Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage

In today's episode, Carl talks to Quintin Gerard W., who has made quite a splash in the music scene, as an amazing saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist from Louisiana. His single "Broken Promises" reached the top five on all major smooth jazz charts, and that's not even mentioning how both he and his son, Lemek, have been at number one simultaneously.

They discuss the importance of recording and having the right energy in a song. They talk about Quintin's music career and how he combined jazz and funk to create his own style, as well as about how supportive the New Orleans jazz scene is to musicians. As a saxophone player, Quintin knows that a song must have three parts to it: rhythm, melody, and harmony.

Tune in to hear about how much work goes into being a successful musician, including financial investment, and listen to Quintin share how going to concerts has changed for him now as he is always analyzing and learning while watching a performance.

Episode Highlights

20:35 - This music business game is not cheap. So, when you're talking about production fees, studio time, mixing, mastering, promotion, marketing, it's a business just like anything else.

34:36 - Like we talked about earlier, energy. It always has to have something about it. It can't just be a song. There's got to be something unique within that song and if that song does that, then typically that feeling that I get, I'll consider, "Hmm, what was that feeling about that song and what did it make me feel?" If it made me feel that way, it should make other people feel that way as well.

42:20 - That's the message I want to send to everybody. Be a good person, be moral, be ethical, have values, and don't ever give up and teach your children to do the same and you'd be surprised at what can happen when you teach them those basic principles because they're in you.

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Quintin Gerard W.

In this episode, Carl speaks with guitarist Andrea Lisa, a new artist to the American smooth jazz scene. She sings with passion, conviction, and purpose. She shares the story of how she got started in music at 15, starting a band in 2011, moving from New Zealand to Australia, and what it was like to leave everything to chase her passion.

Andrea talks about the musicians who influenced her music and how, instead of just recording a guitar solo, she ended up recording an original song with Kirk Whalum. She tells the story of how "Get Your Wings Off" came to be and while taking vocal lessons, realized that her voice needed to be treated with the same care as her guitar playing. Listen to Andrea and Carl as they talk about the lifestyle of a musician, which involves a lot of travel and little sleep.

Episode Highlights

23:14 - Whenever those feelings are a little stronger than normal, whatever it might be, and my mind starts thinking. When I'm in the mood, I'll just pick up my phone or pick up a pen and paper, or the guitar. That's where it starts. It's never really me wanting to write music, intentionally going to write music. Just me expressing whatever I'm going through.

32:34 - For a long time, the guitar was basically everything to me, especially while I was studying guitar. I took vocals as a second study. I did have vocal training, all of that.

49:21 - I think that even though I'm pretty ambitious and quite a go-getter, I often have these ideas years before I even do them or months before. When we have these ideas, we should do them immediately. We should do them like as soon as we can.

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Andrea Lisa

Carl speaks with Ryan La Valette, a multi-instrumentalist and rising star in the smooth jazz scene from New Zealand, whose debut album on Trippin' N Rhythm Records produced two Billboard number one hits: "Let It Flow" and "Highway 10." Ryan shares the story of how his interest in music began at an early age, and how he was naturally drawn to musical instruments, with a particular obsession with guitars. He also talks about some of his diverse musical influences, including George Benson, Grover Washington Jr., and Motown.

Ryan talks about his experience as an emerging artist, the struggles he faced before establishing his career, and his dream of becoming a successful performer and producer, stressing the importance of being single-mindedly focused to achieve greatness.

Listen to hear Ryan gives listeners a glimpse into the life and journey of a talented rising star in the smooth jazz world, and offers insights and advice on creative processes, producing, and pursuing one's dreams. Listen to this episode and enjoy some of his music.

Episode Highlights

07:04 I think it was on Richard Edwards’s radio podcast, and that was about or that was long before I got signed. That was 2018, when he played my single I had out at the time called Dreaming of You, featuring Donald Hayes. And just hearing your name getting mentioned on the waves and hearing it being talked about and seeing all the comments below, all the love from fans, it was really quite a surreal feeling, which is for sure.

