All That's Jazz

Season 2 Episode 10 Daversa & Morell

John Daversa is a multi-Grammy winning artist, composer, arranger, producer, bandleader, educator. Justin Morell is a composer, guitarist and educator whose work crosses genres between classical and jazz styles. The two have collaborated before, but the release of “All Without Words…variations inspired by Loren” is a project of deep personal meaning.

The theme is built around the spontaneous vocalizations of Morell’s autistic, nonverbal son, Loren. Our conversation takes us through the inspiration and development of the project.

Season 2 Episode 9 Falkner Evans

A conversation with Falkner Evans pianist/composer about his stunningly beautiful solo album, Invisible Words, the pianist/composer refers to this solo outing as “a record I never planned to make.” Those plans were tragically upended, however, on May 19th, 2020, when his wife Linda took her own life.  

 

Falkner moved to New York City and into the jazz scene in 1985 after touring for four years with the Grammy-winning western swing band Asleep at the Wheel. Always an artist who preferred the collaborative process of playing with a group of like-minded fellow musicians, Evans had never even considered recording a solo album prior to Linda’s death. This is a difficult subject, but the music on this album is beautiful, thoughtful, and in his words, a “snapshot” of Linda’s life through his own lens. We are grateful to Falkner for talking to us and taking us through his journey and process. 

Season 2 Episode 8 Christian McBride

Founded in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival® has been host to legendary performances by iconic figures and contemporary geniuses. We talk to 7-time Grammy winner Christian McBride about being Artistic Director to “The Granddaddy of American Music Festivals.”

 

 

Season 2 Episode 7 Sunny Sumter

 Sunny Sumter is President & CEO of the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), an organization that provides enriching and entertaining jazz performances and programs that introduce students and adults from all walks of life to jazz; our nation’s singular original art form. Prior to her tenure at the DC Jazz Festival, Sumter held management/director positions with the Aspen Institute, National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Sumter earned her bachelor’s degree in music business from Howard University where she minored in jazz voice.  As a professional vocalist, Sumter has performed at festivals, and clubs internationally. In this episode we explore her impressive, successful career and the upcoming DC Jazz Festival September 1-5 in Washington D.C.

 

Season 2 Episode 6 Tim Mayer

 Tim Mayer is an accomplished saxophonist, flute player, composer, bandleader and educator with a fascinating story and rich musical experiences. All throughout his career, Tim has traveled the world bringing jazz to new places including to Hawaii, Cape Verde, Colombia, and the Canary Islands.  He currently resides in Xalapa, Mexico where he recently completed his Master’s degree at Universidad Veracruzana, and is currently building up their jazz program while making a huge difference in jazz education.

 

Tim attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied privately with Andy McGhee, George Garzone, and Bill Pierce. In June of 2021, Tim released “Keeper of the Flame” on D-Clef Records featuring bassist Rodney Whitaker, drummer Ulysses Owens, and Emmet Cohen as a guest pianist. “Keeper of the Flame” is his first album as a leader since 2011’s star-studded and critically acclaimed “Resilience.”

Season 2 Episode 5 Justin Lee Schultz

Our guest in this episode was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and is based in Durham, NC.  He is a 14-year-old multi-instrumental prodigy and musical wonder-kid named Justin Lee Schultz. This multi-instrumental wizard has dazzled audiences on TV shows like “Harry”, “Little Big Shots”, and “America’s Most Musical Family” and his idols are Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. His talent is exceptional, not merely because he is young but also due to his melodic, harmonic and technical maturation.

 

In November 2020 he released “Gruv Kid” which was the #1 pre-order on iTunes jazz.  The album also hit Top 10 on Billboard and united Justin with an all-star lineup including: Bob James, Harvey Mason, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, Pieces Of A Dream, Jeff Lorber and others.

Accolades have poured in for Justin from all corners of the music industry. This conversation – and his music – will amaze you. It certainly caught us off guard. What an absolute treat.

Season 2 Episode 4 Dan Blake

Saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Dan Blake has developed a wide-ranging career as a contemporary composer, performer and educator.  In addition to his work as a leader, he has toured and recorded with three-time Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding, NEA Jazz Master and Anthony Braxton. Our Conversation covers his musical career as well as his latest release "Da Fé" which is on the Sunnyside Records label and encourages activism in the fight against climate catastrophe, poverty and hunger.

Season 2 Episode 3 Jazz Aspen Snowmass

Our very special guest James Horowitz  is the founder, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass which is celebrating its’ 30^th anniversary this year. This premiere organization began in 1991 which was built on a dream, a vision, a business savvy and a determination that allowed it to develop into a premiere jazz and music organization with a global recognition.  This is their story.

Season 2 Episode 2 Fiona Ross

Award winning vocalist, pianist, composer, producer and journalist Fiona Ross has become known for creating her own contemporary Jazz sound using fast paced Latin Jazz, vintage jazz club and a little neo soul along with heart wrenching ballads that demonstrate that "Her style is poetic and the messages ooze with Millennial angst" (Jazz weekly).
Established  as an artist in her own right, she has received incredible reviews across the globe for all of her four albums. She has performed live at prestigious venues including 606 Club, Pizza Express, Bulls Head, Nells Jazz and Blues and Toulouse Lautrec and her music is played on radio stations all over the world including 40 stations in the USA as well as in Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Australia, Netherlands and Spain.  Fiona is very passionate about raising awareness and supporting Mental Health and Equality issues around the world.

Season 2 Episode 1 Maria Schneider

Maria Schneider’s music has been hailed by critics as “evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, imaginative, revelatory, riveting, daring, and beyond categorization.” Blurring the lines between genres, her varied commissioners stretch from Jazz at Lincoln Center, to The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, to the American Dance Festival, and include collaboration with David Bowie. She is among a small few to receive GRAMMYS in multiple genres, having received the award in jazz and classical, as well as for her work with David Bowie.

At the 63rd GRAMMY Awards, held March 14, Maria was honored with twice: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for “Data Lords,” and Best Instrumental Composition for “Sputnik.”