Inside MusiCast

Dominic Miller is riding his own wave of success. Although hes Stings primary guitarist since 1990, Miller is clearly a musician who has made his mark on delivering his own sound while bringing a wide breadth of cultural experiences to the collaboration table. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, spending his first ten years there. Soon, he and his family relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, where he took interest in the guitar with a little encouragement from one of his older sisters. He had found his passion. He went on to study music formally in the US and also in England, where he met other musicians who would become lifelong collaborators, such as Mike Lindup of Level 42. After playing in various groups during his teens and beyond, his first real break came when he worked on Phil Collins' But Seriously album. That was all it took for Sting to take notice of his extraordinary guitar playing and sound. Before long, Sting's Soul Cages album was released and Miller was launched into the global spotlight as a serious player. As one who has a passion for Brazilian, Spanish, and classical music, Miller still finds time for self-expression with his own solo work that is expressive, yet technical. Inside MusiCast welcomes Dominic Miller.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome back two of our past guests Jeff Lorber and Jimmy Haslip to discuss their new Jeff Lorber Fusion collaboration Hacienda. Jeff will also announce the winners of the Hacienda CD contest. Were pleased to welcome back Jeff and Jimmy to Inside MusiCast!

Marc Jordan considers his life as a conduit of the arts. It includes sound, sight, and form. He lives it every day. Benefitting from a musical heritage, Jordan had plenty to absorb growing up. His dad, a classically trained baritone vocalist, performed and taught voice. But a young Marc Jordan was listening to influences other than classical music that would pave a different musical road for him. As a young, fresh guitarist, he found himself connecting to Bobby Vee and was offered a gig to tour. He jumped at the chance. Along the road, he landed in LA where his musical road would lead to meeting Steely Dan Producer Gary Katz at Warner Brothers. That was the beginning of a solo career what has honed Jordans career as a singer, songwriter, and producer. But his creativity didnt stop there. He has honed his skills as an actor and painter too. Inside MusiCast welcomes the complete artistry of Marc Jordan.

The name Gary Katz is legendary in the music world and synonymous with the music of Steely Dan. He admits that his longevity as a sought-after producer has nothing really to do with his musical abilities, but his gift for discovering great talent, along with his ears. Hes a pro at knowing how to help good artists become great artists and also how to make every record a great one. That's what has made Katz one of the best producers in the business for years. As an A&R guy in his early career, he helped sign the likes of Jim Croce, Dire Straits, Prince, Rickie Lee Jones, Christopher Cross and of course, Steely Dan. Inside MusiCast welcomes an ever-present force in the music business, Gary Katz.

You may not be familiar with his name, but Phil Kenzie's contributions to the world of music are many and in some cases iconic. Phil has performed and recorded with some of the most well known artists in the history of rock, such as Al Stewart, Rod Stewart, Kenny Loggins, David Bowie, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Karla Bonoff, Jackson Browne, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and even the Beatles. On today's episode of Inside MusiCast, we chat with Phil about his start in the business and his rise to become a first call sax player. We also discuss his connection to George Harrison and the Beatles, his incredible story about a 1937 Selmer alto sax he used on his iconic solo on Al Stewarts's "Year Of The Cat" and how Rod Stewart stole him away from Al Stewart. Inside MusiCast welcomes the incredibly talented Phil Kenzie.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we bring you the West Coast sounds of the State Cows. The band, created by the Swedish musical team of Daniel Anderson and Stefan Olofsson, doesnt hide behind the fact that State Cows has been influenced by the many West Coast sounds that emerged in the 70s and 80s. In fact, they flaunt it on their new release called The Second One. After crossing paths with West Coast greats such as David Foster, Jay Graydon and others a few years back, the duo began to compose music that has always been close to their hearts; music that has become an extension of their upbringing and influences throughout their lives. The simple truth is that there is a fresh purity of how they interpret West Coast music and they keep it alive with the release of The Second One. Andersson and Olofsson have delivered a true AOR record that will find you captivated and wanting to listen to the album as a whole from start to finish. Inside MusiCast is glad to welcome the dynamic team of the State Cows. Welcome Daniel and Stefan!

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, well take you inside the world of musician, composer, arranger, author and founding member of Chicago and the California Transit Authority, Danny Seraphine. Dannys career has spanned nearly five decades and hes considered one of the greatest drummers in the rock and pop era. His jazz-rock drumming style was a prominent piece of the Chicago sound for 23 years until his departure in 1990. Danny left music behind him for a 15-year period until he was pulled out of seclusion in 2005 to play a benefit gig. That was the spark that led him back into the music scene and to the creation of his new band, CTA California Transit Authority whose new album Sacred Ground was released in April 2013. Danny was also inspired to release a book, Street Player My Chicago Story, which helped him make peace with his past and reflect on his tenure with Chicago. Inside MusiCast welcomes Danny Seraphine.

Tom Saviano is a multi-talented musician, songwriter, arranger and producer who has enjoyed a long, distinguished career as part of the L.A. music scene. Hailing from Chicago, Toms father was a gifted trombone player who started him on woodwinds at a very young age and groomed him specifically to be a great studio musician. His early session work as an arranger and musician includes credits for diverse acts such as Melissa Manchester, Peter Criss, Paul Anka, Shirley Bassey, Leo Sayer, Ringo Starr, Brenda Russell and many others. In 1980, Saviano stepped to the forefront as an artist, creating the first of two fantastic albums of sophisticated R&B with his band HEAT. Those releases featured musicians such as David Foster, Steve Porcaro, Harvey Mason, Lenny Castro, Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey and many more. Saviano has also released two smooth jazz solo albums and has enjoyed writing and producing projects for up and coming artists. His resume includes decades of credits, literally hundreds of sessions and occasional tours with collaborators such as Bill Champlin, Earth Wind & Fire, Ziggy Marley, Chicago, Max Weinberg, Maroon 5, Muse and countless others. Inside Musicast is pleased to welcome Tom Saviano.

Joe Sample is all that a keyboardist should be. Growing up with a musical influence of Creole, Jazz, R&B, Gospel and Soul, it was inevitable that his musical style would be a creative concoction of this musical diversity. He had made his mark in jazz and contemporary jazz with his band The Crusaders until his solo career took off. His keyboard abilities can take him virtually down any musical road, which is the mark of a great artist, but at the same time he frowns on the labeling of musical genres. He intentionally has erased any genre categories by blending his love of all music - from classical to Creole. To Joe, good music is good music. For decades, Sample has been a first-call session player in the LA scene and has played with the best of the best. From Steely Dan to the Crusaders, Sample has left his musical stamp on hundreds of influential projects. His discography is massive and discussion of it alone would take up an entire Inside MusiCast episode. At the young age of seventy-four, Joe Sample is still creating great music and performing live gigs. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome a true musical icon, Joe Sample.

Although the name Phil Gould is associated primarily with Level 42, his career as a musician goes much deeper. He started out playing in bands, along with his brother, while living on the Isle of Wight when he was a teen. Having studied percussion at the Royal Academy of Music, he later found his way onto the charts with the band M and their worldwide hit Pop Muzik, as well as a stint with the band Roxy Music. He departed Level 42 in 1987 and took a lengthy hiatus from music in the mid 90s and 2000s. He finally returned in 2009 to deliver his solo debut titled Watertight, a collection of eleven songs and features ex-Level 42 band mate Mike Lindup and Berenice Scott on lead vocals. And theres more on the way, as Phil is working on even more new music that could be released later this year. Inside MusiCast welcomes Phil Gould.