24:13 A lot of people don't really realize a lot of the struggles that we have to go through as artists. Many of us, we have to go through the stages before we have established careers. We do have to work a regular job to survive and pay bills. As long as other emerging artists keep this in mind and they realize that they're not the only ones who have had to do this, they'll be okay. It's all part of the process.

49:43 That’s the beauty of, I think, just jazz in general. You can hybridize this music with anything, make it sound great.

59:14 I think a lot of my current success is still very much underground. I think there's still kind of a lot of curiosity about who I am and everything because I'm not quite on the scene yet, but I'm totally cool with that. It's all part of the process, and I just continue to hustle and grind and work on my craft, and when the time comes where my name finally surfaces, I'll be ready to go. That's the way I look to it.

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Ryan La Valette

It takes a lot of faith to go out and be the artist that you wanted to be. But, when opportunity comes along your way, be sure to grab it like Nathan Mitchell did. Nathan shares how having the right blend of being a great performer and an amazing musician is necessary in the industry.

Listen as he shares his other passions when he is not doing music and find out how being a good performer and musician is about more than just playing instruments well. It’s about being someone that promoters and producers can trust.

Highlights

02:35 The door has just opened up and it’s been a journey since then.

11:14 Being a performer and a musician, you have to have the right blend and that’s one of the things that I’ve been taking myself through school on.

25:47 My goal is to try to limit the amount of mistakes, limit the amount of challenges in my presentation and my music, whether it’s on vinyl or streaming or whether it’s on stage, so that the promoters trust me to be on their stage.

29:26 It wasn’t a matter of me deciding, (moving into Smooth Jazz genre), I feel like it found me in shows.

41:29 I like going outside and just experiencing nature.

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Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Nathan Mitchell

https://www.nathanmitchellmusic.com/

Join us for an inspiring conversation with B.D. Greer, a talented contemporary jazz artist. Born as Brianna Davis Greer, B.D. Greer hails from Wisconsin and has a profound love for music and theater, which led her to venture to New York City at just 18 years old.

B.D. Greer talks about her life in NYC and when she decided to embark on a new career path after feeling her self-worth diminish from not booking enough auditions. She also shares her challenges during the outbreak of COVID-19 and how she bounced back and rekindled her passion for singing.

Embracing her own voice and musical style, B.D. Greer considers herself a "vocalist," exploring jazz, contemporary, and blues with a newfound sense of confidence. Her performances are driven by the joy of connecting with audiences and witnessing their reactions to her music. Tune in to discover the incredible journey of B.D. Greer and witness her soulful melodies!

Episode Highlights

22:47 - But with my music, I mean, I think I just want to keep doing what I'm doing. I want to keep honing it in and just finding where exactly I fit or anyone wants me to be. I think we've talked about it. I really would love to just keep working with musicians, maybe be a vocalist for any new songwriters or musicians looking for a vocalist.

31:38 - My 13-year-old self, I would say learn an instrument. Study everything, I mean, from art, from your being a musician, a vocalist, dance, I mean, all of it. I mean, even if you don't think you're good at it, I think the more confident you are in yourself in life, I think you'll learn it quicker.

41:14 - When I was a kid, and because of my parents and they had such a variety of classic rock and soft rock, and just all of a mix, but my dad got me this jukebox that had about 10 cassettes of fifties and sixties, and that was all I ever listened to for years. So, that was always my style.

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B.D. Greer

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Step into the captivating world of contemporary jazz and soul with the one and only Selina Albright, a singer and songwriter who has collaborated with legendary artists like George Duke, Chaka Khan, and her father, Gerald Albright! Selina opens up about her musical journey and the inspiration behind her heartfelt lyrics that tell stories of her own life experiences. Embracing vulnerability and truth-telling, she encourages listeners to do the same.

