Episode 13: Jeff Babko, Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!) ►Jeff Babko website: https://www.jeffbabko.com ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:56: Back at University of Miami 4:26: Vinyl collection 6:06: How do manage consuming music? 10:55: 1990’s Jazz fusion, the young lions, and the gig with Julio Iglesias 19:05: Joining drummer/producer Simon Phillips 22:00: Work ethic, discipli...
Episode 12: A conversation with renowned jazz artist and educator, Bob Sheppard ►Bob Sheppard website: https://www.bobsheppard.net ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:33 – Playing with the JD Big Band 2:15 – Bob’s studio and cultivating a creative community in Los Angeles 14:15 –Being on the scene, practicing, merit, and the social scene… 27:50 – Thoughts and observations about practicing 37:15 – Recording work in L.A. 40:10 – Teaching, curiosity, sound, trying different equipment, and prac...
Episode 11: A conversation with acclaimed singer, songwriter, (and gamer!), Michael Mayo ►Michael Mayo website: https://www.michaelmayomusic.com ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:51 – Musical upbringing and influences 5:40 – Learning about professionalism 8:08 –More about professionalism and boundaries: “2 strikes”. Know your worth. 12:00 – The “shed” mentality 14:20 – Practicing “Giant Steps” and the small, tiny details 19:04 – Being a singer in an instrumental world. (Proving “them” wro...
Episode 10: A conversation with jazz drummer, composer, educator, and entrepreneur, Ari Hoenig ►Ari Hoenig website: https://www.arihoenig.com ►Ari Hoenig Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/arihoenig# ►Ari Hoenig Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arihoenig/# ►Ari Hoenig YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/arihoenig#:~:text=Join%20Ari%20as%20he%20shares%20the%20knowledge%20and Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasiz...
Episode 9: A conversation with Multi-Award Winning Artist, Educator, and Entrepreneur, Jazzmeia Horn ►Jazzmeia Horn website: https://www.artistryofjazzhorn.com “Horn is among the most exciting young vocalists in jazz, with a proud traditionalism that keeps her tightly linkedto the sound of classic figures like Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter, but a vivacity of spirit and conviction that places her firmly in the present” ~The New York Times ~Jazzmeia’s mother “What do you do with what you know ...
Episode 8: A conversation with Grammy Award winning bassist, composer, singer, bandleader, and producer, Ben Williams ►Ben Williams website: https://www.benwilliamsofficial.com “What makes everybody special is that they are one of one. Nobody can do what you do, and you can’t do what anybody else does”. ~Ben Williams ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:16 – Growing up in D.C. and the origin story… 9:10 – Hearing how music connects with life and soul. 9:35 – How we listen to music differen...
Episode 7 : A conversation with Grammy Award winning jazz singer, composer, and educator, Luciana Souza ►Luciana Souza website: https://www.lucianasouza.com “My favorite thing to do is to listen” ~Luciana Souza ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 3:22 – Growing up in Brazilian musical culture 8:40 – Godfather, Hermeto Pascoal 11:38 – “the musician’s musician”. 14:13 – Dorival Caymmi 17:42 – Leaving space in the music 20:54 – Listening and reverence for nature 25:45 – Soul Confidence 29...
Episode 6: A conversation Sara Gazarek ►Sara Gazarek website: https://saragazarek.com Born and raised in Seattle, WA, GRAMMY Award® winning jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek reigns as one of the most creative voices of her generation, and one “who may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer” (Los Angeles Times). Collaborating with jazz legends Fred Hersch, Billy Childs, Kurt Elling, and more, and with 6 critically-acclaimed albums under her belt at the age of 40, Gazarek often tours int...
Episode 5: A conversation with composer, Maria Schneider. ►Maria Schneider website: http://www.mariaschneider.com In this episode with Multi-Grammy Winner, NEA Jazz Master, composer and musician advocate, Maria Schneider, we discuss her new “Decades” project, Bob Brookmeyer’s “tough love”, a mystical dream with Gil Evans, balancing preparation with letting go, and much more… “When you do what you love, it telegraphs”. ~Maria Schneider ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:58 – “Life Stuff”…...
A conversation with violinist, Regina Carter. ►Regina Carter website: https://reginacarter.com In this episode with MacArthur Fellow, Doris Duke Artist Award Winner, and Multi-Grammy Nominee, violinist, Regina Carter, we discuss mentorship, sisterhood, setting boundaries, and a new horizon as an end-of-life doula (and more...) "Dying is about as real as it gets!" ~Regina Carter ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 2:46 - Regina’s mother, Grace Carter 8:32 - Yehudi Menuhin 9:12 - ...
A conversation with Gonzalo Rubalcaba ►Gonzalo Rubalcaba website: https://www.gonzalorubalcaba.com In this episode with multi-Grammy© Winner, pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba, we discuss Tempo and Tiempo, Dedication and Intention, Mentorship and Responsibility, the guidance of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Haden, and much more... “The concert is the moment of joy, the work is behind that” ~Gonzalo Rubalcaba ►Key Moments 0:00 Introductions 3:56 Tempo and Time (tiempo), and family influe...
A conversation with Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford. ►Dick Oatts website: http://www.dickoattsmusic.com ►Terell Stafford website: https://terellstafford.com In this episode with Vanguard Jazz Orchestra veterans, Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford, we discuss "tough love", inspiration, dedication, moms, and the "New York standard", (and much more...) "Why don't you say "yes" and watch what happens. There's inspiration everywhere you look!" -Dick Oatts ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Intro 1:32 – Dedication...
Jihye Lee, Brooklyn-based composer, arranger, and conductor. ►Jihye Lee website: https://jihyemusic.com In this episode with composer, Jiyhe Lee, we discuss culture shock, inner strength, love of big band music, K-pop, and more! ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Intro 2:45 - Musical Values, Intentions, and Inspirations 5:48 - Jihye’s mission 9:12 - Positivity, Inner Strength, and the Game of New Worlds 12:51 - Falling in love with the Big Band 14:10 - Playfulness, The World Will Be Kind To Me, You, and ...