Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Ken Navarro, guitarist and composer, has created a 26-album catalog with numerous Top 5 hits at national radio along the way. He launched his recording career playing with many of the greats including; John Patitucci, Dave Koz and Doc Severinsen. Ken's latest album is I Will Still Be Here, which continues his string of excellent contemporary jazz recordings. Your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis, gives us the latest insights into "new" music from "classic" musicians in our showcase segment featuring saxman Richard Elliot and bassist extraordinaire - Brian Bromberg. Richard's latest project, Authentic Life, can be found towards the top of the charts. Brian's new release, A Little Driving Music, reinforces his talents as one of the best acoustic and electric bass players in the world. The Coool CAT puts you in the groove with the best contemporary and smooth jazz artists!

Greg Grainger, the drummer for Acoustic Alchemy, is known as one of the most dynamic musicians to come out of the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. His level of professionalism led to artists ranging from Whitney Houston to Lonnie Listen Smith tapping him on their projects. Many know Greg as a member of Pockets, who recorded for Columbia Records in the late 1970's. You'll also find him keeping time for the Paul Reed Smith Band, In Gratitude and many other projects. Award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Greg on the road, in August 2021, to get the latest on his active schedule. With several platinum records to their credit, your "Hostess With The Mostest," Lisa Davis, features After 7 in our showcase segment. Their latest CD release is titled Unfinished Business. R&B and Contemporary Jazz fills the schedule on this episode, from the Coool CAT!

Roomful of Blues have been blending blues, soul, boogie-woogie, swing and jump blues music since 1967. They've garnered five Grammy nominations and secured seven Blues Music Awards throughout their storied career. Past members have included: Duke Robillard (Episode 65), Curtis Salgado, Sugar Ray Norcia and Al Basile. Award-winning program director Ray White caught up with band leaders Rich Lataille and Chris Vachon, in August of 2013, while the band was out on tour to talk about the legacy of the band and their album 45 Live - celebrating their 45th year as a band. Their latest release is titled In A Roomful of Blues. Lisa Davis features blues guitarist/singer Sue Foley, 2020 winner of the prestigious Koko Taylor Blues Music Award. Sue's new album is Pinky's Blues. Our second featured artist is The Rolling Stone's Ronnie Wood, who pays tribute to the blues on his latest release, Mr. Lucky, that includes former Stones' member Mick Taylor. The Blues...nothing but the Blues on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Bill Heller has been the keyboardist for the innovative contemporary jazz group, The Rippingtons, for over two decades. Also in-demand as a session musician, Bill has many projects under his belt during his music career. A talented songwriter and producer, he has released two solo albums including his recent project Passage. Coool CAT's award-winning program director, Ray White, caught up with Bill before he hit the stage to talk about his new album, his long standing relationship with Russ Freemen and The Rippingtons, and many other happenings in his life. Your "Hostess with the Mostess," Lisa Davis, features the classic Motown group, The Temptations - who have brand new music out featuring Smokey Robinson, in our showcase segment. Smoothing your way for 30 awesome minutes, presented by your friends at Classic Artists Today.

Pieces of a Dream celebrates 45 years in 2021, bringing audiences the best in contemporary jazz and R&B. Co-founder Curtis Harmon beats the skins and provides the backbeat for their awesome sound. 22 of the bands albums have landed on the charts with the latest being On Another Note. Coool CAT's executive producer Ray White caught up with Curtis in February of 2012 talking with him about his relationship with the legendary Grover Washington, Jr., their Soul Intent album and other highlights from their storied history. Be sure to listen to more insights from the band on Episodes 30 and 96. Our "Hostess with the Mostest," Lisa Davis features chart-topping contemporary jazz guitarist Nick Colionne in our showcase segment. Nick's latest album Finger Painting was named due to the visualization of his Epiphone ES 175 guitar as a musical paintbrush painting all the colorful notes he plays. You're leading source featuring the best from the world of Contemporary Jazz... the Coool CAT!

