Easy Jazz Spotlight

Easy Jazz Spotlight

By Easy Jazz FMMusicMusic CommentaryMusic History
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Easy Jazz Spotlight episodes

  • Why Lena Horne disappeared in her later years according to biographer James Gavin
    Welcome to Easy Jazz Spotlight brought to you by the popular online jazz station Easy Jazz FM. In the spotlight today is best selling biographer James Gavin, who wrote "Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne" and "Is that all there is? The strange life of Peggy Lee". In this interview by host Ken Boyd, James talks about the disappearance of jazz singer Lena Horne in the last 10 years of her life and why she chose to leave the limelight. James also talks about the great Peggy Lee who he says had lived in a kind of dreamland. Ken begins the interview by discovering that James Gavin was an oddball kid who loved old music.
    37 min
  • Jazz singer and songwriter Halie Loren shakes up the jazz world
    Welcome to another edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight. Today, the spotlight is on a unique jazz singer and songwriter who made it to the top of the charts in Japan, has a growing list of award-winning albums, and performs all over the world, even singing in different languages. In this interview with host Ken Boyd, Halie Loren - who came from a small town in Alaska to shake up the jazz world - explains what she loves about performing in Japan, and why she feels jazz is so popular there.
    23 min
  • Jazz Sensation Jhavali
    In the Spotlight today is "Jhavali", an Atlanta keyboardist and arranger, who, despite having never performed live in front of an audience, is making waves in the jazz business for her uniquely smooth, upbeat compositions. Jhavali started singing and writing music at a very young age - and in this interview with host Ken Boyd, explains why she has not yet performed on stage, sticking only to the recording studio.
    22 min
  • Toronto Jazz Duo Dizzy and Fay
    In this episode of Easy Jazz Spotlight, guest host Stefan Zaichkowski talks with the popular Toronto jazz duo Dizzy and Fay. The two musicians, whose real names are Mark and Amanda, explain how and why they came up with the catchy names Dizzy and Fay. They discuss what it's like performing in a different persona, the experience of singing, being vulnerable as a performer, and the true purpose of music.
    1 hr 1 min
  • The legendary Ava Cherry on her remarkable career and life philosophies

    Welcome to another edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight. In this episode, we speak with the legendary Ava Cherry. It was in the early 1970s that Cherry met singer David Bowie who brought Cherry into professional music and collaborated with her for several years. In addition to her work with Bowie, Ava Cherry also worked extensively with singer and record producer Luther Vandross. Cherry has also worked as a fashion model and solo performer, with jazz being part of her repertoire. Today, the energetic performer is soon to launch an acting career. A firm believer in always trying new things no matter your age - Ava Cherry was pleased to discuss her career and life philosophies with guest host Stefan Zaichkowski.

    53 min
  • Jazz singer Libby York

    Welcome to Easy Jazz Spotlight, brought to you by Easy Jazz FM Radio. In this episode, guest host John Armato talks with jazz band leader and singer Libby York from Chicago. A veteran of jazz standards, Libby talks to John about her new album "Dreamland", what inspires her, being a performer during the pandemic, her approach to jazz - and learning from the great jazz artist Abbey Lincoln.

    43 min
  • Guitarist and composer Jason Goessl

    Welcome to another edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight. He's one of the busiest people in jazz. Guitarist and composer Jason Goessl of Wisconsin is coming out with his first album entitled "The Shakedown" - 11 enchanting tracks of instrumental jazz. His band, called "Jason and the Jazzerknots" performs throughout the US playing "accessible jazz" to appeal to a variety of music lovers. On top of it all, Jason runs his own record label with his wife. Host Ken Boyd talks with Jason about his journey, starting when he was very young and disliked jazz music.

    28 min
  • Grammy nominated jazz singer and composer Marilyn Scott

    Welcome to another edition of Easy Jazz Spotlight, produced by Easy Jazz FM (https://easyjazz.fm). In this edition, we feature Grammy nominated jazz singer and composer Marilyn Scott. Scott talks to guest host John Armato, himself a jazz musician, about her new album "Landscape" which she says is about finding peace in nature - especially important in today's chaotic world. Scott adds: "We need to take nature seriously. And we're losing it." She believes many people today are discouraged and don't know what to do with their lives, but, she insists, the one thing that can give solace is nature. Here now is John Armato in conversation with the very soulful and insightful Marilyn Scott.

    39 min
  • Portuguese Bassist Cicero Lee

    Cicero Lee of Lisbon, Portugal is growing a large fan base around the globe. In this interview with guest host Stefan Zaichkowski, Lee reveals how he overcomes nervousness before performing - and talks about being introduced to music from the day he was born.

    42 min
  • Montreal jazz guitarist Adel Jouini

    He started as a child by playing with a toy drum, has created his own musical instruments, was inspired by George Benson, Stevie Wonder and Pat Metheny - and in our latest podcast interview, admits that when he performs on stage, his mind is in another world. Guitarist Adel Jouini, originally from Tunisia, is an experienced and renowned star on the Montreal jazz scene. In this final episode, Season 1 of Easy Jazz Spotlight, guest host Stefan Zaichkowski talks with Adel about the pressures, and joys, of performing live on stage - how Adel creates his incredible music - and his determination to succeed.

    48 min

About Easy Jazz Spotlight

From the publisher's feed

Easy Jazz Spotlight is produced by the popular soft jazz Internet radio station, Easy Jazz FM, featuring conversations with today's jazz music creators. We talk with jazz musicians, composers and…