Aaron Irwin Interview Saxophonist, multi-woodwind instrumentalist and composer Aaron Irwin is from central IL. Recognized as a “lyrical alto saxophonist and a compelling original composer” (Steve Futterman, The New Yorker ), Irwin is a sought-after commodity in both the jazz and commercial worlds. His latest recording (After) will be released on Adhyâropa Records in May of 2024, featuring longtime bandmates Mike Baggetta on guitar and Jeff Hirshfield on drums. He has eight other recordings as a ...
May 14, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Billy Mohler is a Grammy-nominated bassist, producer, and songwriter who works with legends like Lady Gaga, Sia, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Macy Gray, Ringo Starr, Herbie Hancock, Steven Tyler, and Smashing Pumpkins. In addition to his incredible success in pop music, he is a noted jazz musician and has released several records under his name; his most recent album release available is called Ultraviolet with saxophonist Chris Speed, trumpeter Shane Endsley, and drummer Nate Wood....
May 06, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Esperanza Spalding Interview Esperanza Spalding, a Portland-born jazz musician, rose to prominence with her versatile talent as a bassist, singer, and composer. Trained in classical music from childhood, she explored various genres, leading to groundbreaking albums like "Esperanza" and "Chamber Music Society." Her Grammy win for Best New Artist in 2011 propelled her to international recognition despite competition from mainstream pop acts. Spalding's commitment to artisti...
May 01, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chris Pinnella's musical journey is woven with experiences across diverse landscapes. His career took flight at 16 when he showcased his prodigious talent with Alphonse Stephenson and the Orchestra of St. Peter, a debut that set the stage for his future success. This early triumph was just the beginning of his musical odyssey, eventually leading him to earn a degree from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Post-college, his career trajectory led him to diverse platforms. He delved ...
Apr 24, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stephane Wrembel is a Paris-born guitar virtuoso known for his authentic interpretation of Django Reinhardt's music and innovative compositions that blend jazz with various influences. Immersed in the culture, he has dedicated himself to understanding Reinhardt's legacy. Wrembel's career includes numerous albums, collaborations with esteemed musicians, and performances at prestigious venues worldwide. He is also recognized for his work on several Woody Allen films and his annual Djan...
Apr 16, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Terence Blanchard Interview Terence Blanchard, born in New Orleans in 1962, is a celebrated jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. Rising from the vibrant musical scene of his hometown, Blanchard's talent quickly garnered attention, leading to collaborations with jazz legends like Lionel Hampton and Art Blakey. His partnership with filmmaker Spike Lee catapulted him to international acclaim, as he composed scores for numerous acclaimed films, including "Jungle Fever," "Malc...
Apr 01, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua Redman is an acclaimed American jazz saxophonist and composer born in Berkeley, California. Known for his innovative and dynamic approach to jazz, Redman burst onto the scene in the early 1990s, earning widespread recognition for his impressive technical skills and inventive improvisations. Redman has collaborated with numerous jazz luminaries, contributing to various projects. His discography includes both acclaimed solo works and collaborations with influential artists. Simply put, Redm...
Jan 26, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jim Josselyn, born in Oceanport, New Jersey is a highly accomplished jazz guitarist, composer and educator. Starting his musical journey at eleven, he has played with jazz greats and studied under legends like Pat Martino and Kenny Barron. Holding a master's degree in music performance. Jim's recent albums include Early and Shape Shifter. His original music has been featured on over forty TV shows and commercials. Jim performs regularly at renowned venues in New York and New Jersey, and he offer...
Dec 27, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drummer Nasheet Waits speaks with host Jay Sweet about his mentor, drummer Max Roach, as we approach the legend's centennial. Waits discusses Roach's impact and his upcoming tribute concert for Roach on 1/26/2024.
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Scotty Barnhart is a noted trumpeter, composer, arranger, and educator. Most of his work has come through his association with the Count Basie Orchestra, where he began as a featured trumpeter in 1993. Since 2013, Barnhart has been the orchestra's director and has continued to preserve the legacy and tradition of one of the most essential musical establishments of the 20th century. Barnhart not only carries Count Basie's musical legacy with elegance and grace but also connects with Basie...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Olivia Pérez-Collellmir is a solo pianist, bandleader, and composer from Barcelona, Spain. Noted in Arts Fuse as a “Spanish virtuoso” who adds “a flamenco touch to her chamber jazz,” Collellmir’s performance highlights include playing on the soundtrack of Isla Bonita by renowned director Fernando Colomo, a solo performance at the 25th anniversary gala of the six-time Grammy nominated Boston Baroque Orchestra, touring with Spanish Grammy nominee Rosana Arbelo, performing an honorary concert at Be...
