Explore every episode of the podcast Uncle Paul's Jazz Closet

All unreleased live Jazz from the Paul Motian Band touring in Europe in 1981. With Joe Lovano tenor sax; Billy Drewes tenor & alto sax; Bill Frisell guitar; Ed Schuller double bass; Paul Motian drums

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2018/09/set-list-090318.html
Photo: Poster for Nov./Dec. 1981 European Tour 23" x 33" © Paul Motian Archive

Hear a reading about Paul Motian's thoughts on racial identity and the story of his only known relative who was also a musician–she played the oud. Thanks to Andreas Schmidt for sharing his 'Poo' recordings!
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2026/02/tethered-moon-unreleased-kikuchi-part.html

Paul Bley, Gary Peacock and Paul Motian played together throughout their jazz careers. But they only played all 3 of them together before 1963 and 1999- a 36 year gap. I feature the 2019 ECM release of the 1999 tour concert in Lugano, Switzerland, earlier recordings of them, and excerpts from unreleased cassette tape in the Paul Motian Archive. With readings from the Archive.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/07/bley-peacock-motian-when-will-blues.html
Photo: Gary Peacock On the Road March 1999 photo: Paul Motian ©Paul Motian Archive

Carla Bley's epic 1971 album Escalator Over the Hill is featured. Paul Motian played drums on some of the cuts. With readings from the Paul Motian Archive.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2021/05/escalator-over-hill-carla-bley.html

Photo: Carla Bley 1971 ©Paul Roughen courtesy JCOA Records

This week's show features many early Paul Motian recordings and influences (Warne Marsh, Bill Evans, Tony Scott, Moondog, Lee Konitz) interspersed with Joe Lovano's 2019 release Trio Tapestry (with Marilyn Crispell & Carmen Castaldi). With readings from the archive.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/04/something-old-something-new-012119.html
Photo: Bill Evans, Jimmy Garrison?, Paul Motian location and date unknown photographer unknown ©Paul Motian Archive

Featuring music Paul Motian recorded in the 1950s with Jerry Wald (1955, where he met Bill Evans), Bill Evans, Don Elliot, Eddie Costa, George Russell, Lennie Tristano, Warne Marsh, & Lee Konitz. With readings from Motian's unpublished autobiography about these times.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/02/more-music-from-1950s-011419.html
Photo: Paul Motian rehearsing with the Jerry Wald Orchestra 1955 Photographer unknown © Paul Motian Archive

An unreleased cassette tape of Paul Motian practicing and composing on his piano interspersed with recordings with a variety of pianists he played with: Keith Jarrett, Marc Copland, Frank Kimbrough, Marilyn Crispell, Masabumi Kikuchi, Lowell Davidson, Anat Fort, & Bill Evans.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/02/paul-motian-piano-and-some-pianists.html 
Photo: Paul Motian & Keith Jarrett 1973  05courtesy ECM Records  photographer unknown

All live performances by pianist and Paul Motian bandmate Masabumi 'Poo' Kikuchi. The unreleased recordings from the 2000s are Courtesy of Paul Motian and Andreas Schmidt collections.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/02/kikuchi-at-home-and-elsewhere-021819.html

Photo: Masabumi Kikuchi ©Abby Kikuchi from Black Orpheus CD Booklet  Courtesy ECM Records

Paul Motian recordings from the 1960s featuring Pharaoh Sanders, Paul Bley, Joe Castro, David Izenzon and more. Readings from the archive.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/01/1960s-classics-and-innovators-part-2.html

Photo: Sam Motian (Paul's wife), Paul Motian, Joe Castro in Hawaii 1965  courtesy James Castro Collection

A selection of Paul Motian recordings from the 1960s with Paul Bley, Gary Peacock, Bill Evans, Mose Allison and more. With readings from Motian's unpublished autobiography.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/01/1960s-classics-and-innovators-030419.html

Photo: Paul Motian recording with Paul Bley 1964 photo ©Len Dobbin

Featuring Paul Motian's album Tribute, Keith Jarrett, Carla Bley and more. All jazz projects that happened in the mid-1970s.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/12/tribute-around-1974-061719.html

Photo: Keith Jarrett Quartet Tour Flier Keystone Korner San Francisco 1974

Sideman recordings of Paul Motian around 1962. Includes Perry Robinson, George Russell, Bill Evans, Eddie Costa, Zoot Sims, Tony Scott, Mose Allison. With readings from Motian's unpublished autobiography.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/11/related-to-1962-021119.html

