Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Willie Bradley, a two-time Grammy nominee, is a trumpeter who's steadly worked his way towards the top of the charts. In 2021, Beats Magazine named Willie their "Jazz Artist of the Year." Coool CAT's Ray White caught up with Willie who provided insights into his career launching days, his latest album - It's My Time and upcoming album, too! In our showcase segment, your Hostess with the Mostest, Lisa Davis features Billboard chart-topping saxman Jackiem Joyner, whose latest single is Missing You. She closes out this episode with South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler, who just released Ubuntu. Covering a wide spectrum of Contemporary Jazz, right here on Coool CAT!

The Wooten Brothers (Victor, Roy, Joseph and Regi) have played music together since their early years. in 1985, they released The Wootens on Arista Records, which launched their careers collectively and individually. Today you'll find them touring together when bass phenom Victor is not touring or in the studio, Joseph isn't on the road with Steve Miller Band, Roy's not playing (with Victor) in the multi-Grammy award winning band Bela Fleck & The Flecktones and oldest brother Regi isn't teaching in Nashville. Unfortunately, their brother Rudy passed away in 2010. Radio show producer and multi-award winner Ray White caught up with the guys (sans Victor) in December of 2013, back in Virginia where they grew-up, to talk about the great times they have playing together and their individual happenings too. Lisa Davis samples highlights of their careers also!! Jazz, Funk and R&B from the Wooten Brothers on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Alex Bugnon has been a mainstay and energetic force on the contemporary jazz scene for over three decades. His global appeal to listeners and his piano stylings can be found on nearly a dozen albums released throughout the years. Multi-award winning program director Ray White hung out with Alex in June of 2022 and talked with him about his record labels, his special relationship with Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., his song writing activities and the possibility of releasing new music. His last album was Harlem. Lisa Davis features saxman Michael Lington whose latest EP is Looking Ahead and has over 25 singles that landed on the contemporary jazz charts throughout his career. The show winds up with guitarist Steve Oliver who has had over a dozen tunes land on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts, too! His latest studio release is Sojourn. Featuring the best from an elite group of smooth jazz performers, on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Brian Lenair stands out among many contemporary jazz sax musicians by playing straight saxophones. Starting his career over 25 years ago, he caught notice of fans and jazz aficionados alike as a member of the group Spur of The Moment. In 2004, Brian released his first solo CD and has also played with the likes of George Benson, Grover Washington, Jr., Al Jarreau, Will Downing and many more. Award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Brian in November of 2022 and talked about his latest music, early years playing for Michael Jordan and friends and the music scene in Washington, D.C. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis - your "Hostess with the Mostest," highlights the latest from Babyface. His latest studio album is Girls Night Out. The very best in contemporary jazz & rhythm & blues righ here on the Coool CAT!

Mel Waiters, a southern soul stalwart musician, was a singer/drummer who passed away on May 28, 2015. It's fitting that we look back on his career from his days as a DJ, entertaining our troops and his recording years from the 1970's until his passing - including his last studio album True Love. In our showcase segment your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis, completes this tribute episode featuring the magnificant Tina Turner, who passed away on May 24, 2013. Selling nearly 150 million records throughout her career Tina received 12 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and 3 Grammy Hall of Fame inductions. A tribute to two of the finest, featured on this episode from the Coool CAT!

Boney James, saxophonist/songwriter/producer is among the elite contemporary jazz performers of his time. He is a 4-time Grammy nominee and in 2009, Billboard magazine named him one of the Top 3 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Decade. His latest album Detour, is a chart-topping album that takes a subtle stylistic turn from his previous commercial releases. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, caught Boney on the run before his soundcheck to talk about Detour and it's early success and Boney also delved into his feeling on technology advances within the industry and the importance of music education in schools. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features the latest on world-class pianist Keiko Matsui - who just released Euporia. Also, R&B favorites After 7 is featured, their latest release is Unfinished Business. Closing out our show is the super-talented saxophonist/flautist/vocalist Paula Atherton whose last three singles were Top 10 tunes! Join us...Sittin' in with the Coool CAT!!

The late (and great) Nick Colionne (Episode 118), Bill Heller of the Rippingtons (Episode 113), bass legend Jeff Berlin (Episode 143) and bluesman Tab Benoit (Episode 133) are featured on this very special episode! Your "Hostess with the Mostest," Lisa Davis, and show creator and producer, Ray White, share highlights from Episodes 101-149, as we celebrate our 150th show. So here we go...revisiting our most listened to shows, Volume 3, and the lastest from these Coool CAT musicians, too!!

Marcus Anderson is a Grammy nominated saxophonist whose career has included performing with Prince and Stevie Wonder along with many others. With 15 albums on his list of accomplishments, the fusion jazz artist brings R&B, Pop, Rock and Funk together to make his awesome sound. During November, 2022 multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Marcus before his performance to talk about his first big break as a professional musician, his time with Prince, performance at the White House, making of his first album, his latest release Reverse and much more! Lisa Davis then delves into the latest happenings in the world of our "classic" artists and features Maysa, whose latest album is Music For The Soul and guitarist Paul Brown and his latest project Promised Land. We close out our show remembering the legandary jazz musician Wayne Shorter, who passed away on March 2, 2023. Another jammed-packed show from your friends at the Coool CAT!

Jeanette Harris is a rising star among smooth jazz saxophone players. A Berklee music school graduate, with a half-dozen albums out, you can find Jeanette playing fesivals and venues worldwide. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Jeanette in June of 2022 as she was coming off stage to talk about the early years of her career, collaborations and her latest album Saxathrone. In our showcase segment your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis features 4-time Grammy winner India.Arie, whose latest album is Worthy. Then Lisa closes out the show with Tedeschi Trucks Band whose I Am The Moon album is at the top of the Blues charts. Smooth Jazz, R&B and Blues - we have you covered on the Coool CAT!

Frank McComb is a vocalist/keboardist/producer that's collaborated with Prince, Chaka Khan, George Duke and many others. He's received several music industry accolades throughout his career. Whether it's Soul, R&B, Smooth Jazz or Gospel, you'll find Frank right in the mix. Multi-award winning program manager Ray White spent time with Frank talking about his transition from working with a major label to an independent artist. He also shared his insights regarding his decision to evolve to a solo artist from his early career as a sideman and also his launch to the big time on the music scene. Frank's latest album is A Tribute To The Masters. Your "Hostess with the Mostest," Lisa Davis, also features two recent Grammy winners on this episode. Samara Joy won the 2023 award for "Best New Artist," and "Best Jazz Vocal Album." He latest album is Linger Awhile. Bonnie Raitt, an icon on the Blues and Americana scene, won the "Song of the Year," "Best American Roots Song," and "Best Americana Performance," awards off her new album Just Like That. A jam-packed show from elite musicians on the Coool CAT!