Afleveringen

  • Staci Griesbach: My George Jones Songbook - Ep. 84

    Staci Griesbach: My George Jones Songbook - Ep. 84

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    What do Ella Fitzgerald and Patsy Cline have in common? They were both considered the epitome of their respective styles of music. They have both influenced hundreds of other musical artists. And Staci Griesbach can knock your socks off singing either woman’s music.

    Some people wouldn’t put country and jazz in the same boat. But after years of listening to both genres, Staci realized they weren’t so different after all. Not only are both styles “born in America” — they have similar emotional undercurrents. A good lyric, paired with a good melody, that moves the listener every time.

    If you’re not convinced yet - just give Staci Griesbach’s latest album, My George Jones Songbook, a listen. You might become a country fan just yet. Tune in for 10 minutes to hear Staci’s take on her latest album!

    Resources:

    Learn more about Staci Griesbach on her website or social media. You can find My George Jones Songbook anywhere you stream music, and it’s available for purchase through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Rowan Flack: The Calling - EP. 83

    Rowan Flack: The Calling - EP. 83

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    During the pandemic lockdown, when doors were shuttered and people were cut off from one another, Rowan Flack was dreaming about wide open spaces. And writing about them in her new single, “The Calling.”

    “The Calling” is a dreamy tune featuring an intimate setting of voice and piano. Rowan’s poetry-inspired lyrics are a perfect pairing for the playing of Deschanel Gordon (BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020). Together they help us break free from the constraints of everyday life and find solace in the calling of the mountains.

    Tune in to get to know Rowan Flack and learn more about her follow-up EP, coming soon in 2023!

    Resources:

    Learn more about Rowan Flack on her website or social media. You can find “The Calling” anywhere you stream music, or purchase it from Amazon music

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

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  • Simeon Davis: Of Narratives & Nocturnes - Ep. 82

    Simeon Davis: Of Narratives & Nocturnes - Ep. 82

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    This summer, Simeon Davis released the album, Of Narratives & Nocturnes. And it’s truly all about the narrative.

    If you like a good story, you’ll love Simeon’s music. His music doesn’t just tell a story — the band members are acting out the narrative, role-playing their individual themes. They’re more like thespians than musicians. In his hands, a band becomes a boat rocking across the ocean, a keyboard takes on the voice of God, and a guitar whispers the beguilings of the devil.

    In this episode, we dive into two tracks from the album, “Eden” and “Pleiades” whose respective inspirations come from religion and Greek mythology. Tune in to hear how Simeon paints the canvas of these ancient worlds through instruments and voice — it just takes 10 minutes.

    Resources:

    Learn more about Simeon on his bio or social media. You can find Of Narratives & Nocturnes anywhere you stream music, and it’s available for purchase through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Connie Han: Secrets of Inanna - Ep. 81

    Connie Han: Secrets of Inanna - Ep. 81

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    The goddess of love, beauty, and femininity. But also the goddess of war and ambition. A multi-faceted personality — simultaneously passionate and poised. Are we talking about Inanna, Aphrodite, Venus
 Or pianist Connie Han?

    Most audiences are familiar with more modern iterations of love goddesses, like Venus and Aphrodite. But Inanna’s history in Sumerian mythology surpasses her look-alikes. Her inexorable lust for power and conquest are juxtaposed with her extreme femininity (she is the goddess of fertility after all). Who says you can’t be both powerful and feminine?

    This is exactly what drew Connie Han to Inanna’s story — and maybe because she saw a little of Inanna in herself. Dive into the world of Inanna through the lens of Connie’s latest album, “Secrets of Inanna.” Connie takes you on a breathtaking ride through ancient kingdoms, the underworld, and back again. Tune in for 10 minutes to find out more.

    Resources:

    Learn more about Connie on her website, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter . You can find Secrets of Inanna anywhere you stream music, and it’s available for purchase through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Les McCann & Joe Alterman: Ep 80

    Les McCann & Joe Alterman: Ep 80

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Les McCann and Joe Alterman started as mentor and protege, but have become close friends over the last decade. When Joe first met Les, all he wanted to do was play like him. But Les taught Joe to do just the opposite: to embrace his own experiences and create a unique sound. Instead of trying to be a #2 Les McCann – be a #1 Joe Alterman.

