chamber Trio Scales Up with 'Omegah' 49:12

4+ y ago49:12

49:12

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

1
Staunchly Original: Marking 20 Years of Pi Recordings 50:12

4+ y ago50:12

50:12

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.By Simon Rentner

1
Honoring Frank Kimbrough with a Sprawling Tribute 41:43

4+ y ago41:43

41:43

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

1
Hiatus Kaiyote Is Back With A Grand Howl (and Crooning Bats) on The Checkout 37:46

4+ y ago37:46

37:46

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