Codona :: Willisau, Switzerland, September 1, 1978

Earlier this year, we shared a sweet Codona recording from late in the trio’s all-too-brief run. Here’s one from right near the beginning. This Swiss FM broadcast from 1978 captures Codona in full flight, with Collin Walcott’s sitar, Don Cherry’s trumpet and Nana Vaconcelos’ percussion weaving a magical web. The players waste no time getting right into it; the opening “New Light” is 16 minutes of pure joy.

Codona :: Blues Alley, Washington, DC, May 9, 1983

Courtesy of the great bigfootpegrande YouTube channel, this audience tape from Codona’s D.C. stop in 1983 captures two sets, each moment brimming with imagination and curiosity. A joyful noise, with multiple peaks, including a gorgeous “New Light” and Don’s West African train dream blues “Clicky Clacky.” All aboard …