Wayne Wallace got his start playing rhythmn and blues with groups such as Earth Wind and Fire. Since the early 1990s, he has focused on Latin Jazz. His new CD, "Bien Bien" is a hot combination of jazz and Latin, with a little funk thrown in for good measure. Producer Reese Erlich interviewed Wallace in San Francisco for this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective.

Jackie Ryan grew up listening to the favorite songs of her mom, who was born in Mexico. When Jackie became a jazz singer, she combined fine interpretations of the Great American Songbook with the soul of Latin music. Producer Reese Erlich talks with Ryan about her CD "Doozy," in this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective.

Guitarist Al Di Meola first became famous playing with Chick Corea in the fusion band Return to Forever. He gained international recognition performing as part of the Guitar Trio with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia. JazzCorner.com's Jazz Perspectives producer Reese Erlich interviewed Di Meola at the Montreal Jazz Festival about his latest efforts with his World Sinfonia band.

In 2007, producer Lois Gilbert has an opportunity to speak with Sachal Vasandani on the release of his debut CD for Mack Avenue called, "Eyes Wide Open." Nearly two years later, Lois once again talks with Sachal about his latest release, aptly titled, "We Move" and the changes and growth Sachal navigates through this record as well in his personal and professional life. This special JazzCorner.com InnerView was recorded during the Detroit Jazz Festival. For more information, visit https://www.mackavenuerecords.com

Singer, songwriter and actor Ruben Blades has a fascinating career. He became a world famous Latin music singer and then gave it up to become Tourism Minister in his native Panama. JazzCorner.com's producer Reese Erlich met with Blades just days after he finished his term as minister. He's now touring with his wife, singer Luba Mason and preparing new musical projects.

In 1979, Lois Gilbert had the good fortune to interview for radio station WRVR in New York, Jimmy and Percy Heath. With the kind permission of Jimmy Heath, she's been provided the opportunity to rebroadcast, enhance and update the interview for a special JazzCorner.com InnerView. Although, Percy Heath died in 2005, The Heath Brothers continue with Albert "Tootie" Heath performing with Jimmy. Jimmy's autobiography will be published by Temple University Press in 2010. The Heath Brothers band will be performing at the 2009 Detroit Jazz Festival. Visit www.detroitjazzfest.com for more information.

Before he was 21, Jon Faddis had played and/or recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Sarah Vaughan, Thad Jones, Lionel Hampton, and Oscar Peterson to name a few. In this special one hour JazzCorner.com InnerView, producer Lois Gilbert accompanies Jon as he takes us on his musical journey through words and music. The Jon Faddis Quartet with special guests Sean Jones and Wallace Roney will be appearing at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on September 6, 2009.

For more info visit: www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

On the 2009 release of Kenya Revisted Live, Bobby Sanabria did more than recreate the 1958 masterpiece, "Kenya" recorded bt Machito and the Afro-Cubans. Mindful of the importance of this historic record to both Latin and Jazz audiences, Sanabria wrote new arrangements and created a bridge in the legacy of the music by featuring the Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra with special guest, NEA jazz master Candido Camero. In this JazzCorner.com Innerview with Lois Gilbert, Sanabria talks about both records and why he is in a unique position to make Kenya Revisited live. Bobby Sanabria and his Quarteto Ache and Candido will be performing at the free New Jazz Festival on August 22, 2009. See www.bobbysanabria.com

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli wanted to be a rock and roll star when he was a teenager. Luckily for the world of jazz, his father, Bucky Pizzarelli, introduced his son to the music of the 40s and 50s. Today John is one of the great upholders of that tradition, whether performing the songs of Richard Rogers on his latest CD or composing his own tunes. John will be doing his Radio Deluxe program live at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on Sept. 5 and will be performing with Bucky at the Detroit Jazz Festival September 7. See www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org

Wayne Shorter has played with a host of jazz greats from Sonny Stitt to Art Blakey and Miles Davis. In this JazzCorner.com Jazz Perspective, producer Reese Erlich discusses with Shorter, his early career and his composing skills. The Wayne Shorter Quartet will be performing on September 6 at the Detroit Jazz Festival. See www.detroitjazzfest.com.