Interviews

We love legends, don’t we? Not only do they use their talents to break barriers and achieve levels of greatness that few have seen, but they also use those very talents to lead a new generation to that same level of excellence and beyond. Master bassist, composer, leader, doctor and …

  With 30 years in the music business under his belt and 17 original solo albums, Richard Elliot has earned all of the acclaim and accolades thrown his way.  But resting on his laurels and allowing others to define him is not how he has stayed relevant for so long.  …

  I often wonder if, as a young boy growing up on E. 85th and Quincy in Cleveland, Ohio, sneaking licks on his father’s precious guitar, Bobby Womack even imagined the impact he would have on the music industry. Womack or “Mr. Womagic” as the old heads still call him, …

While Jonathan Butler was growing up as a youngster in Cape Town, South Africa living under the racist Apartheid system, dreams had to be very important.  What’s more important to Butler is the ability to live those dreams.  Butler became the first black South African artist to be played on …

Very rarely does a musician get to play on a legendary recording such as Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew so early in their career, but drummer Lenny White is no ordinary musician.  Taking a cue from his drumming hero Tony Williams, White thrust himself completely into the burgeoning fusion scene of …

The excitement around Lil’ John Roberts’ debut album The Heartbeat is felt through a cross-section of music lovers. Those diverse ears and hearts have recognized the contributions Roberts has made over the course of his two decades in the music business and were undoubtedly satisfied upon first listening of his …

Trumpeter Rick Braun is as smooth as they come. Best known for his passionate style of play and amazing song writing skills, the Pennsylvania native started his career at a young age and has gone on to create one of the most recognizable and admired sounds in contemporary jazz today. …

Every once in a while, an artist comes along who is so phenomenally talented that it almost seems unfair to every other artist.  For me, one such person is Bobby McFerrin.  I remember listening to “Peace,” sung by McFerrin and written by the incomparable Horace Silver, and being moved beyond …

Dee Dee Bridgewater has been captivating audiences with her dynamic vocal skills and her brilliant stage presence since her debut in the early 70s, making her name one that rings synonymous with jazz. Bridgewater’s stellar theatrical performances have earned her numerous awards including the coveted Tony, and made her a …

im·pro·vise (ˈimprəˌvīz) verb create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation. Sean Jones has spent his entire life enveloped by music; whether it was the gospel he’s rooted in, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme that flipped his switch, or the music he’s created or been part of …

Ravi Coltrane photo by John Watson Bearing the last name Coltrane and the genes of John and Alice, Ravi Coltrane seemed destined to a career in jazz . However, he hasn’t relied on his bloodlines and developed his own voice to carve out a niche of his own. He’s stood on …

Chuck Loeb is a versatile guitar player who has played with many musicians from many different genres, including well known greats such as Michael Brecker and Stan Getz. Although known for his excellent skills as a smooth jazz musician, Loeb has varied musical interests that include straight-ahead jazz as well …