The Voyage Jazz Ensemble recorded and mixed their new CD days before the pandemic closed everything down. The album, Rites of Passage is available now.

NYC- based jazz trombonist/composer Sam Blakeslee's bringing his new chamber music jazz project, "Wistful Thinking," to Caffe Vivace on March 19th from 8-11pm. An Ohio native, he spoke by phone with Ron Esposito on March 10th about his Wistful Thinking project, trombone influences, and playing an interesting blend of jazz genres. Playing with him that night will be guitarist Brandon Coleman and bassist Matt Wiles.

UPDATE (3/10/20): Just heard from Jeff that his Nashville concert with Jack Jones has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns, so he won't be bringing his Mapex drums to Cincinnati for the induction performance with the Blue Wisp Big Band.

Local musician Rick Lisak sat down last week with Elaine Diehl to talk about his new cd, Songs of the Ohio River Valley, recorded with Zach Rowe. During the interview, Rick discusses how he and Zach came together to form Lisak & Rowe and also how they compose songs together.

Guitarist Albert Lee's coming back to Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky, on Wednesday, January 8th. Show starts at 8pm.

Elaine Diehl spoke by phone with singer/songwriter Livingston Taylor on November 14th about his upcoming concert at the 20th Century Theater on December 4th. He's also been teaching at the Berklee College of Music for 30 years.

Singer/songwriter Raye Zaragoza dropped by the studio on her way to her gig at Ludlow Garage on Tuesday afternoon, November 12th, where she opened for the Rising Appalachia band.

Local singer-songwriter Molly Sullivan is a bit of an enigma. Many of her songs have, so far, gone unrecorded, and she tends to limit her online presence. When she joined me in the studio, I had very little in front of me in terms of notes or prepared questions, so, I thought, "Let’s just start talking and see where it goes."

Harlem 100, featuring Mwenso & the Shakes, is a unique collaboration with the National Jazz History Museum in Harlem that’s currently on a 32-city tour around the country. The event is a celebration of the 100th anniversity of the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem-based jazz band, Mwenso & the Shakes, will be on stage at Hall Auditorium in Miami University Saturday, November 2nd.

Newport's Mentoring Plus is a small nonprofit supporting local high school students needing academic help but also providing a safe haven for friendship, food, and more. Local musician and former judge Mickey Foellger will be part of a fundraising music festival on November 2 at the Southgate House Revival.