Discover the magical ways Selina gets inspired to write songs, with melodies from dreams to the therapeutic power of music in her life. Despite witnessing the cutthroat nature of the music industry, Selina followed her passion for music, relying on God's guidance to pave her path to success.

With a soulful blend of R&B and jazz, Selina's music is a reflection of her diverse musical upbringing, embracing influences from Earth Wind & Fire to Mariah Carey. Her goal is to establish an international presence, reaching places like Japan and Europe while growing her online presence. Tune in now to experience the soul-stirring melodies and fascinating stories of Selina Albright!

Episode Highlights:

17:47 - I literally wrote that song on the bathroom floor in tears. I was pregnant with my first kid. I had never had that many hormones running through me since puberty and I wore too many hats and I overextended myself. Women tend to have kind of an unappreciated, unseen duty in their households and within their community where they make everything happen, and they're the glue, but then they don't get rest.

34:30 - I like to be alone after shows, but I also want to appreciate everyone who bought a ticket. So, I like to see fans, say hi, shake hands, and then immediately eat, and go back to my hotel room where I'll probably stay up all night with adrenaline flowing through me. But I have my own space and just bask in the ambiance of the show.

53:45 - I would tell her to recognize just how cool she is without being the same as everyone around her. I was a very different kind of child. I was interested in different things, partly because I was so well-protected by my parents. I would tell her that she's already amazing.

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Selina Albright

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Join us for an exclusive interview with legendary guitarist, Larry Carlton. We discuss his incredible career, from playing on over 250 million records sold to performing with some of the greatest musicians of all time. He has been nominated for 19 Grammys and won the award four times.

Larry gives insight into his style that has set him apart and how he approaches new sessions as a servant rather than trying to imitate others. We also explore his experiences while touring across the world, including Japan, and even hear what he is most proud of in his career thus far. As well as sharing three favorite albums, Larry tells us who would be at dinner if he hosted one himself and menu choices!

Learn more about the upcoming Fresh Coast Jazz Festival where Larry will open alongside Paul Brown before doing a solo set. This show should definitely not be missed! Get ready for stories about career highlights plus music from Larry Carlton.

Episode Highlights

08:54 - I was always a good music reader, but not a great music reader. There were some challenges in my early career when I would show up for a motion picture day, and the written parts for the movie were challenging me.

20:29 - I don't have to fight against it. I'm sure, as I reflect back on my young life and to my mids, I'm sure there were some ego problems I had at certain times as part of growing up as a man and hopefully, we correct those. Hopefully, where we end up is in some kind of a better perspective, but being a little more humble.

21:13 - I'm so thankful for it, especially after all these years. Now, I'm 75 this year and when I walk out and on that stage, if I see the audience actually came to hear me play my guitar, still after all these years, I get a little burst in my heart, a little smile in my heart.

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Larry Carlton

Today, we're going to be discussing the life and career of Paul Brown. A two-time Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, Paul Brown has been in the music business for almost five decades and is still producing hit records with some of today’s biggest stars.

We will also look into his production style which combines soulful R&B influenced instrumentation with lead instruments that “sound like a superstar". Paul Brown continues to be a highly sought-after music producer, arranger and engineer. His production style, which is rooted in the soulful R&B influences he has been exposed to, sets him apart from others in the field. He has a knack for utilizing different instruments and bringing out their nuances to create an intricate soundscape of musical excellence.

In addition to his successful career, Paul has found time to pursue other passions, such as writing songs and collaborating with other artists. Paul also shares his thoughts on artificial intelligence and self-flying airplanes, plus details about his other interests such as golfing and wine tasting. Come join us on this journey through time as we explore the life of Paul Brown!

Episode Highlights

11:04 - We're just trying to make ourselves happy. Luckily, the stuff that we liked seems to be embraced by radio and at the moment, it used to be that we were selling just gobs of records. But now. people aren't really selling records. 

