You Dig?

Steve Wiest welcomes Dave Richards of Tower of Power to You Dig? for a joyful deep dive into life inside one of the most iconic horn bands in modern music.

Dave discusses his North Texas roots, touring internationally with Tower of Power, working with Emilio Castillo and Doc Kupka, surviving the Maynard Ferguson “Front of the Bus” game, composing for large ensembles, memorizing the legendary T.O.P. book, and navigating today’s evolving music business.

Additional stories include Birdland with Slide Hampton, Jay Saunders memories, multi-instrumentalist adventures, and an especially philosophical edition of The Dig You Inquisition.

Featuring music talk, road stories, jazz education wisdom, and a healthy dose of galactic nonsense from the Bridge.

A good time is had by all. You dig?

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Links from this episode:

Tower of Power Tour Dates https://www.towerofpower.com/tour/

Tower of Power 2026 Band Members https://www.towerofpower.com/the-band/

Tower of Power Website https://www.towerofpower.com/

"Newport" Composed by Slide Hampton Adapted by Dave Richards Performed live by the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band at Birdland

• One O'clock Lab Band - "Newport" - Live f...

"Dark Matters" Composed by Dave Richards Performed by the One O'Clock Lab Band Live at Birdland Trumpet solo by Clynt Yerkes Tenor solo: Brian Clancy Drum solo: Michael D'Angelo • "Dark Matters" UNT One O'Clock Lab Band Li...

Marianne's Ice Cream: Santa Cruz, CA https://mariannesicecream.com/

Steve hangs out on the front porch of the hippest crib in the village with rising film composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Julia’s music and creative process to balancing family life and career-building in Los Angeles.

The discussion dives deep into the realities of modern film composition, networking, jazz education, demos, editing, and forging a sustainable artistic path in the highly competitive — but incredibly exciting — world of writing for film and media.

This is a must-listen episode for composers, musicians, film-score fans, and especially anyone hoping to build a career in composition for Hollywood, television, games, or multimedia. Click this link to see the video version where you can also see the film clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H3D3chYBo8

Links from this episode:

Julia’s Website: https://sokolowskamusic.com/

Destino • Destino - Music by Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska

Divos! Trailer • Destino - Music by Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska

Divos! Full Score • Hollywood Hills

Divos! Behind the Scenes with Sarah Reich • Divos! Ricky's Tap Theme BTS No Intro

Julia's YouTube Channel: / @juliazuzannasokolowska

What-the-WHAT?! So how did THIS happen?

Well, I asked my pal Glenn Kostur to help me check some tech to get ready for an upcoming episode with Rising Star Film Composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolawska and we accidentally came up with so much SHTICK (mostly two old guys forgetting words...but shtick nonetheless) that I turned it into an episode (with the help of my crack editing team, of course)

So here Ya go! Behold "Glenn and Steve's Excellent Accidental Episode!" _____________________

Links from this episode:

New Cydonia Composed by Steve Wiest,

Performed by the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXMkdoz0Y90

Julia Zuzanna Sokolawska https://sokolowskamusic.com/

Darcy James Argue https://darcyjamesargue.com/

Rick Beato https://www.youtube.com/RickBeato

In this episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with acclaimed jazz bassist and educator Lynn Seaton. A former member of the Count Basie Orchestra and a longtime professor at the University of North Texas, Seaton shares stories from his career performing with some of the most important figures in jazz.

The conversation explores the role of the bass in jazz, the importance of time and feel, and the lessons passed down through generations of great musicians. This episode offers valuable insight for musicians, educators, and listeners interested in the tradition and evolution of jazz.

Links:

Lynn Seaton – University Profile https://jazz.unt.edu/faculty/lynn-seaton

UNT Jazz Program https://jazz.unt.edu/

"You Don't Know What Love Is" - Evilena Protektore and Lynn Seaton recorded at Funcoolio rec. in Riga, December 2014 • You don't know what love is - Evilena Prot...

Lynn's Feature on the Fred Rogers tune "It's You I Like" From the Steve Wiest Recording "Out of the New" • It's You I Like

Subscribe to You Dig!! / @youdigpod

Subscribe to the You Dig Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/acf5c3c7dc5e/subsc...

