KMHD

Gary Bartz stands as a pivotal jazz figure in jazz due to his innovative compositions, versatile genre fusion, the social messages in his music, and iconic collaborations withother artists. On this episode, we’ll hear about Charles Mingus’ jazz workshop in NYC, his stint with Miles Davis’ band in the early 70’s, and the formation of Gary’s project NTU Troop.

Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins, born on September 7, 1930, is an esteemed American jazz tenor saxophonist renowned for his significant contributions to the jazz genre. Over his illustrious seven-decade career, Rollins has served as a leader on more than sixty albums. Widely hailed as "the greatest living improviser," Rollins continues to be a pivotal and influential figure in the world of jazz.

Samm Culley is/was the bassist and vocalist for the mythical funk band SKULL SNAPS. The group only released one self-titled album in 1973, but one of the tunes from that record -- "It’s A New Day" -- features one of the most widely sampled drum breaks in history, credited with laying the foundation for countless hip-hop classics.

Joe Bataan pioneered the sound of New York Latin soul, and his ability to bridge diverse musical genres have made him a vital figure in the history of American music. This episode explores his journey after a stint in prison, his group signing with the legendary Latin label Fania, recollections recording two of his LPs, and the enduring popularity of his song “Young Gifted and Black.”

JJ Whitefield is a German-born multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer, perhaps best known as co-founder of the group, the Poets of Rhythm. Even though it may have seemed improbable to the Poets of Rhythm at the time, the band’s commitment to a punchy, gritty, deep-funk aesthetic made them the honorary forefathers and Godfathers of the late 90s/early 2000s soul and funk revival. Whitefield continues to make genre-blurring music with groups like Karl Hector & the Malcouns and African music legend Ebo Taylor.

James Gadson is one of the most recorded drummers in the history of soul, funk, and R&B music. He’s played on countless records that have shaped the very essence of rhythm and groove in popular music, appearing on albums by Herbie Hancock, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo. James is also one of the most sampled drummers of all time.

While in New York City for Winter Jazzfest, KMHD host Alex Newman sat down with drummer Jay Mumford at Second Take Studio in Manhattan to dive into his unconventional musical journey—from a record-obsessed kid to an independent producer and rapper, and ultimately to a drummer playing with the likes of Michael Kiwanuka and Adrian Quesada. Along the way, he crossed paths with legends, picking up wisdom from iconic drummers like Steve Ferrone, Mike Clark, and George Brown. Jay’s latest project sees him teaming up once again with Dutch keyboardist and producer Soul Supreme for another electrifying collaboration.

James “Plunky” Branch a saxophonist/composer who was a founding member of the band Oneness of Juju, a group that were instrumental in blending diverse musical styles, including jazz, funk, soul, and traditional African rhythms to create a distinctive sound. Their musical so delivered a potent message of Black pride, social consciousness, and cultural unity.

Ishmael Butler is a rapper, record producer, and songwriter, best known for his work with Disable Planets and Shabazz Palaces. Disable Planets were renowned for their groundbreaking work blending hip-hop with jazz samples.

Isaac “Redd” Holt is best known for his drumming with the Ramsey Lewis Trio –that’s Redd playing drums on the classic LP 'TheInCrowd,' which became a huge commercial success. After his time with Ramsey Lewis, he went on to form the influential jazz/funk outfit, Young Holt Unlimited, with whom he recorded the timeless single, “Soulful Strut.” Holt passed away on May 23, 2023 at the age of 91.