Sittin' In With The Coool CAT

Elan Trotman is a Barbados born saxophonist who blends caribbean rhythms with his skillful horn textures. You'll find his music in several movies, supporting a who's who of vocalists and playing the national anthem at numerous sporting events. Coool CAT producer Ray White caught up with Elan before he hit the stage in November of 2018 to talk about his Barbados Jazz Excursion fund-raising event, the importance of music training for youth and his playing with superstar performers Roberta Flack and Michael McDonald. In our showcase segment we feature jazz pianist Bobby Lyle whose latest album is Ivory Flow and the super smooth guitarist Norman Brown, who recently released Let's Get Away. Smooth as silk...on this episode of Sittin' in with the Coool CAT!

Najee, a chart topping saxophonist and flutist, is a contemporary jazz pioneer. The Grammy and NAACP award-winning musician has been one of the brightest starts in the genre for nearly four decades. Coool CAT's producer, Ray White, sat down with Najee in November of 2022 who talked about his latest album Savoir Fare - that was produced during Covid and utilized technology to bring the musicians together for the project. Najee also touched on several of his favorite legendary flutists and much more. In our showcase segment, Lisa Davis features three of the top R&B and Soul artists in history. The legendary Smokey Robinson whose upcoming album is Gasms, the two-time Grammy award winners Kool and the Gang and the super smooth sounds of Kenny Lattimore who released Here To Stay in 2021. Great smooth sounds with an upbeat twist, right here on the Coool CAT!

Keiko Matsui is an internationally acclaimed pianist and composer whose sonic cultural exchange has reached the hearts and minds of fans throughout the world. She's released over two dozen solo albums and many more in collaboration with other musicians, who are a "who's who" in the music industry. In our June of 2022 interview, Keiko shares the behind the scenes story of the making of her latest ablum, Echo, with the multi-award winning program director Ray White. Fascinating! You'll also find much more from Keiko on our Episode 43. In our showcase segment, your "Hostess with the Mostest" Lisa Davis, features the legendary Herb Alpert, whose latest project is Sunny Side of the Street. She closes the show with the supergroup Jazz Funk Soul who recently released Forecast. World-class...you'll find it right here on the Coool CAT!!

Jeff Berlin is one of the most innovative electric bassists of the 20th and current centuries. Known for his unique tone, jaw dropping technique and dynamic approaches to the bass, he's helped establish the electric bass as a solo instrument well deserving of its place in modern music. He's released a dozen solo albums and you'll also find him on albums by Herbie Mann, Patti Austin, Ester Phillips - and many others. Award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Jeff in November of 2022, who shared stories which established himself as an elite musician and also talked about his latest album, Jack Songs. In our showcase segment Lisa Davis features saxophonist Will Donato whose latest single, Good On You, spent 3 weeks at the top of Billboard's Smooth Jazz charts. Lisa also features the latest from consummate drummer Jae Sinnett, who's released numerous albums with the latest being Altered Egos. His new single is Another View. Bass...Sax...Drums on the Coool CAT!

Keith Killgo co-founded The Blackbyrds in 1973. The group featured some of the legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd's students. This R&B and Jazz/Funk band received a Grammy nomination for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm" that has sold over a million copies. The band still tours today and their last studio album was Gotta Fly. Multi-award winning program director Ray White talks with Keith about the historic start of the band and shares recent news and plans that the band has moving forward. On this special end-of-the-year show your "Hostess with the Mostess," Lisa Davis, highlights 3 of the hottest artists of 2022 who ended up towards the top of the Billboard charts. Brian Culbertson, Paula Atherton and Rihanna! All of us at Coool CAT wish you the very best for the coming year and beyond!

Contemporary Jazz stalwarts Dave Koz and Rick Braun join us on this holiday special! Dave Koz and Friends (David Benoit, Rick Braun, Peter White and Rebecca Jade) have recently released Christmas Ballads - 25th Anniversary Collection. Dave and Rick share their insights on the Christmas tours and holiday albums that have been produced throughout the years. Saxtress Mindi Abair is our "showcase artist" on this episode, too!! She is currently out on her "I Can't Wait for Christmas" tour with Vincent Ingala, Lindsey Webster and Adam Hawley. Ray White and Lisa Davis, bringing you the spirit of the holidays, right here on the Coool CAT!!! As long as you're in the holiday mood, catch our previous specials on Episodes 117, 93, 72, 52 and 26.

Curtis Harmon and James Lloyd co-founded Pieces of a Dream in 1976. At the forefront of the contemporary jazz genre, they sat down and talked with our multi-award winning program director Ray White. The guys shared their insights into their new album Fired Up!, life during the COVID pandemic and their new protege - Justin Lee Schultz. Be sure to hear more from Curtis, James and the band on Episodes 30, 96, 112 and 130. In our "showcase segment," Lisa Davis features Mindi Abair who's produced ten No. 1 radio singles over her solo career. Her latest album is Forever. Guitarist Nils is also featured on this episode! With 15 Top 20 radio hits to his credit, his brand new project is Cool Shades. You're #1 source for the best in contemporary jazz is right here on the Coool CAT!!

Jackiem Joyner is a dynamic saxophonist who has released 8 solo projects during his career. Since hitting the road, he's toured or recorded with Keiko Matsui, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, and Jonathan Butler - just to name a few. Jackiem has had several songs reach the top of the contemporary jazz charts. In addition, he has authored several novels which span from gritty urban thrillers to imaginative science fiction stories. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Jackiem who talked about his new single "Say What," his unfortunate injury, releasing singles and EP's strategy, writing songs and Radio Shack! Your "hostess with the mostess" Lisa Davis features the late (and great) Nick Colionne, whose posthumous album is Just Like That and also vocalist Lindsey Webster who released Reasons earlier in 2022. We're getting our groove on, here at the Coool CAT!

Will Downing is Mr. Sophisticated Soul, having recorded 25 albums over the past 35 years. His distinctive baritone voice has attracted fans worldwide and carved a unique niche in Soul and R&B music. Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with Will after his soundcheck to talk about his two latest albums Sophisticated Soul and The Song Garden, his radio show - "The Wind Down" and other great insights. You can find Will "Sittin' In With The CAT," on our very 1st episode, too. Your "Hostess with the Mostess," Lisa Davis, features Brian Culbertson, whose lastest release is The Trilogy, Pt. 3: White. We close out this show with a tribute to the iconic saxophonist Pharoah Sanders who passed away on September 24, 2022. Coool CAT is sharing a lot of love on this episode. Hope you'll listen in!

Adam Hawley is an awesome guitarist, composer and producer. During his emerging career, this "rising-star" musician has already had eleven #1 hits! Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Adam after soundcheck in June of 2022 to talk about the beginning of his career, supporting many major stars in the music business, musicians who have influenced his career, his work as a music producer and his new Risin' Up album. Lisa Davis features the jazz icon Ramsey Lewis, who passed away on September 12, 2022, in our showase segment. A three-time Grammy winner, he recorded over 80 albums during his illustrious career. Ramsey was awarded 5 gold albums and in 2007 the National Endowment of the Arts presented him with their Jazz Masters Award. His last album was The Beatles Songbook and his memoir titled "Gentleman of Jazz" will be released in 2023. Be sure to listen to our interview with Ramsey on Episode 60, too! The best from the legacy (and rising jazz musicians), brought to you by the Coool CAT!