Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

JJ Sansaverino is a high-energy guitarist that has had multiple Billboard charting songs over the past several decades. With 5 solo albums to his credit, you'll find him touring throughout the U.S. in 2025. Multi-award winning program director Ray White hung out backstage with JJ in November of 2024 to talk about the start of his dynamic career, playing at a mega-superstar's wedding, his Soul Energy release and plans for 2025. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis turns the spotlight on the new supergroup BPM (Brian Bromberg-Paul Brown-Michael Paulo) whose new album is Seriously. We conclude this show with the dynamic duo of of Boney James and Rick Braun featured on Boney's Slow Burn album. Hold on tight...you're Sittin' In With The Coool CAT!

Saxophonist Jeff Kashawa has developed into one of the top smooth jazz performers since his days with The Rippingtons. Back in 2004, he founded the dynamic band The Sax Pack. As a solo artist, Jeff recently released his 11th studio album. In our August of 2024 interview, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Jeff backstage to talk about his latest, South American influenced, album Luminoso. He also shared the latest on The Sax Pack, supporting other contemporary jazz musicians and much more! In our showcase segment, your "Hostess with the Mostest," Lisa Davis, looks back at several highlights from the career of the legendary artist Quincy Jones, who passed on November 3, 2024. Quincy was tapped for numerous accolades during his lifetime including 28 Grammy awards and 7 Academy award nominations. This is a show you don't want to miss!

Four80East hails from Canada and plays a unique style of electro-jazz. Their debut album hit the charts back in 1997 and they have built a dedicated following ever since. The band has scored several top-ten hits and you can find them playing at festivals and clubs throughout the U.S. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Four80East's Rob Deboer and Tony Grace in August of 2024 to talk about their breakthrough years, relationship with the Weather Channel and their Gonna Be Alright studio album that was released in 2023. Also, a late breaking announcement from Rob...release of their brand new project Barn Sessions Volume 1 ! In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis looks back at the awesome career of 5-time Grammy winner, Roberta Flack who passed away on February 24, 2025. Hang on tight...another super Coool CAT show!!

Eric Marienthal is a multi-award Grammy winning saxophonist in the jazz and pop world. As a solo artist, he's released well over a dozen albums since the 1980's. In addition, you'll find him on releases by Chick Corea's Elektric Band, Big Phat Band, The Rippingtons, Brian Culbertson and David Benoit, just to name a few. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Eric, playing with the Special EFX All-Stars, and talked backstage about his early years in music, career highlights and his recent work including and album with Randy Brecker titled Double Dealin'. Always in high demand, Eric has been nominated for Grammy awards ten times throughout his career. Don't miss Lisa Davis and our fabulous hang with this premier player, right here on the Coool CAT!

Saxtress Paula Atherton has had numerous songs on the smooth jazz charts during recent years, featuring her dynamic sax, flute and vocal work. Having released 7 albums throughout her career, this Long Island native can be found touring throughout the U.S. for much of the year. In her December of 2024 interview with multi-award winning program director Ray White, Paula touches on her early days playing gigs around New York City, her latest projects and her time performing on the same stage as the legendary David Sanborn. Her latest album is Dancin' Shoes and you can hear more from Paula on Episodes 74 and 111. Talking about David Sanborn, we lost his great talents on May 12, 2024. "Your Hostess With The Mostess," Lisa Davis, looks back at his stellar career in our showcase segment. Contemporary jazz at its finest, on the Coool CAT!

Marc Broussard, singer/songwriter/guitarist grew up around music as his dad is an acclaimed musician, too. They're both in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Marc's career launched on the national scene with his 2004 album Carencro, featuring his Bayou Soul style music mixing the great sounds of funk, blues, R&B, rock and pop. He's performed for many of the late night TV shows during his career and one of his songs was tapped as the theme song for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Marc in October of 2024 to talk about his storied life and career, his Save our Soul (SOS) charity recordings, work with Joe Bonamassa and his new album Time Is A Thief. In our showcase segment, your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis, features the 2023 "B.B. King Entertainer of the Year" award recipient Tommy Castro, whose brand new album is Closer To The Bone. Covering the gamut of soul, R&B, blues and contemporary jazz...that's right, we're the Coool CAT!

Anders Osborne, born in Sweden, has spent many of his years in the deep south of the USA. Touring throughout the country since 1995, his music has elements of Blues, Americana and R&B. Throughout the years he's recorded 17 studio albums as a solo artist. You'll typically find Anders performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He consistently is tapped for Offbeat's "Best of the Beat" awards. In July of 2024, multi-award winning program director Ray White hung out with Anders, who was out on tour with Tab Benoit and Mike Zito, to talk about his move to the the U.S., his extensive touring, latest album - Picasso's Villa and much more. In our showcase segment your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis features Mike Zito whose recent album is Life Is Hard and soul sensation Billy Price who recently released Person of Interest. A great blend of Blues, R&B and Americana on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Adam Hawley, Paula Atherton and Vincent Ingala join us on our 8th Annual Holiday Special, brought to you by your friends at Classic Artists Today. Great insights and well wishes from these dynamic contemporary jazz musicians, along with their christmas music of course! You'll hear from the phenominal Dave Koz too, as his 27th Annual Christmas Tour (with Friends) is underway. We'll also feature the keyboardist/music director/producer West Byrd whose latest album is A West Byrd Christmas. While you're in the holiday mood, be sure to listen to our other fantastic holiday shows on Episodes 26, 52, 72, 93, 117, 141 and 164 too!! Peace, Love and Happiness from Ray White - Lisa Davis and the Coool CAT.

Jonathan Butler is an amazing vocalist and guitarist who is at the top of his game in the contemporary jazz and gospel genres. Playing publicly as a child in South Africa, he's gained worldwide attention throughout the years, landing on the music charts starting in 1985. Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with Jonathan in December of 2023, while out on Dave Koz's Christmas Tour, to talk about his career musical highlights, his homeland, unique guitar sound and his latest album Ubuntu. In our showcase segment, your hostess with the mostest Lisa Davis features saxman Richard Elliot whose latest album is Straight Up Down and closes out the show with the talented trumpet player Tom Browne who just released the single Impulse. World-class contemporary jazz featured on one of the country's premier 30-minute shows - Sittin' In With The Coool CAT!

George Porter, Jr. is one of New Orleans' music royalty! A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award member, he was co-founder of the phenomenal Funk/Soul/R&B/Blues band The Meters. You'll find him as an integral member of The Funky Meters, too! Today George's legacy is continuing to be made heading up the Runnin' Pardners Band, whose latest album is Crying For Hope. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with George before taking the stage with his band in May of 2024 to talk about highlights of his esteemed career and his latest projects. You'll find more from George on our Episode 57. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis highlights the latest from another legendary musician, Steve Cropper, who just released Friendlytown. The show closes with a tour-de-force, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, who recently released their album Struck Down which is receiving rave reviews. Getting to the heart of the matter, on this episode of the Coool CAT!!