When a smooth jazz version of Purple Rain arrived in my inbox I knew it would be either a brilliant cover of Prince’s iconic track or a cheesy damp squib. Instrumental covers of classic tracks are either one or the other – there is no middle ground. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed. At the opening strum […]

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Evan Carydakis is an acclaimed Jazz saxophonist, residing in Tasmania. Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Evan first picked up the saxophone at the age of 15. Initially inspired by Branford Marsalis’s ‘Royal Garden Blues’, it was his family’s influence and love of all music that set Evan on his stylistic journey. And along the way, Evan […]

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I was lucky enough to chat with 26-year-old Michigan-based singer, songwriter and pianist Hannah Baiardi about her career and new album Straight From The Soul. This interview featured in Just Jazz radio show 21. I began by asking Hannah which instrument she first played… You can find out more at HannahBaiardi.Com and buy the album […]

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I grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire’s dance music and played plenty of it as a club DJ in the 1980s. Lots of the group’s music is still doing the rounds thanks to remixed versions bringing them up to date with added drums, percussion and synth embellishments – there really are some excellent […]

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I got to interview Chicago-based jazz musician Markus Rutz (pronounced roots) for my jazz radio show in April 2020. Broadcasters are welcome to use the interview free of charge – the intro and outro have been written for you… Chicago jazz musician Markus Rutz [pronounced ‘roots’] has just released his third album called “Blueprints Figure […]

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Rick Habana is a producer, songwriter, engineer and composer. In this interview Rick tells Steve Hart about his passion for blending music genres to create his unique smooth jazz sound. Born and raised in California, Rick has succeeded in creating a sound that has landed him numerous music placements with many of the top television […]

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Lars Taylor began his musical career in the 1990s; moving from his native Switzerland to work as a popular and versatile session guitarist and keyboard player in Berlin. Back then he was known as Lars Rüetschi (his real name) and was kept busy in the studio – playing on many hits with popular artists of […]

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If you listened to Alan Freeman’s Pick of the Pops on Britain’s Radio One you would have heard the Australian DJ present a tightly formatted radio show featuring the week’s top 30. It was compelling listening for anyone wanting to know the week’s number one, and Freeman certainly put a lot of energy into his […]

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The bits in-between the music Listening to the radio as a teenager I quickly realised I enjoyed the jingles as much as the music. Using a cassette recorder I’d do my best to do a mixtape – not of the hits, but the jingles! Living near London I grew up listening to Radio Caroline, LBC, Capital […]

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You’re never too old to rock If you listened to Alan Freeman’s Pick of the Pops on Britain’s Radio One you would have heard the Australian DJ present a tightly formatted radio show featuring the week’s top 30. It was compelling listening for anyone wanting to know the week’s number one, and Freeman certainly put […]

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