JazzCast Ep. 27: Wycliffe Gordon!

squareIn regards to his experiences walking the streets of Berlin, Wycliffe Gordon states: “I saw the thing that music does, and has done… time and time again… it shatters all of those things that separate us.” In this interview, Mr. Gordon tells stories about his experience in Germany, how Louis Armstrong stopped a war, and how the JLCO‘s performance of Ellington/Strayhorn’s Peer Gynt Suite helped break the proverbial “glass wall.” Please enjoy this episode of the JazzCast, where we dig into the music on his latest album, “Hello Pops.”

Mentioned in this podcast (in no particular order)

The beautiful thing about podcasting is that there is no time limit. It gives the artist a platform to share their insights, views, and stories related to their music. This interview was especially inspirational to me because it reminded me of my time at MSU, and specifically the Martin Luther King Jr. concert we did each year. This interview, along with my experiences at MSU, inspired me to create the Jazz and Freedom Festival, which happened MLK weekend in January 2015. Although we recorded this in the summer of 2014, it’s timeless. Thank you Wycliffe Gordon for your inspiration and beautiful artistry!

JazzCast Ep. 26: Bobby Jasinski

square_finalWelcome back to the JazzCast! This episode we have Bobby Jasinski, DC based pianist, composer, and bandleader. I’m very happy to share his latest endeavor, “Retrospection,” with you as we dig in behind the scenes in the music. This is Bobby’s second album and features 12 original songs played by a cast of amazing musicians he has put together. I hope you enjoy this interview!

Bobby and his Septet will be performing at the Jazz Loft on Sunday, May 10th, at Union Arts located at 411 New York Ave NE, Washington D.C. If you’re in town, swing on by, it will be awesome! The Loft starts around 7pm and there is a $15 cover charge. Sponsored by CapitalBop.

Mentioned in this podcast (more links to come later):

  • Bobby Jasinski
  • Joe Herrera
  • John Kocur
  • Tom Anderson
  • Corey Wallace
  • Gena Sobel
  • Lena Seikaly
  • Kris Funn
  • Lydia Lewis
  • Shenandoah Conservatory
  • Rocket Jackson
  • Robert Glasper
  • Marcin Wasilewski
  • http://foodforthepoor.org
  • CapitalBop
  • Gio Russonello
  • Luke Stewart

 

JazzCast Ep. 24: Reginald Cyntje Part 2

JazzCast_Ep24_Reginald_Cyntje_2Welcome back to the JazzCast, Episode 24, where we finish up an interview with Reginald Cyntje!  I’m happy to state that Reginald’s album, “Elements of Life” was just named one of the top five albums for 2014 by CapitalBop blog. Go Reggie! (And every album on that list is excellent, please check them out!) In this episode we get deep into the meaning behind the music as well as more philosophical matters. You can also check out more of Reginald’s music by going to the previous episode as well.  Most of all please support Reginald by purchasing his album on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, or from his website. He is running a 20% sale so check it out! Also please check out his new book, Stepping Stones, 15 studies in improvisation! I believe that Reginald wrote a bunch of new music since this episode (which was recorded in August) so please keep an eye out for what he puts together in 2015, I know it will be great. I hope you enjoy this in depth interview!

Mentioned in this podcast:

JazzCast Ep. 23: Reginald Cyntje Part 1

Square_FinalWelcome back to the JazzCast, Episode 23! Here we have an interview with Reginald Cyntje, jazz trombonist from the DC region. He will be talking about his latest album, “Elements of Life.” He has a really interesting story for each song, I hope you enjoy this interview. This was recorded in August, and I apologize that it took so long to get it out. There are some references to successful performances at Twins and Bohemian Caverns in August and September. The recording was actually finished in the archives, I just had to re-record the intro. Finally was able to get to it this holiday weekend. I’m hoping to hire out some audio helpers in the future so I can get these out weekly!

Please check out Reginald’s new book, Stepping Stones. You can find it on Kindle, Amazon, or at his website at http://reginaldcyntje.com.

Mentioned in this episode (links coming soon!):

 

JazzCast Ep. 22: Miki Yamanaka!

