Bassist Kevin Beardsley is set to join the U.S. Army’s Jazz Ambassadors, departing for basic training on August 10.

Kevin sat down with Six Count on July 29 in downtown Durham before his penultimate weekly performance at Kingfisher, where the jazz jam runs every Tuesday from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. Tonight (Tuesday, August 5) is the bassist’s last regular gig at the bar.

During the conversation, Kevin shares about his decision to join the army’s premier big band, his aspirations for musical growth, and parting words to the Triangle’s jazz community. (Local jazz fans shouldn’t despair, however; Kevin plans to return to the area regularly for family visits and gigs throughout the year.) 

While at Kingfisher, host Xara Wilde also had the opportunity to speak with MoBetta Ledbetter, a member of the Commodores from the United States Navy Band. MoBetta reflects on his four years with the ensemble, shares insights he wishes he’d known when starting out, and describes what it’s like working as a musician in the Navy.

Music credits

This episode features live recordings of the Kingfisher jazz jam with Kevin on bass, Jeremy “Bean” Clemons on drums, and Tinashe “Blu” Thompson Jr., on sax on July 29, 2025. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app.

Yuan Dong is a jazz pianist and vocalist in Durham and a PhD candidate in philosophy at Duke, where she researches social epistemology and the neuroethics of video games.

At age seventeen, Yuan left her hometown in China for Charlottesville, Virginia, to finish high school, a move that would eventually lead her to jazz. She earned her bachelor’s degree at William and Mary, where she studied under renowned vocalist Stephanie Nakasian (mother of Veronica Swift).

On this episode, Yuan shares about her first encounter with jazz, the mentorship she received from pianist Ed Paolantonio and vocalist Angela Bingham (a past Six Count guest), and her vision for where her music will take her next.

Music credits

This episode features the songs, “Journey to the West,” and “Blue Dress,” sung by Yuan Dong.

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app.

Raleigh-based saxophonist Imraan Khan specializes in Brazilian music, including samba jazz, bossa nova, and Baião. Originally from New York City, Imraan moved to the Triangle in August 2020. He shares his early influences from Caribbean music, straight-ahead jazz, and bebop, as well as the release of his debut album, Começando (2019). In addition to performing throughout Brazil, Cuba, and the United States, Imraan has graced stages at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz à Vienne in France. He also discusses the early mentorship he received from saxophonists Andy Fusco (a former member of the Buddy Rich Big Band) and T.K. Blue, and pianist Richie Iacona. What might surprise most? Imraan is also a motorcyclist who repairs his own vehicles, founder of an IT consulting company, and a member of a Rick James tribute band.

Music credits

This episode features the songs, “Começando,” “Luz da Cançāo,” and “A Natureza Dela,” from the 2019 album Começando by Imraan Khan. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app.

Andrew Berinson and Paul Creel of Thrio returned to Six Count to share about the upcoming release of their second album, Volume 2. The album will be available on streaming platforms on March 21. 

Volume 2 will feature arrangements of songs composed by Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis, as well as a few of Thrio’s original compositions. Andrew and Paul share about how Thrio has grown since the group’s first album, what went into the making of Volume 2, and what to expect from their latest work. 

Thrio is a jazz trio featuring Andrew on piano, Paul on bass, and Donovan Cheatham on drums. In addition to performances throughout the Triangle, Thrio hosts the Thursday jazz jam at Bond Brothers Eastside in Cary. The band is planning a pre-release party on March 20 at the bar and concert venue.

Six Count first interviewed Thrio at the Sharp Nine Gallery in fall 2022, following the release of their first album, Volume 1. 

Follow Thrio on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.

More about the album

Volume 2 was recorded at Overdub Lane in Durham. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jason Richmon. The album art is by Andrew Berinson featuring photography by James Motter.

Music credits

This episode features the song, “Nardis,” from the 2025 album Volume 2 by Thrio, featuring Andrew Berinson on piano, Paul Creel on bass, and Donovan Cheatham on drums. Nardis was originally composed by Miles Davis.

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app.

