British guitarist Sam Dunn spent his early years in the business traveling the world on a 200-passenger, luxury cruise ship where he played solo guitar sets and where I was lucky enough to corral him into playing with me when I was flown in for a concert. A friendship and musical partnership were born and since then Sam and I have toured widely around the world from Europe to Australia.
John Jorgenson
I performed with and interviewed this multi-Grammy winning guitarist (and my old pal from my Disneyland days) onstage at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN. We discussed John’s career highlights from touring with Elton John to playing with Bonnie Raitt to our duo gigs, early in our careers.
Bill Cunliffe
First of Judy’s conversations with pianist/composer Bill Cunliffe, recorded onstage during the Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island Festival in February 2016. Judy and Bill perform together along with Harry Allen and Pat O’Leary.
Alfred Green
Guitarist Freddie Green played rhythm guitar with the Basie band for 50 years. His unique sound became an integral part of the Basie sound and added a swinging, solid time feel to everyone he played with, myself included. Alfred Green, Freddie’s son, talks to Judy about his extensive biography of his father onstage at “Jazz Inspired from Kiawah” with musical contributions by Judy (who recorded with Freddie) guitarist James Chirillo, bassist Pat O'Leary and saxophonist Harry Allen.
Carol Welsman
Canadian singer/pianist talks about her new CD “Alone Together” and the difference in the jazz scene in her present home, Los Angeles and NYC.
Tara O'Grady
Irish American singer combines her Irish roots with New Orleans music of the 20’s and 30’s. She discusses this mashup, as well as her sartorial choices, for which she is equally well known.
Dave Damiani
Los Angeles based vocalist, Dave Damiani, is a proud throwback to the Rat Pack days of Frank Sinatra and the music of the Great American Songbook. Dave discusses the challenges and joys of keeping a big band employed, as well as the different attitude he’s experienced from younger musicians, who Dave feels are more positive about the performance experience.
Betty Comden
Betty Comden was one-half of the musical-comedy duo Comden and Green, who provided lyrics, libretti, and screenplays to some of the most beloved and successful Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows of the mid-20th century, from "Singin’ In the Rain" to "On The Town," which was recently revived on Broadway. Judy interviewed the late Betty Comden in 2000 but the show was never broadcast. We’re happy to bring it to you now!
Michael Feinstein
Multi-Emmy and Grammy nominee, vocalist/pianist Michael Feinstein how jazz influences every part of his music and his efforts in expanding the audience for classic American standards.
John Eaton
Legendary Washington D.C. based pianist John Eaton discusses his influences from Art Tatum to Bill Evans and his one, memorable performance at the Supreme Court! John is one of the wittiest people I know, all on display during this conversation.
Alisdair Hogarth
British classical pianist Alisdair Hogarth discusses his solo playing, accompanying vocalists and how jazz has changed the way he listen and practices. Judy recorded this conversation in London.
Ben Stock
West End and UK theater actor, pianist, and vocalist Ben Stock talks about his many inspirations from Noel Coward and Tom Lehrer to John Coltrane and Artie Shaw!
Kurt Elling
My two part conversation with the vocal virtuoso, Kurt Elling about his inspirations and his new CD “Passion World”. I planned on one hour with Kurt but the conversation was so interesting and hilarious we continued for two! We find out why everyone is better looking after listening to jazz and solve the truth behind Yoda’s weird word order: he’s GERMAN!
.
Hilary Gardner
Vocalist Hilary Gardner discusses her debut CD celebrating New York, A Great City and her vocal trio Duchess.
Clark Gayton
Trombonist, Clark Gayton discusses his work with everyone from Basie and Ray Charles to Rihanna and Sting.
Mark Naison
Education activist and Professor of History and African American Studies at Fordham University, Mark Naison, discusses the history and cultural significance of jazz.
Eric Schneider
Saxophonist Eric Schneider talks about working with Count Basie and Earl Hines and performs with Judy onstage for “Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island."
Connie Evingson
Minneapolis based singer talks with Judy about her influences from Lambert Hendricks and Ross to the Beatles and to Django Reinhardt, whose music inspired her latest CD, All The Cats.
Grant Stewart
Canadian saxophonist Grant Stewart discusses his new CD “Trio” and his using the unusual instrumentation of sax, bass and drums.
Dick Hyman Live - "Jazz Inspired from Kiawah Island"
Pianist Dick Hyman has enjoyed a long career playing concerts and composing for movies and television. In March 2017 he celebrated his 90th birthday.
Judy and Dick have done a number of concerts together so he was her first choice for a series of interviews recorded onstage from Kiawah Island, SC. This conversation took place March 3rd, 2015.