After the local news at noon, a look at the uncommon cornetists Ron Miles and Kirk Knuffke. They have the uncommon in common. Both men lived and worked a lot in Denver when many of their peers were in New York City. They play the cornet when many more play the trumpet. And rather than blow us out with technique and power like so many brass players, they are subtly expressive, using the uncommon cornet to gently mold sound. This broadcast will focus on Miles and Knuffke, showcasing their skills as leaders and composers, as well as sidemen in bands of others such as Jason Moran, Bill Frisell, James Brandon Lewis, and Matt Wilson, among others. Miles in: Jazz Worms; Bill Frisell’s Floratone and History, Mystery; Ben Goldberg’s Orphic Machine; Jason Moran’s BANGS; Greg Saunier, Mary Halvorson, and Ron Miles; Ron Miles Woman’s Day, My Cruel Heart and Rainbow Sign. Knuffke in: Kirk Knuffke’s BigWig, Cherryco, Tight Like This, and Brightness: Live in Amsterdam; Knuffke and Jesse Stacken; Knuffke and Mike Pride; Matt Wilson’s Hug; James Brandon Lewis’s Jessup Wagon; Sifter; and Michael Bisio, Kirk Knuffke, and Fred Lonberg-Holm.

“Overlooked” is a show focusing on overlooked and under-heard jazz, improvisational, and other fringe music, from early roots to contemporary experiments, a mix of familiar to rare, classic to weird. Live from the shadow of Overlook Mountain in Ulster County.

Host Rob Saffer is the former Executive Director and Producer of the Creative Music Foundation. While living in Brooklyn for 25 years, he served on advisory boards for Celebrate Brooklyn and Symphony Space. He also curated the Brooklyn Museum’s summer jazz series and helped found The Mingus Big Band.

Overlooked Playlist Archive