Join me as I explore the lives of inspired musicians. Through intimate conversations with fellow artists, friends, and family, we’ll uncover the stories behind the music and the moments that shaped their journeys. Tune in for a blend of inspiration, insight, and unforgettable sounds.
Alan Broadbent’s journey from New Zealand to the American jazz elite is defined by a rare dual mastery of piano and orchestration. From his early days with Woody Herman to a 30-year tenure with Charlie Haden’s Quartet West, Alan has shaped the sound of icons like Natalie Cole and Shirley Horn. In this episode, discover how his sophisticated arrangements and lyrical playing created a storied career spanning big bands, film studios, and world-class orchestras.
Jamey Haddad blends his Lebanese heritage with Cleveland’s jazz scene to create a singular musical voice. This unique approach led to a prolific career featuring over 200 recordings and a 27-year collaboration with Paul Simon. In this episode, Jamey shares stories from his journey collaborating with icons like Joe Lovano, Nancy Wilson, and Dave Liebman. Discover how his commitment to being an "original" allowed him to redefine the role of percussion in modern music.
In the world of jazz, few figures bridge the gap between arranging and virtuosity quite like our guest today. On this episode, we bring you part two of my deep-dive interview with the incredible Gil Goldstein.
Today, Gil recounts his profound experiences with the legendary jazz arranger Gil Evans and his storied collaboration with the virtuoso saxophonist, Michael Brecker. This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the creative chemistry that defined an era.
This episode is part two of my interview with Mary Scott, widow of the British Jazz saxophonist, Ronnie Scott. Their lives became intertwined through Ronnie's vision of creating an important jazz scene in London, opening the doors at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 1959. This part two of Mary's interview will include her recollections of such great jazz artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Wes Montgomery, Bill Evans, Buddy Rich, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, among others.
From his early days with Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny to his Grammy-winning work with Michael Brecker and his deep bond with Gil Evans, Gil Goldstein has been at the center of jazz history for decades. Join us as we dive into the mind of a master pianist, accordionist, and arranger to discuss his lifetime of music making.
On this episode we meet the virtuoso Brazilian guitarist Toninho Horta. Toninho has influenced an entire generation of musicians in Brazil since the 1970’s and has working with with Elis Regina, Milton Nascimento, Joao Bosco, Nana Caymmi, Flora Purim, Gal Costa, and Joyce, among many others, Pat Metheny considers him to be "one of the world's great composers on nylon-string guitar. We discuss Toninho’s life in music and his work with Pat Metheny, George Benson, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Kenny Barron and more.
In this episode, I sit down with 5-time Grammy-winning producer John Snyder to discuss his career spanning over 5 decades. We discuss his work with Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck, and Gerry Mulligan, among others. Join us for a rare look at the man who helped shape the sound of jazz as a producer, friend, and fan of the music.
Welcome to another episode of the Minds of Jazz Musicians podcast. I am absolutely thrilled to be sitting down with Stefon Harris. Stefon is truly a renaissance man of the jazz world—not only is he one of the preeminent vibraphonists and improvisers of our era, but he is also a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and a profound thought leader. I’ve been looking forward to this conversation for a long time, and I’m so happy to have him here to share his insights.
In this episode, we dive deep with visionary saxophonist and composer John O’Gallagher. Discover how his PhD research unlocks the musical process of John Coltrane’s late-period recordings focusing on Interstellar Space and Stellar Regions. Explore the bridge between Coltrane’s genius and 20th-century composers including Anton Webern, Arnold Schoenberg, and Olivier Messiaen. Hear John discuss his latest project, Ancestral, featuring guitarist Ben Monder along with legendary drummers Andrew Cyrille and Billy Hart. Join us to gain fresh insight into Coltrane’s eternal quest for musical knowledge.
I sat down with Mary Scott, widow of saxophonist Ronnie Scott, the legendary founder and impresario of London’s historic landmark, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, to share intimate stories of icons who performed at the club including: Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and Dizzy Gillespie, to name a few. We explore the deeply personal journey of this world-famous jazz venue from an eyewitness who lived it daily. There’s so much information here that part 2 will be posted soon.