Photo: Paul Motian July 1962  Likely Cape Cod, MA where he was playing a gig with Zoot Sims photographer unknown ©Paul Motian Archive

1990s Jazz Trio with Paul Motian, Gary Peacock and Masabumi Kiluchi. Interspersed with unreleased solo piano Home Recordings by Masabumi Kikuchi.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2026/02/tethered-moon-unreleased-kikuchi-011518.html
Photo: Masabumi  'Poo' Kikuchi, Paul Motian and Gary Peacock 1991 photo: ©Yukio Ichikawa courtesy King Records

Lots of unreleased rehearsals and concerts in this last episode of Frisell, Motian, Lovano Trio & Nothing Else. With readings from the archive.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/11/frisell-motian-lovano-trio-and-nothing.html

Photo: detail of Motian composition Elenore Antique which became the tune Good Idea ©Yazgol Music/Paul Motian Archive

Lots of unreleased rehearsals and concerts in this last episode of Frisell, Motian, Lovano Trio & Nothing Else. With readings from the archive.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/11/frisell-motian-lovano-trio-and-nothing.html

Photo: 

More released and unreleased music from the Paul Motian Trio with Bill Frisell & Joe Lovano. With readings about band size, instrument and song possibilities from Paul Motian's 1986 Band Book.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/10/frisell-motian-lovano-trio-nothing-else.html
Photo: Paul Motian, Bill Frisell & Joe Lovano 1980s photo © Cheung Ching Ming

The Paul Motian Trio with Bill Frisell & Joe Lovano. Released & Unreleased recordings. Lots of readings from Paul Motian's unpublished autobiography.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/10/frisell-motian-lovano-trio-and-nothing.html
Photo: Lovano, Motian, Frisell on stage photographer unknown

A selection of Motian live recordings spanning the years 1969-2011. All are unreleased.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/09/motian-live-and-unreleased-050718.html

Photo: Paul Motian early 1960s photographer and situation unknown

Music from past resistances is appropriate for the current resistance. Featuring the Keith Jarrett Quartet with Charlie Haden, Paul Motian and Dewey Rodman. With readings from Motian's autobiography about the group's Japan tour in 1974.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/09/charlie-paul-part-34-081417.html
Photo: Keith Jarrett's American Quartet on tour in Japan 1974 From l to r: (women unknown) Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, Keith Jarrett, Dewey Redman

More Tim Berne Music
with Paul Motian

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/08/more-tim-berne-music-121817.html

Photo: ©Wes Orshosky courtesy ECM Records
Tim Berne's Snakeoil: from l to r: Ches Smith, Ryan Ferreira,
Oscar Noriega, Matt Mitchell, Tim Berne

Featuring pianist Masabumi 'Poo' Kikuchi improvisational compositions from CDs he recorded at home and gave to Paul Motian. Most unreleased.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/06/kikuchi-mostly-at-home-030317.html
Photo: Masabumi 'Poo' Kikuchi © Abby Kikuchi courtesy ECM Records

The Paul Motian Trio with Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell did a European Tour in the summer of 1992. The unreleased recording from July 11 at the Hague, Netherlands is featured on the show along with readings from Motian's Notebook/Diary that he took on the tour.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-northsea-jazz-festival-1992-011317.html
Photo: Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian 1991 Minneapolis  photographer unknown

100th Episode! Featuring the Paul Motian Compositions For the Love of Sarah and Folk Song For Rosie. Sarah and Rosie are Motian's sisters.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/05/for-love-of-sarah-rose-111816.html
Photo: Rose, Paul & Sarah Motian abt. 1942 ©Paul Motian Archive

This show is a digitized cassette of a concert from September 23, 1980.

Recorded Live at Ryles, Boston, MA

The only time this group played together: Paul Motian drums, Charlie Haden bass, Pat Metheney guitar, Julius Hemphill saxophone
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/11/1980-live-at-ryles-112325.html
Photo: Pat Metheney 1980 © Paul Motian

Featuring a live, unreleased concert of the Paul Motian Trio from Feb. 10, 1990 at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA. With Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2019/04/set-list-042219.html
Photo: Joe Lovano, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell 1990 at Yoshi's (at the original location on Claremont Ave. in N. Oakland) photographer: unknown (but I'm searching)

The show features an unreleased concert of the Paul Motian Trio with Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell at the 1369 Club in Boston, MA on June 8, 1985. With readings from Motian's 1985 Band Book. With my favorite version of Motian's tune The Sunflower.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/03/1369-club-boston-1985-031819.html