    You may recognize Les McCann from his album with Eddie Harris, Swiss Movement, which features tunes like “Cold Duck Time” and “Compared to What.” It’s a great recording, but he’s also got some hidden gems, like the album Invitation to Openness. It’s a completely different aesthetic. 15 band members improvising on an idea, with no “shoulds” or “have-tos.” It’s incredible - and Les McCann dives into his early experiences that shaped the music.

    Tune in to hear more about Les and Joe’s friendship, music, and lessons learned. Plus, they talk about a song they co-wrote that’s featured on Joe’s latest album. Tune in for 10 minutes!

    Resources:

    Learn more about Joe Alterman on his website. Keep listening to Joe’s album, The Upside of Down, and Les’s album, Invitation to openness.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Joe Alterman: The Upside of Down - Ep 79

    Joe Alterman: The Upside of Down - Ep 79

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Meet Joe Alterman, the boy who wanted to play Bluegrass guitar and instead became a jazz pianist. And one hell of a jazz pianist at that.

    Not only will you love Joe’s playing and original compositions - he’s got some great stories about jazz masters we all know and love. From his college days at NYU, working at the Blue Note, to his continued relationship with the great Les McCann — he passes on the lessons they shared with him. Plus, you’ll get a kick out of the story behind the title of the track “Don’t Forget to Love Yourself,” co-written with Les McCann.

    Tune in to hear Joe’s story and fall in love with his music. It only takes 10 minutes!

    Resources: 

    Learn more about Joe Alterman on his website, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. You can find The Upside of Down anywhere you stream music, and it’s available for purchase through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Richard Shelton: An Englishman In Love in LA - Ep 78

    Richard Shelton: An Englishman In Love in LA - Ep 78

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    As the “world’s leading dramatic interpreter of Frank Sinatra,” Richard Shelton certainly holds a unique relationship to the legend. He’s portrayed Sinatra in the critically acclaimed shows Rat Pack Confidential and Sinatra: Raw. But it doesn’t stop there: he’s got a crooning voice of his own that swings superbly through original music.

    An Englishman in Love in LA holds a little something for everyone. Old favorites from Frank Sinatra are mixed with masterful new tunes by LA bassist and composer Alex Frank, and former BBC ‘Young Composer of the Year’ Alex Rudd. Whether it’s a sorrowful melody about the double-edged sword of love or a song about the courage to chase your dreams: Richard Shelton’s voice is a perfect fit.

    Listen to the full episode to check out the new music from Richard Shelton. You’ll learn more about his early connection to Frank Sinatra, the stories behind the original music, and also hear about his acting career (hint: he’s been on some TV shows you might recognize). Hit play to find out!

    Resources: 

    Learn more about Richard Shelton on his website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. An Englishman in Love in LA is available anywhere you stream music. It’s also available for purchase through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Bryan Carter: I Believe - Ep 77

    Bryan Carter: I Believe - Ep 77

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Meet Bryan Carter, a drummer, singer, composer, and arranger extraordinaire. His latest album, I Believe, isn’t your typical straight-ahead jazz album. It’s a mixtape of his many musical influences, or in other words, “Black American Music through the lens of a jazz musician.”

    Not only does I Believe groove the heck out of each song — it’s also a deeply personal coming of age and coming out story. But the story is subtly told through the lyrics of well-known songs. Listen closely to the words, and you’ll catch Bryan’s meaning.

    Get to know Bryan Carter and the experiences that made him the musician he is today. Bryan dives into the composition process of each tune and what they mean to him. Most importantly, he opens up about his personal journey of learning to accept and love himself.

    Resources: 

    Learn more about Bryan Carter on his website. You can find I Believe anywhere you stream music, and it’s available for purchase through Bryan’s website or through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Roxy Coss: Disparate Parts Ep. 76

    Roxy Coss: Disparate Parts Ep. 76

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Roxy Coss is a saxophonist, Composer, Bandleader, Recording Artist, Educator and Activist (Founder and President of WIJO). Sounds busy, huh? We didn’t even mention that she recently became a new mother! Anyone with even half as busy a life could testify that it’s easy to get caught up in so many different roles. Without hardly noticing, you start to compartmentalize.

