Description:
Jazzcorner.com innerviews are vignettes with insightful commentary, interesting sound bites and lots of great music with great jazz masters and up and coming musicians. Each podcast ranges in time from 4 minutes to an hour.
Contents:
Wayne Shorter - Blakey, ESP and Nefertiti
JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich sat down for an intimate conversation with saxophonist Wayne Shorter. In this special podcast, Shorter talks about his early years with Art Blakey and Miles Davis. He also reveals what inspired him to write his original compositions, including "ESP" and "Nefertiti." Wayne Shorter will be adjudicating and performing at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz 2008 International Saxophone Competition and Gala on October 25 and 26 in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.monkinstitute.org
JD Allen - So Far "Out" He's "In"
Saxophonist JD Allen plays to the outer limits of modern jazz, often using dissonance and unusual rhythms. But he has a strong sense of melody that makes him a popular jazz artist of the younger generation. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives' producer Reese Erlich met with Allen to discuss how he got started playing for Betty Carter and his latest CD "I Am, I Am."
Lionel Loueke - Clicks His Way Into Jazz
Guitarist Lionel Loueke has established himself as a world-class sideman playing for both Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock.
Now as a group leader, Loueke demonstrates his prodigious talents by playing guitar, singing and adding percussive clicks to his singing. JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich discovered that Loueke borrowed the rhythmic clicks from a language in South Africa, but has made them all his own.
Ezra Weiss - Young and Talented
You probably haven't heard of Ezra Weiss - yet. The 20-something pianist plays New York and keeps busy in his home base of Portland, Oregon. Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich talks with Weiss about his CD "Get Happy," which will actually get you happy. Please visit www.ezraweiss.com and his CD is available through JazzCares.com
Eliane Elias - A Brazilian Triple Threat
Brazilian born Eliane Elias is a talented pianist, vocalist and song writer. She's currently on a national tour playing songs from her CD "Something for You," a tribute to Bill Evans. JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich finds out how she got inspired to perform Bill Evans' songs, and even why she kicks off her high heels during live performances. To see Eliane Elias videos, please visit http://www.jazzvideos.net
Jason Lindner - From Garage Band to Big Band
Pianist and composer Jason Lindner started getting jazz gigs at age 15 by barging into restaurants and offering to play for free. Today, he heads a successful trio and big band. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich features an interview with Lindner and music from his CD "Live at the Jazz Gallery."
Avishai Cohen Brings the World to Jazz
Bassist and band leader Avishai Cohen doesn't know what to call his music. He mixes Middle Eastern influences from his native Israel with European classical, Latin and other styles to create an innovative form of jazz. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich talks with Cohen about his history in music, his International Vamp band and his latest CD: "As Is: Live at the Blue Note."
Cyrus Chestnut plays Elvis
For those who know the incredible playing of pianist Cyrus Chestnut, it should come as no surprise that he produced a swinging and original version of tunes made popular by Elvis Presley. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, you can hear his jazz version of Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel. Chestnut talks about his early musical influences and how he developed his swinging style. Music for this perspective comes from "Cyrus Plays Elvis" on Koch Records.
Raymond De Felitta - In Search of Jackie Paris
Filmmaker and jazz musician Raymond De Felitta discovered the voice of Jackie Paris while listening to the radio. He became somewhat obsessed and his mission was to find out more about this elusive vocalist who sang with Bird, Mingus and Monk. His journey was transformed into making the documentary: 'Tis Autumn: The Search For Jackie Paris which opened in New York on December 7, 2007. JazzCorner.com's Lois Gilbert sat with De Felitta to talk about the film, Jackie Paris and how talent and commercial success are often not synonomous. For information on 'Tis Autumn: The Search For Jackie Paris, please visit: www.tisautumnthemovie.com
Robin Eubanks - Always on the Cutting Edge
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator Robin Eubanks has been using electronics to augment the sonic palette of his trombone for more than 15 years. His latest project, EB3 was created for the expressed purpose of exploring modern technology in the context of his live performances, while also advancing the art of trombone in general. One of the first jazz musicians to create his own podcasts, JazzCorner.com turns the mic on Robin in this special extended JazzCorner InnerView.
Herbie Hancock - Letting Rivers Flow
Pianist Herbie Hancock spoke with Jazzcorner.com's Jazz Perspectives host Reese Erlich to talk about his new CD River. It's based on compositions by Joni Mitchell. Hancock talks about how Mitchell's music is particularly well suited for jazz and how he struggled to understand her lyrics. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock will be held at the Kodak Theater on Oct 28. Please visit www.monkinstitute.org.