Photo: Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell on tour in Sardinia or Lisbon 1986 photographer unknown ©Paul Motian Archive

Featuring a Paul Motian 1979 Rehearsal tape where he is composing new tunes on drums and piano and directing Charles Bracken on saxophone. Also some unreleased recordings of Paul Motian's first Trio gigs with David Izenzon and Charles Bracken.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2019/07/set-list-070819.html
Photo: Charles Brackeen 1977  location unknown ©Richard Berner

Unreleased recordings of the first Paul Motian Trio with Charles Brackeen and David Izenzon. A rehearsal tape and their likely first gig: an office party. The best office party music ever! Also, readings from Paul Motian's autobiography- Chapter 1- 1940.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2024/03/1977-office-gig-and-rehearsal-031717.html
Photo: Paul Motian on right with friend Joe Canavan(?) Early 1940's ©Paul Motian Archive

Music of Paul Motian, Christian and Wolfgang Muthspiel, Bud Powell & Thelonious Monk. Featuring the 1993 album Muthspiel Peacock Muthspiel Motian, the 1996 album Perspective and Motian and the EBBB Play Monk & Powell. Featuring readings from biographies of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2016/02/set-list-021916.html

Photo: Paul Motian 1990 photo: ©Mark Malabrigo

Featuring Thelonious Monk's album In Person-live at Town Hall 1959 and live at Blackhawk 1960 and Bill Evans
The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. With readings from the Paul Motian Archive.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2016/03/set-list-030416.html
Photo: Scott LaFaro, Bill Evans, Paul Motian at the Village Vanguard, NYC 1961 photo: ©Steve Schapiro

Featuring Cool & Blue Records 1992 Release 'The Legendary Bill Evans Trio The 1960 Birdland Sessions" with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2016/03/set-list-031116.html
Photo: Paul Motian 1960 Cape Cod, MA  ©Paul Motian Archive

Pianist Paul Bley and his recordings with Paul Motian are featured in this show made shortly after Bley's death. With readings from the Paul Motian Archive and Bley's autobiography "Stopping Time".
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/11/paul-bley-010816.html
Image: Paul Bley abt. 1990 On tour with Paul Motian photo: Paul Motian ©Paul Motian Archive

Live At Montpelier, France 1988 The Paul Motian Trio with Bill Frisell & Joe Lovano
A great, unreleased recording of the classic Paul Motian Trio
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/11/live-at-montpelier-france-nov-26-1988.html
Photo: Bill Frisell, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano on the road around 1988 photographer unknown ©Paul Motian Archive

Selections From Paul Motian's Vinyl Collection Part 2/2
More music from Paul Motian's vinyl collection and more readings from his 1992/93 Notebooks.
Featuring Gene Ammons & Tony Williams.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/11/selections-from-paul-motians-vinyl.html
Photo: Some of Motian's Vinyl Collection

Unreleased rehearsal tapes of Paul Motian, Bill Frisell & Joe Lovano in 1988. Recorded at Lovano's loft in NYC.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/11/1988-motian-frisell-lovano-rehearsals.html
Photo: Joe Lovano, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell 1989 at Bach, Dancing & Dynamite  Half Moon Bay, CA
photographer unknown

Selections From Paul Motian's Vinyl Collection Part 1/2 featuring Bud Powell, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and more. With readings from Motian's 1992 Notebooks.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/10/selections-from-paul-motians-vinyl.html

Photo: Some of Paul Motian's vinyl collection.

1992 Paul Motian Recordings  1992 was a busy year for Paul Motian. The show features music recorded or released in 1992. Featuring the first Electric Bebop Band recording, On Broadway V3, Motian In Tokyo (live Trio with Lovano and Frisell), Live at the Deer Head Inn (with Peacock and Jarrett), Triangle (Tethered Moon trio with Peacock and Kikuchi), Flux and Change (duo with Enrico Pieranunzi). With readings from the 1st draft of Motian's autobiography.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/10/1992-paul-motian-recordings-120415.html

Photo: Paul Motian 1975 self portrait ©Paul Motian Archive

Paul Motian, Ed Schuller & Joe Lovano are featured. Jazz from the 1980s and 90s. With readings from the Paul Motian Archive.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/09/more-ed-schuller-joe-lovano-112015.html
Photo: Ed Schuller, Joe Lovano at A-Trane 1999 photo: Mehmet Dedeglu courtesy Tutu Records

Ben Monder's album Amorphae was released in 2015 by ECM Records, but it was recorded in 2010. Monder was a member of Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band. The show features readings by Paul Motian from the EBBB's 2001 European Tour Book. 

