Jazz Break at Noon - October 2025

October 6 – 10

The Singular Genius of Thelonious Monk
This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, we honor one of modern jazz’s most essential figures, pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, in celebration of his October 10th birthday. Born in 1917, Monk's unique musical vision was a revolutionary force. He was a bebop pioneer whose original style was defined by its percussive attack, dissonant harmonies, and brilliant use of space, earning him the moniker "The High Priest of Bebop."

Monk's compositions, including iconic works like “'Round Midnight,” “Blue Monk,” “Straight, No Chaser,” and "Well, You Needn't" fundamentally expanded the jazz vocabulary adding new jazz standards to the canon. This week we will explore his enduring legacy through his seminal recordings for Blue Note, Prestige, and Riverside Records, celebrating a truly singular genius whose music remains as unique and joyful today as it was over half a century ago. Join us. Hosted by JJ Lopez.

October 13 - 17

A Musical Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with JJ Lopez & Henry Brun
This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, join hosts JJ Lopez and special guest Henry Brun (The Latin Jazz Brunch) for a Musical Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. We embark on a vibrant sonic journey through the history of Latin Jazz and its many shades and styles. Our listening sessions will trace the music from the Mambo pioneers to the soulful Boogaloo of Fania Records, culminating with the rhythmic intensity of contemporary masters. This is an essential exploration of the music's Afro-Cuban roots, its blend with American jazz and popular music, and its enduring influence on the global soundscape. Join us!

October 20-24

The Pollinators
One of every three bites of food is made possible by bees. And that margarita you had last weekend, you have bats to thank for pollinating agave plants. Pollinators, from birds, to bats, to bees, and butterflies are a vital source to our ecosystems and the sustainment of both us and them. Many pollinating species, like monarch butterflies, partake in yearly migrations. Seen with the Mexican long-nosed bat, that migrates over 750 miles each year from central Mexico to the Southwestern U.S. where Texas, and specifically Big Bend National Park, plays a key role in the migration corridor. To celebrate and educate the community on the valuable contributions of pollinators, this past Saturday, the 10th Annual Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival was held at Brackenridge Park.  

This week on the Jazz Break at Noon, we’ll continue our celebration of these important creatures by taking an in depth look at the significance of birds, bats, bees and butterflies. Our daily discussions will unfold with select recordings from artists who have recorded music inspired by our vast and awe-inspiring ecosystem - gaining insight on the journeys of pollinators through sound.

We’ll explore music influenced by nature, as well as host interviews with specialists eager to share their passions and studies with us live on air. Join us Monday through Friday from 12pm to 1pm CST as we explore the power of pollinators this week on the Jazz Break at Noon.

October 27 – 31

Celebrating Horace Silver: The Blue Note Years
On October 24th, 2025, Blue Note Records unveiled Silver In Seattle: Live at The Penthouse, a previously unreleased live recording featuring pianist Horace Silver's powerhouse 1965 quintet with Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Teddy Smith, and Roger Humphries. This release offers a fresh opportunity to enjoy the soulful brilliance of one of Blue Note's most accomplished and longest-running recording artists, who stayed with the label for 27 years. Inspired by and in honor of the new release, this week on the Jazz Break at Noon, we celebrate Horace Silver and his Blue Note recordings.

As a foundational architect of hard bop and soul jazz, Silver’s work for Blue Note Records in the 1950s and '60s created the blueprint for modern small combo jazz. His music, instantly recognizable for its funky, gospel-inflected bluesy rhythms, memorable melodies, and at times, a Latin-tinged wit with often surprising harmonic structures, is the very definition of Blue Note's sound.

Between 1952 and 1979, Silver recorded twenty-seven albums for Blue Note. This week, we’ll trace his career from his early days pioneering the Jazz Messengers, through the definitive lineups of his own quintet, spotlighting several notable compositions including The Preacher, Doodlin', Sister Sadie, Song For My Father and many more. Join us as we explore the core of hard bop and the exuberant, timeless music of Horace Silver on Blue Note Records. We’ll conclude the week with a spotlight on the newly available live recording, Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse. Join us!