Paula Atherton can consistently be found towards the top of the smooth jazz charts, showcasing her talents on the saxophone, flute and on vocals. In the past 5 years she's emerged as a star in this music genre. On this episode, multi-award winning program director Ray White catches up with Paula before she takes the stage to talk about the development of her music career, her latest #1 hit "Summer Song", importance of band members and colleagues as team players, components that make a #1 song and much more! Paula's latest album is Can You Feel It. Listen to more from Paula on Episode 074. In our showcase segment, show hostess Lisa Davis features Paul Brown, whose latest album is Ones Upon A Time and also the dynamic Brian Culbertson, who recently released Music From The Hang! The best in Smooth Jazz... we have it here on the Coool CAT!!

Ivan Neville, the son of Aaron Neville, has been on the national music scene since the mid-1980's having played with The Rolling Stones and Bonnie Raitt. After releasing several solo albums, he launched the band Dumpstaphunk - whose first project was released in in 2007. This "phunky" band has a new album out titled Where Do We Go From Here. On this episode Classic Artists Today's executive producer Ray White, fills in for Lisa Davis, and talks with Ivan about the new album and his family heritage. You'll also find Ivan on Episode 038! In our showcase segment, we focus on new projects by rhythm and blues legends, The Spinners, who just released their first new album in over 30 years - Round The Block and Back Again. We'll also feature the Grammy award winner Macy Gray! Funk city...right here on the Coool CAT.

Ken Knox, of Chairmen of the Board, has played a key role in the band for over 40 years. The vocalist/songwriter/leader, is fronting the band into their 5th decade of pleasing audiences everywhere. Inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 1999, the band was formed in Detroit in 1967. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Ken in May of 2018, just before the band took the stage. They talked about southeastern U.S. "beach music," former lead singer General Norman Johnson - who passed away in 2010, and Ken's role in continuing the bands' legacy today. You'll find Part 1 of our interview and much more on Episode 044. Chairmen of the Board's brand new single is Jack and Jill. In our showcase segment, your "hostess with the mostess," Lisa Davis, highlights Kool and the Gang and their co-founder Dennis D.T. Thomas who died on August 7, 2021. Their latest album is Perfect Union. Soul, R&B, and "Beach Music" at its' best...on the Coool CAT!

Bob James is a giant among Jazz musicians today. Discovered by Quincy Jones in the early 1960's, Bob has been tapped for almost every jazz award in that music genre. Along with his extensive solo work, Bob has collaborated with well over a hundred other musicians on recording projects. He's also received worldwide acclaim with his group Fourplay, who has released over a dozen albums -with the latest title Silver. Bob's latest release, On Vacation, is a collaborative effort with Till Bronner, a trumpeter from Germany. Award-winning program director Ray White releases Part 2 of his May of 2017 interview with Bob (you'll find Part 1 in Episode 015.) In this episode Bob shares his insights working with the late Grover Washington, Jr., recording Feels Like Making Love, and the formation and success of Fourplay. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features a saxophonist/vocalist whose recent albums and songs have elevated towards the top of the smooth jazz charts - Paula Atherton. Her latest release is Can You Feel It. The legendary artists and rising stars...right here on the Coool CAT!

Jonathan Butler is a multi-nominated Grammy singer-songwriter and guitarist who hails from Cape Town, South Africa. 12 of his albums have landed on the Top 20 charts in the jazz category. Many more on the R&B and Gospel charts. Jonathan sat down backstage with award winning program director Ray White, in December of 2010, to talk about his So Strong release, his holiday tour, the changes in South Africa, writing songs for other artists and much more! His latest album is Close To You. Coool CAT's Lisa Davis features saxman Euge Groove in our showcase segment. His latest album is Sing My Song. She doubles-up by also featuring keyboardist Brian Simpson, who just released All That Matters. Three of the very best in Contemporary Jazz, coming to you in this jam-packed episode.