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Welcome to Episode 22 of the JazzCast, where you can hear curated listening sessions with jazz musicians! This week we have Miki Yamanaka, jazz pianist from Japan and masters student at Queens College. If you’ve ever been to Smalls, you’ve probably seen her or even played with her. She’s busy! If you like her music, please come out and support her show at the Fat Cat in New York on Thursday night, September 4th, at 7:00 PM. There is a cover charge of $3. Miki has an infectious laugh that everyone loves! I hope you enjoy this “interview,” although it’s more like two friends talking about her music, which was great. Thanks for listening!

Mentioned in this podcast:

(to be continued…)

 

JazzCast Ep. 21: JS Williams!

square_finalWelcome to the JazzCast! Today I have an awesome and touching interview with JS Williams, jazz cat and trumpet player from New York. I was really thankful to be able to find a few minutes as he runs back and forth between DC and NY to be able to dig into his latest album, the “Late Bluemer.” He plays with a stellar cast of musicians, including:

What I liked most about this interview was the fact that I would have never known the meaning behind the songs “Grim Reaper,” “Ambivalence,” and “Submission” without sitting down and talking about it. It gives a whole new meaning to his music, and as always, JS tells it like it is! I was also really impressed at his tribute to his various teachers – his father, grandmother, his middle school teacher, and Josh Landris – who taught him one lesson but made an everlasting impact. In honor of all the parents making this the “true” teacher appreciation week I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Please support JS Williams by downloading the songs if you like them!

Click here to access JS William’s iTunes album: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-late-bluemer/id604034578 

Click here to access “The Late Bluemer” on CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jswilliams

Mentioned in this podcast: (links coming soon!)

JazzCast Ep. 20: Christie Dashiell!

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Welcome to the JazzCast! Today we have an interview with vocalist extraordinaire Christie Dashiell! Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Greenville, NC, contemporary award winning jazz vocalist Christie N. Dashiell honed her vocal skills at Howard University and then, later, the Manhattan School of Music. Dashiell’s history includes performances with Howard’s premiere vocal jazz ensemble, Afro-Blue. She has also performed at the Kennedy Center as a part of the 2010 Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead residency program. She is the recipient of Downbeat magazine’s Best College Graduate Jazz Vocalist and Outstanding Soloist awards in the jazz vocal category. Most recently, Dashiell appeared on season three of NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” as a member of Afro-Blue and performs with the group, now known as Traces of Blue. Dashiell can be heard on several nationally released recordings including, John Blake’s Motherless Child, the Jolley Brothers’ Memoirs Between Brothers and as a Kennedy Center Discovery Artist on NPR’s “JazzSet” with Dee Dee Bridgewater. She has been seen in concert with Esperanza Spalding, Fred Hammond, Smokey Robinson, Geri Allen and Allan Harris.

Christie is performing at Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D.C. on Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th, with two sets each night at 8 and 10 pm. It looks like the 8pm on Friday night has already sold out, so be sure to get your tickets soon! You can get tickets here:  http://www.bohemiancaverns.com/tickets/.

Mentioned in this podcast:

JazzCast Ep. 19: Elliott Hughes, Part 2

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Welcome back! This episode is part two of an interview with Australian composer and trumpet player Elliott Hughes. Episode 18 (part  1) was an introduction to large ensemble writing in Australia, and Episode 19 (part 2) is about Elliott Hughes‘ music and his Horizon Art Orchestra.

Elliott Hughes is a Melbourne based composer and trumpet player, who combines interests in jazz, contemporary classical chamber and orchestral music, and electroacoustic music. He has had his music performed in New York, Canada, Hong Kong and around Australia, releasing his debut recording in 2012 with his large ensemble Horizon Art Orchestra.  He has also worked collaboratively with theatre companies, scoring short films, and as a freelance arranger.

Elliott Hughes is coming to Washington, D.C. to have his music performed with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra on Monday, August 11th at 8 and 10 pm sets. Additionally, the Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble will perform his music at theJazz Gallery in NYC on August 12th, and at An Die Musik in Baltimore on August 13th. We hope you can make it out to one of these performances!

Upcoming Performances of Elliott Hughes’ Music:

Songs in order of appearance:

Mentioned in this podcast:

Part 1 Episode 18 Mentions:

Part 2 Episode 19 Mentions:

JazzCast Ep. 18: Elliott Hughes Part 1

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Welcome jazz fans! This podcast is an interview with Elliott Hughes, Melbourne based composer and trumpet player, who combines interests in jazz, contemporary classical chamber and orchestral music, and electroacoustic music. He has had his music performed in New York, Canada, Hong Kong and around Australia, releasing his debut recording in 2012 with his large ensemble Horizon Art Orchestra.  He has also worked collaboratively with theatre companies, scoring short films, and as a freelance arranger.

