RABBIT HOLE SOUL

Erykah Badu  “Baduizm”

This 1997 session catapulted Ms. Badu into the pop/hiphop spotlight, and a star was born. She sings lead and most of the background vocals, and did a lot of the drum programming. RHS’s Robert Bush managed a sit-down interview with vocalist Rebecca Jade to dig deep into this session. Rebecca sings with Sheila E. and recently performed with Sir Elton John.

Etta James  “Tell Mama”

Ms. James traveled from Chicago to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to record this visceral document back in 1967 at the renown Fame studios, producing one of her finest records to date. RHS managed to book some time with sterling vocalist Whitney Shay, whose new album “Stand Up” is currently positioned at #1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Whitney isn’t afraid to dive into this Rabbit Hole…

Jan Garbarek/Bobo Stenson  “Witchi Tai To”   (Mark Lessman)

 This iconic 1974 session shattered the myth that European jazz musicians were somehow inferior to their American counterparts.  Saxophone master Garbarek has his finest day and pianist Stenson  is not far behind. RHS welcomes saxophonist Mark Lessman who shares an affinity to this session with host Robert Bush. This episode is dedicated to the memory of the drummer on the session Jon Christensen, who recently passed.

Geri Allen “The Life Of A Song”

Geri Allen’s 2004 tour-de-force featured the young piano master leading a magnificent trio showcasing the sterling rhythm section of Dave Holland on double bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Allen played with everyone from Marcus Belgrave to Ornette Coleman. Piano virtuoso Joshua White joins Robert Bush to dive deep into this classic session by the late Ms. Allen….

Pat Metheny Group

Their self-titled 1978 masterpiece on the ECM record label made stars out of the young jazz group, who followed up by touring the world relentlessly. RHS celebrates this album with the multifaceted Dave Blackburn, who shares an affinity for that document. Sadly, one of the principle contributors to the session, pianist Lyle Mays, passed away last week. This show is dedicated to him…

Joni Mitchell  “Hejira”

 Joni released her 8th studio album in 1976, a masterpiece ode to wanderlust and travel, inspired by a cross-country trip she took by automobile by herself just prior to writing these songs. At the last minute she added bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius, whose input transformed the album. Robin Adler and Dave Blackburn return to RHS to delve deeply into this session…

Wes Montgomery “Portrait of Wes”  (with Bob Boss)

 Wes Montgomery was perhaps the most innovative guitarist in the history of modern jazz. Everyone who followed owes something to the master, who died too young at the age of 45 in 1968. RHS welcomes guitar master Bob Boss to dive into the Wes Montgomery Rabbit Hole.

Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra

 In 1966, pianist Evans brought his jazz trio into the recording studio to collaborate with a full symphony orchestra conducted by Claus Ogerman, for producer Creed Taylor. Young piano master Danny Green drops by to talk about the joys and challenges of working with strings.

Kamau Kenyatta “The Elegant Sadness”

 A conversation with multi-Grammy-award winning producer Kamau Kenyatta—a friend of the RHS show. This episode we dive into his latest album, “The Elegant Sadness,”  and find out what stories lie behind this compelling session…

Jackie McLean “Swing, Swang, Swinging’”

 Alto sax master McLean hit an early stride back in 1959 with this classic Blue Note release recorded at the age of 28. Christopher Hollyday drops in to discuss his favorite McLean album and away we go!