Michael Shekwoaga Ode is a Nigerian American drummer, melodist, vocalist, composer, and educator from Durham. The musician sat down with Six Count during his visit home over the holidays. 

Now based in New York City, Michael leads three bands, and he frequently plays with saxophonist Kenny Garrett, a former member of Miles Davis’s band. Michael plans to release several albums this year across the groups.

Michael shares about the jump from the Triangle to New York, his cinematic approach to shows, and the relationship between spirituality and music. He also shares about the first time he saw jazz performed live (with Jon Curry and Lance Scott) as a student at Jordan High School in Durham.  

Michael studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music under the mentorship of drummer Billy Hart in Oberlin, Ohio. 

Music credits

This episode features a recording of a live performance with Michael on drums, Ernest Turner on piano, Butler Knowles on bass, Irving Aday on keys, and guest Dave Finucane on sax at Missy Lane’s on January 5. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app. 

Brandon Mitchell is a vibraphonist and music educator based in Raleigh. 

Brandon shares about his latest work, including the release of the album Lakewood Jump by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers and his 2024 singles, “A Promise is a Comfort to a Fool” and “Little Sunflower.” The artist also talks about getting inspiration from the Afrobeats movement and his Caribbean roots in Jamaica and Grenada, and what’s coming up for him in 2025. Brandon will release music with his four piece featuring Chris Mills on bass, Brandon Shamar on piano, and Chuck Pinckney on drums.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Brandon holds a bachelor’s in percussion performance from Elon University and a master’s in jazz studies from North Carolina Central University. He teaches vibes, drums, piano, and other percussion instruments around the Triangle.

In addition to performing throughout the East Coast, Brandon has performed in Italy at the Jazzit International Music Festival in Montegrosso, the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, and by the Duomo in Florence for a show presented by the Notte Bianca festival. He’s also performed with Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, and Jon Metzger, among others.  

Music credits

This episode features the songs “A Promise is a Comfort to a Fool” and “Little Sunflower,” by Brandon Mitchell. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app.

Thomas Owens is a bass player based in Raleigh. The North Carolina native shares about balancing performing with his day job in IT, the impact of his mentors (including previous Six Count guests Al Strong and Greg Gelb), and the evolution of his music, from historic swing music to fusion and other genres.  

You can hear Thomas play every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at Congress Social Bar in Durham. The jazz jam is hosted by Al. 

Thomas received his bachelor’s from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with a major in business technology and a minor in music.

Music credits

This episode features a live recording of the jam at Congress Social Bar, featuring Holland Majors on keys, Al Strong on trumpet, Geoffrey Ammons on electric guitar, Thomas Owens on bass, and Larry Draughn on drums. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app.

Six Count hosted its first listening session with a small group of musicians in January. Dexter Moses, the featured guest, curated the following playlist for the evening: 

• “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles,” by Charlie Parker and Jay McShann (1942)
• “Cherokee,” by Charlie Parker and Efferge Ware (1942 or 1943)
• “Bag’s Groove” (1953) and “Off Minor” (1947), by Bud Powell
• The Black Peril, by Soweto Kinch (2019)
  • Liberation Rag
  • Degeneration, Pt. 11 – The Disorder Within
  • Liberation’s Dawn
  • Black Friday
  • Homecoming
• “52nd Street Theme (Live),” by the Branford Marsalis Quartet (2014)
• “I Cover the Waterfront (Live),” by the Don Shirley Trio (1968)
• “All The Things You Are,” by Phineas Newborn Jr (1956)
• “I’ve Done My Work,” by Donald and Geraldine Gay (2001)
• “Sugar (Solo Piano – The Keystone Transcriptions),” by Teddy Wilson (1939-1940)
• “On a Turquoise Cloud,” by Duke Ellington (1948)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify. *Not all versions of the songs selected by Dexter are available on the music service.

The musician also shares about his debut album, New Perspective. He plans to begin recording in April. 

Dexter is a previous guest on Six Count. Listen to his episode from September 2023 on the under-appreciated influence of Don Byas on swing and bebop. 

More about the artist 

Dexter is a saxophonist, composer, and educator in Durham.