    Pre-pandemic and pre-baby, Roxy Coss was feeling a separation between various parts of her life. She was working on new music, and the more it emerged, the more she realized it was a manifestation of these “Disparate Parts.” Ultimately, it became a four movement suite: “The Body,” “The Mind,” “The Heart,” and “The Spirit.”

    Tune in to hear Roxy’s take on each movement and how she’s learned to accept herself and the many facets of her life. Plus, Roxy shares the personal impact of the late pianist Harold Mabern and how he inspired the song “Mabes.”

    Resources:

    Learn more about Roxy Coss on her website or social media. You can find Disparate Parts anywhere you stream music. It’s also available for purchase through Amazon Music.

    Stay tuned to Bite-Size Jazz in by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. And if you’d like to support Bite-Size Jazz and our mission to spread great stories about amazing music, you can buy me a coffee :)  Thanks for listening!

  • Liam Forde: Great To Be Here - Episode 75

    Liam Forde: Great To Be Here - Episode 75

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Meet Liam Forde: a connoisseur of all things music, elegance, and food. He’s a hopeless romantic with one foot in 2022 and one foot in the world of the 1930s nightclubs. One listen to his latest album Great To Be Here and you’ll be floating back in time to old New York where grand hotels and chique elegance reign supreme.

    A middle-class child from a modest home, Liam found himself drawn to the grandiose world of music by a next-door neighbor who taught him how to make tomato sauce and pie dough — love classical music. Later, he found himself entirely captivated by his sister’s CD of Ella Fitzgerald’s “The Best of the Songbook.” The sweeping melodies, chromatic harmonies, and grandiose performances captured his imagination as a young boy - and hasn’t stopped since.

    In Great To Be Here, Liam sings about grandeur monuments, like the “Plaza Hotel” and “Paris When It’s Grey.” He also opens up about artists’ insecurities — and learning to love your music whether or not the audience does — in the song “I Don’t Know.” Additionally, Liam comments on finding happiness in little things during a worldwide pandemic in “When My Word’s in Tune” and “Gratitude Song.”

    Get to know Liam Forde in this episode of Bite-Size Jazz! He talks about his favorite dishes, his love for France, and finding confidence in your music. He also talks about getting started in New York, his acting career, and what makes a great teacher. Take 10 minutes to check out Liam Forde’s new music!

    You can also hear Liam Forde LIVE at Birdland in New York on June 13th @ 8:30 PM EST! Purchase tickets here to reserve your seat today.

    Resources:

    Learn more about Liam Forde on his website, Instagram, or Facebook. You can find Great To Be Here wherever you stream music. It’s also available for purchase from Amazon Music or his website.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I’d love to connect with you!

  • Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini: Auburn Whisper - Episode 74

    Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini: Auburn Whisper - Episode 74

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    If you love Brazilian music, you’ll love Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini's most recent album, Auburn Whisper.

    Auburn Whisper showcases their myriad of talents. Not only are they exceptional on their individual instruments (trombone and guitar), but they are also tasteful lyricists and songwriters. Together they weave the story of disappointment, acceptance, and resilience in the face of a worldwide pandemic — all with the wonderful flavor of Brazil. Their original songs carry the longing for loved ones in another country, hope in the midst of darkness, and tales of Brazilian goddesses.

    Tune in to learn more! They talk about how they met, the lyricist they teamed up with, their unique recording process, and of course, the inspiration behind their original music. Get to know Natalie Cressman, Ian Faquini, and their latest album, Auburn Whisper in less than 10 minutes in this episode of Bite-Size Jazz.

    Resources

    Learn more about Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini on their social media pages. You can find Auburn Whisper wherever you stream music. It’s also available for purchase from Amazon Music or Bandcamp.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Grace Fox: Eleven O' Seven - Episode 73

    Grace Fox: Eleven O' Seven - Episode 73

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    At 19 years old, Grace Fox is already a force to be reckoned with.