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/08/ben-monders-amorphae-110615.html

Photo: Ben Monder courtesy ECM Records ©Jesse Chun

Jeff Cosgrove Interview & Motian Sickness
Featuring drummer Cosgrove's 2011 release Motian Sickness: For the Love of Sarah with John Hebert, Mat Maneri, Jamie Masefield and a 2015 live interview with Jeff Cosgrove.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/08/jeff-cosgrove-interview-motian-sickness.html
Photo: Jeff Cosgrove courtesy Jeff Cosgrove

Paul Motian Band album Garden of Eden was released on ECM Records in 2006. I feature the album with readings from a Motian interview with Paul Olson for All About Jazz from the same year. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/paul-motian-theres-a-million-songs-out-there-paul-motian-by-paul-olson Members of the band are Chris Cheek, Tony Malaby, Steve Cardenas, Ben Monder, Jakob Bro, Jerome Harris and Paul Motian.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/08/garden-of-eden-101615.html
Photo: Jerome Haris, Steve Cardenas, Chris Cheek, Tony Malaby, Jakob Bro  2006  photo: Robert Lewis  courtesy ECM Records

Alexandra Grimal: Owls Talk
In 2010, Alexandra Grimal released her album Owls Talk with Paul Motian, Gary Peacock and Lee Konitz. With readings from a 2006 Paul Motian Interview with Paul Olson.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/07/alexandra-grimal-owls-talk-100215.html
Photo: Alexandra Grimal, Paul Motian 2009 ©Jean-Louis Atlan courtesy Hote Marge Records

Featuring the Paul Motian composition Trieste, recorded and rehearsed by Motian bands and others. Also his tune Story of Maryam.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/07/uncle-pauls-jazz-closet-theme-parts-1-2.html
Photo: Paul Motian Quintet in Europe August 1984 From l to r: Motian, Jim Pepper, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, Eddie Schuller photographer unknown ©Paul Motian Archive

A 2015 interview with jazz guitarist Joel Harrison who arranged Paul Motian compositions for his 2010 album "String Choir: The Music of Paul Motian" and established the now famous Alt Guitar Summit.

Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/07/joel-harrison-interview-090415.html

Photo: Joel Harrison, Paul Hanson, Brian Blade, Cuong Vu, Kermit Driscoll  photo © J. Quigley

On Broadway with Brian Jones PHD
Featuring music from Paul Motian's 5 album series On Broadway (Winter & Winter Records). I want to thank my guest Brian Jones Adjunct Instructor of Jazz Percussion University of Richmond College of William & Mary and PhD Student, American Studies Program for helping out with the show.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/07/on-broadway-with-brian-jones-phd-081415.html
Photo: Some albums and CDs played on the show

Music and readings about guitarist Metheny and drummer Motian. Motian toured with Metheny around 1980.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2025/11/pat-metheny-paul-motian-around-1980.html
Photo: Pat Metheny & Paul Motian at McCabe's in Santa Monica, CA Dec. 1980 photographer unknown courtesy McCabe's & David Goodrich

Martial Solal
Paul Motian played with French pianist Martial Solal for 10 weeks at the Hickory House in NYC in 1963. The show features recordings from 1963 with bassist Teddy Kotick and 1997 and 1998 recordings with Motian, Solal and bassists Gary Peacock and Marc Johnson.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/06/martial-solal-082115.html
Photo: Teddy Kotick and Martial Solal 1963 Hickory House, NYC photographer unknown

More Lowell Davidson
Pianist Lowell Davidson influenced drummer Paul Motian. With readings from the Paul Motian Archive.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/06/more-lowell-davidson-080715.html
Photo: Lowell Davidson courtesy ESP Records 

John Voigt Interview: Comparison & Contrast featuring Lowell Davidson
From Paul Motian's unpublished autobiography:
'I (Paul Motian) asked John Voigt during rehearsal (for a 1976 concert with Lowell Davidson), "What do you think about the music?"  "Sounds like worms.", he (John Voigt) said.'
Give a listen to find out what it means.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/06/john-voigt-interview-comparison.html
Photo: detail-Lowell Davidson Composition on Index card 1970s courtesy John Voigt

Eddie Costa & Coleman Hawkins Part 2/2
More jazz recordings of Eddie Costa and Coleman Hawkins, some with Paul Motian with readings from the Paul Motian Archive.
Set List: https://jazzcloset.blogspot.com/2023/05/eddie-costa-coleman-hawkins-part-22.html
Photo: Coleman Hawkins date and photographer unknown