Welcome back and don't despair- jazz is always in the air. Especially right here, right now!
Kenny Wessel is living jazz history. He worked with legendary sax player Ornette Coleman for 12 years and toured the world as a member of Coleman's Prime Time ensemble. He's played with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and with the London Philharmonia. He's a featured soloist on Donald Fagen's solo album, Morph the Cat, and has played with jazz visionaries on all ends of the spectrum, including John Abercrombie, David Liebman, Arthur and Red Prysock and vocalist Johnny Hartmann. He's a master improviser and composer and has played on many, many recordings, including his most recent release, In the Briar Patch.

Ok, enough of the bio! Go to https://kenwessel.com for all the mind blowing credits and discography,

Kenny also teaches jazz guitar and has become a member of our extended family as Milo's teacher at CCNY. What a cool, real, compassionate cat! We sat down with him over zoom last August and got to know him a little better- his growing up and discovering guitar, his early teeth cutting as a performer, fortune and curiosity taking him where it would, living under the radar and SHOP TALK! Gigs, first meetings, Jerry Garcia, the power of the Hammond organ- the longer we talked, the more colors emerged. He's a musician's musician living in his natural habitat, New York City, living and loving his life, one note at a time, sometimes (it seems) a hundred at a time.

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:

Bemsha Swing from the album Thunk! by Stephen Gauci, featuring Stephen Gauci/tenor Sax, Kenny Wessel/guitar, Michael Bisio/bass, Jeremy Carlstedt/drums

In Due Course from the album Unstrung, composed and performed by Kenny Wessel/guitar with Lisa Parrott/alto, bari and soprano saxophones, Asam Kolker/tenor saxophone, Matt Pavolka/ acoustic bass, Russ Meissner/drums

And again, check out more Kenny at https://kenwessel.com

check us out on Instagram at growingupnaked.

For a full list of Ornette Coleman's recordings-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornette_Coleman_discography

And check out Ornette playing with The Dead from a 1993 Oakland Coliseum show here- https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1993/02/23/space?source=2798208

Who do you want to have your back? LARRY SCHAEFER!

Larry is one of our most beloved family members. He's kind, funny, generous, a mentor to many and one of the smartest people we know. And he's regular people. A champion of the bullied and a walking one and only. Where do you start with this guy??? Well, you sit him down in a chair and put a microphone in front of him and turn the heat up, how else? This episode has been years in the making and fortune finally smiled on us one cloudy day in February! Now, just "roll down your window and let the wind blow back your hair"...BOOM!

Growing Up Naked theme song composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:

Ethics Are Easy from Soulless Blood Sucking Lawyers, A Brief Musical, created by Toni Halleen

Thunder Road, written and performed by Bruce Springsteen (vocals, guitar harmonica), Garry Tallent (bass), Max Weinberg (drums), Roy Bittan (piano, glockenspiel, backing vocals), Mike Appel (backing vocals), Steve Van Zandt (backing vocals), Clarence Clemons (saxophone)

City of Immigrants written and performed by Steve Earle (bouzouki, vocals), Allison Moorer (background vocals and Forro in the Dark: Mauro Refosco (zabumba), Davi Viera (timba, triangle), Jorge Continentino (bamboo flute), Smokey Hormel (baritone guitar)

Check out pictures relating to this episode on our Instagram page-growingupnaked

Welcome back!                                                                                                                     

As we all know, the world is going to shit.

When we started to record this episode, we had no idea it would turn into this. What might have become a stark, raving commentary on our times instead turned into a movie/SAG acting award love fest.                                                                            

I guess we'll be saving the doom for later...

ENJOY!

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell.

RED runs till March 1st, 2026. More info at www.gremlintheatre.org

Check out pictures relating to this episode on our Instagram page-growingupnaked

Welcome back! Today is gonna be a magical day and you know why? Because our buddy Will Sturdivant says so! Will doesn't wait to be asked he LEADS with his story and he roars into life and into this podcast with a message to the people- ALL people- BE A HUMAN! 

We talk about new friendship, identity, blackness, whiteness, gayness, childhood trauma, community, the system, and the power we all have to help each other. We talk about the power of language and how it can transform you, and, of course, we hear some crazy ass New York stories. 

Will Sturdivant found his voice by living his life and he has something to say. SO LISTEN, PEOPLE!

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

music:

Why Get Up?, composed and performed by Robert Palmer (vocals and bass), Dr. Gabs (keyboards), Carl Carlton (guitars), Mauro Spina (drums and percussion), Franco Limido (harmonica), Mary Ambrose (backing vocals). From the 2003 album "Drive".