Follow the You Dig? FaceBook Page: / youdigpod

Welcome to another You Dig? SAMPLER PLATTER!

🎶 On this episode, we spotlight the artistry of master bassist Lynn Seaton—a deeply musical voice heard across decades of jazz performance at the highest level. Featured here are selections from Lynn’s work as both sideman and leader, spanning big band, trio, and solo bass artistry.

🎧 Featured Tracks:

🎺 “Blues for Red”

From: Woody Herman – 50th Anniversary Tour

Label: Concord Jazz

Personnel Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Lynn Seaton Arranged By – Brad Williams (2) (tracks: 5), Frank Tiberi (tracks: 5), John Fedchock (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 8) Art Direction – Tom Burgess Baritone Saxophone – Mike Brignola Bass Trombone – Mark Lusk Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Woody Herman Coordinator [Musical] – John Fedchock Cover – Sylvia Barnes (2) Drums – Jim Rupp* Engineer [Assistant] – Brian Hague, Phil DeLancie* Engineer [Recording And Remix] – Phil Edwards Liner Notes – Gordon Raddue Mastered By – George Horn Photography By [Cover] – David Fischer (3) Piano – Brad Williams (2) Producer – Carl E. Jefferson Producer [Assistant] – Chris Long (7) Tenor Saxophone – Jerry Pinter Tenor Saxophone [Lead] – Frank Tiberi Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Dave Riekenberg Trombone – Paul McKee Trombone [Lead] – John Fedchock Trumpet – Bill Byrne, Les Lovitt, Mark Lewis (18), Ron Stout Trumpet [Lead] – Roger Ingram Woody Herman – Leader, clarinet, alto sax

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🎻 “Improvisation for Aubrey”

From: Solo Flights (1996)

Label: OmniTone

Personnel: Lynn Seaton – solo bass

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🎹 “Peggy’s Blue Skylight” (Charles Mingus)

From: Kenny Drew Jr. Trio

Album: Portraits of Charles Mingus & Thelonious Monk

Label: Claves Jazz

Personnel: Kenny Drew Jr. – piano Lynn Seaton – bass Drums – Marvin "Smitty" Smith ___________________

🥁 “Cute” composed by Neal Hefti

From: Butch Miles – Straight On Till Morning

Label: Nagel-Heyer Records

Personnel Frank Wes, Alex Saudargas Bob Ojeda Bill Porter Doug LAwrence Lynn Seaton Kenny Drew, Jr.

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🎙️ Want the full story? 👉 Check out the full episode of You Dig? featuring Lynn Seaton for deep conversation, stories, and insights from one of the great bass voices in jazz. Subscribe, like, and share if you dig it 😎

A good time is had by all. You dig?

Welcome to the INAUGURAL episode of our new series "DIG U(niversity)"

This is where we feature one of the MANY great jazz programs around the world and lift up everything they are doing to further our music and to help prepare the next generation of great artists.

We begin with the wonderful Tim Ishii and his stellar program at The University of Texas Arlington (UTA) This is also where I'm hosting the big "Telling Stories" project. You'll be hearing MUCH more about that! In the meantime, dive in with Time Ishii, and two of his wonderful students, Vincent Tran and Gabe Parker.

You dig?

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Learn more about the jazz program at UTA:

https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools...

Guitarist and composer Ryan Davidson joins Steve Wiest for a wide-ranging conversation about music, storytelling, and the creative process behind his album Country.

From early encounters with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Lyle Mays to his work with Gord Bamford and Drew Jurecka, Ryan shares the experiences that shaped his musical voice.

The discussion explores his unique compositional approach, including “sound chords,” programmatic writing, and the blending of country, jazz, and cinematic influences.