    She’s already formed her own big band, recorded her first album, and performed as a trumpeter and bandleader at one of the most respected jazz clubs in NYC, Birdland.

    We don’t want to give too many details away, but in this episode of Bite-Size Jazz, Grace dives into the mishaps of recording — like when singers back out of recordings at the last minute — and the inspiration behind her original songs, including procrastinated homework assignments that later became killer big band charts. She also opens up about the struggles of starting a music degree and trying to launch a career during a worldwide pandemic. Tune in to get to know Grace Fox and her debut album, Eleven O’ Seven.

    Resources: 

    Learn more about Grace Fox on her social media. You can stream Eleven O' Seven on Spotify or Apple Music, it's also available for purchase on Amazon Music, Bandcamp, and iTunes. 

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Vanessa Perea: It Had To Be You - Episode 72

    Vanessa Perea: It Had To Be You - Episode 72

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    You’ve heard of piano-vocal duos and guitar-vocal duos. But what about trombone-vocal duos?

    Vanessa Perea and husband Robert Edwards are trendsetting this unique instrumentation. They first showcased it on their album Home Life in 2021, which was a purely vocal and trombone album. Now their latest album, It Had To Be You, brings that same playful interaction — and adds guitarist Tony Davis and bassist Dylan Shamat.

    Vanessa and Robert first met during their undergrad years at New Jersey City University. A move across the river into New York City proved fruitful to both of their careers. Calls were coming in and their schedules stayed busy. That is, until the pandemic hit. With nothing but time to kill, Vanessa and Robert started exploring the idea of playing with what they had — a voice and a trombone — and spent hours working out arrangements (much to the chagrin of their downstairs neighbors). When social distancing restrictions were lifted, they were happy to add a few more band members to their project. It Had To Be You is a delightful offering of musicians pushing the boundaries of traditional instrumentation.

    Listen to this Bite-Size Jazz episode featuring Vanessa Perea to get to know a vocalist with a style all her own. She talks about learning to coordinate vocal-trombone performing, the process of recording the album, and her musical background.

    Resources:

    Learn more about Vanessa Perea on her website, Instagram, or Facebook. You can find It Had To Be You anywhere you stream music. It's also available for purchase on Amazon Music or Bandcamp.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Melissa Errico: Out of the Dark - Episode 71

    Melissa Errico: Out of the Dark - Episode 71

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Loneliness. Heartache. Emptiness. Isolation. Everything that describes film noir also describes the pandemic. 

    When Melissa Errico first fell down the YouTube rabbit hole of film noir, she didn't expect to find a new passion. After watching hours of tragic femme fatale actresses fall trap to their fate and lonely heroes become disillusioned with society — she realized that the themes of the 1940s weren't so far away after all. A collaboration with the French Institue Alliance Francaise for a film festival further cemented this love for film noir, and most especially for the music these movies featured. 

    Out the Dark presents 17 tracks arranged with the very heart of film noir. Songs like "Laura," "On Vit, On Aime," and "Silent Partner" capture the mystery and intrigue of those classic films. "Farewell My Lovely" showcases a beautiful lyrical setting to the tune of "Marlo's Theme," originally written by David Shire for the movie Farewell My Lovely. And, Melissa gets to star in her very own novella in the music video for "Angel Eyes" — a seven-minute watch that you don't want to miss.  

    Listen to the full episode to hear the stories behind each track on Out of the Dark. Melissa Errico shares how her collaboration with the French Institute began, her vision for the album, and the intriguing tale behind her brand new music video. 

    Resources

    Learn more about Melissa Errico on her website and about Out of the Dark on The Film Noir Project website. You can find Out of the Dark anywhere you stream music. It's also available for purchase on Amazon Music. 

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Anna Laura Quinn: Open the Door - Episode 70

    Anna Laura Quinn: Open the Door - Episode 70

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    If you’re looking for a fresh take on a familiar tune, Anna Laura Quinn has the song for you. Each recording on her debut album Open the Door is a delightful surprise. “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” is reinvented as a bluesy, groove track. “Open the Door,” is cloaked in beautiful, ethereal sound. And “Love for Sale” gets the dark, mysterious makeover its lyrics have been waiting for. Anna Laura is a stunning vocalist, but she’s also a genius arranger.