Make It Happen, Written and produced by Mariah Carey (vocals) and C + C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivellés, David Cole (keyboards), Paul Pesco (guitar), David Cole, Robert Clivillés (drum programming), Mariah Carey, Trey Lorenz, Patrique McMillan (background vocals). From the 1991 album "Emotions".

Primary Trust runs through 11/16/25 at The Guthrie Theater                          

https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2025-2026-season/primary-trust/

Sprouting 

Crackle-crunch goes the bone.

Like yolk

marrowed membrane seeps beneath skin.

Creature-comfort!

Call out as you crawl forth the journey of groin & gut to thought & dreams is what it means to be human.

-Will Sturdivant

Welcome back, intrepid listeners!

We're back after a little hiatus, together in the bouncy room, with much conversation about coming home, the play "Primary Trust", the adventures of a junior year at college, music, goals, performing anxiety, being hard on yourself and the pursuit of perfection, witnessing excellence, the book "Burst" by Rachel Awes, the film "One Battle after Another", formulating a young life, what is the next best thing and... talking to a gerbil!  Happy Fall, y'all!

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:

Boogie Stop Shuffle, composed and performed by Charles Mingus (bass and piano), Horace Parlan (piano), John Handy (alto sax and clarinet), Booker Evan and Shafi Hadi (tenor sax), Willie Dennis and Jimmy Knepper (trombone), Danny Richmond (drums).  From the 1959 album Mingus Ah Um

Song For My Father, Composed and performed by Horace Silver (piano), Carmell Jones (trumpet), Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Teddy Smith (bass), Roger Humphries (drums). From the 1964 album Song For My father

Primary Trust runs through 11/16/25 at The Guthrie Theater                          

https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2025-2026-season/primary-trust/

Read more about Rachel Awes and "Burst"                                                                         https://www.rachelawes.com/books

BIG LOVE to Marshall Jones III, Bryce Michael Wood, Nubia Monks and Will Sturdivant and to our designers and crew who always strive for EXCELLENCE!

Welcome back!

You think you know somebody...and then you have them on your podcast. HA!

We know Sid to be loving, kind, self deprecating, sometimes caustic, always funny, cultivated and richly stewed in life's many juices, but even so, we've never heard some of these stories. Join us in a long sit down as we spit ball on irrational fears, dogs pooping on an incline, hot yoga, Dr. Stein, the 87 year old history teacher, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, guns, LA LA Land, confused celebrities, Mark Wahlberg, poetry, dirty business, puffer jackets, ancestry, where to live, living the dream, and rock 'n roll. Listen to a 20 year old hearing about how life was for someone when they were in their 20's twenty years ago. This episode is rich with funny and Sid has definitely earned an invite back.

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:

Maria También, written and performed by Khruangbin. Laura Lee (bass), Mark Speer (guitar), Donald Johnson (drums). From the album "Con Todo El Mundo".

Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, written by Angus and Malcolm Young, performed by AC/DC. Brian Johnson (lead vocals), Angus Young (lead guitar), Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar, background vocals), Cliff Williams (bass, background vocals), Phil Rudd (drums). From the album "Back in Black."

I.U.L.M., written and performed by Why Not. Henry Breen (bass, vocals), Isaac Dell (guitar), Joshua MacGregor (drums). From The album "Friends".

Level Up, composed by Brian Felix and performed by the Brian Felix Organ Trio. Brian Felix (organ), Tim Fischer (guitar), Evan Martin (drums). From the album "Level Up".

Mark Wahlberg appears courtesy of YouTube.

Welcome back to the show! SEASON SIX, EPISODE FIFTY ONE! Holy shit- Thank you for sticking with us! We're back and revealing our souls in all their raw and naked glory. What comes up this time? Vunerability, neck fat, EGO and need. That demonic little voice that asks "will I ever work again?", trying to live in the present with all the insecurities that add to to the recipe of your essence and make you complete. Then we veer off to George Harrison, the Beatles, appreciating the masters, dark days and getting shit done, and a BIG shout out to one one of our heroes, Gene Hackman.

Check out Growing Up Naked on Instagram for pictures and a vid that will let you experience some of this with your own eyes. And don't forget to say hi and leave us your thoughts while you're at it!

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:

I Me Mine, written by George Harrison, performed by The Beatles. George Harrison (lead and harmony vocals, acoustic and electric guitars), Ringo Starr (drums), Paul McCartney (harmony vocal, bass, hammond organ, electric piano), Richard Hewson (brass and string arrangements). From the album "Let It Be".