Along the way, the conversation moves through mentorship, artistic courage, humor, and the realities of building a creative life in music.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

07:22 Journey with Gord Bamford

16:11 Album “Country”

18:04 Headache Country

23:13 Sound Chords

26:00 Old West Country

31:13 Courage & Mentorship

38:01 Bar Brawl

44:37 Pedal Board & Sound Design

47:29 Ice-Nine

53:43 Dig You Inquisition

01:03:05 Meaning of Life

01:06:32 Closing

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Links from Today"s show: Ryan Davidson's Website

https://www.ryandavidsonguitar.com/

Gord Bamford's Website/Store

https://gordbamford.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopTl47F-GMbW34J9OGRtpHTVGLbA9s7KPGnFqtTbG_l4OfyjT9T

Purchase the Album "Country" https://ryandavidsonguitar.bandcamp.com/album/country

"Country Behind the Scenes" on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reels/C5E-lKkPa6v/

https://www.instagram.com/reels/Cz7iVEcv97v/

https://www.instagram.com/reels/C6e2Kacy8uM/

You Dig? Sampler Platter – The Music of Ryan Davidson

What happens when a master jazz guitarist turns his attention to country music?

On his latest release, Country, Ryan Davidson explores the genre not just as a style—but as a series of musical landscapes, each with its own voice and identity.

In this Sampler Platter, we feature selections from Country, including:

• “Headache Country”
• “Old West Country”
• “Bar Room Brawl”

All compositions by Ryan Davidson.

Personnel for "Country"

Ryan Davidson-Guitar, Composer, Arranger, Co-producer, Vocals Brendan Lyons-Drums, Percussion, Co-producer, Engineering, Editing, Programming, Vocals, Whistling Justin Kudding-Bass Bart McKay-Keys Drew Jurecka-Violin, Viola Amahl Arulanandam-Cello Lydia Munchinsky-Cello Bob Tildesley-Trumpet

We also feature:

“Whysitgottabe (This Way?)” from Hampden – BLUE, composed by Steve Wiest, featuring:

Steve Wiest, Lisa Dodd Watts, Ryan Davidson, Eric Gunnison, Bijoux Barbosa, Stockton Helbing, Frank Greene, Brad Leali, Shelley Carroll, Art Bouton, and Phil Bulla.

🎧 Listen to more of Ryan Davidson: https://www.ryandavidsonguitar.com/ https://ryandavidsonguitar.bandcamp.com/

🎙️ Then join us for the full episode:

You Dig? S3 Ep10 – Ryan Davidson

🎧 You Dig? Sampler Platter — The Music of Eric Jacobson

This episode features music from acclaimed trumpeter Eric Jacobson, showcasing his work as a bandleader and collaborator across multiple recordings.

“Let’s take a moment and listen—this is where the conversation meets the music.”

Featured Tracks: • “Survival”

— Heading Home (Origin Records) Trumpet: Eric Jacobson Tenor Sax: Geof Bradfield Piano: Bruce Barth Bass: Dennis Carroll Drums: George Fludas •

“Three of a Kind” — Heading Home (Origin Records) Trumpet: Eric Jacobson Tenor Sax: Geof Bradfield Piano: Bruce Barth Bass: Dennis Carroll Drums: George Fludas •

“Discover” — Discover (Origin Records) Trumpet: Eric Jacobson Tenor Sax: Geof Bradfield Piano: Bruce Barth Bass: Dennis Carroll Drums: George Fludas •

“Onward” — New Outlook (Affinity Trio) Trumpet: Eric Jacobson Piano: Bruce Barth Bass: Dennis Carroll

🎺 All music composed and performed by Eric Jacobson and collaborators. 📀 Used with permission / for promotional and educational purposes.

Eric's Website: https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/home

Origin Records: https://originarts.com/

In this first installment of the Rising Stars series, Steve Wiest sits down with trumpeter, composer, and entrepreneur Eric Jacobson for an honest and inspiring conversation about building a life in jazz.

Eric shares how he has created a sustainable career performing hard bop, releasing original music, teaching, and promoting his work—all while staying true to the music and continuing to grow as an artist.

The conversation explores the real question many musicians ask: Is it possible to make a living playing jazz today?

Eric’s answer is clear—and backed by experience.

Along the way, they discuss mentorship, persistence, creative identity, and the importance of believing you have something unique to offer.

This is a conversation about music—but also about purpose, resilience, and the long road of developing a life in the arts.

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Links from this episode:

Eric's Website https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/home

Origin Records: https://originarts.com/

Eric's Music: https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/music

Eric's Jazz Method Books: https://ericjacobsontrumpet.com/jazz-...