The Kramer Kelling Interview
A double-bassist and bandstand tested musician talks about following the muse, stretching out and improvising and the spiritual healing of music.

A double-bassist and bandstand tested musician talks about following the muse, stretching out and improvising and the spiritual healing of music.
Prominent modern day drummer talks about being raised by his musical elders like Jackie McLean and Jaimoe, returning to America roots music and the magic of playing with Phil Lesh
A continual discussion of leadership, love, life and lineage and the god within us all.
Unique and ubiquitous pianist talks about musical composition and improvisation and his time in New York burning with the CATS!
Multi-instrumentalist talks of learning to improvise by ear, the value of communal music and expanding consciousness to the spirit mind.
Legendary saxophone player talks about his storied career on and off the bandstand.
Prolific guitarist talks about developing her own individual sound, dealing with the up and down emotions of a musicians life and recognizing that if she gets out of her own way she is a conduit for spiritual music.
Guitarist and band leader talks about his "aversion" to the Grateful Dead and how he learned to appreciate, recognize and contribute to their legacy as part of the iconic American song book.
Cosmic musician and spiritualist talks about her journey as a musician and becoming a live performer. A frank discussion about cultural bias and the growing pains of real social progress.
Cosmic composer and pianist talks about learning the jazz vernacular, dealing with the loss of his younger brother and the road less taken in melodic improvisation.
Monster Hammond B-3 organist talks about his upbringing in Atlanta, playing fearless uncompromising music and the origination of Black Jazz Records.
Acclaimed percussionist and band leader talks about his father immigrating from Mexico to the states, his relationship with late brother Coke, Benny Velarde, Carlos Santana and his incredible family tree of rhythm
Unique and seminal drummer talks of his upbringing in Hartford, learning to swing with Toshiko Akiyoshi and how Shelly Manne got him into the studios. RIP Papa Joe Porcaro
Modern day bandleader talks about learning what “not” to do when leading a group, the deep group listening that needs to take place to cultivate trust and how to perform live music responsibly in the age of COVID
Oh the wind and rain sweeping across plains and swamps and bogs of Alabama. Head up north young man cause the Windy City is calling your name, not St. Louis but Chicago. The home of Ovation Records.....the home of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, Ramsey Lewis Nick Gravenites and Bobby Christian. The blending of music that was occurring in every urban bastion in this country at a certain time in our countries history is astounding. It's astounding because of the plethora of work opportunities that ...
Country music comes from the heart of the south in our country. It speaks to the prairies and bogs and swamps and hoe downs that keep communities alive and full of life. Popular country music of today is represented by Cowboys who might look handsome and play the role but aren't really cowboys. The mavericks full of brass and spur and cattle end arounds came from Appalachia and the bluegrass Pickers and fiddlers like Red Allen, Tex Logan and Bill Monroe. Entertainers who would wear suits on stag...
Legendary trombonist talks about the musical brotherhood of Detroit, how to play honest music and how he got into the studio scene in LA
Divine musician talks about oscillating between performing and booking musicians, the disconnect between the value of musicians and societies view of their worth and her relationship with the late great Neal Casal.
Documentary director and editor talks about what she learned in and out of academia, her artistic approach to developing a compelling film, and marinating in a sea of love with Baba Ram Dass
Cosmic musician and meditator talks about trusting in the unknown realm, his concept of race and systemic bias and the road ahead for yogis and letting go of facades.
Psychological guru and healer talks about the intangibles of healthy intimacy, how to cultivate reciprocity in union, and the foibles of birth control in a Catholic world
Iconic 20the Century Songwriter talks about getting his union card, the art of strong song writing, and his relationship with Stan Getz.
Multi-Instrumentalist and pro drummer talks of creating sonic expansion in the studio and on the bandstand, the foibles of the road, and his musical and personal relationships with John Ginty, Neal Casal and Jeff Hill.
Unsung musical hero talks of his days writing music for New York rock acts, his journey in and out of Mexico and his relationship with Allan Toussaint.
Divine writer and advocate talks off having uncomfortable discussions with Americans several generations removed about the real history of this country and what we can do in the short term to resolve the wounds of enslavement and bigotry
Divine yogi talks about effective strategies for guided meditation in the age of COVID, growing up in a musical family, being schooled in India and taking things one day at a time.
When I tell my friends that I'm interviewing Jack DeJohnette everyone has their own image. For drummers they might Identify with technique and musicality, for avid fans it might conjure associations with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson and the ECM label. For this host Jack DeJohnette represents a titan of humanity who was one of the leaders of a revolution in music and sociology. He was talented enough to play with major figures and emotionally connected to the individual and the music. This was coup...
Cosmic discussion about the seeds of new life in a yearning civilization as well as the long arc of history and how that portends to evolution and growth through struggle and determination. Riding the love wave....
Great discussion about overcoming the fear of death and the willingness to not just survive but thrive in a natural environment.
Cosmic vibraphonist talks about growing up amongst humanity in the Bronx, traveling as a musician in the south with Buddy Rich and his psychedelic experiences at Bradley’s