Jazz Flyte Podcast

What happens when your passion for music refuses to fit into just one category?

For jazz vocalist, songwriter, educator and author Maria Jacobs, building a career in music has meant wearing many hats, embracing new opportunities and learning how to manage the business behind her creativity.

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Maria to talk about her musical journey, her latest Christmas album, and the dedication required to sustain a career as an independent artist.

Maria takes us behind the scenes of creating her 11th album, a Christmas project featuring 12 songs, including nine original compositions. She explains how previously released singles became the foundation for the album, the challenges of recording and producing additional material under a tight deadline, and how she approached familiar holiday music with her own jazz arrangements.

We also discuss her creative partnership with producer Pete Tokar and her memories of the late musician Philip K. Jones, who played every instrument on her jazz arrangement of the traditional spiritual "Children Go Where I Send Thee." Maria shares what that collaboration meant to her and why the relationships musicians build can become just as meaningful as the music itself.

But recording albums is only one part of Maria's life.

Between teaching music, writing original songs, promoting her book, pursuing speaking engagements and developing future recording projects, Maria has created a schedule that allows her to remain active in several areas of the music industry.

We talk about how she manages her time, where her songwriting inspiration comes from, and why teaching students of different ages and abilities remains an important part of her life.
Maria also offers an interesting perspective on the changing music business. While signing with a major record label was once her dream, she now sees the opportunities available to independent artists who want greater control over their music, distribution and careers.

We explore the differences between having a manager and a booking agent, the work involved in promoting your own projects, and why today's musicians often need to understand far more than what happens onstage or inside a recording studio.

Throughout our conversation, Maria reflects on the role of faith in her creative process, the importance of supporting fellow musicians, and her desire to continue writing and recording music that reflects who she is.

Whether you're a musician, songwriter, aspiring independent artist or someone who appreciates the work behind the music, this conversation offers a look at what it takes to build a creative career while staying connected to your purpose.

Connect with Maria: https://mariajacobs.com/

Imagine attending a concert and being able to identify every note the musicians play, including the ones they get wrong.

For most people, that's nearly impossible. For Dave Thomas, it's part of how he experiences music.
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend, Cleveland pianist, music director and educator Dave Thomas, for a fascinating conversation about perfect pitch, musicianship and a lifetime devoted to music.

Dave takes me back to his childhood, when watching musicians perform in church sparked his interest in playing the piano. Years later, a high school music teacher recognized something unusual about his musical abilities. Dave could identify notes simply by hearing them, without needing another instrument or reference note.

That discovery helped shape the direction of his life.

We explore what perfect pitch actually means, how it differs from relative pitch, and why Dave can sit through a performance and recognize notes, chords and musical mistakes that most listeners would never notice. He also shares how this ability sometimes makes attending concerts a very different experience.

Our conversation takes us through Dave's career performing with musicians including Dizzy Gillespie, Grover Washington Jr. and Jennifer Holliday. We discuss what he's learned from working with accomplished performers and why even the most experienced musicians occasionally make mistakes.
But Dave's contributions extend far beyond the stage.

As a music educator and director, Dave works with talented young musicians throughout Cleveland, helping them develop their listening skills, understand musical arrangements and prepare for performances. We talk about the importance of music education, recognizing talent and creating opportunities for students to grow.

Dave also shares how his experiences in gospel, jazz, R&B and orchestral music have influenced his ability to bring different musicians together and create memorable performances.

This conversation is about more than having a remarkable musical gift. It's about what happens when natural ability meets decades of experience, dedication and a desire to help others discover what they're capable of.

What does it take to build a music career that lasts for decades while still owning the work you've created?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with pianist, producer, radio host and entrepreneur Bob Baldwin for a conversation about music, longevity, collaboration and the business behind the art.

Bob takes me back to his beginnings as a pianist inspired by his father and explains how his career eventually expanded into radio, producing, arranging, entrepreneurship and running his own record label. He also shares the discipline behind his productivity and a surprisingly simple philosophy: instead of trying to create an entire album at once, focus on creating one song at a time.

We also talk about how technology has changed the recording process. Bob appreciates what technology makes possible, but he believes there is still something powerful about musicians creating together in the same room and responding to one another in real time.

Bob shares his role in helping create more space within smooth jazz for flute players and women artists, including his work with Ragan Whiteside, Althea Rene and Kim Scott.

We also get into the relationships behind a lasting music career. From Will Downing to Pieces of a Dream, Bob explains why successful collaborations aren't simply about finding talented musicians. Chemistry, relationships and the right energy matter too.

And then we get to a subject every independent musician should be thinking about: ownership.
Bob talks about mentoring emerging artists and why he believes understanding your rights, royalties and ownership can be more valuable than simply signing with a major label. He points to artists and entrepreneurs including Prince, Michael Jackson, Bob James, Dave Grusin and Herb Alpert as examples that influenced the way he thinks about the business of music.

After decades in the industry, Bob is still writing, recording, mentoring and looking for the next idea.
This conversation is about what happens when you stop thinking only about making music and start thinking about building something that can last.