Joni Mitchell - Continues to Shine
Joni Mitchell is a favorite singer-songwriter for many jazz musicians because of her insightful poetry and story telling ability. After nearly 10 years of not producing original recordings, in September 2007, Joni Mitchell issued a new CD, Shine. In this exclusive interview with JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspective host Reese Erlich, Mitchell talks about the strong influence jazz and blues have had on her work. Joni Mitchell will be appearing at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock at the Kodak Theater on Oct 28. Please visit www.monkinstitute.org.
George Duke - Bending Jazz Genres
George Duke got his start playing piano in church. He went on to fame playing with both rock and jazz stars. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich looks at Duke's career spanning nearly 40 years. Music for the perspective comes from "Face the Music" and "The Ultimate George Duke." George Duke will be appearing at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock at the Kodak Theater on Oct 28. Please visit www.monkinstitute.org.
Kenny Werner - Striking Those Good Chords
Pianist Kenny Werner is not only a fine musician but an insightful observer of the jazz scene. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, Werner talks about his life growing up in Long Island, NY, and about the importance of maintaining improvisation and individualism in jazz. Werner plays the Beantown Jazz Festival on September 28. Please visit www.beantownjazz.org for more information.
Claudia Acuna - A NY Success Story
Vocalist Claudia Acuna grew up in a working class district of Santiago, Chile. She became a jazz singer there and eventually moved to New York, where she had to start all over again. In this Jazzcorner.com Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, Acuna tells of her big break at the Blue Note and how she composes some of her fine tunes. Acuna is one of the headliners at the 2007 Beantown Jazz Festival on September 28 and 29, 2007 in Boston. Please visit www.beantownjazz.org for more information.
Joe Zawinul - In Memory
Legendary pianist Joe Zawinul passed away Sept. 11 in Vienna at the age of 75. As a young man he came to New York and quickly became known for an innovative style and fusing jazz with other forms of popular music. He played with Miles Davis on Bitch's Brew and went on to found the fusion band Weather Report with Wayne Shorter. In memory of Zawinul, JazzCorner presents this Jazz Perspective produced by Reese Erlich.
Kurt Elling - Pushing the Jazz Vocal Envelope
Considered one of the foremost contemporary voices and vocal interpreters in jazz; in this extended JazzCorner.com Innerview, Kurt Elling discusses everything from his latest recording, "Nightmoves", his eclectic choices of music, writing, family, philosophy, spirituality and so much more. Kurt is appearing at both the Tanglewood and the Detroit Jazz Festivals during Labor Day Weekend 2007.
Regina Carter - Detroit's Own Heroine
Detroit born and raised, violinist Regina Carter is the first Artist-In-Residence in the 28 year history of the Detroit Jazz Festival. In this Jazz Perspective produced by Reese Erlich, Carter discusses her early ability to play by ear and also the difficulties facing women jazz performers.
Maria Schneider - The Sky's The Limit
On Maria Schneider's latest CD, Sky Blue, Schneider weaves melodic and lush stories, childhood memories, bird watching in Central Park and a visit to South America. In this the extended length JazzCorner.com InnerView with producer Lois Gilbert, Maria explains how she composes, displays her talent on various bird whistles and speaks eloquently on her latest ArtistShare project, Sky Blue. The Maria Schneider Orchestra will be appearing at the Tangelwood Jazz Festival on September 2, 2007.
Dave Brubeck - An Evolving Genius
Pianist Brubeck helped define the "cool jazz" sound during the 1950s. Brubeck and his quartet showed that you could swing with a more mellow, cooler sound in California. Brubeck is best known for his hits "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk," innovative tunes that were both melodically pleasing and very hard to play because of their unusual meters. In this Jazz Perspective by host Reese Erlich, we hear Brubeck talk about those early years and about his formative days as an Army musician during World War II.
Joe Sample - Still Crusading
Pianist Joe Sample is best known for his years with the seminal group the Jazz Crusaders. He wrote and performed a number of pop mega-hits as well, such as "Street Life." In this Jazz Perspective, Sample talks about some of the history behind the Jazz Crusaders as well as his latest CD, "Feeling Good," reuniting him with vocalist Randy Crawford. See Joe Sample with Randy Crawford at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on September 1, 2007.
Oscar Hernandez - Goes Latin With Paul Simon
Oscar Hernandez' Spanish Harlem Orchestra as had a string of successful CDs playing the brassy, urban salsa of the 1950s and 60s. In this Jazz Perspective produced by Reese Erlich, Hernandez explains the important cultural role played by Spanish Harlem over the years. He also talks about how he got Paul Simon to make a guest vocal appearance on his 2007 CD United We Swing. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra will be performing at the Detroit Jazz Festial.
