Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Tab Benoit is an amazing blues guitarist/singer/songwriter hailing from Louisiana  Since the early 1990's Tab has released well over a dozen albums and has won numerous blues awards, keeping a busy touring schedule too. Be sure to listen to more from Tab on Episode 133.  Music aficionado and Classic Artists Today's founder Ray White caught up with Tab backstage before his show in July of 2024 to talk about his new album I Hear Thunder, which was his first in 13 years.  He also shared insights with singer/songwriter Anders Osbourne and about the late Leon Medica of Louisiana's LeRoux , and the band Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos, and much more.  In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis looks back at the storied career of the "Godfather of British Blues" - John Mayall, who passed away on July 22, 2024.  Nothin' but the blues on this episode of the Coool CAT!

Bassist Christian de Mesones has honed his musical skills throughout his adult life while working various jobs to make ends meet.  In 2021, this rising star garnered the attention of Dave Koz and landed on several jazz charts and Sirius XM's Watercolors.  His latest album is You Only Live Twice and features his first #1 hit.  Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, traveled to Metro Washington, DC's Birchmere venue to sit down with Christian before his show to talk about the new album, his life's twist and turns and his music.  You'll find more from Christian on Episode 166!  Lisa Davis, your "Hostess With The Mostest," highlights the latest from R&B/Soul singer Leela James who released Thought U Knew in 2023.  She also has the spotlight on the legendary duo of Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, whose latest album is Brazil and saxophonist extraordinaire Walter Beasley whose new single Funk Foot just dropped.  Contemporary Jazz with a touch of R&B/Soul on this show from your friends at the Coool CAT!

Lao Tizer is a keyboardist/producer who blends together elements of various genres of music in developing his own brand of contemporary jazz.  His band members comes from multiple music backgrounds which makes Lao's band unique in many ways.  With over a half-dozen albums released since the early 1990's, he can be found playing festivals and shows throughout the country.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Lao backstage during June of 2024 to talk about his career, work with Special EFX's Chieli Minucci and his brand new album Amplify.  Two other great contemporary jazz musicians are also featured in our showcase segment.  Grammy award winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum - whose latest release is Epic Cool and also bassist Gearld Veasley, who played with Grover Washington, Jr. in the early 1980's.  His latest single is Groovitivity.  The cutting edge of contemporary jazz is right here on the Coool CAT!

Chieli Minucci formed Special EFX with George Jinda in 1982.  With George's passing, Chieli has carried on the great music and heritage of the band and incorporated some of the top contemporary jazz musicians and vocalists in the country for his live shows and some albums.  In June of 2024 Coool CAT's producer, Ray White, caught up Chieli out on tour to talk about his Return To Budapest With Love concert recordingm his new single Cool Summer, the all-star concept, and his work on movies and T.V.  Be sure to catch more from Chieli on Episodes 61 and 131.  Lisa Davis showcases Incognito and Streetwize in our showcase segment.  Their latest albums are titled In To You and Lift Me Up, respectfully.  We kick it up a notch on this episode - where "Old School is New School...Again" on the Coool CAT!!

Guitarist Steve Oliver has been a mainstay on the contemporary and smooth jazz charts for over 25 years.  During this period he's landed over a dozen songs in the Top 20.  His dynamic live performances have ignited fans from coast-to-coast.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Steve at the 2023 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival to talk about his latest album, A New Light, that showcases his deep passion for memorable compositions, jazz intricacies, pop melodies and world influences.  Steve also shares several highlights of his career including touring with Acoustic Alchemy.  Lisa Davis closes out the show with three fantastic musicians!  Pianist David Benoit recently released Timeless, Saxophonist Paula Atherton whose Moonlight Drive single just dropped, and rising star Blair Bryant whose latest tune is Summit.  This episode falls right in the groove for super contemporary jazz sounds!  From your friends at the Coool CAT!