Connect with Bob: https://www.bobbaldwin.com/

What happens when music isn't something you choose, but something that has been part of you for as long as you can remember?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Cleveland vocalist Sarah’s Girl, also known as Stacy, for a conversation about family, performing, finding her place in music and the personal story behind the name audiences know her by.

Stacy grew up surrounded by music. Her family had a gospel choir, her mother was a musician, her father was a musician and singing became such a natural part of her childhood that she doesn't remember making a decision to become a singer.

We talk about the surprising contrast between who she is away from the stage and who audiences see when she performs. Stacy describes herself as an introvert who enjoys solitude, yet she has been performing in front of audiences since she was a child. At 12 years old, she sang lead with a 1,000-voice choir before an arena filled with thousands of people.

Stacy also shares the personal meaning behind Sarah’s Girl. Her mother, Sarah, was a well-known Cleveland musician, and people would recognize Stacy as “Sarah’s girl.” After her mother passed, Stacy adopted the name as a tribute to her.

We also get into the opportunities that have taken her beyond Cleveland. After James Lloyd of Pieces of a Dream heard her perform, an invitation to sing with the group eventually grew into touring with them. Stacy has now spent several years on the road with Pieces of a Dream and has also performed background vocals for artists including Anthony Hamilton.

And then there's her own music. We talk about “One Day at a Time” and her new single “Easy Life,” which has been gaining radio exposure beyond Cleveland.

This conversation is about a singer whose career has taken her onto some very big stages while the name she carries keeps her connected to where her musical story began.

Connect with Sarah's Girl: https://www.facebook.com/sarahsgirlmusic/

What happens when playing one instrument, working in one genre or following one creative path simply isn't enough?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Ellis Hamilton, a 27-year-old saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer whose creative ambitions stretch from contemporary jazz to film scoring and beyond.

Ellis shares how his love of music developed without being confined by genre. While jazz and smooth jazz became important parts of his journey, he grew up listening across musical styles and following whatever naturally captured his ear. Along the way, mentors including Najee and saxophone coach Skip Pruitt helped influence the musician he was becoming.

But Ellis isn't interested in only performing.

His fascination with film and music started early. By his teens, he was experimenting with creating his own films and writing and recording the music to accompany them. That passion eventually led him to Berklee, where he pursued performance and film scoring, and he has since scored several short films, including an award-winning project in which he also acted.

We talk about his creative process and why some of his best ideas begin without knowing exactly where they're going. Instead of forcing every piece of music into a predetermined genre or emotion, Ellis allows himself to experiment, follow an idea and see what it becomes.

We also discuss his ability to move between saxophone, drums, piano, bass, composing and singing, as well as his collaboration with Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Barry Eastmond. Ellis also shares the story behind his interpretation of “Best Part,” which began as a social media cover before developing into a single.

And at only 27, he's nowhere near finished. Ellis wants to continue performing and recording while expanding further into scoring for film, television and theme parks, creative writing, filmmaking and even writing a musical.

This conversation is a look at a young artist who isn't asking himself to choose one lane. He's discovering just how many roads his creativity can take him down.

Connect with Ellis: https://www.ellishamilton.com/

What does it take for a group to create music together for nearly 50 years and still find something new to say?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Curtis Harmon of Pieces of a Dream for a conversation about longevity, creativity, mentorship and the evolution of a group that has become part of contemporary jazz history.

Curtis takes me back to the early days of Pieces of a Dream, when he, James Lloyd and Cedric Napoleon were young musicians in Philadelphia. Curtis was only 18 when the group's first album was released, but before that moment arrived, they found themselves learning from one of jazz music's biggest names, Grover Washington Jr.

Grover didn't simply help Pieces of a Dream make a record. He challenged them to become creators. Curtis remembers being told to write their own material even though they had never written songs before. That push helped establish a foundation that would influence the group's music for decades.
We also talk about two lessons from Grover that Curtis still carries with him: let the music breathe and never confuse being a star with acting like one. That combination of musicianship and humility became part of how Pieces of a Dream approached its career.

Curtis shares what nearly five decades have taught him about staying relevant. The group's sound has changed, technology has changed and the way they create music has changed, but Curtis believes evolution is necessary if you want to keep an audience engaged.

We also get into the creative process behind hundreds of songs, the unfinished music Curtis still has waiting on his computer, and how Pieces of a Dream continues refining its live performances even when its members live in different parts of the country.

This conversation is about more than longevity. It's about knowing what parts of your foundation to protect while giving yourself permission to keep growing.

Connect with Curtis: https://www.piecesofadream.net/

What happens when a trombone placed in your hands at five years old becomes the instrument that takes you all the way to the Grammys?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with trombonist Hank Bilal for a conversation about gospel roots, jazz, mentorship, and building a career around an instrument that deserves a little more attention.

Hank grew up in a musical family where church played an important role in developing his sound. He started playing trombone at five, continued studying music throughout school, and eventually majored in music in college. But one of the biggest moments of his career came much earlier. At just 17 years old, Hank performed during the gospel portion of the Grammy Awards alongside Aretha Franklin.