He completed undergraduate study at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and is now completing a Masters degree in Composition at the University of Melbourne. In 2014 Elliott is also currently the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra’s Composer-in-Residence, and is currently attending the Atlantic Music Festival Institute throughout July.  

This is the first part in a two part series and focuses on the amazing and talented large ensemble writers that are currently active in Australia. Please check back soon to hear the second part, which will showcase some of Elliott’s own arrangements!

Elliott Hughes is coming to Washington, D.C. to have his music performed with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra on Monday, August 11th at 8 and 10 pm sets. Additionally, the Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble will perform his music at the Jazz Gallery in NYC on August 12th, and at An Die Musik in Baltimore on August 13th. We hope you can make it out to one of these performances!

Upcoming Performances of Elliott Hughes’ Music:

Songs in order of appearance:

Mentioned in this podcast:

 

JazzCast Ep. 17: Brad Linde

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Summer greetings! Welcome to episode 17 of the JazzCast, where you can find curated listening sessions with jazz musicians. Today I bring you an interview with DC area jazz saxophonist and educator Brad Linde.

Many people know of Brad as the leader of the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra as well as his cool “Brad Linde Ensemble,” but his musical direction has changed in the last few years to move more toward free improvisation. And so we have the opportunity to be introduced to some of his new music here: the Team Players, Underwater Ghost, and his latest dixieland-meets free jazz venture Dix Out. Team Players is currently on tour across the United States, so be sure to check them out if they come into your town. Please see their schedule listed below. They just released a CD on July 15th, so please be sure to support them by purchasing their album on CDBaby! Also, the Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble will be at the Jazz Gallery on August 12th in NYC to play the music of Australian composer Elliott Hughes. (psst – we have an interview with Elliott Hughes coming soon too!)

Brad Linde Tour Dates to Note (East Coast):

  • 8/10 – Dix Out at Twins Jazz in Washington, D.C.
  • 8/11 – Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra plays the music of Australian composer Elliott Hughes at Bohemian Caverns
  • 8/12 – Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble featuring the music of Australian composer Elliott Hughes at the Jazz Gallery in NYC
  • 8/13 – Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble featuring the music of Australian composer Elliott Hughes at An Die Musik in Baltimore

Brad Linde Summer Tour Dates (complete list)

(Brad Linde – saxophones, Billy Wolfe – tenor sax, Aaron Quinn – Guitar, Deric Dickens – Drums)

 

  • 7/10 – Chapel Hill, NC @ University of North Carolina  (4 PM)  
  • 7/10 – Carrboro, NC @ The Station  w/ Danielle Soul w/ The Dickens Campaign (9 PM)
  • 7/11 – Greensboro, NC @ Elsewhere  – Brad Linde’s Team Players (8 PM)
  • 7/12 – Durham, NC @ Sharp Nine Gallery  – Brad Linde’s Team Players (8 PM)
  • 7/13 – Washington DC @ Capitalbop’s DC Jazz Loft  – Brad Linde’s Team Players (7 PM)
  • 7/14 – Woodbridge, VA @ NOVA  (9 AM) 
  • 7/21 – Athens, OH @ TBA – Brad Linde’s Team Players and Aaron Quinn’s Liver Quiver
  • 7/22 – Lexington, KY @ Natasha’s Bistro & Bar – Brad Linde’s Underwater Ghost and Aaron Quinn’s Liver Quiver (8 PM)
  • 7/23 – Louisville, KY @ Dreamland  – Aaron Quinn’s Liver Quiver and Brad Linde’s Team Players (7 PM)
  • 7/24 – Lafayette, IN @ Black Sparrow  – Aaron Quinn’s Liver Quiver and Brad Linde’s Team Players
  • 7/25 – South Bend, IN @ Merriman’s Playhouse – Aaron Quinn’s Liver Quiver and Brad Linde’s Team Players (7:30 PM)
  • 7/27 – Chicago, IL @ Phyllis’ Musical Inn  – Billy Wolfe’s Composers’ Tetradectet (9 PM)
  • 7/27 – Chicago, IL @ Hungry Brain  – Jackson/Linde/Roebke/Dickens and Brad Linde’s Team Players (10 PM)
  • 7/28 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Canterbury House  – Brad Linde’s Team Players and The Great Collapsing Hrung  (8 PM)
  • 7/29 – Detroit, MI @ Detroit Contemporary  – Brad Linde’s Team Players and The Great Collapsing Hrung (8 PM)
  • 8/1 – Seattle, WA @ Good Shepherd CenterWayward Music Presents Brad Linde/Erika Dohi Duo and the Syrinx Effect with Kate Olson and Naomi Siegel
  • 8/2 – Portland, OR @ Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge – Brad Linde and Erika Dohi Duo
  • 8/8 – New York City, NY @ Caffe Vivaldi – Brad Linde and Erika Dohi Duo
  • 8/10 – Washington, D.C. @ Twins Jazz – Brad Linde’s DIX OUT
  • 8/11 – Washington, D.C. @ Bohemian CavernsBohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra plays the music of Elliott Hughes
  • 8/12 – New York City, NY @ The Jazz Gallery – Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble featuring the music of Australian composer/arranger Elliott Hughes
  • 8/13 – Baltimore, MD @ An Die Musik – Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble featuring the music of Australian composer/arranger Elliott Hughes