Saxophonist Steve Cole launched his national music career in 1998 when his first album release was produced by contemporary jazz stalwart Brian Culbertson.  Growing up in Chicago, Steve brings elements of bebop, pop, funk and gospel to his contemporary jazz platform.  He's also been on-stage or recorded with jazz and blues legends like: Larry Carlton, Buddy Guy, Jeff Lorber, Junior Wells and many more.  Steve shares with producer and music aficionado Ray White insights on his latest album Without A Doubt and his album produced during COVID, titled Smoke + Mirrors.  He also provides an update on his all-star collaboration, The Sax Pack.  Lisa Davis, features 3 awesome artists in our "showcase segment."  She kicks things off with the amazing vocalist Lalah Hathaway, whose latest album is Vantablack, followed by guitar wiz Norman Brown who recently released It Hits Different.  Then she closes out our show with the critically acclaimed trumpeter/flugelhornist/vocalist Rob Zinn who just released the single "Until I Met You."  A jam packed episode from some dynamic musicians... yep, it's the Coool CAT!

Randy Jacobs grew up in the Motown city launching a career as a songwriter and guitarist.  As a member of Was (Not Was) in the early 1980's he honed his musical skills.  In the early 1990's Randy played on an album of all-star musicans called Soul Mission.  Shortly afterwards, he formed The Boneshakers.  Randy shares his insights with award-winning program director Ray White talking about the start-up of the band, teaming with saxophonist/vocalist Mindy Abair, playing with the legendary Bonnie Raitt, serving as music director for a jazz legend, and The Boneshakers latest album One Foot In The Groove - which was #1 on U.S. Soul Blues chart and #1 on a U.K. Blues chart.  In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features 4-time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton, whose latest album is Outdated Emotion.  She also highlights the 2-time Grammy nominee Kenny Wayne Shepherd that released Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1 in 2023.  Great blues musicians are laying it down on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Ivan Neville grew up with music from his relatives including his uncles Charles, Art, Cyril and of course his Dad - Aaron.  Throughout his years Ivan's recorded five solo albums and four more with his band Dumpstaphunk.  You'll also find him playing on many New Orleans based compilation albums and films.  You may not know that Ivan has also recorded with several music legends including The Rolling Stones, Rufus, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and the Spin Doctors.  Multi award winning program director Ray White caught up with Ivan during his soundcheck to talk about his new solo album Touch My Soul and also the latest with Dumpstaphunk.  In our showcase segment, your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis features four-time Grammy award winner Tom Hambridge who can be found on projects by Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Johnny Winter and dozens more!  He's a "go-to" drummer and producer for many other super artists, too!  Tom's latest solo album is Blu Ja Vu.  Great vibes on this episode of the Coool CAT!!

Nathan Mitchell is a rising star in contemporary jazz and soul music genres.  A composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Nathan is Grammy nominated and has three #1 Billboard songs so far in his career.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Nathan during rehearsal in November 2023 to capture his insights on his music, success and plans moving forward.  His brand new album is Gentle and Smooth.  In our showcase segment your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis features former LSG member with 6 #1 hits as a solo artist - Keith Sweat, who just released his latest single "Lay You Down."  Cutting edge artists...we have them on the Coool CAT!

Lindsey Webster, a jazz, R&B, and Pop singer, has been gaining worldwide fame, since launching on the national music scene in 2013.  This rising star's first single "Fool Me Once," reached number one on the smooth jazz charts making her the first vocalist since Sade to have a #1 vocal song in the primarily instrumental format.  Lindsey's landed a half-dozen Top 5 hits on the charts.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Lindsey before soundcheck in November of 2023 to talk about the music scene in her hometown of Woodstock, NY, her latest album - Reasons and relaunching of her You Change CD.  In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features Brian Culbertson, who has had a dozen #1 hits on the smooth jazz charts.  His latest release is The Trilogy - Part 3: White.  We close out this episode with Grammy award winning saxophonist Gerald Albright, who just released his G Steam 3 - Full Throttle EP.  Go with the flow when you hang with the Coool CAT!