Mike Karn started his career as a saxophonist, touring with Harry Connick, Jr., Ray Charles and others, but is now one of the busiest bass players in jazz. He discusses this shift in focus with Judy and his new gig as the bassist in John Pizzarelli's band.
Rick Carlson
Minneapolis based pianist, Rick Carlson, pursued a variety of careers before jumping in relatively late to become one of the finest musicians on the scene today. Rick Carlson’s love for Basie and joy in accompanying great singers enticed him to make music his primary focus and he is now one of the most in demand players in his beloved Minnesota and beyond.
Tom McDermott
New Orleans pianist Tom McDermott brings to life the many influences that fed the early musical scene in that most musical of cities. His original passion for ragtime came from his youth in St. Louis, but once in New Orleans, Tom put a scholarly zeal into studying his favorites--James Booker, Professor Longhair and Dr. John, as well as into discovering the lesser-known musical gems that formed the sound of New Orleans.
Andy Brown
Celebrated Chicago based guitarist, Andy Brown discusses his love of solo playing, as well as his duo work with Howard Alden and his own band and why he left his native New York for the windy city.
Andy is considered one of best younger player on the scene, but his attitude harkens back to an earlier time when listening and learning from jazz elders was a stronger focus than a jazz degree from music school.
Mary Louise Knutson
Pianist/composer Mary Louise Knutson has performed with many jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Randy Brecker and was a finalist in the Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz International Pianist Competition. She talks with Judy about making a living as a jazz musician in her native Minneapolis and what she’s learned touring with Doc Severinsen.
Don Vappie
New Orleans banjoist/vocalist Don Vappie resisted the banjo during his early years in music but is now considered a virtuoso on the instrument. He has worked with Peggy Lee, Eric Clapton, and countless others in various styles for records and concerts and soundtracks for film and television.
Greg Ruggiero
Guitarist Greg Ruggiero grew up in New Mexico with swing-dancing parents who encouraged him to listen to the Great American Standards and classic jazz, something he initially resisted. Greg is now one of the most respected younger musicians on the scene and an enthusiastic proponent of the very music he initially avoided and talks to Judy about his journey from rock musician to jazz player.
Miho Hazama
Composer Miho Hazama graduated from Kunitachi College of Music in her native Japan with a bachelor’s degree in classical composition and went on to get her Masters in jazz composition from the Manhattan School of Music. Miho has won numerous awards and scholarships and has written jingles for television, although her passion is writing concert works. Now based in NYC, Miho continues to record and perform her compositions, which draw on not only her jazz and classical studies but on her wide range of musical influences.
Steven Davis
After years away from performing because of vocal cord issues, Steven is back with his new big band CD, “The Way You Look Tonight” a throwback to the Sinatra days of swinging arrangements of the standards.
Neal Miner
Jane Monheit’s longtime bassist, Neal Miner, has worked in many settings but especially enjoys playing with vocalists. His father, Bill Miner, was a jazz collector of the highest order. Neal discusses the influence Bill had on shaping his love of jazz and his desire to pursue a music career.
Tardo Hammer
Pianist Tardo Hammer discusses his work with Annie Ross, Jon Hendricks and others and his new CD, “Simple Pleasures."
Hilary Kole
Vocalist Hilary Kole discusses her new CD, "The Judy Garland Project” and the continuing influence her father, Broadway singer, Robert Kole, has on her work.
David Finck
Bassist/composer David Finck discusses his collaborations with everyone from Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin to Rosemary Clooney and Dizzy Gillespie. He sings occasionally too, which is shown to advantage on his newest CD “Low Standards."
Ken Peplowski
Clarinetist/saxophonist, Ken Peplowski had his first professional gig when still in elementary school and went on to play with everyone from Marianne Faithfull and Leon Redbone to Peggy Lee and Woody Allen. BBC2 says, “Ken Peplowski is arguably the greatest living jazz clarinetist.”
Simon Mulligan
From child prodigy as a classical pianist to his own Dixieland band as an eight year old to the musician Yehudi Menuhin calls “one of the finest pianists I have ever had the pleasure of performing with."
Stephanie Mair
The French/Scottish vocalist spent her young life in Paris, training four hours a day as an ice skater, with breaks for the occasional gig as a child actor. Somehow, she knew she would be a singer someday, even though that was never the focus of her life. She now lives and works in England, singing and playing accordion, performing a repertoire influenced by everyone from Edith Piaf to Billie Holiday.
Gary Williams
Britain’s go-to guy for swinging interpretations of the standards, which he’s performed in London’s West End and venues around the world and a royal appearance at Buckingham Palace!
Simon Lasky
British composer/pianist discusses his new CD Story Inside and the deep influence pianist Bill Evans has had on his work.
Sam Dunn
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.