All That's Jazz

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.

Episode 23 Ken Schaphorst

Fifty years ago, the New England Conservatory of Music started the first fully accredited jazz studies program at the conservatory level. Since then, NEC has been a pioneer in the education of jazz artists. NEC trains the some of the most talented young musicians in a broad range of styles, while continually seeking ways to expand jazz traditions through the development of students’ individual voices. 

In our conversation with the Chair of Jazz Studies, Ken Schaphorst, we talk not only about the NEC’s  wide-ranging programs, but also their extensive plans to safely start their school year through in-person and on line learning during this challenging time of COVID-19.  

As Jazz Times writes: “NEC’s jazz studies department is among the most acclaimed and successful in the world; so says the roster of visionary artists that have comprised both its faculty and students.” 

Episode 22 Canadian Vocalist/Pianist Carol Welsman

Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. She has sold over 60,000 CDs in Canada alone, something few jazz/pop artists in Canada have experienced. 

Don Heckman at the Los Angeles Times says: “Welsman is that rarest of discoveries: a fully formed artist with the musicality, imagination and looks to cruise to the top of the jazz vocal genre.”

Episode 21 Birdland Jazz Club

Birdland. The Mecca of Jazz in New York City. There are only be a few names in jazz history that equal the importance of this iconic club. This week’s VERY SPECIAL All That’s Jazz Podcast conversation is with Birdland Jazz Club owner, Gianni Valenti, manager Ryan Paternite, and booking agent Jim Caruso to talk about the club’s rich past, how they are changing course in today’s world and what they envision for the future.

Episode 20 Eric Person

For over thirty years, Eric Person has been committed to composing, recording and performing dynamic and innovative music. His personal sound on alto, soprano, tenor saxophones and flute have been featured on more than 50 recordings. He studied at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music and has taught and performed internationally. He has a broad range of experience performing with the masters of modern creative music, such as Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner, Chico Hamilton, Wallace Roney, Ronald Shannon Jackson, World Saxophone Quartet, John Hicks and more.

Episode 19 Simone Gubbiotti

Guitarist Simone Gubbiotti is a musician with a strong presence in both the USA and Europe. Based in Umbria (Italy) Simone frequents the US regularly where he performs with musicians including Peter Erskine, Sid Jacobs, Joe La Barbera, Arthur Blythe, Lewis Nash, Adam Nussbaum and Jay Anderson.

Music was not Simone’s first passion, he began his career in the world of sports where he played professionally for a number of top Italian soccer clubs including AC Milan. After sustaining a serious knee injury Simone took the decision to refocus and pursue a career in music.