Sachal Vasandani - Infusing The Familiar With The Fresh
Sachal Vasandani's MACK AVENUE debut release, Eyes Wide Open, showcases this uniquely gifted vocalist and songwriter who combines skillful, diverse writing with a flair for infusing the familiar with the fresh. Critics describe him as "the finest young talent on the scene" possessing a stunning and moving voice. In addition, Vasandani's live performances have generated appreciation and praise from peers worldwide. In this special long length JazzCorner.com InnerView, Sachal talks about everything from politics to lost love with producer Lois Gilbert. Sachal will be appearing at both the www.tanglewoodjazzfest.com and www.detroitjazzfest.com
Bobby Sanabria - Keeping the Latin Big Band Alive
Percussionist, composer and bandleader Bobby Sanabria has a mission. He keeps alive the tradition of Latin big bands and updates the music to the 21st century. In his new CD "Big Band Urban Folktales," Sanabria brings us mambos, boleros, and even some Frank Zappa with that unmistakable Latin big band sound.
Mark Weinstein - Fusing Flute and Philosophy
Mark Weinstein was an early pioneer in fusing avant garde jazz with Latin music. He took some time off from playing music professionally to become a philosophy professor. But since the mid 1990s, he's recorded some dynamite Latin and jazz and world music.
George Wein - From pianist to Impresario
George Wein is a talented musician who became even better known as a jazz impresario. Wein founded the Newport, Playboy, JVC and New Orleans Jazz Festivals, among others. Reese Erlich caught up with Wein during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to ask him about the changing world of jazz.
Mark Levine - The Latin Tinge
As a young pianist, Mark Levine got his start playing strip joints in Boston, adding that special bada bing to his jazz and blues repertoire. These days he focuses on Latin music, having produced five successful CDs with his group the Latin Tinge.
Ben Allison - Outside Music That Takes You In
When you hear the words avant garde jazz, you think of discordant notes and strange harmonies. But bass player Ben Allison has managed to create a style of jazz that combines accessible rhythms and melodies, with the "outside" sounds associated with the avant garde. Allison is one of New York's outstanding younger generation of jazz artists not content to play grandpa's jazz.
Frank Wess - Big Band to BeBop
Frank Wess became famous playing with the Count Basie Band in the 1950s. His incredible career spans both the big band and bebop eras. In this Jazz Perspective, Wess tells Reese Erlich that he really didn't have any problems playing bebop - except the drumming was so different. "Art Blakey was dropping those bombs," he said with a laugh. This Jazz Perspective includes Wess' playing from the Count Basie days as well as his CD Hank and Frank.
Gerald Wilson - Still Swingin' at 89
Big band leader, trumpeter and composer Gerald Wilson has been a jazz treasure for more than 6 decades, and maintains a busy schedule to this day. JazzCorner's Lois Gilbert spent several hours with Gerald on his 89th birthday during the Detroit Jazz Festival. This very special JazzCorner.com InnerView is brought to you by Mack Avenue Records. www.mackavenue.com
Jon Faddis - Hitting Those High Notes
As a teenager, Trumpeter Jon Faddis impressed his friends by playing the Star Spangled Banner one octave higher than usual. He brought that talent to the world of jazz and is still hitting those incredible high notes 40 years later. In this Jazz Perspective, Reese Erlich talks with Faddis about his CD "Teranga." It includes original jazz compositions that combine the talents of American and Senegalese musicians.
Tia Fuller - Embrace The Journey
Saxophonist, flutist and composer Tia Fuller truly believes that music can serve as the perfect elixir, hence the title of her Mack Avenue debut, "Healing Space," which includes her longtime friend and musical collaborator Sean Jones and labelmate, Ron Blake. Conceived during a time of personal turmoil and transition, Tia elaborates on purpose, gratitude, transgression, reflection, wholeness and restoration. For more information on Tia, please visit www.mackavenue.com
Jason Moran - Brings Youthful Energy to Jazz
Pianist Jason Moran, in his early 30s, has already made his mark in the jazz world. As you can hear in this JazzCorner InnerView by Reese Erlich, Moran can play a downhome, funky blues or create avant garde new music. His CD "Artist in Residence" consists of various commissioned works he has performed over the past few years. It includes jazz fused with hip-hop and an original composition that's part jazz and part classical. Quite a mix.
Hot Club of Detroit - Django meets Detroit
Back in 1930s Paris, the Hot Club de France kept music fans jumping and dance floors filled to their intricate and lively brand of gypsy jazz.In 21st century Detroit, the fans are jumpin' and the dance floors are filled, too, but this time to the sound of the Hot Club of Detroit, an electrifying and visionary ensemble that takes the traditions pioneered by Django Reinhardt and company and spins them in a way that's both reverent and refreshingly contemporary. For more info visit: www.mackave.com
Roberta Gamberini - From Turin to Scat
Vocalist Roberta Gamberini is finally getting the recognition she deserves with her CD "Easy to Love" receiving a 2007 Grammy nomination for best female jazz vocalist. Gamberini learned to sing jazz as a youngster in Turin, Italy, and later moved to New York. She regularly performs with Roy Hargrove and adds a special zing with her innovative scatting. In this Jazz Perspective, Gamberini tells host Reese Erlich about growing up in Italy, discrimination facing women performers and how she hits those wonderful high notes.