    When her visual art career didn’t provide the fulfillment she’d imagined, Anna Laura took a leap of faith — all the way to New Orleans. Step by step she’s grown into the confident band leader she is today. From a master's program at UNO, to jam sessions, to her debut album, Anna Laura has been on a journey to discover her sound — and invites you to listen on Open the Door.

    Listen to this Bite-Size Jazz episode featuring Anna Laura Quinn to get to know an incredible young vocalist. She talks about her musical journey, the creativity behind each arrangement, and why she loves New Orleans.

    Resources

    Learn more about Anna Laura Quinn on her website. You can find her album Open the Door anywhere you stream music. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon Music.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Leonor FalcĂłn: Imaga Mondo Vol. II - Episode 69

    Leonor Falcón: Imaga Mondo Vol. II - Episode 69

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Leonor Falcón is no stranger to the violin or viola — she’s been studying them since her childhood placement in a Venezuelan music charter school. Every morning, she attended traditional academic classes, while her afternoons were filled with orchestra and small ensemble rehearsals. The central focus was mastering the instrument to reach the top orchestra. And though her school days were filled with classical music — her home was filled with the sounds of rock, jazz, and pop. Eventually, these genres called her to New York to study jazz and improvisation.

    While in New York, Leonor discovered a love for all types of improvisation — not just jazz. She found the Avant-Garde scene and other unique sounds that defy typical genre placement. Leonor also realized that learning to improvise was almost like learning a different instrument. Rather than focusing on correct notes and rhythms, she learned to let expression lead her technique. Leonor learned to accept herself and the sounds she produced in each moment.

    Listen to this Bite-Size Jazz episode to learn more about Leonor Falcón and the stories behind each song on her new album, Imaga Mondo Vol. II. She talks about the fables that influenced her preceding album, Imaga Mondo Vol. I, the images that inspired songs like “Nita” and “The Monks,” and how to improvise freely within a group.

    Resources

    Learn more about Leonor FalcĂł on her website. You can find her album Imaga Mondo Vol. II anywhere you stream music.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Spencer Day: Broadway by Day - Episode 68

    Spencer Day: Broadway by Day - Episode 68

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    “If it was on VHS I got to see it”

    Spencer Day credits his mother and the local video store for igniting his love of musicals. He grew up in a small, conservative town that didn’t have much in the way of live musical theater performances. But there was a video store that carried G-rated movies — and classic films. The music from shows like Oklahoma, Singin’ in the Rain, and South Pacific planted big dreams of traveling the world inside his young heart. However, it took some time before he realized that singing would be his ticket around the globe.

    Now Spencer Day is a #1 Billboard jazz/pop singer and songwriter that has played in venues like the Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl and London’s West End. He’s been praised by Time Out New York, Washington Post, New York Public Radio, and SF Chronicle. But it certainly wasn’t a straight trajectory getting to this point. Between a joke audition for Star Search that actually landed him on the show, playing in piano bars, signing and getting dropped by labels, there’s been many twists and turns on his path to success. He laughs about performing in the Hollywood Bowl in the same week he played for six people in a blizzard in Ohio. The artist’s life is never easy — but it’s worth it.

    Listen to the full interview to get to know Spencer Day and his music! He talks about the ups and downs of building a music career, why sacrifices of an artist’s lifestyle is worth it, and the creative process behind his latest album Broadway by Day.

    Resources

    Learn more about Spencer Day on his website. You can find his album Broadway by Day anywhere you stream music. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon Music.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch: The Sunday Set - Episode 67

    Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch: The Sunday Set - Episode 67

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch’s friendship began almost 40 years ago, way before they ever set foot in New York City. Jim was living and performing in Dallas, Texas, when his manager asked if a young vocal trio from Houston could sing a few songs before one of his shows. That trio was Sharon Montgomery, Rebecca Plant, and Billy Stritch. Jim thought “Oh sure, give these kids a break.” Their performance blew everyone away, including Jim, who said “They were one of the best vocal groups I’d ever heard, I wanted to kill myself. In lieu of that, we became best friends.”

