Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

James Lloyd, co-founder of Pieces of a Dream, has a dynamic on-stage presence that has excited fans worldwide since 1976. Influenced by the late Grover Washington, Jr., the band has released 20 studio albums throughout the years. Every single one has landed on the music charts! Besides his extraordinary keyboard skills, James is also a producer and songwriter. Coool CAT executive producer, Ray White, hung out with James in November of 2017 to talk about his on-stage antics, debut solo album - Here We Go, and Pieces of A Dreams' Just Funkin' Around release. The bands latest album is On Another Note. Lisa Davis, your "Hostess with the Mostest," features another great keyboardist, Brian Simpson, in our showcase segment. On his latest album he is joined by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter/producer Steve Oliver, who has scored multiple hit singles on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. Their latest collaboration album is titled Unified. We're tickling the ivories on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Dave Alvin, singer/songwriter and guitarist, landed on the national music scene as a founding member of The Blasters in 1979. Throughout the years he's concentrated on his solo career, leaning towards Blues and Americana music. In 2001, Dave won a Grammy for his Public Domain album. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Dave before his show in Asheville, NC, in June of 2011, to get his insights into playing with his brother, the "roots music" movement, and his Eleven Eleven release. Dave's latest effort is titled, From An Old Guitar. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features the phenomenal blues vocalist Shaun Murphy, whose recording career started in 1971 with Motown Records and has garnered numerous blues awards and 3 Grammy nominations throughout her career. Her latest album is Flame Still Burns. We'll also feature Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. Rick's harmonica playing is over the top on his high-energy blues tunes. Their latest album is Contemporary. Blues is the essence of much of the American music genres, and we have the best here on the Coool CAT!

Everette Harp got a boost early in his career when he toured with Teena Marie, in 1988. He released his first solo album between tours with George Duke and Marcus Miller in 1992. This Grammy nominated saxman has released 9 solo albums with his latest titled First Love. In 2014 he helped to launch the super group Jazz Funk Soul, who has since released 3 albums - the latest named Life and Times. Multi-award winning program director Ray White hooked up with Everette in October of 2014, to talk about the influence of George Duke on his career, and hooking up with Jeff Lorber and Chuck Loeb to form his latest venture. As we close out 2020, Lisa Davis fills you in on the latest from Jonathan Butler and Gerald Albright who just released his G-Stream EP. Turning the page on a challenging year, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. More super shows coming your way from the Coool CAT!

Melissa Manchester, Singer/Songwriter/Actress, has won a Grammy and was nominated for two Academy Awards during her career. 24 of her singles have landed on various music charts. In this special 2020 holiday show, Melissa talks about her recent Christmas songs, duet with the legendary Al Jarreau, and provides other insights into her stellar career. Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with Melissa at a December of 2019 Dave Koz Christmas Tour show. In our showcase segment, we feature Jazz In Pink and Roomful of Blues, who share their holiday cheer. Sit back and relax during this heartfelt show with your "Hostess With The Mostess," Lisa Davis. Happy Holidays from your friends at the Coool CAT!

R&B and Jazz drummer Norman Connors is also an accomplished composer and producer. During his career he's played with Pharoah Sanders. Norman's 16 solo albums , with 11 Top 100 hits, featured various vocalist including Michael Henderson, Phyllis Hyman and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Musicians, who used their stint with Norman who went on to launch their own successful careers included Norman Brown and Marion Meadows. Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with Norman , in June of 2011, to discuss his bands throughout the years and his latest studio album Star Power. Coool CAT's Lisa Davis has 3 great artists in her showcase segment. Jam & Lewis x Babyface, the Yellowjackets - whose latest album is Jackets XL and Brian Culbertson whos current release is XX. The jazziest...the hippest...yes baby, on Coool CAT!

Spyro Gyro's Jay Beckenstein has been a mainstay in the band since its formation in 1974 as saxophonist/composer/producer. Spyro Gyra has been nominated for 12 Grammy awards during their storied career. The band has released 29 studio albums since their inception. Award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Jay before his performance with Spyro Gyra in July of 2012 to talk about the early days of the band, their A Foreign Affair album and much more. The bands latest release is titled Vinyl Tap and has a groove that won't quit! Your "hostess with the mostest," Lisa Davis, features 7-time Grammy winner Toni Braxton in our showcase segment. Toni has sold an incredible 70 million records worldwide since her career was launched in 1989. Her brand new album is Spell My Name. Best of Jazz and R&B... you got it, from the Coool CAT!

Brian Simpson sits among elite contemporary jazz pianists and composers. He's played with the top musicians from jazz and R&B including Janet Jackson, George Duke, Dave Koz, Chuck Loeb and Michael Brecker. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, sits down with Brian before a show in December of 2018 to talk about his Something About You release and the expansion of his writing style and much more! Brian's latest album, with Steve Oliver, is Unified. Lisa Davis, your "Hostess With The Mostest," features the incomparable Stevie Wonder in our "showcase segment." Stevie has a new single out titled Where Is Our Love Song. We've got two, very Coool CAT's! Check them out!!

Randy Jacobs, guitarist/band leader/music director, cut his teeth working with many at Motown as a youth. In the 1980's he was a member of the eclectic pop band Was (Not Was). Following that stint, Randy was in-demand by many of the popular music artists of the day. In 1994 he formed his own band - The Boneshakers, combining R&B, Soul, Jazz, Rock and Pop. Most recently, Randy's Boneshakers collaborated with sax stalwart Mindi Abair to release several high-energy albums - with the latest titled No Good Deed. Award-winning program director Ray White, caught up with Randy backstage before a show to talk about his music heritage and recent projects. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features the super talented saxophonist/flutist/vocalist Paula Atherton, whose latest release Can You Feel It is rapidly climbing the charts. We'll also remember the life of Johnny Nash, who passed on October 6, 2020. Coool dudes (and ladies) join us on the Coool CAT!

Alex Bugnon learned his signature piano style of playing by studying at the most prestigious schools in Europe and America, charting with his first solo release in 1988. Alex remains at the top of his game today! Award-winning program director Ray White sat down with Alex in February of 2016 to talk about his transition from classical playing to jazz, his current studio album Harlem and much more. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features Alex's good friend Najee, who's latest project is titled Center of the Heart. Also, we'll focus on the phenomenal bassist Brian Bromberg who recently re-released his Bromberg Plays Hendrix album, in honor of the passing of Jimi Hendrix, 50 years ago. This show is dedicated to the passing of my father, who left this world on August 27, 2020.

Dave Koz launched his solo career in 1990 and has sailed to the top of the contemporary jazz scene. Garnering nine Grammy nominations, his high-energy saxophone work has also been featured on numerous albums by all-star musicians, television and he even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Award-winning program director Ray White sat down with Dave before a performance of one of his hallowed Christmas tour shows to talk about his luxury ship cruises, latest project and upcoming plans. Dave's current album is Live from the Dave Koz Cruise and his upcoming release is A New Day. Your "Hostess with the Mostest," Lisa Davis, features the fabulous Billy Ocean, who's won several Billboard Music Awards along with a Grammy. Billy's brand new release is One World, his first album of original material in over a decade. This episode is not to be missed! That's right...groovin' with the Coool CAT!!