Songs in this episode (in order of appearance):

Mentioned in this podcast:

 

 

 

 

 

JazzCast Ep. 16: Jeff Antoniuk Part 2

template_verticle_part2_final.jpgHi everyone! This is the second part in a two part series of interviews with Jeff Antoniuk, jazz saxophonist and educator.  Please click here to see the first half of the interview.

Jeff Antoniuk is an internationally respected jazz saxophonist and holds his own education programs to service adult learners, to include the Maryland Summer Jazz WorkshopInDepth Jazz Clinics, and the Jazz Band Masterclass. This year he will be pulling in several high class artists to help him with Maryland Summer Jazz, including: Peter Fraize on sax, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Jim McFalls on trombone, Marty Morrison on drums, Kenny Rittenhouse on trumpet, Donato Soviero on guitar, and Helen Sung on piano. Whew, what a lineup! Additionally, his “Jazz Update” and “MARS 4-tet” groups will play at various locations around DC in the near future. Here are a couple of his upcoming shows:

  • July 18, 2014 – Jazz Update at the Westminster Church in Washington, D.C. for Friday night Jazz. 6 – 9 pm, $5 cover, 400 I Street SW DC. Tickets are sold at the door.
  • July 22, 2014 – MARS 4-tet featuring Jimmy Haslip on bass will be playing atBethesda Blues and Jazz Club. 7:30 pm, $22, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. Click here to get tickets.
  • July 22 – 25, 2014 – Maryland Summer Jazz Workshop – this is a four day workshop for older adults and features multiple master classes as well as a end concert for all the faculty. The end concert (featuring students and faculty) is on July 25 from 7 – 10 pm at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church at 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852. Tickets are $20.

Songs in this podcast (in order) are:

  1.  Global Village – from The Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  2.  Suddenly – from the MARS 4-Tet album titled “The Blind Watchmaker”
  3.  Slickery – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  4.  Meet Me at the Ponderosa – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  5.  Hot House – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  6.  Screwball – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”

I will post links to everyone mentioned in this podcast soon. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy this interview with Jeff Antoniuk!

JazzCast Ep. 15: Jeff Antoniuk Part 1

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Here you will find an interview with Jeff Antoniuk, jazz saxophonist and educator from the metropolitan D.C. area. This episode is the first part in a two part series – please check back for the second part to go up tomorrow. Jeff is an internationally respected jazz saxophonist and holds his own education programs to service adult learners, to include the Maryland Summer Jazz Workshop, InDepth Jazz Clinics, and the Jazz Band Masterclass. This year he will be pulling in several high class artists to help him with Maryland Summer Jazz, including: Peter Fraize on sax, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Jim McFalls on trombone, Marty Morrison on drums, Kenny Rittenhouse on trumpet, Donato Soviero on guitar, and Helen Sung on piano. Whew, what a lineup! Additionally, his “Jazz Update” and “MARS 4-tet” groups will play at various locations around DC in the near future. Here are a couple of his upcoming shows:

  • July 18, 2014 – Jazz Update at the Westminster Church in Washington, D.C. for Friday night Jazz. 6 – 9 pm, $5 cover, 400 I Street SW DC. Tickets are sold at the door.
  • July 22, 2014 – MARS 4-tet featuring Jimmy Haslip on bass will be playing at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club. 7:30 pm, $22, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. Click here to get tickets.
  • July 22 – 25, 2014 – Maryland Summer Jazz Workshop – this is a four day workshop for older adults and features multiple master classes as well as a end concert for all the faculty. The end concert (featuring students and faculty) is on July 25 from 7 – 10 pm at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church at 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852. Tickets are $20.

