Musician and early jazz scholar Vince Giordano fell in love with 20â?²s and 30â?²s jazz at an early age and carries on the tradition performing with his band â??The Nighthawks.â?? Vince discusses bringing this music to a broader audience and especially the importance of young people hearing jazz live.
British composer/pianist discusses his new CD Story Inside and the deep influence pianist Bill Evans has had on his work.
Second of Judyâ??s conversations with pianist/composer Bill Cunliffe, recorded onstage during the Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island Festival in February 2016. Judy and Bill perform together along with Harry Allen and Pat Oâ??Leary.
First of Judyâ??s conversations with pianist/composer Bill Cunliffe, recorded onstage during the Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island Festival in February 2016. Judy and Bill perform together along with Harry Allen and Pat Oâ??Leary.
Vocalist/composer Gabrielle Stravelli draws on influences as varied as Pink Floyd and Duke Ellington, Dolly Parton and Johnny Mercer. She discusses her new CD of standards and originals which was produced by Taylor Swiftâ??s Music Director an early guest on Jazz Inspired, David Cook, another connection showing Stravelliâ??s wide musical interests.
Irish American singer combines her Irish roots with New Orleans music of the 20â??s and 30â??s. She discusses this mashup, as well as her sartorial choices, for which she is equally well known.
Canadian singer/pianist talks about her new CD â??Alone Togetherâ?? and the difference in the jazz scene in her present home, Los Angeles and NYC.
Mike Karn toured for years, playing tenor saxophone with Ray Charles big band, followed by a long stint touring with Harry Connick, Jr. After establishing himself as one of the best on the scene, Mike realized heâ??d much rather play the bass and in many ways started over with his career. Judy and Mike perform together onstage at the 2017 Jazz Inspired Festival from Kiawah Island Festival and talk about his life and jump from saxophonist to bassist.
Judy performs with and interviews Grammy winning guitarist onstage at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN and discusses Johnâ??s career highlights from touring with Elton John to playing with Bonnie Raitt to his duo gigs early in his career with Judy!
Jazz pianist Mark Shane discusses his work for movie soundtracks and playing with jazz greats Doc Cheatham, Buck Clayton, Ruby Braff and others.
Guitarist Freddie Green played rhythm guitar with the Basie band for 50 years. His unique sound became an integral part of the Basie sound and added a swinging, solid time feel to everyone he played with, myself included. Alfred Green, Freddieâ??s son, talks to Judy about his extensive biography of his father onstage at â??Jazz Inspired from Kiawahâ?? with musical contributions by Judy (who recorded with Freddie) guitarist James Chirillo, bassist Pat O'Leary and saxophonist Harry Allen.
Minneapolis based pianist, Rick Carlson, pursued a variety of careers before jumping in relatively late to become one of the finest musicians on the scene today. Rick Carlsonâ??s love for Basie and joy in accompanying great singers enticed him to make music his primary focus and he is now one of the most in demand players in his beloved Minnesota and beyond.
New Orleans pianist Tom McDermott brings to life the many influences that fed the early musical scene in that most musical of cities. His original passion for ragtime came from his youth in St. Louis, but once in New Orleans, Tom put a scholarly zeal into studying his favorites--James Booker, Professor Longhair and Dr. John, as well as into discovering the lesser-known musical gems that formed the sound of New Orleans.
Judy Carmichael interviews Dave Damiani
Actor/magician/pianist Todd Robbins has spent decades specializing in arcane forms of popular entertainment. His inspirations range from his work at Coney Island and the Big Apple Circus to his stint as Woody Allenâ??s pianist. Todd discusses his current gig with Judy on the Investigation Discovery channel's new series True Nightmares. The series features Todd as the host telling bizarre true tales of murder and mayhem that all have a lovely ironic twist to them. (2nd interview)
Pianist/composer Mary Louise Knutson has performed with many jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Randy Brecker and was a finalist in the Kennedy Centerâ??s Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz International Pianist Competition. She talks with Judy about making a living as a jazz musician in her native Minneapolis and what sheâ??s learned touring with Doc Severinsen.
Judy Carmichael interviews Larry Coryell
Guitarist Greg Ruggiero grew up in New Mexico with swing-dancing parents who encouraged him to listen to the Great American Standards and classic jazz, something he initially resisted. Greg is now one of the most respected younger musicians on the scene and an enthusiastic proponent of the very music he initially avoided and talks to Judy about his journey from rock musician to jazz player.
UPDATED 1/20/2018 - Composer Miho Hazama graduated from Kunitachi College of Music in her native Japan with a bachelorâ??s degree in classical composition and went on to get her Masters in jazz composition from the Manhattan School of Music. Miho has won numerous awards and scholarships and has written jingles for television, although her passion is writing concert works. Now based in NYC, Miho continues to record and perform her compositions, which draw on not only her jazz and classical studi...
Judy Carmichael interviews Jonathan Schwartz
UPDATED 11/11/17 - After years away from performing because of vocal cord issues, Steven is back with his new big band CD, The Way You Look Tonight a throwback to the Sinatra days of swinging arrangements of the standards.
Canadian vocalist Amy Cervini discusses her combining jazz and country music on her CD â??Jazz Countryâ?? and the fun she has with her female vocal trio Duchess and the different dynamic of singing with women vs. men.
TV, radio and film composer talks about working with Steve Allen, Peggy Lee, Carly Simon and others and writing for everything from soap operas to stage productions.
Jane Monheitâ??s longtime bassist, Neal Miner, has worked in many settings but especially enjoys playing with vocalists. His father, Bill Miner, was a jazz collector of the highest order. Neal discusses the influence Bill had on shaping his love of jazz and his desire to pursue a music career.
UPDATED 12/16/17 - Pianist Tardo Hammer discusses his work with Annie Ross, Jon Hendricks and others and his new CD, â??Simple Pleasures."
West End and UK theater actor, pianist, and vocalist Ben Stock talks about his many inspirations from Noel Coward and Tom Lehrer to John Coltrane and Artie Shaw!
UPDATED 12/23/17 - Bassist/composer David Finck discusses his collaborations with everyone from Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin to Rosemary Clooney and Dizzy Gillespie. He sings occasionally too, which is shown to advantage on his newest CD â??Low Standards."
Filmmaker and design consultant discusses the influence his grandparents, design icons Charles and Ray Eames, have had on his work.
Composer/arranger/pianist talks about writing "Here's to Life" for the classic Shirley Horn recording, as well as his pop hits for Barry Manilow ("Copacabana") and others.
Banjoist Bela Fleck has collaborated with the top musicians in every style of music and has the 16 Grammys to prove it.
