Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Keiko Matsui is an amazing keyboardist and composer who blends Western and Eastern music creating unique songs that stands out among contemporary jazz musicians. She's released over two dozen albums throughout her illustrious career. In our most recent interview, during 2024, show producer Ray White sat down backstage to talk with her about her latest album Euphoria, highlights of her worldwide performances, flashbacks from her early musical career and much more. Listen to our other shows featuring Keiko on Episodes 43 and 144! In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis keeps you up-to-date with the latest from saxophonist Marion Meadows who released Just Doing Me in 2024 and also the fantastic guitarist Chieli Minucci and his band Special EFX, who recently dropped the single Marbella. World-class musicians...you'll find them on the Coool CAT!!

20th anniversary of Classic Artists Today featuring our Coool CAT show, highlighting the most listened to episodes including interviews and more from Soul, R&B, Contemporary Jazz and Blues musicians. We kick off this jam packed show with Mr. Sophisticated Soul himself - Will Downing (Episodes1 & 138). We'll slide right into the high energy from an amazing Dutch saxophonist - Candy Dulfer (Episode 56). Then close out this special anniversary episode by featuring long time keyboardist from the multi-award winning group - The Rippingtons, with Bill Heller (Episode 113). Get in the groove and get ready to party with Ray White and Lisa Davis on the Coool CAT, "Where Old School Is New School...Again"!

Johnny Burgin is the blues, over and over again. Playing close to 250 shows a year, this guitarist/vocalist from Mississippi has learned his trade in the blues capital of the world - Chicago. During many years you'll find Johnny up for some of the most prestigious blues awards not only in the U.S., but worldwide. Multi-award winning program director Ray White spent time with Johnny before one of his gigs to talk about his love for the blues, his worldwide travels, the various blues genres and many other blues highlights. We also get his insights on his latest album, Ramblin' From Coast to Coast. In our showcase segment, your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis features two legendary blues musicians who've collaborated together on their latest album Room On The Porch, Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo'. Featuring nothing but the blues on this episode from your friends at the Coool CAT!

Oli Silk is a contemporary jazz keyboardist, composer and producer. In 2006, Oli was named Debut Artist of the Year by Smooth Jazz News magazine. He's released 9 solo albums throughout the years and has 4 Billboard #1 tunes to his credit. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White sat down with Oli in the Green Room before his show in December of 2024 and talked about the love his family has for music, his first band Sugar & Silk, his breakthrough on the international music scene and his latest album - In Real Life. Lisa Davis your "Hostess with the Mostest," features saxman Eric Darius in our showcase segment. His latest single is "Too Good 2 Let Go." Also featured is a super guitarist, Paul Brown, whose brand new album is called So Much To Say. Jazzin' it up on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Multi-instrumentalist Vincent Ingala has vaulted towards the top of the contemporary jazz charts as a young gun in the music industry. Since 2010, he's had eleven Billboard #1 hits and 23 of his songs have landed in the Top 10. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Vincent in December of 2024 to talk about the family vibe among smooth jazz musicians, several of his mentors, his latest album Escape With Me, recording all the instruments on his albums and producing albums for others. An insightful and exciting interview! In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis - "Your Hostess with the Mostest," features three dynamic musicians. The multi-talented Mindi Abair, whose latest release is Based On A True Story, Keyboardist Brian Simpson whose Midnight Groove album dropped in 2025 and another rising star- trumpeter Rob Zinn who just released the single Weekend Games. We're laying down some heat on this episode from the Coool CAT!

You'll find Adam Hawley is consistantly towards the top of the smooth jazz charts as a musician/songwriter/producer. Together, he's been involved with an incredible 17 Billboard Hits along with Artist of the Year and Song of The Year awards. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Adam in December of 2024, before he hit the stage, and conversed on his latest album Unstoppable, his method of producing, his busy schedule for 2025 plus much more! In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis looks back at the career of Sly Stone whose amazing career took off after forming Sly and the Family Stone in 1966. Sly was a pioneer in many aspects the music industry including forming the first American rock group to have a racially integrated, mixed-gender band. Sly passed away on June 9, 2025. Today...and Yesterday, on this edition of the Coool CAT!

Time to celebrate our 4th Best of The Coool CAT program. We highlight the most popular episodes from #151 to #199. The peoples choice were: Soul/R&B/Funk's Victor Wooten and his brothers (The Wooten Brothers) from Episode 155, keyboardist Guy Allison (The Doobie Brothers) gives his jazz slant and insights on Episode 160, and rising blues star Joanne Shaw Taylor was featured on Episode 170. Your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis and show creator/producer Ray White navigate you through this action packed show! Be sure to listen to our first three "Best Of" shows on Episodes 50, 100 and 150, too!!

Jason Jackson is a rising star among contemporary jazz saxophonists today. Starting out in the house band at the House of Blues in South Carolina, he honed his skills in the U.S. Navy as a member of their band. After his military service Jason hooked up with jazz guitar wiz Adam Hawley who helped launch Jason's first album. Jason's latest release is Looking Up. Hanging out with Jason, our multi-award winning program director Ray White gets the inside scoop on the rise of this exceptional musician. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features two icons on the contemporary jazz scene. Keyboardist extraordinaire Jeff Lorber whose latest album is Elevate, along with Philly sensation Pieces of a Dream who just released We Got This. New blood and old school is our focus on this show!

Althea Rene, a flautist, hails from Detroit and plays a soulful type of contemporary jazz music. You'll find her out playing from coast-to-coast and on several of the Jazz cruises. She's released nealy a dozen albums throughout her illustrious career with her latest album titled 18 Carat. You'll find many of her songs landing on the top smooth jazz charts worldwide. In our November of 2024 interview with Althea, award-winning program director Ray White delves into details of her Pastel Leather release, looks back at key aspects of her career and sneaks a peak into her future plans. You'll find more from Althea on our Episode 67! In our showcase segment, your "Hostess with the Mostess" Lisa Davis features the great guitarist Peter White, who just released his Light of Day album. Jazzin' it up right here on the Coool CAT!

Paul Nelson, a Grammy award winning producer elevated his career as a guitarist /songwriter/producer for the legendary bluesman Johnny Winter. Paul also played with many of the world's iconic guitarists including Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. A member of the New York Blues Hall of Fame, Paul left his mark on the blues genre. A sudden heart attack, took Paul's life just a couple months after award-winning program director and show producer, Ray White, interviewed him in November of 2023. A super guy, who left this world much too soon. Listen to more of our interview with Paul on Episode 171 of our sister show - Sittin' In With The CAT. In our showcase segment, your "Hostess With The Mostess," Lisa Davis features guitar slinger Buddy Guy in our showcase segment. His latest album is The Blues Don't Lie. Nothing but the blues on this episode, brought to you from your friends at the Coool CAT!