Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired

Jazz pianist Mark Shane discusses his work for movie soundtracks and playing with jazz greats Doc Cheatham, Buck Clayton, Ruby Braff and others.

We revisit my 2012 conversation with filmmaker/Director JP Lipa about his PBS Christmas specials â??Heirloom Mealsâ?? and his use of jazz throughout (including my appearance singing a swinging â??Winter Wonderlandâ??) and his backstage filming of Michael Jackson during preparation for Michaelâ??s last tour.

UPDATED 1/13/2018 - Voice actor/singer Rachael MacFarlane discusses her role as â??Haleyâ?? on American Dad and other characters on Family Guy, working with her brother Seth, and her debut jazz CD Haley Sings, celebrating her characterâ??s (and her own) love for jazz.

We revisit my conversation with magician, actor and side-show specialist Todd Robbins, one of the most unusual entertainers in the business. Todd discusses his musical work with Woody Allen, his passion for early jazz, and how he utilizes these interests in his magic shows.

Cabaret star Steve Ross was one of my early guests on Jazz Inspired and is not only a close pal but a frequent musical collaborator. We revisit this hilarious conversation (Steve's one of the funniest people I know) about his long career and how the greats, Cole Porter, Noel Coward and others, continue to inspire him.

We revisit my conversation with vocalist/saxophonist Curtis Stigers, where we discuss his former life as a pop musician (appearing on the soundtrack of "The Bodyguard") and contrast that to his present life as a jazz musician.

French singer Mina Agossi draws on opera, hip hop and jazz to create her unique approach to the Great American Songbook.

Author, educator and classical and jazz pianist Stuart Isacoff explains how the openness and improvisation of jazz has affected his writing and other creative endeavors.

"I think Iâ??m the only Chinese/American Big Band Leader in the country," says George Gee, and a more enthusiastic proponent of this music cannot be found. George discusses keeping this music alive and the great advice he got from his mentor Count Basie.

Trumpet man Wayne Bergeron is known for his amazing high notes and studio work, and making everyone else sound great. In Judy's 2007 discussion with Wayne he revealed what it was like to finally record under his own name and receive a Grammy nomination for his efforts.