Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired

Trombone virtuoso talks about the influence his trombone-playing father Bill Allred had on him growing up and what it takes to be a great player in every setting.

Even Simon Cowell was wowed by vocalist Melinda Doolittle, on the sixth season of American Idol, and although he said she should have won, she placed third in the competition. Melinda discusses what her music education and career as a back up singer brings to the solo career she enjoys now.

Interior designer and jazz vocalist Andrew Suvalski discusses combining two full-time careers and how the two inspire each other.

Chicago pianist Jon Weber talks about his jingle writing years, his love for every kind of jazz from the early days to the present, and what his recent move to NYC has done for his playing.

We revisit Judy's 2008 conversation with stage and screen star, John Lithgow, who talks about his love for classic jazz, recording a jazz-inspired childrenâ??s record, and how improvisational acting influences even the most scripted performance.

New Orleans painter talks about how growing up in the south and experiencing jazz has influenced his painting â?? from his â??Blue Dogâ?? portraits to his posters for â??Jazz Fest."

Tony Award winning actress Blythe Danner joins Judy on stage at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival and connects with her early jazz roots. Blythe was a jazz singer in college and discusses with Judy how jazz has continued to influence her acting career.

Jazz pianist/conductor talks about working with some of the great jazz vocalists of our time and his present gigs as musical director for Tony Bennett and Barbara Cook.