A double alumnus from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Dexter holds a bachelor’s in jazz studies and master’s in jazz composition and arranging. On Wednesdays, he hosts Evening Jazz at WNCU 90.7 FM, the university’s jazz radio station, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Dexter teaches private lessons in saxophone, flute, and clarinet at the Russell Lacy Music school in Durham. 

(Episode art by Micah Haycraft)

Music credits

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app. The series also airs on taintradio.org, an online jazz radio station based in North Carolina, on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. EST. 

Larry Q. Draughn is a percussionist and educator based in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

You can catch Larry next this Friday, January 26, at the Sharp Nine Gallery in Durham. The drummer will perform a double trio at 7:30 p.m. with Lynn Grissett on trumpet, Jason Foureman on bass, Steven Haines on bass, Devin Fuller on drums, and two special guests. Get tickets.

In addition to performing throughout the Triangle and beyond, Larry teaches at Brightwood Elementary School in Guilford County and directs the North Carolina Jazz Continuum Project. 

Larry has performed at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival (South Bend, Indiana); the Ravinia Jazz Festival (Highland Park, Illinois); Jazz Port Townsend (Townsend, Washington); Detroit Jazz Festival (Detroit, Michigan); Newport Jazz Festival (Newport, Rhode Island); and the Fiji Jazz and Blues Festival (Port Denarau, Fiji), among others.

The drummer has recorded with the NCCU Jazz Ensemble, vocalist Lenora Helm Hammonds, Steve Haines, and Mondre Moffett, and he’s shared the stage with Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, and Nneena Freelon, to name a few. In 2012, his music was featured in ESPN’s “Free to Be” commercials in 2012 during the network’s Black History Month campaign.

The drummer holds a bachelor’s in classical percussion from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a master’s in jazz studies from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Larry is an alumnus (’07) of Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, a two-week jazz residency performance and composition project administered through the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He’s also studied at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute in Highland Park, Illinois. 

You can follow Larry on Instagram and YouTube. 

Music credits

A live recording of “Koko,” by the North Carolina Jazz Continuum, featuring Larry Q. Draughn on drums, Thomas Linger on piano, Lynn Grissett on trumpet, Kenny Phelps-McKeown on bass, and Dave Finucane on sax. The performance took place on March 25, 2016 at the Sharp Nine Gallery in Durham. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count for GivingTuesday, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app. The series also airs on taintradio.org, an online jazz radio station based in North Carolina, on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. EST. 

Cicely Mitchell is the co-owner of Missy Lane’s Assembly Room, Downtown Durham’s newest venue dedicated to jazz and other Black American Music (BAM). Cicely spoke with Six Count during the venue’s opening weekend on January 14, 2024. She shares reactions from the inaugural evening headlined by vocalist Lois Deloatch, her vision for the space as a hub for art and community, and what guests can expect. 

Miss Lane’s plans to put on three seasons of live programming per year, with each announced at least sixty days in advance. The venue also offers club memberships to receive early access to tickets, preferred seating, members-only events, and a “personalized hospitality concierge.”

The venue has partnered with Weldon Mills Distillery, Little Waves Coffee Roasters and Ninth Street Bakery, Duke Arts, and C7 Yoga. Missy Lane’s will serve as a coffee house and meeting space by day, serving java from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

On Fridays and Saturdays, Missy Lane’s will host Office Hours from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. with a house DJ, Professor X. The DJ will play jazz, Afro beats, improv, and more, and the event will feature a percussion jam session.

Missy Lane’s is located on 310 E Main St, Suite 100. Free parking is available on weekends in a lot adjacent to the building, or in nearby decks.

Music credits

This episode features live recordings from Missy Lane’s opening night on January 13, 2024. That evening’s performances featured Lois Deloatch Gomes on vocals, Ernest Turner on piano, Butler Knowles on bass, and Donovan Cheatham on drums. 

This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist. 

Support the show

If you’d like to support Six Count, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.

How to listen

You can find Six Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other listening app. The series also airs on taintradio.org, an online jazz radio station based in North Carolina, on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. EST.