All That's Jazz

Episode 32 Charles McPherson Family

Master saxophonist, composer and Bebop luminary Charles McPherson recently collaborated with the San Diego Ballet to create the newly released "Jazz Dance Suites", a decidedly fresh and exciting relationship between jazz and dance that speaks directly to Charles McPherson’s range and incredible depth as an artist.

A family affair, the album was inspired by his daughter Camille, a soloist in her 9th season with the prestigious dance company. In this episode, we talk with both Charles, Camille, and Lynn – Charles’ wife and Camille’s mother who is not only a concert pianist and educator, but also manager, promoter and agent for her husband.

Episode 31 Noa Levy

Noa Levy is a jazz-rock vocalist originally from Israel and now based in San Francisco, California. I talk to her about her new album, You, Me & Cole. With her new album, Noa joins forces with award-winning Japanese bassist Shimpei Ogawa to find a common language in Porter’s creations and bring their own traditions and musical influences to reimagine Porter’s works of art.

Episode 30 Richard Baratta

 Film Producer and Drummer Richard Baratta talks about his sophomore release as a bandleader, and first release in a studio setting, Music in Film: The Reel Deal on Savant records.  Music in Film: The Reel Deal is the drummer’s triumphant return to the jazz artform after a 30+ year diversion during which time Baratta became a celebrated film producer of Hollywood hits like The Irishman, Joker, and Wolf of Wall Street.  This album sees the coalescence of Baratta’s two seemingly disparate worlds, a celebration of cinema through the lens of jazz.

Episode 29 Alonzo Demetrius

 Trumpeter and composer, Alonzo Demetrius, received his Bachelors in 2018 and Masters in 2019 from the prestigious Berklee School of Music. October 16, Alonzo will release his premiere album, Live from the Prison Nation, a socially conscious recording inspired by the teachings of political activists such as Mumia Abu-Jamal and Angela Davis. The album as a reflection of his ideas based on personal experience and the experiences of other Black people in his life.

Episode 28 Dazzle Part 2

This episode is Part Two of our first-ever two-part interview.  Named "One of the Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World" by Downbeat magazine, and "Best Jazz Club" in Denver by Westword, Dazzle is a positive and unique part of the Denver community. 

Originally opened in 1997, a new era started for Dazzle when Donald Rossa was brought in as a partner.  In its new 18,000 sq ft location - which more than doubles capacity from the original 85 to 200 - the venue, with acclaimed dining, and space for future venues, has been adapting to the current world of COVID by offering online and recently limited live performances. 

 

Episode 28 Donald Rossa of Dazzle, Part 1

Named "One of the Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World" by Downbeat magazine, and "Best Jazz Club" in Denver by Westword, Dazzle is a positive and unique part of the Denver community. 

Originally opened in 1997, a new era started for Dazzle when Donald Rossa was brought in as a partner.  In its new 18,000 sq ft location - which more than doubles capacity from the original 85 to 200 - the venue, with acclaimed dining, and space for future venues, has been adapting to the current world of COVID by offering on line and recently limited live performances. 

 

This episode is Part I of our first-ever two-part interview. Part 2 will be posted Friday, October 2.

Episode 27 Antonio Adolfo

Pianist, arranger, producer and educator Antonio Adolfo grew up in a musical family in Rio de Janeiro (his mother was a violinist in the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra), and began his studies at the age of seven. At seventeen he was already a professional musician. Adolfo wrote tunes such as Pretty World (original Brazilian title: Sa Marina) that gained great success, being recorded by such artists as Sergio Mendes, Stevie Wonder, Herb Alpert, Earl Klugh, Dionne Warwick, and others. 

As a musician, arranger and record producer, Antonio has worked with some of the most representative Brazilian names, besides having released more than 25 albums under his name. Antonio has been honored with numerous Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY nominations. His new album, BruMa, was released in 2020 to rave reviews.

Episode 26 Monterey Jazz Festival

 For the first time ever, the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival in California is going digital...this year would have been the 63rd annual festival but it, like so many others, has been sidelined due to the worldwide pandemic. Our guest is the MJF Artistic Director Tim Jackson who tells us about their virtual approach to this year's festival September 25, 26 and 27.

Episode 25 Benedetto Guitars

Founded in 1968 by American luthier Robert Benedetto, Benedetto Guitars, Inc. of Savannah, Georgia is celebrating over 50 years of jazz guitar excellence. The internationally renowned company builds some of the world’s most collectable and expensive instruments while still focusing their production on the needs of professional and aspiring jazz guitarists.  

Episode 24 Jason "Spicy G" Goldman

 Jason Goldman, known professionally as “Spicy G”, is a multi-platinum selling music producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer/arranger. Jason co-produced Michael Bublé's Grammy nominated/Juno winning 2016 album Nobody But Me. He co-wrote two of the originals including the lead single Nobody But Me featuring Bublé and Black Thought from The Roots. 

 

Goldman has produced, written, and arranged for some true heavy weights in the music industry including mega-producer David Foster, Herbie Hancock, Meghan Trainor, and Michael Bublé among others. His arrangements have been featured on several of Bublé's multi-platinum selling records, including his most recent 2018 album LOVE.

 

Jason's newly released EP Hypnotized is now available everywhere. The album features Jason's arrangements, orchestrations, and production on American songbook classics. Featuring vocalists Addie Hamilton, Erin Bentlage, and Olivia Morreale.