12:01 - Treating the lead instrument in a way to make it sound like a superstar, and that's something that I pride myself in, something that I developed and something that I am good at, and people appreciate it. When they hear themselves back on the headphones, they're like, "Whoa, okay, this is really special." It inspires them to play better, and so the whole thing is a little bit more inspiring.

17:24 - I'd already been producing for about 15 years and already had a lot of success at radio. A lot of the radio programmers and promoters knew who I was because of my production. When I came out with my first record in '04, they already were like, "Okay, we know who this is." So, I had some name value.

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Paul Brown

In a momentous milestone, Carl Brown is thrilled to welcome back the legendary Najee, who was the first-ever guest of the Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage podcast. With multiple number one albums and singles, a worldwide tour experience, and a list of accolades including multi-platinum status and Grammy nominations, Najee is truly a saxophonist and flautist extraordinaire.

From receiving the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award to launching his own record label, Blue Horn Creative, Najee's journey has been defined by passion for his artistry and the unwavering support of his fans. Gain valuable insights as he shares essential life lessons: understanding business basics, embracing risks, cherishing family, and finding success through struggle.

Discover Najee's love for aviation, his passion for giving back, and how he finds tranquility in Florida's beautiful landscapes. From hosting Thanksgiving for loved ones to cherishing meaningful relationships, Najee's wisdom is bound to resonate. As he embarks on concert tours across the US, including trips to Mexico and Rio de Janeiro, Najee's dedication to his artistry and love for his fans shine brightly. Don't miss this milestone episode filled with music, life stories, and the heartfelt wisdom of a jazz legend!

Episode Highlights

17:15 -  The way the industry is at this time, the metrics have changed. Everything is about social media and all that, and just the way commerce is generated now. It's no longer necessary to have a big label to do these things. In a lot of cases, not all, but in some cases, you get into situations where they're getting most of the money and the artist is still struggling.

34:42 - I think whatever it is you choose to do is going to come with struggle. But it's through the struggles that you find your gift, your treasure. I always tell young people, "Listen, just because you think you failed at something, don't consider it a failure." Because it's through those failures, without those failures, you can't achieve success at all.

39:05 - I also believe the reality of human interaction is based on transaction, how you interact with people, how you treat them. Fortunately, for me, coming from a poor community in New York City, I can't look down at the woman or the man that's on the corner asking for dollars, because that could have been you.

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Najee

In this episode, Carl talks to Lindsey Webster, a contemporary jazz artist with many Billboard charting songs. Growing up, Lindsey was exposed to a variety of music styles which has helped shape her sound today. She writes all of her music from the heart and some of her top musical influences are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin.

They discuss her musical journey where Lindsey explains how she got into music and why she dropped out of college. Her album "A Woman Like Me" is personal to her, as it deals with her journey from the outside to the inside. She wrote the title track after going through a difficult break-up and moving quickly into a new relationship. She admits that she sometimes can't listen to the album because it brings back memories of that time in her life.

When Lindsey is not making music, she enjoys hiking, running, biking, and meditation. She is also starting her own podcast about consciousness, awareness, and mental health. Tune in to find out what fans would be surprised to know about Lindsey and learn about all her upcoming and exciting projects.

Episode Highlights

03:35 – I do believe that all of my favorite artists have influenced my sound. My inner journey is directly connected to my music. The more comfortable I get with myself, the more comfortable I am writing lyrics that are true to myself.

18:25 – We are taking it a little slower; we’ve had a couple of shows, and they’ve been amazing. They've been great, but this is okay for me because I’m working on a new album.

21:39 – A Woman Like Me is about a journey from the outside to the inside. If you are not right inside, then the outside is not going to be right.

30:31 – Normally, the last thing that I write is the bridge. If I cannot come up with the bridge, the song is not ready for the world.

39:23 – ‘Bout it or Doubt it – the Movies category. Lindsey shares why she doesn't like horror films and why she likes The Godfather.

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Lindsey Webster