Nov 23, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie Apicella was voted onto the 84th and 86th DownBeat Readers Poll for Guitar. He studied composition and improvisation with musical titans Yusef Lateef and Pat Martino and was trained as a historian by Archie Shepp and Dr. Billy Taylor. As a young guitarist he met his idol BB King, who offered him advice and shared some stories. He has performed concerts and recorded with jazz legends Dave Holland, Sonny Fortune, John Blake, Jr., and Avery Sharpe as well as contemporary masters Joe Magnare...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chuck Lambert Interview Chuck's musical education started long before he picked up a guitar. At age eight, he studied oboe and piano. Four years later his godfather exposed him to the musical diversity of Caribbean culture and encouraged him to play guitar. While in high school he played bass and guitar in small R&B combos, rubbing elbows and jamming with future members of Parliament Funkadelic. While attending Lafayette College in the early 70's, he was a member of the Tim McCabe Bl...
Jun 22, 2023•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rufus Reid With an incredible resume as a sideman, bandleader, and educator, bassist Rufus Reid represents one of the most significant links to the great jazz tradition. His remarkable accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, and Reid has worked and recorded with legends like Eddie Harris, Dexter Gordon, Andrew Hill, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Quartet, Kenny Barron, Stan Getz, J.J. Johnson, Jack DeJohnette, and many others. In fact, he has recorded on over 500 albums. His reputation as an educator...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Vincent Herring is a masterful alto and soprano saxophonist who first toured the U.S. and Europe with Lionel Hampton’s Band. Heavily influenced by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Herring's talents came to the attention of Nat Adderley (Cannonball’s Brother). He joined the trumpeter's band and toured and recorded with the group for nine years. After Nat’s death, He worked with drummer Louis Hayes to form the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band and worked with piano master Cedar Walton for more ...
May 23, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast George Benson is a legendary jazz guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In fact, he is one of the greatest guitarists ever to pick up the instrument. He has had a career that has spanned over seven decades, won over ten Grammy Awards, and charted four top ten albums on the Billboard Chart, including the number one album Breezin (Warner Brothers) from 1976, which has sold an estimated 10 million records. At age 80, George Benson is on tour, and I was fortunate to speak with him regarding his upcomin...
May 09, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bruce Williams is a jazz saxophonist who hails from our nation's capital of Washington, D.C. He has made his presence known on the jazz scene by garnering critical attention with his own enthusiastically received CD releases - "Brotherhood" and "Altoicity" - issued on Savant Records. He's made an indelible impression as a sideman on over twenty other CD and video recordings. Bruce has performed, toured, and recorded with a long roster of jazz legends - Little Jimmy Scott, Frank Foster, The Linco...
May 08, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ron Carter Interview 4/14/ 2022 For this show, you will hear Jay's discussion with bass legend Ron Carter from 4/14/2022. This interview occurred when he spoke to Ron Carter for a cover article celebrating his 85th birthday and his May 10th, 2022, Concert at Carnegie Hall celebrating the maestro for New Jersey Jazz Magazine (https://njjs.org/). Ron Carter is often listed as the "world's most recorded bassist." He has appeared on well over 2000 recordings and was a member of Mil...
Mar 31, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stanley Clarke is a bass wizard who transformed the electric bass from its accompanying role and showed the world the possibilities of the electric bass as a solo instrument. Additionally, he is a virtuosic double bass player and an accomplished film composer. Clarke is a 5-time Grammy winner, with 15 nominations, 3 for his solo efforts, 1 with the Stanley Clarke Band, and 1 with the groundbreaking, Return to Forever, of which he was a founding member. In addition to all of his credits and activ...
Mar 03, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Podcast 30 Albums Over 30 Years (1964-1994). A look at the 30 most impactful albums by year.
Jan 25, 2023•59 sec•Transcript available on Metacast 