    Now, Jim and Billy spend every Monday night together at the Birdland Theater in New York hosting “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” — one of the best open mics in the city. Every week for 18 years they’ve brought people on stage to share their talents with the audience. The best part? You never know who might walk in the door

    But you can’t make it to New York to hang out with Jim and Billy, you can bring them into your home every day with their album The Sunday Set. It opens up with a sunny medley of “Whistle While You Work” and “Give a Little Whistle,” and is followed by a 60s swingin’ arrangement of “You Are My Sunshine.” You’ll be laughing while they sing “What Did You Do To Your Face?” and grabbing for a beer during their “Sinatra Saloon Medley”

    Listen to the full interview with Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch to hear all the details of their newest album, The Sunday Set. They laugh about the crazy adventures of hosting an open mic night, explain how their album came together, and describe the process of arranging tunes for The Sunday Set.

    Resources

    Learn more about Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch on their websites. You can find their album The Sunday Set anywhere you stream music. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon Music.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We’d love to connect with you!

  • The Baylor Project: Generations - Episode 66

    The Baylor Project: Generations - Episode 66

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    “Never compare your season to someone else’s.”

    Jean and Marcus Baylor have experienced many different seasons during their lives. Jean found success in the 90s as half of the duo Zhane. Marcus rose to prominence in the early 2000s as the drummer for the Yellowjackets. And now they’re in a new season of musical creation — together this time — as The Baylor Project.

    Since 2017, they’ve started their own label, Be a Light, released two albums, been nominated four times for a Grammy (the latest for their album, Generations), and recently partnered with the legendary Motown Gospel label. Marcus notes that it’s a good thing you take the journey one step at a time. If you knew at the beginning what kind of work it would take to get where you are now — would you have had the bandwidth to say yes?

    Whatever you’re trying to achieve, it’s all about persistence and staying consistent. It’s as true for a musical vision as it is for a marriage. Jean and Marcus Baylor have been together for 20 years now, and they say it’s important to both love and like each other (there is a difference). They’ve built their marriage on a foundation of friendship that carries them through the inevitable ups and downs of any relationship. But how did it all start? Jean and Marcus lightheartedly banter over the story of how they met — but you’ll have to tune in to hear all the details.

    Listen to the full interview to get to know Jean and Marcus Baylor. They talk about how The Baylor Project began, how they are bringing together Generations of musicians through their album, and the creative process behind their original songs.

    Resources

    Learn more about The Baylor Project on their website. You can find their album Generations anywhere you stream music. It’s also available for purchase through their website or Amazon Music.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I’d love to connect with you!

  • Christiane Karam: Nar - Episode 65

    Christiane Karam: Nar - Episode 65

    · Bite-Size Jazz

    Vocalist and composer Christiane Karam fuses a world of influences in her latest album, Nar. We hear western harmony, eastern melodies, Balkan rhythms, Hungarian folk tunes, and a few surprising influences like Pink Floyd and David Bowie. Christiane’s music melds these sounds together to unfold the shared experiences of humanity.

    Some of those experiences are quite universal, like the heartache from a breakup. Others are shared by many around the globe, like the immigrant journey. And there are other experiences that no one would wish upon another, but still too many undergo — the tragedies brought by war and violence.

    Born and raised in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon, Christiane is all too familiar with the calamities of conflict. But nothing could have prepared her for the pain inflicted by the August 2020 explosion in Beirut. It wasn’t just another newscast about a place a world away — those were Christiane’s family and friends. When the shock subsided and the tears finally flowed, it was her music that brought healing and peace.

    Listen to the full episode to learn more about Christiane Karam and her latest album, Nar. Christiane opens up about her emotional journey while writing the song “Beirut,” describes the influences that shaped her music, and explains why the artist’s role is essential during a crisis.

    Resources:

    Learn more about Christiane Karam on her website. Nar is available for purchase online.

    Enjoying Bite-Size Jazz? You can support the podcast by Buying Me a Coffee! You can also leave a review, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I’d love to connect with you!

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