Music you can listen to while you're cruising around the city, town, village, or neighborhood.  Whether you are driving, biking or riding around - it doesn’t matter.  These are cruising tunes. 

During the curation of this mix, I was remembering the times driving down Cermak Ave. and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.  Currently, driving around Grand Rapids has been the outlet to change my scenery - to think and reflect on my past experiences and plan life.  You can find me cruising down Michigan Ave. and Division St. 

What are your favorite cruising tunes and routes?  

This mix contains sounds from: Kamau Williams (aka DJ ILL ONE, Andrew Twining (aka Atur), Kan Sano, Patrice Rushen, Khruangbin, and Kemeticjust.  

The Etcetera Sessions is a set of mixes focusing on the journey of diverse sounds, rhythms, themes, and collaborations.  Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Tracklist: 
Kamau Williams - Whoa Like Me
Frank Reynolds & The Re-Generations - Searchin'
Kan Sano - Music Overload
James Vincent - Space Traveler 
Khruangbin - Evan Finds The Third Room
Project X - Song for Patrice 
Andrew Twining - Sidestep 
Quincy Jones - Betcha' Wouldn't Hurt Me 
Patrice Rushen - Sing A Song Of Love
Elements Of Life - Fantasy 
Ron Trent - Hooked On Your Love 
Kemeticjust - The Essence 
Kemeticjust - Atlanta Nights

Etcetera Sessions: Cruising Grand Rapids

The fifth installment of the Vino & Vinyl Jazz Sessions at GRNoir Wine and Jazz Bar. This vinyl mix highlights the rich and diverse variations of jazz.

Compiled by Martin Avila
Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz bar

GRNoir Vino And Vinyl Jazz Sessions 2.17.22

This mix is from December's (2021) installment of Vino & Vinyl Jazz Sessions. This vinyl mix, which features sounds from Roy Ayers, Azymuth, HUMA, Mongo Santamaria, Yesterday's New Quintet, Osunlade, and more.  

May this mix bring you comfort.  

Designed by Martin Avila 
Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz Bar

GRNoir Vino And Vinyl Jazz Sessions 12.20.21

It's the return of another installment of Vino and Vinyl at the finest establishment of GRNoir Wine and Jazz.  This time, the highest sonics of jazz lived within the sounds of Samba, Fela, Latin, house, and more. This mix features: Roy Ayers, Jamie Cullum, Santos, Atewelo, Peven Everett, Quincy Jones, Fela Kuti, and more.

Enjoy!

Compiled by Martin Avila 
Hosted by GRNoir Wine and Jazz
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan

GRNoir Wine and Jazz: Vino and Vinyl Sessions 8.18.22

Back at it and sharing another curated mix by yours truly.  

This time, not only will you hear my selection, but more notably, Yuriana Sobrino's percussion additions in the background.  Yuriana is an accomplished percussionist who has played alongside other giants in the game.  She also has a residency at GRNoir Wine and Jazz. To my understanding, this is the first time a DJ and percussionist has collaborated in Grand Rapids to perform in this way.  It was an honor to play alongside Yuriana and share this experience with the Grand Rapids community.  

Enjoy! 

Click on the link to learn more about Yuriana Sobrino: https://www.yurianasobrino.com/

Mastered by: Miguel Avila

Location: GRNoir Wine and Jazz (Grand Rapids, MI)

GRNoir Wine And Jazz: Vino And Vinyl Sessions ft. Yuriana Sobrino 10.20.22

Once again, here is another eclectic mix from the fine establishment of GRNoir Wine and Jazz.  This unique mix was an odyssey and a fashionable way to close out the year.  

This time, DJ Dreas joined Martin Avila to produce an acid jazz focused mix featuring: Young Disciples, Brand New Heavies, the James Taylor Quartet, Riviera Traxx, Ron Trent, Madlib, St. Germain, and more.

Enjoy! 

Compiled by Martin Avila and Dreas
Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz

Based in Grand Rapids, MI

GRNoir Wine And Jazz: Vino And Vinyl Sessions ft. Dreas 12.15.22

Enjoy this Giant Step (all vinyl) tribute set of some of my favorite tracks from the label and scene. This set was recorded at GRNoir Wine and Jazz as part of the Vino and Vinyl program on 5.18.23.

Enjoy and Peace!

Based in the Grand Rapids, Michigan
Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz
Mixed by Miguel Avila

GRNoir Wine and Jazz: Vino and Vinyl Sessions - A Giant Step tribute set 5.18.23

An eclectic mix by Dreas and yours truly recorded live at GRNoir Wine and Jazz on 6.15.23. This all vinyl mix captures the sonics of contemporary grooves from labels and musicians that are paving the way in today's jazz scene. 

Enjoy and Peace, 

Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz (Grand Rapids, MI) 
Mixed by Dreas

Martin's Mixes

GRNoir Wine and Jazz: Vino and Vinyl sessions with Dreas 6.15.23

An eclectic mix by Dan Steely and yours truly recorded live at GRNoir Wine and Jazz on 7.20.23. This all vinyl mix captures our love and sonics of world music, jazz, and anything in between.  As you embark on this listening journey, we hope you will experience the rich and diverse rhythms of Brazil, Africa, and Latin America 

Enjoy and Peace,

Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz (Grand Rapids, MI)
Mixed by Miguel Avila

GRNoir Wine And Jazz  Vino And Vinyl Sessions With Dan Steely 7.20.23

Enjoy another eclectic mix by Discolo (Umberto Rodriguez) and yours truly recorded live at GRNoir Wine and Jazz on 11.23.23. This all vinyl mix captures the sonics of covers from some of most profound recording artists and musicians.  

