Elaine Hayes has had a passion for music since her first piano lesson at age seven and has, by her description, "spent a dozen years studying big band 'girl singers' and women in jazz." She has a doctorate in musicology from the University of Pennsylvania; taught multi-media courses in jazz, classical, and world music; spoken at national and international conferences; and discussed Sarah Vaughan on local and national radio, including NPR. Her most recent project: a biography of the vocalist Sarah Vaughan, titled Queen of Bebop: The Musical Lives of Sarah Vaughan, was published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins, in 2017.

Deborah Benner and Michael Bard are two members of Trio Caliente, who’s wide ranging sound incorporates salsa, reggaeton, Gypsy rumba and Bossa nova with a spicy addition of powerful R&B vocal groove. They’ve played around the world as goodwill ambassadors but their backgrounds will surprise you.

Lydia Liebman is an accomplished media and music industry professional with experience deeply rooted in jazz as a publicist, concert promoter, radio host, musician, producer and journalist. She currently runs Lydia Liebman Promotions, a boutique public relations agency and consulting firm based in NYC.

Wayne Escoffery is a 2014 Downbeat Critics Poll winner and Grammy Award winning tenor saxophonist who has recorded and performed internationally with the Who’s Who in jazz including Ron Carter, Ben Riley, Abdulah Ibrahim, Eddie Henderson, Rufus Reid, Wallace Roney, Herbie Hancock and more. Wayne’s new critically acclaimed album “Humble Warrior” features the return of Escoffery’s stellar quartet featuring pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and drummer Ralph Peterson.

Her Twitter handle is “globaljazzqueen.” Her name is Monifa Brown. She is one of the most respected on air jazz personalities, and her “Saturday Afternoon Jazz” show on WBGO NY has a worldwide following.

Scott Yanow is one of the most respected jazz journalists, reviewers and historians in the world of jazz. He has written more than 20,000 reviews, has 11 books currently in print and writes for six jazz publications including Downbeat, Jazziz and Syncopated Times.

Wayne Wilkinson is a headliner guitarist that performs and tours across the country and internationally. Wilkinson is known for his high-octane melodic playing which jazz trombone legend, the late Bill Watrous, said “is the greatest guitar playing I’ve ever heard.”

Downbeat Magazine said of Amina Figarova‘s new release, “Persistence stands as a worthy template for a wholly open approach to jazz that's generous enough for the inclusion of myriad influences.” Learn more about the woman and the music in this week’s conversation.

Learn about what it takes to be a national multi award-winning music director at one of America’s TOP jazz radio stations as we share a conversation with KUVO’s Arturo Gomez.

Join us in this episode for a delightful conversation with Grammy Award winning Vocalist and Musician Catherine Russell.