Songs in this podcast include:

  1. Isfahan – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  2. Screwball – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  3. Brotherhood – from the Jazz Update album titled “Brotherhood”
  4. The Blind Watchmaker – from the MARS 4-tet album titled “The Blind Watchmaker”

Mentioned in this episode:

 

JazzCast Ep. 14: Aaron Quinn, guitar!

Aaron_quinn_front.jpgHello everyone! I am very happy to bring to you this interview with Aaron Quinn, a jazz guitarist who hails from Columbus, Ohio. From “Liver Quiver” to “Surfs Up Hose Down,” Aaron was very generous with his time and his explanations of the tunes he picked for us to hear.  This is great music, people! I will update the site throughout the week with all the names that were mentioned in this podcast. In the meantime, here are the songs, in order of appearance: (you can download most of these from his band camp, linked up below)

  1. “No, but I think You’re Neat” – Liver Quiver
  2. “My Ordinary, No Avail” – Liver Quiver
  3. “The Ocean Gets its Saltiness from the Tears of Misunderstood Sharks (Who Just Want To Cuddle)” – Surfs Up, Hose Down
  4. “Bad Girls Go To Hell” – Surfs Up, Hose Down
  5. “Michalec” – Aaron Quinn Nonet
  6. “Chain Smoke Your F(@&$ Heart Out” – Aaron Quinn Nonet
  7. “Weird Doors Open, People Fall Into Things” – Aaron Quinn Nonet
  8.  “I Apologize for My S@#$% Cooking” – Liver Quiver

If you liked his music, maybe you’d like to see him as he goes about his Midwest Tour? Liver Quiver will be performing: Team Players East Coast/Midwest Tour

  • July 10: Team Players. UNC Chapel Hill (NC). (w/Dickens Campaign)
  • July 11: Team Players. Elsewhere (Greensboro, NC)
  • July 12: Team Players. Sharp Nine (Durham, NC)
  • July 13: Team Players. DC Jazz Loft (Washington DC)
  • July 14: Team Players. Nova (Woodbridge, VA)
  • July 14: Billy Wolfe’s Tetradectet. Bohemian Caverns (Washington DC)
  • July 15: Billy Wolfe’s Tetradectet. An Die Musik (Baltimore, MD)
  • July 17: Fields and Planes. Garden Theater (Columbus, OH) 10:00pm
  • July 18: Insane Jazz Posse. Jazz and Ribs Fest. 11:00am-12:30pm
  • July 18: Billy Wolfe’s Tetradectet. Brothers Drake. 5:00pm-9:00pm
  • July 18: Oliver Oak. Rumba Cafe. 9:00pm-2:ooam
  • July 19: Billy Wolfe’s Octet. Dick’s Den. 10:00pm-2:00am
  • July 21: Liver Quiver/Team Players. TBD (Cincinnati, OH)
  • July 22: Liver Quiver/Team Players. Natasha’s (Lexington, KY)
  • July 23: Liver Quiver/Team Players. Dreamland (Louisville, KY) – Team Players
  • July 24: Liver Quiver/Team Players. Black Sparrow (Lafayette, IN) – Team Players
  • July 25: Liver Quiver/Team Players. Merriman’s (South Bend, IN) – Team Players
  • July 27: Billy Wolfe’s Tetradectet. Phyllis’ Musical Inn (Chicago, IL)
  • July 27: Team Players. Hungry Brain (Chicago, IL)
  • July 28: Liver Quiver/Team Players. Gr8 Collapsin (Ann Arbor, MI)
  • July 29: Liver Quiver/Team Players. Detroit Contemporary (Detroit, MI)

The websites for Liver Quiver are here: http://liverquiver.bandcamp.com, http://liverquiverband.wordpress.com. Aaron Quinn’s website is at http://theatrociousspeller.wordpress.com.

This podcast took about 10 hours to finish. Apparently people are listening, so I wanted it to sound good. I had to edit out all my talking on the phone conversation, although you’ll hear a few little blips. I really believe in what Aaron’s doing, and hope others will connect if they like it too! Leave me a comment! More info coming soon… Mentioned in this podcast:

more coming later! … TBC

JazzCast Episode 13: Bria Skonberg!