Peace, 

Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz (Grand Rapids, MI)

GRNoir Wine and Jazz: Vino and Vinyl Sessions with Discdolo 11.23.23

Greetings and blessings to all of you.

I'm elated to share another lengthy mix that was recorded on October 19, 2023, at GRNoir Wine and Jazz.  This mix includes the supreme sounds that were compiled by Dan Steely and yours truly.  It's a mix of diverse rhythms and sounds of the highest allocates - a more vibey and soulful soundscape designed for living. Enjoy! 

Peace.

Based in the Grand Rapids, Michigan
Supported by GRNoir Wine and Jazz
Mixed by Dan Steely (of Kalamazoo, MI)

GRNoir Wine and Jazz: Vino and Vinyl sessions with Dan Steely 10.19.23

The essential Rolas mix

Selections by yours truly
Mastered by Miguel Ángel Ávila 

August 31st grilling carne asada and listening to Rolas - the essentials mix

Another mix curated by yours truly, Martin Avila for Calvin University's Counseling & Wellness RECHARGE program.  This mix contains sounds from Soul Supreme, West Loop Chicago, Elements of Life(EOL), and Blaze.  Designed for studying, solace, motion, thriving and living. 

Peace, health, and safety.  

Mixed by Miguel Ángel Avila.

The RECHARGE Mix 2

The Etcetera Sessions is a set of mixes focusing on the journey of diverse sounds, rhythms, themes, and collaborations.  Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   

This specific Soul Ballads edition is Martin Avila’s musical journey of sounds from his childhood growing up in Chicago and visiting family in LA. Soul Ballads aka Lowrider Oldies represent the nostalgic sound that my parents would listen to in LA while the cholos would pull up in their nice cars to chill.  Growing up, I would hear these oldies in films, the flea market (swap meet), my neighborhood, and at times in family gatherings. 

In my beginnings of collecting records and Djing. I would often go to Out of the Past Records in Chicago to purchase soul and funk records.  Originally, I aspired to be a DJ collecting and playing soul ballads and oldies. However, with time - my love for music would lead my ears to other sounds and rhythms.  Furthermore, I was not in the same echelon as the DJ’s in Chicago and Grand Rapids.  

During the 2020 pandemic year, I had been journeying through familiar and new sounds while curating mixes for my own health and others who perhaps would be interested.  The lowest point thus far in my musical journey was when around 250 45s were stolen from my storage unit during the Summer of 2020.  Most of these records were soul gems that I purchased from Out of the Past. During the curation of this mix, I was grieving my stolen records coupled with the memories of finding these gems. I was grieving the time invested in digging for these gems.  It was an emotional process - I even found myself grieving the loss of loved ones, failed mentors, broken friendships, and  feeling grateful for the friendships gained through music...I guess music makes people feel certain emotions.  

Overall, I’m thankful to still have a few leftovers in my collection, and for making this full circle in my musical journey.   

This mix is a blend of new and old soul artists. This mix is dedicated to my wife, family, friends, and my DJ homies in Grand Rapids and Chicago. Enjoy.

The Etcetera Sessions: The Soul Ballads Edition

The Etcetera Sessions is a set of mixes focusing on the journey of diverse sounds, rhythms, themes, and collaborations.  Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   

The Etcetera Sessions: Sunday Jazz edition features: 

Kamau Williams’ story @illone26(00:00 min.)
I grew up with Jazz being played in the house all the time, but I didn’t like it at first. Music without words kinda annoyed me. I didn’t know what was happening in the music. As I got older, I got into Hip Hop and the more I listened, the more I would hear Jazz`s influence within it. Hip Hop gave the appreciation for all music and especially Jazz. Needless to say the older I got, the more understanding of Jazz I got. It's become a staple in my world and I’m glad to share a small part with you.

Mike Saunders' story @mikelsaunders(41:15 min.) 
I’m not one who should really speak on Jazz from any expert position. I love music though and I love playing records. Music has always been part of my life and I am indebted to my family for always having music around. I am especially indebted to my Uncle John for encouraging this love of music.  My Uncle John’s love of music ran very very deep. He died last Spring. This mix is some music he enjoyed. I think of this mix as John still sharing music. If you like this mix, go out to an independent record or book store and buy the deepest coolest records and books you can find. 

Martin Avila’s story @martini.cicero(1:21:18 min.) 
Like Jazz music, this collaborative piece weaves three friends' love and passion for music.  Some of my fondest memories in my musical journey have been DJing and talking music with friends.  I find these moments of DJing with friends sacred, relationship building with the goal of showcasing the sounds that are inspiring us, and embracing the nature of improvisation to make the mix flow...I really miss hanging out with friends.  Enjoy this collaborative, rhythmic and eclectic Jazz mix.  In this time of a pandemic, be sure to stay connected with your friends, family and loved ones.

Mix compiled Miguel Avila @mikey.a.a

Martin Avila

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