Nicole Zuraitis Two 1/31-2/6
Singer/songwriter/pianist, Nicole Zuraitis has a big heart and a big voice to match. She leans into both to spread her love and art around, always hoping to make the world a better place.
Nicole first appeared on Jazz Inspired to discuss her CD How Love Begins, which went on to win a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. She won a second Grammy the following year, along with her husband, drummer Dan Pugach. Now, Live at Vic’s Las Vegas, her first recorded live, has two Grammy Nominations. I was curious how this recognition has changed her life and what she’s discovered from the experience.
Christian McBride 2/7-13
Nine-time Grammy-winning bassist, bandleader, composer and voice of Jazz Night in America, Christian McBride, is everywhere all at once. You’d think he’d wear out, but no, he’s tirelessly passionate about it all and can’t wait to dive into the next project, whatever that might be.
I discussed it all with Christian and his latest CD at the time, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, which features his big band and some of his favorite musicians, from famous longtime collaborators like Sting and Dianne Reeves, to newer voices like Antoinette Henry and Samara Joy.
Eliane Elias 2/14-20
Multi-Grammy winner, and twelve-time Grammy nominee, Brazilian pianist/vocalist/ composer, Eliane Elias has been a favorite of mine throughout my career, so it was great fun to finally meet her and entice her onto my show for a conversation about her music, Brazilian culture, and how her early musical life contributed to the artist she is today.
Antoine Drye 2/21-27
Composer/trumpeter Antoine Drye’s latest CD, Retreat to Beauty, with orchestrations by Isaac Raz, celebrates Antoine’s love of the Great American Songbook, and newer compositions that honor that tradition.
It’s rare to hear a recording these days with an orchestra with live musicians, not sampled sounds. Retreat to Beauty celebrates not only this music, but the communal experience of making it.
Sinne Eeg 2/28-3/6
Danish singer Sinne Eeg has been celebrated internationally with numerous awards, including the French Order of Arts and Letters.Her CD Shikiori is another first, a duo recording with her longtime pianist, Jacob Christoffersen.
The CD was recorded in the Japanese country home of bassist Saigo Matsunaga. The house is named Shikiori which means “A place where hearts return” making it the perfect intimate environment for a dreamy recording that is all about the heart.
Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz 3/7-13
Venezuelan pianist, Otmaro Ruiz and Brazilian vocalist Catina DeLuna’s latest CD, Lado B Brazilian Project 2, features less well known songs from the Brazilian songbook, and fresh arrangements of some of the classics.
Lado B, means B Side. Catina and Otmaro thought it would be a fun pursuit to record these often forgotten tunes they both consider as interesting as the celebrated A side cuts.
Ken Peplowski One 3/14-20
Ken Peplowski got his first gigs while still in elementary school in Cleveland, OH, going on to TV and radio performances in polka bands with his trumpet-playing brother, then went on to play with everyone from Marianne Faithful and Leon Redbone to Peggy Lee and Charlie Byrd.
Ken was only sixty-six when he passed away February 1st after a five-year battle with multiple myeloma. Ken was a joyful, generous spirit and one of the first musicians I played with when I came to New York when we were paired in a jazz festival in front of thousands. I was nervous and he was cool, and his lovely attitude carried me along musically and otherwise, so no one knew I was shaking in my boots except me.
Ken Peplowski Two 3/21-27
The second-half of my 2016 conversation with Ken.
Leonard Maltin Two 3/14-20