New York City area native Frank Kohl was drawn to the guitar at a very young age. He became proficient enough to be admitted to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in the 1970's, where his fellow students included fellow guitarists Pat Metheny and John Scofield. On this edition of Jazz Next, Kohl talks to WGLT's Jon Norton about his new album "Invisible Man," how he came to love jazz, and how as a young child he says he had an "a-ha" moment watching The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show.

Recent GLT Jazz Cabaret performer Roberta Donnay says when she found out as a small child that she was white, she got angry. On this edition of GLT Jazz Next, Donnay talks to Jon Norton about where that anger came from, and about her latest album of prohibition era jazz, titled " Bathtub Gin. "

Trombone and conch shell player Steve Turre has been a member of the Saturday Night Live band since 1984. He also played in the Jazz Messengers, the band led by legendary drummer Art Blakey. On this edition of GLT Jazz Next, Turre says it was a decade earlier during his time in the Ray Charles Band where he learned the importance of of being a professional, and the importance of "giving your all" every night.

On this edition of GLT Jazz Next, meet a Chicago based vocalist and composer who just released her second album. In her own words, Keri Johnsrud explains how the jazz bug found her in her rural Iowa hometown, and how that bug eventually led her to the Windy City.

Philadelphia native Sam Taylor is a talented young tenor player now immersed in the New York City jazz community. On this edition of Jazz Next, Taylor talks with GLT's Jon Norton via Skype from his home in New York about absorbing the soulful sounds of his hometown, and about his debut album, My Future Just Passed .

Trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Ginetta M is the leader of the jazzy, funky New York City based Ginetta's Vendetta . She also records under the moniker Ginetta M. On this edition of GLT Jazz Next, Ginetta tells Jon Norton her latest album as Ginetta M is Little Big Horn. She says the title is a nod to Native American culture, and a reference to her instrument of choice, the "pocket" trumpet.

After 27 years with the vocal ensemble New York Voices , vocalist Kim Nazarian has finally released an album under her own name . On this edition of Jazz Next, Nazarian tells WGLT's Jon Norton that recording with family for her debut release was comforting, and about the joyful feeling she gets when singing with New York Voices.

Hammond B3 master Adam Scone has has been a sideman in a diverse array of settings. Among others, he's played in the bands of jazz legend Lou Donaldson and roots rocker JJ Grey & Mofro. The title of Scone's latest album as a leader is "I Scream Scone."

Mitchel Forman was born in Brooklyn and attended the presigious Manhattan School of Music. As a young man, he played in the band of jazz legend Gerry Mulligan. Later, he played with other legends including Wayne Shorter and John McLaughlin. He's also recorded as a solo artist for Windham Hill Records. GLT's Jon Norton talked with Foreman via Skype from his home in Simi Valley California.

Vocalist and George Mason University Jazz Director Darden Purcell returns to Central IL this Thursday night for a "one-off" 7:00 P.M performance at the Iron Post in Urbana. Her backing band will include saxophonist Chip McNeill, her 4 year mentor at the University of Illinois, where she received a D.M.A. in Jazz studies. GLT's Jon Norton caught up with Purcell via Skype last week from her home in the Washington D.C. area.