Megg Farrell 10/11-17
Vocalist Megg Farrell or as she is often called, Sweet Megg, has been a jazz singer, a country singer and river boat tour guide, an athelete, and now, to her delight and surprise, she’s a circus performer. Yes, all her talents have combined to get her a gig with Cirque de Soleil. Her actor parents encouraged her to live an interesting life and that she’s certainly done.
Roberta Donnay 10/18-24
Singer/songwriter Roberta Donnay has a wide variety of musical influences and a broad focus with the music she performs, from sharing the stage with Elvis Costello or Leon Russell, to her ongoing shows of 1920s and ‘30’s music with her group The Prohibition Mob Band, to her most recent CD, Blossom-ing, a collection of songs celebrating the music of vocalist/pianist, Blossom Dearie.
Tom Gold 10/25-31
I first experienced the artistry of ballet dancer/choreographer, Tom Gold at the premiere of his French Cinema-inspired piece, Le Voyage in April 2025 in Manhattan. Although Tom was a twenty-one year member of New York City Ballet and the founder/director of his own company since 2008, I was new to his work. Imagine my delight when the music accompanying the dancing was jazz performed by vocalist Olivia Chindamo, pianist Matthew Sheens with bassist Marty Jaffe.
Tom Gold is a life-long jazz lover and feels the improvisational aspect and rhythmic feel of jazz have always touched something deep inside him and influenced his approach to dance and life.
Samara Joy 11/1-7
Vocalist Samara Joy burst onto the scene in 2019 when she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and went on to win two Grammy awards in 2023 for best new artist and best jazz vocal album for her CD, Linger Awhile. Since I talked to her in August 2023, she has gone on to win two additional Grammys. As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we’re revisiting that early conversation with Samara, when her fame and career were just getting started.
Geoff Muldaur 11/8-14
Singer, arranger, composer, guitarist Geoff Muldaur has always been one of the most inspired and original musical voices on the scene, with his early work with Jim Kweskin and Paul Butterfield to his most recent double album set, His Last Letter, a collection that includes songs from the American folk and jazz-blues repertoire, as well as new original compositions.
Geoff and I discussed this decade-long project, Geoff’s desire to always go his own way and why this album could only have been created in Amsterdam, with the very special musicians Geoff gathered to realize his vision.
Matthew Sheens 11/15-21
Australian pianist/composer Matthew Sheens listens intently, whether playing music or having a conversation. Matthew’s musical inspirations range from Herbie Hancock to Kurt Rosenwickel to George Russell and everything in between so I knew a fun conversation about it all was in store.
I met Matthew in April 2025 shortly after he became an American citizen, something he didn’t plan on when he came to the States on scholarship to the New England Conservatory but rather a reality that unfolded as he fell in love with New York and its unique music scene. Before and after this milestone Matthew won numerous awards and commissions and when we spoke in September 2025, he’d just finished an untitled CD of original compositions which we preview during our conversation.
Steini Teague 11/22-28
Islandic musician Steini Teague has spent most of his musical life touring with folk and rock bands, including an appearance on The Tonight Show with Of Monsters and Men. Now he’s turned his sights on jazz with his duo CDs with Icelandic vocalist Silva—with a last name I won’t even attempt to pronounce.
I talked with Steini about their CD, More Than You Know a dreamy, romantic take on some of their favorite standards.
Melissa Errico 11/29-12/5
Tony Award-nominated actress, singer, writer Melissa Errico is loaded with energy, ideas and inspiration. Melissa started singing at eleven and with her pianist father, trumpet-playing brother and Melissa on vocals, they would, in her words, make guerilla assaults on her neighbor’s pianos, going from door to door as a kind of Italian Partridge family, inviting themselves in to entertain anyone who’d have them. These adventures and others made clear where Melissa’s life was heading.