The legendary guitarist and band leader Eddie Condon, connected to the early Chicago jazz scene of the 1920s, moved to New York by 1929 becoming a catalyst for organizing jazz concerts and recording sessions throughout the city. Considered one of the first to integrate black and white musicians through live concerts, broadcasts, and recording sessions, Condon led the charge to break down racial barriers, commonplace at the time, working with the like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Pee Wee Russell, to name a few. By 1945, Condon had opened his own jazz club in Greenwich Village and had become a popular and in demand social commentator on both radio and television. For this episode, I'll be speaking with his daughter, Maggie Condon, and author Hank O'Neill about Eddie Condon's history.
Saxophonist Billy Drewes has one of the most remarkable résumés in modern music: recording credits with Kenny Werner and John Scofield, and a four-decade tenure as a key member of the historic Vanguard Orchestra. Join me as Billy discusses his global performance history, his approach to composition, and what it’s really like playing one of the most revered stages in jazz.
Stan Getz, known an "The Sound," defined cool Jazz and brought bossa nova to the world, but the genius behind the saxophonist was also a deeply troubled, haunted soul. His turbulent private life—marked by addiction, intensity, and deep emotional swings—is as much a part of his legend as his music. In this landmark podcast I sat down with Bev Getz, Stan’s daughter, who is uniquely positioned to tell a side of the story as no one else can. This podcast is an essential listening experience for anyone who has ever been moved by a Stan Getz recording. The conversation is not just about music; but it’s also about Stan Getz the person, from the prospective of friends and family.
At 95 years old, Sonny Rollins remains an American icon, widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians of all time, with a recording career spanning seven decades and over sixty albums. In this rare occasion, I sit down to speak one-to-one with the Saxophone Colossus himself to explore his rich history as well as his unparalleled longevity, and more. Join me for an unforgettable and candid look into the mind of this living legend, a true national treasure.
Canadian born saxophonist and bassoonist Ben Wendel is a founding member of the band Kneebody. With an early interest in classical music, Ben has gone on to work with a diversity of artists including Bill Frisell, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Snoop Dogg, and the artist formerly known as Prince. He received a Grammy nomination for his 2023 album entitled "All One. During our conversation, Ben shared his musical process and vision for creating new and unique projects that clearly demonstrate his individual passion to present music from a different point of view.
Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Bob Mintzer is a towering figure in contemporary jazz. His career began with a tenure in the Buddy Rich Big Band and the explosive rhythm of Jaco Pastorius’s Word of Mouth Big Band, before settling into a 36-year association with the legendary Yellowjackets. Despite his numerous accolades, including a Grammy win, Mintzer maintains a humble perspective, captured in his profound statement: "Music chose me." Tune in to hear remarkable storytelling as Mintzer shares the compelling moments that solidified his commitment to music and gain unparalleled insight into the mindset of this musician who continues to shape the future of jazz.
Join vibraphonist, bandleader, and composer Mike Mainieri as he shares incredible stories from his remarkable musical journey. From performing with legends like Billie Holiday and Coleman Hawkins to touring with Buddy Rich and mingling with Rat Pack icons, Mike has seen it all. Now at 87, he continues to inspire with tales of his groundbreaking jazz fusion band, Step Ahead, and much more!
Today's discussions will include reminiscences of her time with Duke Ellington and his various band members, as well as her own career as a June Taylor dancer on the Jackie Gleason show during the 1960s. Through this series we learn new perspectives about music and musicians through friends and family, and as Jackie Gleason would say, and away we go.
Join us on the Minds of Jazz Musicians podcast as host Dave Schroeder delves into the extraordinary life of legendary saxophonist David Sanborn. In this heartfelt episode, Dave speaks with Sally Sanborn, David's sister, who shares intimate stories about his remarkable career and the challenges he overcame. Discover the man behind the music and gain unique insights into David’s legacy and the impact he had on jazz. Tune in now for this poignant tribute to a true musical icon!