All That's Jazz

Episode 47 Allan Harris-2

With the release of Allan Harris' new album, Kate's Soulfood, we continue our conversation. In this Part Two episode we discuss more about the album, as well as the stellar list of musicians who joined him on the groundbreaking recording.

Episode 46 Allan Harris

The Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist/guitarist/bandleader/composer Allan Harris is one the most accomplished and exceptional singers of his generation. A self-described “storyteller through the genre of jazz” he brings it all together with his new album, ‘Kate’s Soulfood’, a beautiful collection of songs crafted with love and a depth of life experience. In this week’s conversation, we talk with the remarkable Allan Harris about all this and more. 

Episode 45 Saving Birdland

On Sunday, January 24, an astounding virtual, fundraising event occurred where entertainers from around the globe rose as one to give new wings to the iconic Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. Faced with the possibility of having to close permanently due to the pandemic, voices were raised, and money flowed in, helping to raise Birdland - like the mythical Phoenix - from the ashes to fly again. We catch up with club owner, Gianni Valenti, and booking agent, Jim Caruso, about how the event came to be, and what it means for the future.

Episode 44 Jason Burt

Jason Burt is a historian and teacher from West Sacramento, California. His grandfather, Richard Burt, was the lead trumpet player of the 746th Far East Air Force Band that was stationed in the Philippines, during World War II. From Leyte to Luzon, they played music for service members, civilians, generals, and dignitaries - at times, right on the front line with fighting going on directly behind them.

But one of the most unique things they did was to record the only known full-length album by a Front Line band unit during World War II and it was created in their performance tent with limited equipment.Jason worked with sound engineers at Lurssen Mastering, who have 5 GRAMMY awards between them and the original album was digitalized, cleaned up and mastered. It's a fascinating story with an inside glimpse of a time long past.

Episode 43 Gregg August

Bassist Gregg August spans the classical, avant-garde, jazz and Latin jazz worlds making him one of the most versatile musicians on the scene today.
As a jazz bassist Gregg is a member of the JD Allen Trio, having recorded 9 albums with the group, as well as Arturo O’farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, with whom he’s won 5 Grammy awards.

 

His newest album , Dialogues On Race, released on his own record label Iacuessa Records, recently received a Grammy nomination  for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. His hope is that Dialogues on Race can in some small way serve as an integrated musical bridge to awareness, and maybe even

stand as an affirmation against racism and injustice. 

Episode 42 Ben Sidran

Ben Sidran is a jazz pianist and vocalist, lyricist, award-winning national broadcaster, record and video producer, scholar, journalist, father and an author. He was our first guest on All That's Jazz and his original episode is our most downloaded. This week, we catch up with Ben Sidran, on his critically acclaimed book The Ballad of Tommy LiPuma. We also talk about a new final chapter of a book, There Was A Fire, Ben wrote in 2011 that is being reissued in March 2021. Finally, we have fun with his latest album, done with his multi-talented son, Leo, called Who's The Old Guy Now. 

Episode 41 Thana Alexa

Surprising is a word that perhaps best describes Grammy® nominated artist, Thana Alexa, an extraordinarily creative force in music. An awe-inspiring vocalist, composer, arranger and producer – for whom the voice is both a lyrical and experimental instrument – her music pushes the boundaries of the genre into new and unexplored territory with deep seeded roots in jazz and overtones of contemporary soul and world music.

Her latest album, ONA (self-release, March 2020), which earned her two Grammy® nominations (Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Instrumental Jazz Solo for Regina Carter’s performance), is Alexa’s focus, her mission statement. Translated to "SHE" from her family's native Croatian, ONA was inspired by the cross generational and cross-cultural stories of the immigrant women in her family and evolved into an exploration of the experiences of contemporary women everywhere. The album speaks to us musically about every facet of womanhood, conveying a message of strength and empowerment. For more information about Thana Alexa please visit her website www.thanalexa.com

 

Episode 40 Emily Olcott Jazz Standard

A conversation with Emily Olcott, an aspiring actor, singer and writer who worked as a server at the iconic New York City venue, the Jazz Standard which is now closed. Learn about her recent written memoir that went viral recalling her life changing experiences at this venue which she described as “for six years, the Jazz Standard was my home. It was my life. It gave me a life. And now it’s gone.”

Episode 39 The Jazz Exchange

Enjoy our conversation with Candice Reyes and Abel Mireles the co-founders of The Jazz Exchange.  The Jazz Exchange is an organization committed to connecting communities  through music while creating a platform for established and upcoming musicians. This wonderful organization also conducts educational programs for young, aspiring musicians and has also established a Relief Fund Program to benefit jazz artists impacted by the Covid 19-pandemic.

Episode 38 Chris Brubeck

Chris Brubeck is a Performer, Grammy Nominated Composer, Educator and the son of the legendary Dave Brubeck. In this episode we discuss the newly released, remarkable album called Time Outtakes which features alternate takes from the original 1959 iconic Dave Brubeck album called Time Out.  You'll hear the stories behind the discovery of these, until now, unpublished tracks of Brubeck's signature pieces and more.  This new album celebrates and is a tribute to Dave Brubeck's centennial milestone.