Jimmy Haslip is a renaissance man who hasn’t let boundaries define him. As an original band member of the Yellowjackets, his pronounced influence over the past 3 decades is seen in musicians today. He has demonstrated an uncanny ability to deliver a groove in not only fusion, but also Latin, pop and international genres. Haslip today has evolved from musician-composer to an in-demand, producer extraordinaire. Inside MusiCast welcomes back Jimmy Haslip.

Since the release of their debut album ‘Full Power’ in early 2014, Tristan is enjoying an ever-increasing fan base. The Netherlands-based soul, R&B, and jazz fusion band definitely has a sound that even Steve Lukather describes as “The best of the ‘70’s brought to 2015!” In fact, before vocalist Evelyn Kallansee joined the band, Tristan had already been creating great fusion and jazz with stellar musicianship. With the release of their latest album titled “2nd Phase”, we find Tristan’s sound evolving and maturing, delivering some of the freshest blend of pop, soul and jazz that we’ve heard in quite a while. Here to talk to us about Tristan and their brand new record, Inside MusiCast welcomes band members Evelyn Kallansee and Sebastiaan Cornelissen.

When it comes to West Coast music, Tommy Funderburk has been an icon for decades. If you’re familiar with Airplay, The Front, What If, Richard Marx, Steve Lukather, REO Speedwagon, Starship and Yes, then you’ve heard either his voice or his compositions over the years. He and past Inside MusiCast guest Bruce Gaitsch collaborated to form a songwriting partnership called King of Hearts in the late 80’s with their debut album loaded with West Coast gems. After several delays, it was finally was released in Japan. It was a hit and launched them on a successful Japanese tour. Today they are collaborating again as King of Hearts and will soon be touring Japan, bringing the duos musicianship to the stage once more. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Tommy Funderburk.

A new Toto album doesn’t come along too often, so when one does it’s a pretty exciting topic for all of us at Inside MusiCast. In fact, Inside MusiCast began in 2006 – a few months after the release of the band’s last album “Falling In Between.” So yes, we’re as stoked about Toto XIV as Toto fans are from around the world and we’re not going to miss this opportunity to discuss it. The album was released this past Friday in Europe and is being released this week in the USA and a few other parts of the world. To gather even more insight on what has shaped-up to be arguably one of the band’s finest albums, Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome a cat who was the foundation behind Toto XIV – CJ Vanston.

It’s been nine years since Toto last released a new studio album and many fans thought that Falling In Between might have been the band’s final chapter. Now, the story continues. Toto XIV is set to launch in Europe on March 20, the UK and Oceana on March 23 and North America on March 24. The album features eleven tracks and a line-up that is as close to the original band as we’ve seen in many years, including David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Joseph Williams, David Hungate and here to talk about this fantastic new album, Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back Steve Lukather.

Until they had won their first Grammy for Best R&B Performance last year, Snarky Puppy was flying under the musical radar. Not anymore. The Grammy for their “Family Dinner” performance with Lalah Hathaway singing the track “Something” changed things for the band that formed a decade ago at the University of North Texas. Today, the highly acclaimed jazz/fusion/funk/pop ensemble has exploded onto the global touring scene and they’re taking no prisoners. Bassist Mike League is Snarky Puppy’s leader, heading-up a cast of amazing musicians who are seemingly on tour and making music non-stop. The past tens years have been an amazing ride for Mike and the band, but this is only the beginning. Inside MusiCast welcomes Snarky Puppy’s Mike League.

In the world of recording and session musicians, there are names that are staples on hundreds of major recordings – names like Purdie, Lukather, Mathieson, Phillinganes, Porcaro, Kunkel, Sklar, Kortchmar, Raine, to name a few.  One name that stands large amongst these session giants is today’s guest, Jerry Hey.  Having played since the age of three, Jerry followed his passion for music to Indiana University, then on to Hawaii to form Seawind, and eventually landed in L.A. where his trumpet skills have graced some of the biggest selling albums of all-time for artists such as Quincy Jones, Earth Wind and Fire, Al Jarreau, Toto, Michael Jackson, The Tubes, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer and so many others.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to kick off 2015 with Jerry Hey. 

Tris Imboden not only knows the meaning of gratitude, but he lives with it every day. As a self-taught musician, Tris worked his way into the world of music at a young age and never looked back. From high school surf bands, to his band Honk, to his studio and touring connections with Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Steve Vai, Neil Diamond, Roger Daltry, Richard Marx, Al Jarreau, Firefall and Crosby, Stills and Nash, along with his long-standing gig as the drummer for Chicago, Tris has rarely had any down time throughout a career that has spanned more than four decades. But gratitude comes not only from this success with music. Tris is a cancer survivor and has developed a heightened sense of gratitude for all that encompasses him – from surfing, to music, to life. Inside MusiCast welcomes Tris Imboden.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we take you back to Norway for a chat with past guest Ole Børud. We last spoke to Ole back in 2011 when he released his second solo album, “Keep Movin.” Since that time, he has been involved in other projects, including reuniting with his band Extol and released their fifth studio album titled “Extol”. He also had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas to perform with Santa Fe and the Fast City Horns. His latest efforts have focused on the conception and release of his new solo project “Stepping Up”, a brand new collection of West Coast oriented songs that is arguably some of his best work to date. Inside MusiCast welcomes back Ole Børud.