Jazz Bastard Podcast

Patrick Burnette and Mike describe themselves as "two strikingly handsome middle-aged men" who get together every other week to discuss jazz, and that self-deprecating humor sets the tone for one of the most entertaining jazz discussion podcasts around. With 346 episodes stretching back over a decade, they've covered an enormous swath of the genre while maintaining the energy of two friends who genuinely disagree about things and aren't afraid to say so. Each episode typically tackles three or four albums, mixing classic records with recent releases and the occasional record store find. The discussions run long -- usually around 75 to 100 minutes -- but the time passes because Patrick and Mike bring contrasting perspectives that generate real debate rather than just mutual admiration. One of them might be championing a free jazz record while the other argues for something more traditional, and neither backs down easily. It's the kind of spirited exchange that makes you want to immediately go listen to whatever they're arguing about. The show maintains a 4.0-star rating from 21 reviews and releases biweekly with impressive regularity. Year-end best-of episodes, holiday specials, and occasional artist interviews break up the album discussion format. Listeners consistently highlight that the show works equally well for jazz newcomers and longtime fans -- the hosts explain enough context that you're never lost, but they don't condescend to the audience. If you want opinions with your jazz, not just reverent analysis, this is your podcast.