I’m always on the look out for music that inspires me. I may find it through going into thrift stores, perusing emails and facebook mesages from friends and Discovering Jazz listeners, and even by looking at current jazz releases. It might be vinyl record, a cd, a youtube video, or whatever.

For this episode and next weeks’ I play a few selections that made their way into my universe. Sometimes the impression they make on me lasts a brief moment, other times a life time. Who can predict?

This week’s music includes selections by Jens Thomas, Christof Lauer, Jon Batiste, Vince Guaraldi, Amanda Tosfoff, Herbie Hancock, and Verneri Pohjola.

Two of the most unusual discoveries come from CBC Radio or television recordings of two Vancouver jazz artists. They are pianist Chris Gage (who was raved about by Oscar Peterson) and Eleanor Collins (who has been commemorated on a Canada Post stamp). Neither made any commercial recordings.

Oh! And just for fun I throw in a touch of AC/DC. Why would I do this on a jazz podcast? I guess you’ll have to listen to find out.