The Jazz Legacy Radio Podcast

Tap dancer Travis Knights is well respected in the tap dance community. In this interview, he shares what he has learned about himself, his artform and lessons from one of his most valued and important mentors, the late legend, Ethel Bruneau. Despite what some have said, this music is far from dead.

For this short edition of the podcast - "Short Notes" - I'm recalling the experience of playing behind Sonny Fortune, a guest artist at the University of New Orleans. Two jazz ensembles got to perform with him, and when it was our turn, I found myself going in directions I didn't know I could, simply because of the guest artist and how he made it so that you had no choice but to listen and react, since he was the epitome of how to do those two things. Despite what some have s...

Langston Hughes' classic, The Weary Blues, opens this preview of the Jazz Legacy Podcast's examination of the blues. What does it mean? What is it's function? How has it been used? Is its relevance eternal? Despite what some have said, this music is far from dead.

I'm postponing the next episode of the podcast, but wanted to acknowledge the 94th birthday of jazz pianist Willie Metclaf, who I was fortunate enough to know when I lived in New Orleans 20 plus years ago. If you are trying to remember his face, just think of the movie "Ray". He played the old man who taught Ray the piano as a child. (Yeah, now you remember! That's him!)Happy Birthday, Mr. Metcalf! Thanks for sharing your insights. Stay tuned for info on future episodes of the podcast!De...

Ellington Orchestra alumnus Brad Shigeta, and Ellington Orchestra member James Zollar are two friends who have known each other 30 plus years. They are here talking with me about their experiences in New York, elder musicians who took them under the proverbial wing, and of course, their time with Ellington's orchestra when it was under the direction of Mercer Ellington. We talk about older Ellington band members that Duke had personally hired, and their friendships with the...

A look at Billie Holiday's genius, and popular culture's skewed but accepted narrative of her, which has contributed to a misrepresentation of her legacy. Despite what some have said, this music is far from dead.