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Hi everyone! I am extremely excited to bring you this interview with the amazing Bria Skonberg!! I was able to catch her in between shows and appointments on this past Tuesday and wanted to put up her interview quickly so I could let you all know she is in the DC metro area on Thursday, June 19th, at the Bethesda Jazz and Blues Club! 

I met Bria about 4 years ago as I sat in with a band at the DCLX Lindy Hop Competition. I was impressed with her lead chops and her familiarity with the repertoire of that era. Then, I noticed she was playing with her band at the Takoma Park Jazz Festival as part of their “jazzy women” theme this year (2014.) My all-female big band “Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes” was also playing the time slot before hers, so I went ahead and asked if she might sit in with us on a tune. To my surprise, she said “yes!” She sang “All of Me” and then took a smokin’ trumpet solo. It was so much fun to work with her! Eventually the footage from that festival will be available on the Takoma Park station, from what I understand.

Anyway, this is the first interview I’ve had with a signed artist. I am so humbled that she agreed to get on the phone with me and allowed us the opportunity to hear portions of her new album. If you want to hear the whole song, please buy her album from Random Act Records, iTunes, or download it from her website at http://briaskonberg.com. I encourage everyone to support indie artists and boutique record labels so that they can continue to make the music we all love! My favorite is her “mash-up” of Sir Duke and Three Little Words. Genius arrangement! I hope you enjoy!

Also, you might notice I will be putting up new podcasts more regularly now. My job as a teacher just got a LOT easier so be ready for a new episode every Tuesday over the summer! Or more!

Mentioned in this podcast:

JazzCast Episode 9: Timothy Whalen Part 2

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Welcome back to Part 2 of the interview with Timothy Whalen! This was a continuation of the first episode with his selection of one more nonet original tune as well as three funk tunes. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy!

Mentioned in this podcast:

JazzCast Episode 8: Timothy Whalen Part 1

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Welcome to Episode 8 of the JazzCast, the podcast dedicated to curated listening sessions with jazz musicians! Today’s episode is part one of an interview with Timothy Whalen, DC based jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He is playing with his four horn septet this weekend at Twins Jazz on U Street in DC, so come on out and listen if you enjoy this music! March 28 – 29, 8 and 10 pm sets, http://twinsjazz.com.

Mentioned in this podcast:

 

 

JazzCast Ep7: Interview with Amy Bormet

AMY_rectangle***Update*** So sorry everyone, I had accidentally turned down the volume of the second song on the original version – audio has been fixed, and hopefully is better quality now – thanks for checking by!!  sorry for the inconvenience! ****  Welcome to Episode 7 of the JazzCast, the podcast dedicated to curated listening sessions by jazz musicians! Today’s episode is an interview with Amy K. Bormet, who is a DC-based-but-transplanted-to-LA pianist, composer, educator, and leader of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival! March 15 – 22 will mark the fourth year of the festival and I wanted to give everyone a sneak peak at some of the amazing music that will be featured. There are quite a few phenomenal musicians who are mentioned in this podcast, so please feel free to check out their links below! I have also posted a link to the sponsorship site. Get your brand in front of thousands in a personable way!

Mentioned in this podcast:

Thanks for stopping by! Come back next week on Tuesday and we’ll have a new episode up.

JazzCast Ep 6: John Kocur Part 2

Kokur post pic 2Welcome to Episode 6 of the JazzCast, the podcast dedicated to curated listening sessions with jazz musicians! This is the second in a two part series of my interview with John Kocur, jazz saxophonist from Washington DC. On this podcast you will hear a little more about his influences as well as four more of his original songs from his albums “Fortitude” and “The Smoker.” I hope you enjoy his wonderful music and thank you for listening! I have to make one correction: the song played as an intro is actually called “Requiem” not “The Year of the Dragon” and was a tribute to some of the people who passed away that were close to him. Please join my email list or check back next Tuesday for additional episodes. Also please check out the links below to his songs that are available on iTunes and CDBaby.