We talk about how that experience affected a young musician coming from rural South Carolina and how gospel gave Hank the musical foundation and confidence he would later bring into jazz.
Hank also explains why he believes the trombone is one of music's most expressive instruments and how its ability to mimic qualities of the human voice gives it a sound unlike anything else.

Our conversation also explores mentorship and collaboration. Hank talks about his relationship with Gerald Albright, who has become both a collaborator and trusted musical mentor, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people whose opinions you respect.

Beyond performing, Hank is also an educator introducing another generation to music. We discuss what his students think about seeing their teacher perform, his approach to music education, and why exposing young people to instruments like the trombone can change what they believe is possible.

From church to the Grammys to contemporary jazz, Hank's journey is a reminder that sometimes the instrument people overlook is the one capable of making you stand out.

Connect with Hank: https://www.hankbilalmusic.com/

What happens when the dream starts becoming real, but you're still doing the work nobody sees?
On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist Kyle Schroeder for a conversation about becoming an artist, building an independent music career, and finding your own place in contemporary jazz.

Kyle takes me back to the beginning, from learning guitar and oboe to discovering the saxophone in high school. Seeing Eric Darius perform helped him realize what was possible, while artists including Dave Koz, Gerald Albright and David Sanborn would influence the musician he was becoming.

One of the defining moments of Kyle's journey came while he was cleaning pools for a living. With his headphones on, listening to SiriusXM Watercolors, he suddenly heard “Let's Get Up,” the first song from his album Get With It that he had promoted to radio. It was a milestone that showed him his music was beginning to reach people beyond his immediate circle.

We also talk about what audiences don't always see behind an independent music career. Kyle explains why independence means taking responsibility for everything from radio promotion and branding to CDs, artwork, logistics and assembling the right team. It's more work, but for Kyle, having greater control over his career makes that responsibility worthwhile.

Kyle also shares why the people surrounding an artist matter, how he chooses musicians for his recordings, and why personal chemistry can be just as important as musical ability.

We close with another side of Kyle's vision: giving back. His Christmas on the Farm event brings music back to the community where he grew up while supporting local children and families during the holidays.

Kyle is still writing his story, and that's exactly what makes this conversation interesting. We're getting a look at what it takes to build a career while you're still building it.

Connect with Kyle: https://www.kyleschroedermusic.com/

What if the opportunity you walked away from wasn't the end of your story, but the beginning of finding your own path?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Erin Stevenson for a conversation about taking chances, trusting your instincts and building a career that doesn't follow a traditional blueprint.
Erin takes me back to her early days with Girls’ Tyme, the group that would eventually become Destiny’s Child. She had the contract in her hand and made the decision to leave. She went on to college, earned degrees in marketing and communications, pursued music and eventually chose the stability of working at NASA.

Then she made another decision that changed everything.

During a period of layoffs, Erin walked into her boss's office with her CD and asked to be let go. The very next day, she received the call that would send her on the road with Janet Jackson.
We talk about what happened next and the lessons Erin learned while touring with artists including Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez and Duran Duran. She explains why talent can get you through the door, but professionalism, consistency, kindness and work ethic are what help create longevity in the music business.

Erin also opens up about something audiences might never expect from watching her perform: she still gets scared. Rather than waiting for fear to disappear, she has learned how to move through it.
We also discuss her transition into creating music on her own terms and the decision to take complete control of “Smooth Soul.” Despite being told that smooth jazz wasn't made for vocalists, that she was too soulful and that she shouldn't write and produce the record herself, Erin did it anyway. The song reached number 14 on the Billboard charts.

This conversation is about more than music. It's about knowing when to listen, knowing when to ignore the rules and having enough faith in yourself to try.

Sometimes you don't need to know exactly where the next decision will take you. You just have to go.

Connect with Erin: https://www.erinstevensonmusic.com/

What does it take to become the musician that some of the biggest names in music trust when it's time to record?

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. for a conversation about the musicians, lessons, and decisions that shaped his extraordinary career.

Paul takes me back to his early years, when Patrice Rushen became a mentor and helped introduce him to musicians who would open doors into the session world. Those relationships, combined with his ability to read music, adapt to different styles, listen, and take direction, helped establish him as a guitarist artists and producers could depend on.

We talk about working with legendary names including Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, and Paul explains one of the principles behind his longevity: when you're hired for someone else's project, you're there to serve the music. It's a lesson that goes far beyond knowing how to play guitar.
Paul also takes us inside his educational series, This Is How I Did It, where he breaks down the guitar parts he created for recordings including Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T.," "Dirty Diana," "Another Part of Me," and "Heartbreak Hotel."

We also discuss Jazz Funk Soul, his work alongside Jeff Lorber and Everette Harp, and why decades of success haven't stopped him from practicing, listening, and becoming a better musician.
Paul's career is proof that talent may open the door, but preparation, humility, relationships, and the willingness to keep learning are what help you stay in the room.

Connect with Paul: https://www.pauljacksonjr.net/