Oscar Castro-Neves - Bossa to BeBop, Film to Fusion
Only a handful of musicians reflect a lifetime of accomplishments as diverse and rich as those of Oscar Castro-Neves. He is renowned for his distinctive guitar style, for the exquisite texture of his orchestrations, and as both a composer/arranger of sophisticated harmonic concepts and an accomplished record producer. He is also one of the founders of the musical movement known worldwide as bossa nova. Music comes from Oscar's "Playful Heart," "All One," Bahia Girls, Gal Costa, Yo Yo Ma's "Obrigado Brasil", Paul Winter, Bossa Nova at Carnegie Hall. For more info visit mackaverecords.com
Woody Shaw - Musician of the Highest Calibre
Trumpeter Woody Herman Shaw successfully weaved together superb technique, a confident and purposeful approach, and a sensitivity filled with raw emotion and gut-wrenching passion into his own individual sound which impacted on the veterans of jazz and continues to be one of the greatest influences to all musicians. This special Jazzcorner InnerView was done in 1979 by Lois Gilbert and includes music from Woody Shaw, Horace Silver and Larry Young. We remember Woody Shaw who was born on December 24, 1944 and tragically died on May 10, 1989. For more info visit woodyshaw.com
Sean Jones - His Roots and His Journey
Trumpeter Sean Jones is an innovator and educator, but above all he is a believer in the power and soul of music, specifically jazz. Sean sat down with InnerViews' producer Lois Gilbert during the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2006 for this extended length InnerView. Music is from Sean Jones' "Roots", "Eternal Journey", and "Gemini" as well as Gerald Wilson's "In My Time" all from Mack Ave. Records.
Dee Dee Bridgewater In Mali
Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater has started a new project, working with incredibly talented musicians from Mali. Bridgewater fuses jazz and blues with Malian music. Reese Erlich spent time with Bridgewater in Male as she recorded her forthcoming CD.
Maraca Valle - Bold and Sassy
Flutist and band leader Orlando "Maraca" Valle combines the charged energy of Cuban popular music with a fine jazz sensibility. He played in Chucho Valdes famous group Irakere for six years and has had his own group Otra Vision (Other Vision) since the early 1990s. While a lot of his music sounds like fast-paced salsa, listen carefully. He incorporates elements of hip-hop, jazz and blues into his playing. Music for this Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich comes from Maraca's CD "Soy Yo" (It's Me) on Ahinama Records.
Salif Keita - Exploring the Origins of Blues and Jazz
Salif Keita's haunting and mesmerizing voice evokes deep emotion from fans in the US and around the world. He has become Mali's greatest singer/song writer. The ancient music of Mali contains elements of modern day blues and jazz. Reese Erlich traveled to Bamako, Mali, to learn more about Keita's wonderful music. This Jazz Perspective features music from Keita's 2006 CD M'Bemba.
Keith Jarrett - Talks About The Carnegie Hall Concert
One of the most diverse of all Keith Jarrett's performances, "The Carnegie Hall Concert" almost amounts to an autobiographical portrait of the great improviser. Each of his two sets takes the form of a suite of songs, some intensely lyrical, others angular, turbulent, or probing. and the encores - no less than five of them - touch upon the blues and boogie-woogie, upon standards, and a new rendering of "My song." In this special Jazzcorner.com Innerview, Jarrett talks about the preparation, the intensity and the dynamics of "The Carnegie Hall Concert." all music comes from this double CD on ECM records.
Tomasz Stanko - Creative Force From Krakow
Trumpeter Tomasz Stanko has had a successful career in Poland and Europe for over 40 years. But he's come to the attention of US audiences only in the past few years. If you haven't heard of the talented musician and composer, listen up. Stanko has a signature grainy tone that creates a reflective and soulful sound. In this Jazz Perspective by Reese Erlich, Stanko talks about his life and most recent CD "Lontano" on ECM records.
The Blues - Malian Style
Some musicians say that the blues were born in the west African country of Mali. Slaves from there were brought to the US, where elements of their music provide the roots for what we know today as the blues. Reese Erlich traveled to Mali to meet with these original "blues" musicians, some of whom are from the Kel Tamashek (aka Tuareg) ethnic group in northern Mali. Music for this perspective comes from original recordings and from the CD Abacabok by the group Tartit.
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