Hannah Baiardi was our guest on Episode 15. March 22 marks the release of her new album “Straight From The Soul,” a collection of original compositions and fresh arrangements of timeless classics. It is a tribute to her favorite composers and lyricists whose unique sounds set them apart. Their music has inspired Hannah to challenge expectations about what it means to be a woman in jazz today.It’s a fitting conversation for Women’s History Month, and one of the new generation of women in jazz who are writing their own chapters for future generations.

NMAAM - National Museum of African American Music.Our guest is Dr. Steven Lewis, a curator at the Museum located in Nashville, Tennessee. This facility is dedicated to preserving, educating, and celebrating the genres created and inspired by African Americans. Through interactive technology and curated exhibitions, visitors can explore and experience an unprecedented musical and, more importantly, cultural perspective.

Fulfilling a longtime dream of working together, award-winning artists Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Aymée Nuviola released Viento y Tiempo – Live at Blue Note Tokyo. Childhood friends from Havana, Cuba, who have both received widespread acclaim for their work, they joined forces for this live recording that took place during the pair’s six-night sold out stint at Tokyo’s prestigious Blue Note in August 2019. This album has been nominated for "Best Latin Jazz Album" for 63rd Grammy Awards.

The Baylor Project featuring Jean Baylor and Marcus Baylor highly anticipated collaboration is steeped in the heart and soul of Jazz.  As the children of Pastors, Marcus and Jean's musical roots were planted deep within the church, and it was there that the road was paved for the influence of gospel, blues, soul, and jazz to make its mark. In this episode we talk about their new release "Sit On Down" which has earned them a Grammy Nomination in the category of  BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE. The Baylor Project is an undeniable force and now have (3) Grammy Nominations to their credit.

Andromeda Turre who, with two jazz musicians for parents, quite literally spent her life growing up jazz. Learning about the music and also its rich history first hand from prodigious jazz artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach, Andromeda understood from an early age a side of American history that often remains untold.

In our conversation, we explore her educational program "Growing Up Jazz" which offers an innovation in American history. Looking at it through a particular lens, jazz, she focuses on the effects of racism and how it has influenced jazz from its inception. 

With the release of Allan Harris' new album, Kate's Soulfood, we continue our conversation. In this Part Two episode we discuss more about the album, as well as the stellar list of musicians who joined him on the groundbreaking recording.

The Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist/guitarist/bandleader/composer Allan Harris is one the most accomplished and exceptional singers of his generation. A self-described “storyteller through the genre of jazz” he brings it all together with his new album, ‘Kate’s Soulfood’, a beautiful collection of songs crafted with love and a depth of life experience. In this week’s conversation, we talk with the remarkable Allan Harris about all this and more. 

On Sunday, January 24, an astounding virtual, fundraising event occurred where entertainers from around the globe rose as one to give new wings to the iconic Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. Faced with the possibility of having to close permanently due to the pandemic, voices were raised, and money flowed in, helping to raise Birdland - like the mythical Phoenix - from the ashes to fly again. We catch up with club owner, Gianni Valenti, and booking agent, Jim Caruso, about how the event came to be, and what it means for the future.