Songs played in this podcast:

Mentioned in this podcast (including part 1):

 

JazzCast Ep 5: John Kocur part 1

Kokur post pic 1 finalWelcome to the 5th episode of the JazzCast, the only jazz podcast dedicated to curated listening sessions by jazz musicians! Today you will hear an interview with John Kocur, jazz saxophonist and professor of music at Northern Virginia Community College. I decided to split the interview up into two parts, both of which will be posted today but in separate posts. I just wanted to have smaller file sizes for people to download and I also wanted to make each episode about a half hour long. I really enjoyed recording this interview, and his song “Requiem” is a very fitting song to listen to in retrospect. Thank you John Kocur for generously giving your time and talents! You can purchase his albums from CDBaby and all the typical online outlets, as seen below. John Kocur can also be found at his website at http://johnkocur.com. Thanks again for listening, and please also check out part 2!

Songs featured in this podcast:

Mentioned in this podcast:

JazzCast Ep 4: Ryan McGeorge, Jazz Euphonium

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Welcome to the 4th episode of the JazzCast, the jazz podcast dedicated to curated listening sessions by jazz musicians! Today I am very happy to bring you an interview of Ryan McGeorge, valve trombonist and jazz euphonium player who plays with the President’s Own Marine Band as well as lead trombone in the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. I hope you enjoy listening to an electronic euphonium playing music from the Predator soundtrack. Or a crazy take on Rosanna by Toto. He also features his brass quartet in a transcription of Strunz and Farah’s “Gypsy Earrings.”

You can get the tracks here:

Mentioned in this podcast:

Hope you enjoy! Check back next week for the next podcast interview. I’m going to try to put one up every Tuesday.

JazzCast Ep3: Interview with Elijah Jamal Balbed

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Welcome back everyone to another episode of the JazzCast! Today we have Elijah Jamal Balbed, DC tenor saxophonist, on the show to talk about his current musical projects. Listen to the end and you will hear some unreleased material that is a sneak peak for his upcoming live album he will be releasing later this year.

Elijah plays with some heavy cats! Mentioned in this podcast are (in order of mention):

Hope you enjoy listening! Please feel free to sign up for my email list or follow me on twitter @jazztothebone for episode updates. Thanks for stopping by!

 

The JazzCast – Episode 1 – My vision and introduction

 

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Welcome to the JazzCast, a new podcast devoted to the appreciation and listening of the great genre labeled as jazz.

Transcription below:

Usually, I’m going to be doing interviews, but for the first episode, I’d like to lay out my vision of this show.  Basically, this podcast idea was born as I was driving to work and wanted to hear new jazz but was unable to find a radio station out where I live. My hope is to give this genre a positive push, to focus on the music and the tremendous talent pool behind the genre.Welcome to the JazzCast, a new podcast devoted to the appreciation and listening of the great genre labeled as jazz.

My goal is interview new jazz musicians and to post their original music on the podcast app in iTunes and Stitcher radio. I’d like to start out with local musicians in the DC area, and then branch out across the US and the world. If you or anyone you know has original music and would like to be interviewed, please let me know. You can contact me at jazztothebone [@] gmail.com.

Before we get started, I would love for you to visit my website, http://jazztothebone.com . You’re welcome to subscribe to my email list to know each new artist as I post the podcasts each week.

With that said, I’d like to give you a little of bit of information about myself. I’m a high school music technology and finance teacher, as well as an active trombone in the DC area. I play every Monday night with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, and you’ll hear me talk about that a lot because a lot of the musicians I know are from that particular ensemble. I also run my own all-female big band called Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes.  We’re made up of professional musicians from the DC area. You can find out more at bullettesjazz.com.  I also play in several pick up combos, do a jazz combo of my own on the side called Jazz to the Bone, and I play in a salsa band called Timba Street.

I’m really looking forward to bringing new talent into this podcast and getting to know some musicians in this area. If you’d like, you can follow me on twitter. Everything is jazz to the bone.  So I’m on twitter at jazztothebone, facebook at jazztothebone2, Instagram at jazztothebone, and I even have a very low active g plus at jazztothebone as well.

Once again, thank you so much for joining me today. I hope to see you back again for the very first interview, episode 2, of the JazzCast. Many thanks to Brent Birkhead for letting me use his song “Ivory Antidote” as the bumper music. This is a recording I made of him playing with Karine Chapdelaine on bass, Josh Walker on guitar, and CV Dashiell the 3rd on drums at Caton Castle restaurant in Baltimore. You can hear more of his music at http://brentbirkheadjazz.com. I hope to get everyone in this recording on here some day.

Thanks again for stopping by!