She's Leaving Home, written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Paul McCartney, John Lennon (vocals), Mike Leander (string arrangement), George Martin (conductor, producer), Sheila Bromberg (harp), Erich Gruenberg (violin), Derek Jacobs (violin), Trevor Williams (violin), José Luis Garcia (violin), John Underwood (viola), Stephen Shingles (viola), Dennis Vigay (cello), Alan Dalziel (cello), Gordon Pearce (double bass). From the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

Beware of Darkness, written by George Harrison. George Harrison (vocals, electric guitar, slide guitars), Eric Clapton (lead guitar), Dave Mason (acoustic guitar), Gary Wright (organ), Carl Radle (bass), Ringo Starr (drums), John Barham (string arrangements). From the album "All Things Must Pass".

Sione is Back! 

One of our favorite guests is back for a catch up. Nothing too heavy, just some great stories of  temporary life in Washington State and feeling the rain, the fish, the chicken teriyaki and the lawlessness, being a family man and becoming a member of The Polynesian MC, taking a loooong ride on his new Harley and how he likes speeding down the road while eating bugs. Milo enlightens us on knife sharpening in NYC and tickles Sione's prodigious taste buds with promises of culinary riches to be found in Manhattan.

 Quote of the week-"I eat cow balls and all that shit".

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:                                                                                                                                                      Born To Be Wild, written by Mars Bonfire (Dennis Edmonton) , performed by Steppenwolf- John Kay (vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Monarch (lead guitar), Goldy McJohn (keyboards), Jerry Edmonton (drums), Rushton Moreve (bass)

Wanted Dead Or Alive, written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, performed by Bon Jovi- Jon Bon Jovi (lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar), Richie Sambora (harmony and backing vocals, acoustic and lead guitar), Alec John Such (backing vocals, bass), Tico Torres (drums, percussion), David Bryan (backing vocals, keyboards)

My Friend, My Friend, written by Trey Anastasio and Tom Marshall, performed by Phish- Trey Anastasio (lead vocals, lead guitar), Page McConnell (keyboards, backing vocals), Mike Gordon (bass, backing vocals), John Fishman (drums, backing vocals)

Are these guys still making this podcast???
YES WE ARE!
And to our faithful listeners we offer you more G.U.N. pearls!
There's a lot to chew on- this volatile world, the cold, the fires, a "squeezed into a shoe box" vacation with the family, grandparents, could we have a family band? (random), movie acting, fame, Bob Dylan, and Garth Hudson.
Enjoy a back from NYC in-person sit around with us two- still dedicated and overwhelmingly human- beings.
And check out the music on the back end!
RIP Garth "Honeyboy" Hudson

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell

Music:
Like A Rolling Stone, composed by Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Mike Bloomfield (guitar), Bobby Gregg (drums), Paul Griffin (piano), Al Kooper (organ), Bruce Langhorne (tambourine), Joe Macho, Jr. (bass).
From the Album "Highway 61 Revisited".
Black Diamond Bay, composed by Bob Dylan and Jacques Levy. Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Scarlet Rivera (violin), Emmylou Harris (background vocals), Rob Stoner (bass and background vocals), Howard Wyeth (drums, piano).
From the album "Desire".
Chest Fever, lyrics Robbie Robertson, composed by The Band- Richard Manuel (lead vocals, piano), Robbie Robertson (electric guitar), Garth Hudson (Lowrey organ, tenor saxophone), Rick Danko (bass, violin), Levon Helm (drums),
John Simon (baritone saxophone).
From The Band's debut album "Music From Big Pink".
Goin' To Acapulco, written by Bob Dylan, composed by Bob Dylan and The Band.
Bob Dylan (vocal), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Garth Hudson (organ), Rick Danko (bass, backing vocal), Richard Manuel (drums, backing vocal).
From the album "The Basement Tapes" by Bob Dylan and The Band.

Check out these albums and edumacate or re-edumacate yourself on these amazing artists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Hudson

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays, the cold weather of Minnesota is here
but things are nice and toasty in the podcast shack! Just Pearce and Milo having a Thanksgiving catch up and shootin' the shit about dogs and turtles, the tv show "From" (spoiler alert- we give a lot away about the latest season finale starting around the 27 minute marker). We also get into the perils of bingeing and obsessing over TV and what it might say about our relation to the world and it's going to Hell-ness, plus talk about Cormac McCarthy, Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius and that old question, what do artists lose as they get older and what do they gain?
You know, just another long distance sit down around the pod fire.
Gobble Gobble, mofos!

Growing Up Naked theme composed, arranged and performed by Isaac Dell
Music:
Kuru/Speak Like a Child, Portrait of Tracy, composed and performed by 
      Jaco Pastorius (bass), with Herbie Hancock (piano), Don Alias (congas and       
      bongos) and Bobby Economou (drums)
Bright Size Life, composed and performed by Pat Metheny (guitar), Jaco Pastorius
      (bass) and Bob Moses (drums)
 
for more info on Jaco go to: https://jacopastorius.com/
for more info on Pat, go to: https://www.patmetheny.com/